A group of nearly 350 mayors has committed to electrifying at least half of their fleets by 2030 and increasing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure by 500% by 2035.
The local leaders are part of a group called Climate Mayors, a bipartisan coalition committed to demonstrating climate leadership through action in their communities.
Details on the Latest Climate Commitment
Climate Mayors recently announced the EV commitment, as part of a celebration of the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act and on the 10-year anniversary of the coalition's founding.
At least 40% of the charging infrastructure will benefit disadvantaged communities. The collective effort is part of a move to meet the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to make 50% of all new vehicle sales electric by 2030.
Climate Mayors will work with its member cities to accelerate municipal fleet electrification and charging infrastructure expansion by providing policy, technical, and analytical resources to achieve these goals.
This will include developing formal partnerships with manufacturers and national clean financing institutions funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to bridge the gap between private capital and municipal needs.
“As a proud former mayor, I have seen the effectiveness of local leaders coming together on a global issue like climate change - and today is a powerful example of that impact,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “This announcement...will deliver a range of benefits: cost savings for residents, cleaner air, and a lot of good jobs. The Biden-Harris Administration is proud to support these mayors in ensuring that the EV revolution plays out on efficient, affordable, and equitable terms for American drivers and American workers.”
The U.S. transportation sector is the single largest source of carbon pollution, accounting for 29% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
“Today the Climate Mayors continue their leadership in sending clear market signals to OEMs for growing demand for EVs while accelerating the electrification of fleets to reduce emissions and operating costs for municipalities,” Climate Mayors Board Chair Matt Petersen said.
In 2017, Climate Mayors found that across 30 cities 112,000 vehicles could be electrified.
In 2019, the group launched the EV Pooled Purchasing Collaborative (EV Collaborative) to help cities electrify their fleets and plan for EV charging. Since then, over 250 municipalities, counties, transit agencies, port authorities, and colleges and universities have committed to purchasing over 4,000 EVs.
Among the members of Climate Mayors is John Giles of Mesa, Arizona. In January 2024, Government Fleetshared about the Mesa Fire Department's E-ONE Vector all-electric pumper truck.
“By working together across party lines, Climate Mayors can achieve significant progress toward a safe, sustainable, and prosperous future," Giles said. "Embracing electric vehicles will bring long-term benefits to our community, and we are proud to lead this important transition as a united front."
Satya Rhodes-Conway, mayor of Madison, Wisconsin and chair emerita of Climate Mayors, is also a member. The city of Madison has experimented with electric fire pumpers on its fleet for several years, working alongside Pierce Manufacturing to provide feedback on its Volterra electric pumper.
The city also operates a sustainable fleet shop, which has been named a LEED Gold facility by the U.S. Green Building Council.
“Our collective commitment to accelerate electrification of our municipal fleets demonstrates the power of partnership when striving to meet our climate goals,” Rhodes-Conway said. “With over 100 light duty EVs in our fleet and 62 all-electric buses on the streets in Madison, we’re all about breaking barriers in order to bring cleaner air and green jobs to our cities. Together, with the backing of our federal partners, we’re primed and ready to create new norms for electrification, equity, and local sustainability.”
These are just two of the municipalities working to accelerate electrification and sustainability.
More About the Climate Mayors
Climate Mayors has mobilized more than 750 U.S. mayors since 2014.
These mayors represent 46 states and nearly 60 million Americans.
