LOVELAND, CO - The City of Loveland took another step toward becoming a more sustainable municipality by partnering with Tynan’s Nissan to lease two electric vehicles for fleet use. In conjunction with National Plug-In Vehicle Day, City officials unveiled the two Nissan Leafs Sept. 24, according to a release from the City.

“This is another example of our government working in cooperation with private industry to reduce our dependency on foreign oil,” said Steve Kibler, fleet manager for the City of Loveland. 

Kibler said the City is leasing the vehicles for $23,607 each. After the lease term ends (2 years), the City will own the vehicles. Kibler expects to be able to sell the two-year-old Leafs for approximately $21,600, bringing cost -- direct and indirect -- of use of the vehicles for two years down to an estimated $3,800 each.

The two zero-emission, plug-in cars for use by City employees will be located at two City facilities: the Water and Power Service Center parking lot and the Civic Center parking lot. Each location will have a charging station that will also be available for public use.

Nissan estimates the Leaf can drive 100 miles without charging if the driver does not use air conditioning, headlights, or heat seats.  Independent test sources estimate the Leaf’s average driving range at 70 miles per charge.

The two Nissan Leafs are a part of a pilot program to see how an electric vehicle will integrate into the use patterns of City employees. The City has entered a time-specific lease to minimize the financial commitment, according to the release.

In July, the City announced it would reduce its fleet size by implementing a car-sharing program.