Suffolk, Westchester, Form Partnership To Buy Electric Vehicles

WHITE PLAINS, NY — A new shared services partnership between Suffolk and Westchester counties will procure electric vehicles, help tackle environmental problems and save taxpayers dollars.

During a news conference in White Plains on Monday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced the partnership they said would serve as a model for local government across the state.

Bellone said the decision of two counties will "lay the groundwork towards a clean, zero-emission fleet by 2030.

"Not only are we building back, but we are building back better with cleaner, greener energy," he said.

Latimer said that, as was seen with Hurricane Ida, "climate change is real, it is here and we must act not to do something about it.

"This policy will put Westchester and Suffolk counties on the forefront of this fight, leading by example so other local governments around the state and country can follow," he said.

The two counties announced in May plans to convert their vehicle fleets to all-electric by 2030. Their respective county departments were directed to submit plans to achieve clean and zero-emissions fleets by that time or sooner.

Just one of the new vehicles — a 35-foot, 32-seat bus — is expected to save about 5,000 gallons of fuel each year compared to a traditional diesel bus, according to a spokesperson.