The Sewerage & Water Board and Mayor LaToya Cantrell unveiled six plug-in hybrid electric trucks and charging stations at SW&B Central Yard.
The electric trucks are Ford F-150 pickups equipped with plug-in hybrid electric technology which includes a high-voltage lithium battery pack and regenerative braking. The systems enable an estimated 50% increase in miles per gallon and 33% decrease in emissions. Officials say the new trucks will help the city reduce negative climate change impacts and improve air quality while saving taxpayer money from decreased fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.
"This is aligned with our climate action goals and the impact that we want to have in the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana in regards to this footprint. It's something that we have to remain focused on," said Mayor Cantrell. "We understand that we are a coastal city, and being a coastal city, we do have the challenges of sea-level rise and coastal land loss."