City of Moreno Valley Unveils "Smart" Vehicle Program

The city of Moreno Valley's vehicle fleet got "smarter" this week with the unveiling of its first "Smart Car." The city purchased two pre-owned vehicles to evaluate their use in place of less efficient vehicles typically found in local government fleets. Long recognized for its commitment to technology, Moreno Valley began this pilot program to evaluate the benefits of putting these fuel efficient vehicles to work throughout the city. "With this program, Moreno Valley will be setting a new standard for fuel economy and hopefully this will create a ripple effect for residents throughout our city," said Mayor Jesse Molina. "I'm proud that Moreno Valley pursues innovation in the delivery of service to our residents," he continued. The city purchased the vehicles because they are among the most environmentally friendly vehicles on the road today. Smart Cars use less gasoline than most vehicles and are listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as achieving 33 miles per gallon in city driving and are classified as an ultra-low emissions vehicle. Councilmember Jeff Giba, who suggested the pilot program, sees the move as a cost-saving measure for the City. "These super-efficient cars offer a great alternative to larger vehicles, particularly since many of our field staff take short trips within the city. I think that the community will see these vehicles as a demonstration of the city's commitment to saving money while providing outstanding service." The City currently utilizes compact trucks for field operations. A pre-owned Smart Car costs from $9,000 to $11,000; the cost to purchase a new compact truck would be $20,000 or more. The city can also expect to see an annual savings of $12,000 in fuel, maintenance and repair costs per vehicle. The first vehicle will be used by Parking Control Officers. The second Smart Car will be used by the Public Works staff to conduct field audits. Smart Car safety features include a racing car roll-cage for crash compatibility with larger passenger cars, four air bags, a four-wheel anti-lock brake system and electronic stability control.