News

Switching the state's fleets to electric vehicles could save Florida up to $277 million over fifteen years 

TALLAHASSEE, FL, May 3, 2023 – Today, the Florida Legislature passed a bill that will help reduce vehicle fleet procurement costs for the state and open the door for alternatively-fueled vehicles to become a bigger part of the state’s future fleet. “SB 284 - Energy” would require the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) to consider not just the initial purchase price but the total cost of ownership for new additions to the state’s vehicle fleet, including operations, fuel, and maintenance costs. It also asks DMS to recommend the same standards to state agencies, local governments, and state colleges and universities. 

“We know that alternative fuel vehicles like electric vehicles have lower fuel and maintenance costs, and this bill will help ensure those benefits are factored into state fleet purchasing decisions,” said Michael Weiss, Florida state lead for Advanced Energy United, a national trade association of clean transportation and energy companies. "We thank Senator Jason Brodeur and Representative Mike Caruso for their leadership sponsoring and championing this common-sense legislation." 

The legislation requires updated procurement standards that could save Florida taxpayers up to $277 million 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. April 11, 2023 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy United applauded the Florida Senate’s passage of CS/CS/SB 284: Energy. The bill would require the Department of Management Services (DMS) to consider not just the initial purchase price but the total cost of ownership for new additions to the state’s vehicle fleet, including operations, fuel, and maintenance costs. It also asks DMS to make recommendations to state agencies, local governments, and state colleges and universities using the same standards. 

Research from Advanced Energy United and the Electrification Coalition showed the bill has the potential to save Florida an average of $18,000 per vehicle by considering the total cost of ownership in vehicle procurement decisions. A full transition to electric vehicles for the state fleet could save Florida up to $277 million over that same period. 

A new joint report from Advanced Energy United and the Electrification Coalition estimates up to $277 million in savings for Florida government entities when vehicles’ lifetime fuel and maintenance costs are considered. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., March 20, 2023 – A new report from national business association Advanced Energy United found the state of Florida could save almost $280 million by considering the total cost of ownership in vehicle procurement decisions, compared to the current practice of only considering purchase price. The report, a joint effort between Advanced Energy United and the Electrification Coalition with support from Atlas Public Policy, highlights the lower lifetime maintenance costs that ultimately make an electric fleet significantly more affordable for the state. 

The bill that was approved by the Florida legislature earlier this year threatened the growth of the solar industry in the Sunshine State

TALLAHASSEE – Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed House Bill 741.  

Advanced Energy Economy’s Florida policy lead Michael Weiss issued the following statement in response to Governor DeSantis’s veto: 

“On behalf of the advanced energy industry, including solar installation and manufacturing companies and the thousands of people employed by these industries in Florida, AEE thanks Governor DeSantis for seeing the damage that would have been done from ending net metering in the state. The Governor’s veto ensures that solar panels on residential homes in Florida retain their full value, and households are fairly compensated for the energy they provide back to the power grid.