A San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District grant will enable the City of Oakdale to take advantage of an opportunity to obtain alternative fuel vehicles in a program for public agencies.

According to Public Service Director Thom Clark, the city is seeking to purchase three electric trucks to be used at the Wastewater Treatment Facility, the city corporation yard, and one to be used by the parks division out at Kerr Park.

The grant allows applicants to apply for up to $20,000 for each new vehicle and grant funding is on a first come, first served basis.

Clark stated Oakdale has used this grant opportunity in the past to purchase a “GEM” electric vehicle, which is still in use at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

A GEM is an electric vehicle that plugs into a normal 110-volt electrical outlet with an extension cord. The truck has a governor that does not allow it to travel faster than 25 MPH so it is restricted to what streets in can drive on. Additionally, the battery life only allows the vehicle to be driven a maximum distance of 40 miles before a recharge.

“It would not be an appropriate vehicle for F Street or Yosemite Avenue,” Clark told the city council on April 18, “but it would also work ideal out at Kerr Park and at the corp yard.”

Clark said the two models he’s requesting for the city both fall under the $20,000 threshold with one model at $17,990 and the other at $18,197 after tax and license so there would be no out-of-pocket cost to the city.