The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services and Los Angeles County Internal Services Department have launched the Bi-Coastal Fleet Accord, a first-in-the-nation municipal vehicle partnership designed to support clean fleet goals through mutual support, advocacy, and scale.
The accord was recently announced at the 37th Annual Equipment & Vehicle Show. According to DCAS, the partnership aligns the nation’s largest city and the nation’s largest county, which operate the largest municipal fleets and charging networks, into an advocacy block focused on supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles and sustainable fleet operations.
Through the Bi-Coastal Fleet Accord, New York City and Los Angeles County will look to promote continued investment, purchasing, and innovation for alternative-fueled vehicles. The two municipalities will also work together to support a more comprehensive transition to zero-emission vehicles across both locations.
“The City of New York and Los Angeles County operate two of the largest municipal fleets in the country, and through the Bi-Coastal Fleet Accord we are unlocking transformative potential,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. “By aligning with Los Angeles County, DCAS is accelerating fleet electrification and helping to shape a more efficient and sustainable future for cities nationwide.”
Quintin Haynes, chief deputy director of the County of Los Angeles Internal Services Department, said the partnership establishes a “Bicoastal Bridge” that will allow the two governments to combine institutional knowledge and support municipal fleet transformation.
“New York City and Los Angeles County have been independently pursuing ambitious programs of sustainable and electric fleets,” said DCAS Deputy Commissioner and NYC Chief Fleet Officer Keith Kerman. “Effective today, the nation’s largest city and largest county are in this effort together through the Bi-Coastal Fleet Accord.”
Together, New York City and Los Angeles County operate more than 47,000 fleet vehicles. New York City currently manages more than 5,800 electric vehicles, while Los Angeles County is advancing a Zero Emissions Vehicle Mobility Plan that calls for replacing 6,300 vehicles with zero-emission models.
As part of the accord, DCAS will work with Los Angeles County fleet leadership to explore several areas of cooperation. Planned activities include quarterly meetings, exchanging data on topics such as charger reliability, identifying funding gaps, and coordinating on infrastructure planning. DCAS and Los Angeles County will also share technical specifications for vehicles and chargers so manufacturers can build to common technical requirements that serve municipal fleet needs.
The partnership will also include collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center on a joint Clean Fleet Transition Report to identify opportunities for cities nationwide to advance sustainable fleet operations.
DCAS said the announcement builds on New York City’s fleet electrification and sustainability work. The city operates nearly 10,500 electrified units, including 5,825 electric vehicles and 4,683 hybrid units. More than 2,500 charging ports support the city’s electric fleet, and 11,695 fleet units use 100% renewable diesel, including law enforcement response trucks.
Los Angeles County ISD oversees a fleet of more than 15,000 vehicles serving more than 10 million residents. The county operates close to 2,000 charging ports and is guided by its Zero Emissions Vehicle Mobility Plan as it transitions toward a zero-emission municipal fleet.
