Oak Park has purchased several new vehicles in line with the village’s ambition to reduce its fleet’s environmental impact.
Oak Park’s village board approved deals this week to purchase a new electric semi-truck for the public works department and six hybrid police interceptor SUVs for the police department.
The village purchased the Peterbilt electric semi-truck from the JX Truck Center in Bolingbrook, with the vehicle valued at $397,591, according to the village. While the village must allocate funds for the full cost of the vehicle, 75% of it will be paid for through a reimbursement grant provided through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
After the village is reimbursed, Oak Park will only be on the hook for $103,375 for the vehicle’s purpose. The village intends to use the fully electric semi-truck for work in areas with poor air quality levels, according to the village.
“This electric semi-truck will primarily drive on routes in EPA-designated non-attainment areas for air quality,” village staff wrote in documents supporting the contract. “Using zero-emissions vehicles in non-attainment areas can assist in improving air quality and conditions outside for people who reside in non-attainment areas.”
It will take six to eight months for the village to receive the truck, according to village documents.
The six 2026 Ford Utility Hybrid Police Interceptor Vehicles are valued at a combined $312,012, according to the village. The hybrid model vehicles offer significant fuel efficiency benefits compared to traditional police utility vehicles, according to the village.
“The hybrid drive system has the potential to save a minimum of 30% in fuel usage compared to frontline patrol vehicles currently employed by the village,” village staff wrote in documents supporting the contract. “The village has found that hybrid vehicles historically get double the MPG of their regular ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) counterparts.”
The Ford Utility Hybrid Police Interceptor is the only pursuit-rated hybrid police utility vehicle available on the market, according to Ford.