A ribbon cutting ceremony was held May 5 in Naval Base San Diego to unveil the Navy-Marine Corps Electric Vehicle Fleet at Naval Base San Diego.

Since 2015, NAVFAC Southwest has led the Department of Navy's transition to electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce fuel consumption, increase energy independence, and reduce greenhouse gas levels. This initiative, in partnership with the state of California through the California Energy Commission, California Air Resources Board, and California Public Utilities Commission, starts a transition of the Department of Navy's California vehicle fleet to zero emission vehicles. This project established a model for fleet transformation and public sector partnership throughout California and the country.

"This electrification of the non-tactical vehicle fleet is an element in a larger program that also includes increasing the use of telematics to better manage the Department of Navy's vehicle fleet," said Bernie Lindsey, Navy Region Southwest's Energy program manager. "These electric vehicles are being programmed to recharge during grid off peak hours, helping grid management."

NAVFAC Southwest recently completed Phase 1 of this initiative to provide 205 battery EVs and their associated charging infrastructure to 10 Navy and Marine Corps installations across California. These are the first 205 vehicles of the 2nd generation Ford Focus EV built in Ford's Wayne, Mich. plant. One hundred four EVs go to Navy installations; 101 are going to Marine Corps installations; 58 are at Naval Base San Diego, the largest concentration of EVs in this initiative. Overall, 92 charging stations were constructed at a cost of $3.2 million to support the electric vehicle fleet. NAVFAC Southwest estimates that these 205 electric vehicles will save over fifty-one thousand gallons of unleaded gasoline from being used each year.

"Reduction of greenhouse gases and other emissions provides benefits both to our personnel and the surrounding communities," said Lindsey. "These electric cars, when operated off base, will provide a highly visible example of the feasibility and value of zero emission transportation."

Navy Region Southwest Commander Rear Adm. Yancy B. Lindsey, NAVFAC Assistant Commander and Director Public Works R. David Curfman, NAVFAC Southwest Commanding Officer Capt. John Adametz, Marine Corps Installations West Assistant Chief of Staff and Director Government and External Affairs Col. Stephen Armes, Vice Chairman and Commissioner of the Unified Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners Rafael Castellanos, and Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative Executive Director (and former San Diego City Council member, California State Assembly Member, and U.S. Senator) Christine Kehoe participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the 92 charging stations and 205 EVs provided in Phase 1 of the Department of Navy's Electric Vehicle Initiative.

NAVFAC Southwest civilians and Seabees at Naval Base San Diego Public Works Department who accomplished the construction of EV charging infrastructure were Herbert Taylor, Jack Seltzer, Spencer Athearn, Travis Barnes, Moises Brambila, Jess Crawford, Gabriel Cruz, Rafael Garcia-Woolrich, Seth Gribbon, Thomas Harris, Ernesto Hinojosa, Hayden Howard, William Ramirez, William Richards, Bryan Schultz, Builder 3rd Class Jonathon Riley, Builder Constructionman Lamar Nash, and Builder 2nd Class Rachel Eddleman.

NAVFAC Southwest Lisa Young from Acquisition and Luann Benson from the Public Works business line were the key personnel who executed the EV lease efforts. The Navy and Marine Corps typically get their non-tactical vehicles through GSA leases. The lease for these EVs runs through September 2020.

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