St. Louis Raises Eyebrows with Purchase of Electric Mustangs for City Fleet

The city of St. Louis has sparked controversy by purchasing nine Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles for its municipal fleet, a move that’s drawing scrutiny from some city officials.

Unexpected EV Choice Raises Questions

City officials aimed to reduce their carbon footprint by replacing older gas-powered vehicles with electric alternatives. However, the selection of the Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s electric crossover SUV, has led to concerns about perceived extravagance.

Alderman Rasheen Aldridge expressed his reservations, stating, “It’s my understanding those are luxury sports cars, and I don’t think the city needs to be buying luxury sports cars.”

City Defends Decision as Economical

Conner Kerrigan, spokesperson for Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, defended the purchase:

“These weren’t purchased to be flashy. They were purchased to be economical and cost-saving, and that’s what they are.”

Kerrigan explained that the city had initially planned to buy cheaper Chevrolet Bolts, but production delays forced them to seek alternatives. At $46,200 each, the Mustang Mach-Es were reportedly the least expensive option available.

Allocation and Specifications

The nine white Mustang Mach-Es have been distributed across various city departments:

• 4 to the Health Department
• 3 to Forest Park for ranger use
• 1 to the Streets Department
• 1 to the comptroller’s office

Even the base model Mach-E boasts impressive specs, with over 250 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of just over 6 seconds.

Call for Transparency

Some officials are calling for more information about the decision-making process. Alderwoman Cara Spencer, who chairs the budget committee, expressed concern:

“The city can’t fill potholes and it’s buying Mustangs? That seems like an extravagance.”

Aldridge has requested a hearing to explore other options that were considered during the procurement process.

EVXL’s Take

The St. Louis Mustang Mach-E purchase highlights the challenges cities face when transitioning to electric fleets. While the initial sticker shock may raise eyebrows, it’s crucial to consider the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits of EVs. This situation echoes recent discussions in the Ford EV community about the Mach-E’s value proposition for fleet use.

As more municipalities adopt EVs, we’ll likely see increased scrutiny of vehicle choices balanced against sustainability goals. It’ll be interesting to see how St. Louis justifies this decision and whether it influences future EV adoptions by other cities.

What are your thoughts on St. Louis choosing the Mustang Mach-E for its city fleet? Share your opinion in the comments below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​