Eau Claire, Wisconsin (Nov. 29, 2018) – Xcel Energy is working with a variety of Wisconsin organizations, schools and communities to help them prepare for an electric vehicle future. As more electric vehicle models come onto the market, they’re becoming increasingly appealing to fleet owners as a way to lower costs and their carbon footprint.

The cities of Eau Claire, La Crosse and Menomonie; Mayo Health Systems; Eau Claire and St. Croix counties; and the University of Wisconsin-Stout are participating in a study that will help determine if any of their current fleet vehicles could be replaced with electric vehicles.

As part of this study, Xcel Energy is working with FleetCarma to install devices on selected fleet vehicles from each organization. The devices monitor how these vehicles are being used and will track mileage traveled, fuel efficiency and idling time. This data will help identify which vehicles are best suited to be replaced with an EV model, based on the financial and environmental benefits.

“Many customers are looking at innovative ways to reduce costs, meet sustainability goals and prepare for the future,” said Mark Stoering, president, Xcel Energy-Wisconsin/Michigan. “Electric vehicles can provide a great opportunity for communities and companies to reduce carbon emissions and save on fuel and other costs. This assessment program is a great way to help fleet operators evaluate the most environmentally and economic ways to electrify their fleet vehicles.” 

“Eau Claire County is committed to protecting our environment and saving money, said Frank Draxler, purchasing director for Eau Claire County. “We hope that this project can show us a way to do both.”

Xcel Energy is providing this study as part of the company’s long-term clean energy strategy that includes electrifying the transportation industry to benefit the environment and customers, helping them save money and reduce their carbon footprint. 

For additional information on electric vehicles, click here.

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About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.