U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS– The Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) is pleased to announce the recent procurement of eight Ford F-150 Lightnings, fully electric pick-up trucks that will augment the Government of the Virgin Islands’ (GVI) fleet and help reduce its carbon footprint. The purchase was funded through a Department of the Interior (DOI) Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) grant and represents the latest in a series of steps VIEO has implemented to help diversify and modernize the GVI fleet. These 8x all-electric trucks will be distributed to several key agencies including the VIEO, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Human Services, Sports Park & Recreation, and the Internal Revenue Bureau. These agencies all require high vehicle utilization of well-equipped light-duty trucks and will be the ideal demonstration of the F-150s Lightning’s capabilities within the USVI.
Decoupling the GVI’s fleet from its total dependence on internal combustion engine vehicles began in earnest in 2022 when VIEO introduced 17 light-duty passenger electric vehicles into the motor pool. That trend accelerated earlier this year when the agency brought in three All-Electric converted Ford Transit Vans, two of which have gone into service bolstering the territory’s VITRAN bus resource, as well as splitting duty between VIEO’s outreach activities and the Department of Human Service’s Home Health Care program.
Capable of towing up to 10,000 pounds and with an EPA estimated range of up to 230 to 300 miles, the new trucks will be capable of displacing a range of workhorse vehicles that VIEO’s earlier procurements could not directly compete with. Bringing in new classes of electric vehicles is a strategic move, VIEO Director Kyle Fleming said. The electric vehicle market has evolved to the point where established, trusted brands are churning out makes and models that can fulfil nearly every use the government’s legacy fossil fuel fleet was put to, he said, which has made it easy for VIEO to advocate for the technology’s uptake.
“Energy sovereignty is of grave concern in our remote island territory. And for too long we have been wholly dependent on the importation of costly, polluting fossil fuels for our energy needs. By paving the way for the adoption of electric vehicles that will leverage the growing availability of distributed solar generation, and many other climate-friendly initiatives, we will transition the territory towards a future of energy stability,” Director Fleming said.
The F-150 Lightnings were purchased through an EIC grant that also allowed for the procurement and installation of 34 Level II Siemens charging stations. Those charging stations, which will be available for public charging, have begun installation this week at various high-traffic sites on St. Croix. The first wave of chargers will be commissioned and available to the public by the beginning of January.
For more information visit VIEO at energy.vi.gov