McKenzie to Purchase EV Dump Trucks, Chargers

McKENZIE (February 12) — The City of McKenzie is going electric. City Mayor Ryan Griffin announced during McKenzie's February city council meeting that the city will soon receive $543,255 from an Electric Vehicle (EV) grant. With this money, the city will purchase four all-electric trucks.

These trucks will replace Public Works Director Johnny Mercer's dump truck, along with trucks used by the Water Department and Parks Department.

McKenzie's current dump trucks cost the city roughly $700 per month to operate ($8,400 per year). The EV trucks will cost $2 per day to operate ($730 per year).

The city will also purchase three EV chargers. Two of the chargers will be installed for city departments' use only. One EV charger will be installed downtown for public use. Currently, the lone EV charger in McKenzie is at Peppers Ford.

Mayor Griffin hopes the public charger will encourage customers to shop at downtown businesses while charging their cars.

The project costs $724,340 total. The city will need to pay $181,000. Mayor Griffin said he will bring forward proposals to handle these expenses in the coming months.