The City of Omaha’s Parking & Mobility Division, also known as Park Omaha, just took a step toward cleaner air. The division purchased three electric vehicles for attendants to use while checking parking meters throughout town.
The fleet will still have a dozen gas-powered vehicles, especially for inclement weather, but the new acquisition was a no-brainer for the head of Park Omaha, Ken Smith.
Smith told the Omaha World-Herald, “Certainly given the typical driving we do in the downtown area, electric vehicles make sense.”
Ken Smith is right: it does make sense. A 2018 study by Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute found that, on average, electric vehicles cost half as much as gas-powered vehicles to operate. With ground-level ozone readings in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area on the brink of “unacceptable,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency, this is a triple win for saving money, reducing emissions and improving the air quality in our city.
The electric vehicle market has expanded to become a more affordable, accessible option for drivers. Park Omaha recognizes this and is keeping with the trends to take an even bigger step toward cleaner air. They recently announced they are in the process of installing electric vehicle charging stations in city-owned garages on 10th and Jackson Street and 15th and Douglas Street. More station installations are planned to follow in other downtown garage locations. Charging will be initially free as the division works to establish a base-line cost for users.
Electric vehicles can hold a charge much longer than they used to, but if drivers are uncertain of charging station availability, they’re hesitant to make the switch to electric. No one wants to run out of a charge far from home. These new stations will help electric vehicle drivers travel with peace of mind to their favorite downtown destinations and encourage cleaner ways to move around our city.
To find a charging station near you, use this map to explore all the locations in Omaha and Council Bluffs.