Ten years after buying its first batch of electric cars, Coral Gables now runs 75 fully electric vehicles in its municipal fleet.
The milestone, highlighted in a Thursday, July 10, profile by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, caps a decade of steady expansion that began in 2016 when the city purchased 20 Nissan Leafs at roughly $18,000 to $19,000 each. Those early EVs were comparable in price to gas-powered alternatives, thanks to manufacturer incentives and creative leasing deals.
Matthew Anderson, the city's assistant director of mobility and sustainability, said the program made sense on two fronts. "We wanted to see what was possible. It made sense from a sustainability perspective, but it also made sense financially," Anderson told the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
How big the electric fleet has grown
The 75 electric vehicles represent about 12% to 13% of the city's total fleet, according to Anderson. Coral Gables also owns at least 56 EV charging ports spread across parking garages, surface lots and municipal buildings. Residents and visitors share access to much of that infrastructure with city vehicles.
Anderson described the EVs as largely maintenance-free beyond tire checks and windshield washer fluid, with major issues still covered under warranty. That frees fleet staff to focus on heavier equipment like garbage trucks and emergency vehicles.
Most city vehicles travel only 15 to 20 miles per day, well within the range of even early-generation electric cars.
How the charging network is changing driver habits
Anderson said residents have told the city they purchased their own electric vehicles because the city invested in charging infrastructure. He also said drivers from outside Coral Gables use the network, bringing foot traffic to nearby restaurants, coffee shops and retailers while their cars charge.
The city earned LEED Gold certification in 2022 and was recognized in the 2025 U.S. Conference of Mayors Best Practices Report for green building and climate resilience, according to the Gables Gazette.
Mayor Vince Lago's 2025-2027 Strategic Priorities Plan includes continued EV fleet transition and solar-friendly zoning updates as core sustainability goals, according to the Gables Gazette.
Police cars and garbage trucks are next in line
The city ordered three pursuit-rated electric police vehicles in 2026, pushing electrification into one of its most fuel-intensive departments. Anderson called police and fire "the biggest fuel users" and said that's the next step.
Coral Gables is also piloting an electric garbage truck through a partnership with Battle Motors, testing how the technology handles demanding daily routes.
The city's 13 diesel-powered trolleys remain a holdout. Anderson said the city would consider electric trolleys when viable models reach the market.
A planned mobility hub will dedicate an entire floor to electric-vehicle charging. EV-ready design is also being incorporated into new municipal parking facilities.
Other cities are taking notes
Coral Gables has hosted other South Florida municipalities interested in replicating the program. Anderson said peer-to-peer conversations between fleet directors have helped neighboring communities begin their own transitions.
