The Ocala City Council has approved the purchase of a federally-funded electric trolley bus that will operate around downtown Ocala.
Council members approved the purchase after a presentation from city staff during the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, November 5.
According to city staff, the purchase will support the new downtown circular route from Union Station to local hospitals in the southern portion of the city.
The route will incorporate several stops in between, including both Parking Garage One and the city’s second parking garage, which is currently under construction.
Earlier this year, the council accepted a capital grant from the Federal Transit Administration to cover the acquisition of the electric trolley and any related infrastructure.
The city was also awarded funding from the Florida Department of Transportation to support initial marketing efforts and operating expenses. After October 1, 2025, the funding will cover 50% of the operating expenses over the next three years.
According to a city staff report, there are only two domestic-based manufacturers of electric trolley buses: Hometown Manufacturing, Inc., and Gillig, LLC. Staff found in their ensuing price analysis that Hometown offered the “best value” for the vehicle at $495,192.
In comparison, Gillig’s price was nearly three times the amount at $1,400,000.
During public comments on the topic on Tuesday, local resident Harry “Rock” Gibboney expressed concerns with the weight and potential fire hazards posed by electric vehicles.
“I am opposed to spending any money on electric vehicles. The weight is triple to quadruple the weight of other busses because of the batteries in them. That tears up our roads,” said Gibboney. He went on to express that the fires created by the vehicles were more difficult to extinguish before suggesting the acquisition was part of a federal “agenda.”
“They’re dangerous and I think it’s an agenda that is not one we want to be involved with, I don’t care how much they pay us. I’m opposed to our city buying electric vehicles,” said Gibboney.
During further discussion by members of the council and city staff, some of Gibboney’s concerns were echoed.
“It’s not a perfect technology yet,” said Ken Whitehead, Assistant City Manager. Whitehead recommended moving forward with a pilot vehicle and said he didn’t believe the city should consider upgrading its entire fleet.
In 2021, the city debuted new electric garbage trucks. During Tuesday’s meeting, staff said that some of the garbage trucks with first-generation batteries were maxing out at 40 to 45 miles of range. They were described as having a technology that was “not yet ready for prime time.”
Ocala Fire Department Chief Clint Welborn said there was definitely a difference between combustible engines and electric vehicles, saying the batteries created more heat and were their own source of heat. He emphasized that they were harder to extinguish as well.
“The fires on a combustion engine are much easier to extinguish than on a lithium-ion battery,” said Welborn.
As the discussion continued, council and Whitehead all agreed that the vehicle would be used as a pilot to test out the route, but that there were no guarantees that the city would have to fund the program indefinitely after extensive testing.
“I’m not looking to replace fire trucks with electric vehicles, but this is something that – I’m not a huge electric vehicle fan either, but this is a no-brainer,” said Council President Pro-Tem Kristen Dreyer in reference to the free vehicle.
Councilman Jim Hilty agreed with her sentiments, saying the vehicle was part of the federal government’s attempt to “force” electric vehicles on the public.
“We’re getting the grant because the government is trying to force electric vehicles on everybody,” said Hilty.
City staff says the vehicle is a two-axle vehicle that is in a lower threshold than garbage trucks.
“I think it adds to our downtown character,” said Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano. “I think it’s going to add to the community and the fact that it’s free – we already have vehicles that are battery-powered. I think it’s really something that we should move forward with.”
“I’m not an electric fan at all, but free is free,” said Council President Barry Mansfield. “I wouldn’t want to replace our whole fleet at all. I don’t trust them enough.”
