“The total all-in cost was about $1.7 million," says Victoria fire Chief Dan Atkinson.

Two grants from the provincial and federal governments – totalling $660,000 – bring replacement costs in line with a new diesel truck at around $1.2 million.

“Total cost to ownership is definitely lower so when we look at that total lifecycle of say a 20-year vehicle, we’re saving a lot of money in fuel over that 20 years,” said Simon Upshon, manager of fleet operations with the City of Victoria.

Seems to be a fairly financially sound decision to make. Fuel is a massive cost for a car of this size.