Letter: EV Trucks Not The Answer For McKenzie

On February 24th, 2026, The Banner published an article on page 2 titled “McKenzie to Purchase EV Dump Trucks, Chargers.” In that article, Mayor Ryan Griffin announced at a city council meeting that the city had received a $543,255 grant to purchase electric vehicles (EVs), but the city would need to fund an additional $181,000.

I urge my fellow citizens, our Mayor, and City Council members to reconsider whether pursuing this grant is even realistic for our city. After reading the article, I took some time to learn more about the subject. As a business consultant with 80% of my clients in the trades industries, I spent about an hour researching this topic and then visited a Ford dealership. In my opinion, investing in EVs would be a waste of taxpayer dollars at both the McKenzie and federal levels.

Currently, the only EV trucks available are the GM Silverado EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Dodge Ram 1500 REV, which are all half-ton pickup trucks. I visited a Ford dealership to ask some questions regarding the feasibility of these trucks for our city’s needs:

1. Can you install a dump body on a Ford F-150 Lightning? The answer is no; no one manufactures a dump body for electric pickups. The batteries are positioned between the truck’s frame, leaving no space for the hydraulics needed to operate a dump body. Additionally, the added weight of a dump body would significantly reduce both the truck’s operating time and its hauling capacity. How can it be claimed that this will replace the Public Works Department’s existing dump truck?

2. Is there a plow mount available for an EV truck? McKenzie has a truck equipped with a snowplow. The dealership staff was not aware of any such option.

3. What is the current production status for EV trucks? I learned that Ford has suspended production of their EV trucks until further notice.

4. How long does the full charge last? The estimated range is 240 miles in a 70-degree temperature. However, if temperatures exceed or fall below this range, mileage decreases. Quick charging reduces the range to only 80% (192 miles) and takes about 32 minutes. When parked at a job site using flashing lights, air conditioning, or heat, the operating time and range would further drop, increasing the need for charging. Keep in mind, these estimates assume a fully charged battery and an empty truck.

5. How long does it take to charge an EV truck fully? Charging from 15% to 100% takes approximately 10 to 12 hours. The proposal includes only two charging stations for four trucks—how will the other two trucks be charged?

Another concern is what happens when our electric grid fails or is compromised during emergencies, such as the recent ice and snowstorms or a potential tornado. In such scenarios, our community’s safety could be at risk.

Additionally, city employees have recently shifted to a 10-hour work week. Will these trucks’ limited operating time allow the water and parks departments to remain productive during a full workday? Has a time study been conducted to determine if these trucks meet our city’s operational needs? If such a study exists, I encourage Mayor Griffin to share those findings with the public and the City Council before presenting the $181,000 funding proposal for a vote.

I also suggest holding a public hearing focused on this proposal. I encourage all citizens, City Council members, and department heads to research this grant proposal thoroughly and form their own conclusions regarding the $181,000 investment, which I believe would not be prudent for the City of McKenzie. I’m confident we can find better uses for that $181,000!

Sincerely,
Armand Hebert
McKenzie, TN 28201