MONTEREY COUNTY — The County of Monterey has deployed its first-ever electric street sweeper in South Monterey County, marking a milestone in both sustainability and community investment.
The new equipment made its debut Oct. 31 in San Lucas, where the Monterey County Public Works’ Greenfield District conducted a one-day street sweeping project covering all county roads in the area south of King City.
The initiative fulfills a long-standing request from residents of unincorporated communities like San Lucas and Chualar (north of Gonzales) for regular street sweeping services — something County Supervisor Chris Lopez said has been years in the making.
“Sometimes the little things really are the big things,” Lopez said in a social media post. “For years, the communities of San Lucas and Chualar have asked for something simple, street sweeping services. We searched for grants and equipment, knowing the cost was far beyond what these communities could take on alone.”
Lopez credited the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) for providing a grant that made the purchase possible, allowing the County to introduce its first electric-powered sweeper to the fleet.
“Thanks to a grant from [MBARD], our local air district, I’m proud to share that the first electric street sweeper in Monterey County is now rolling through the streets of San Lucas,” Lopez said.
While the equipment carries a hefty price tag, Lopez stressed that its value extends well beyond the vehicle itself.
“It’s not cheap,” he said. “I even joked with my staff that it’s the most expensive vehicle I’ve ever driven, more expensive than most of the cars at Car Week. But it represents something much bigger, an investment in quality of life, community pride, and our people.”
The new sweeper will be operated by Monterey County Public Works crews, who received training to use the state-of-the-art electric vehicle.
“Our Monterey County Public Works team now operates this state-of-the-art machine with skill and pride, embracing new training and tools to better serve our communities,” Lopez said. “This success shows what happens when communities speak up, County staff listen, and partners like the Monterey Bay Air Resources District help turn those voices into action.”
County officials said the debut sweep in San Lucas had no impact on traffic and marks the beginning of cleaner streets — and cleaner air — for the small South Monterey County community.
