St. Louis bought 9 electric Mustangs. Aldermen have questions

ST. LOUIS — City officials, like many looking to lighten their carbon footprint, are buying electric cars to replace older, gas-powered vehicles.

But the purchase of nine new Ford Mustang Mach-Es is raising some eyebrows. One alderman wants to call a hearing on the matter.

"It's my understanding those are luxury sports cars," said Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, "and I don't think the city needs to be buying luxury sports cars."

City spokesperson Conner Kerrigan said that was neither the intention nor the reality:

The city had planned to buy cheaper Chevrolet Bolts before General Motors delayed future production amid battery woes. With Bolts unavailable, he said, the Mustangs were the least expensive alternative. And at $46,200 each, Kerrigan said, they're right around the average cost of a new car.

"These weren't purchased to be flashy," Kerrigan said. "They were purchased to be economical and cost-saving, and that's what they are."

The Mustang Mach-E is Ford Motor Co.'s reimagining of its famous pony car as an electric crossover SUV, part of a broader move toward zero-emission vehicles. Even the base model boasts over 250 horsepower and goes from 0-60 in just over 6 seconds .

Records show the city's equipment services division asked for bids in January 2024 to supply nine of the base models, in white. They were purchased and rolled out in the spring.

Four went to the Health Department. Three went to Forest Park for park ranger use. One went to the Streets Department for an inspector's use. And one went to the comptroller's office.

The city has been shopping for other vehicles, too. There are 2024 Ford F-150 pickup trucks used for work by multiple city departments, and 2024 Chevrolet Tahoes driven by police on patrol. Both generally feature steeper price tags.

But the Mustangs, with their sleek looks and iconic badge, have stood out. The one assigned to the comptroller's office drew notice from several city employees in the City Hall parking lot last week.

And on Tuesday, Aldridge, the alderman, noticed.

He said he asked Alderwoman Cara Spencer, who chairs the budget committee, to call a hearing and ask some questions about the city's decision-making.

"I'll be curious what the other options were," he said.

Spencer, a candidate for mayor this spring, said she would be, too.

"The city can't fill potholes and it's buying Mustangs?" she asked. "That seems like an extravagance."

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St. Louis City Hall reporter