Mike Orford stands next to his brand new 2019 Chevy Bolt Electric Vehicle on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. Orford, who has been a taxi driver for EverGreen Taxi, plans to put into zero emission vehicle into service to reduce costs and lead the way for a more sustainable way of life. (MIchael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mike Orford stands next to his brand new 2019 Chevy Bolt Electric Vehicle on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. Orford, who has been a taxi driver for EverGreen Taxi, plans to put into zero emission vehicle into service to reduce costs and lead the way for a more sustainable way of life. (MIchael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s first electric taxi charges onto the scene

Taxi driver debuts fully electric cab for EverGreen Taxi.

Juneau’s first fully electric taxi will be up and running soon, according to its owner Mike Orford.

Orford, a former engineer for the state ferry system, has been driving a taxi in Juneau for the past few years but a concern for the environment led him to purchase a Chevy Bolt for his routes.

“I think that global warming is a pretty serious issue,” Orford told the Empire in an interview. “It’s up to individuals to address it. Seeing as I’m out there with a gas-guzzling taxi, I jumped at this,” he said, referring to the fully electric Bolt he saw for sale at Mendenhall Auto Center.

Orford has driven for Juneau Taxi and EverGreen Taxi but will drive his Bolt exclusively for EverGreen.

Orford said that many taxi companies hadn’t yet gotten into the electric vehicle market. Some larger cities have begun converting taxi fleets to electric vehicles but those cities are typically large enough to justify such an investment or have done so to comply with government regulation.

He said the company he bought his taximeter from, Centrodyne, had asked him to keep them updated on his progress because his car was the first Chevy Bolt they had supplied in the United States.

“It’s just a matter of economics,” Lee Marcellus, technical support for Vermont-based Centrodyne said. Currently, electric vehicles are too expensive to have mass appeal to taxi companies, particularly with increased competition from ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, according to Marcellus.

Marcellus said that Centrodyne had outfitted one Chevy Bolt in Montreal and a few Teslas in Portland, but Orford’s was the first Bolt in the United States they had sold to.

“It’s new,” Marcellus said of electric cars generally. Electric vehicles in the taxi industry, “will come with time.”

EverGreen Taxi service could not be reached for comment.

Mike Orford stands next to his brand new 2019 Chevy Bolt Electric Vehicle on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. Orford, who has been a taxi driver for EverGreen Taxi, plans to put into zero emission vehicle into service to reduce costs and lead the way for a more sustainable way of life. (MIchael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mike Orford stands next to his brand new 2019 Chevy Bolt Electric Vehicle on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. Orford, who has been a taxi driver for EverGreen Taxi, plans to put into zero emission vehicle into service to reduce costs and lead the way for a more sustainable way of life. (MIchael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Orford still has to pass inspection with the city but is confident that he’ll be able to make money with his new electric car.

“It doesn’t use $50 a day worth of gas,” Orford said. “It’s much cheaper to operate.”

Another benefit of an electric vehicle, Orford said, is lack of maintenance costs.

“It has probably around 20 moving parts instead of 2,000 like any gas car,” he said.

There are, however, limits to what Orford can do with his electric taxi.

“I can put 300 miles a day on a taxi, easily,” he said. “This only has a range of 238, then it takes nine-and-a-half hours to charge it back up. You’re going to have to plan its schedule carefully.”

But Juneau was well positioned to support this kind of venture, Orford said. Juneau has a number of electric charging stations and a limited amount of road.

“If I was in Ketchikan, probably couldn’t do it,” he said. “They don’t have the infrastructure. Juneau does.”

Orford said that he was sure that taxi companies in Juneau would be watching his efforts closely to see if investments in electric vehicles were something worth pursuing.

“Taxi cab companies look at all costs,” Duff Mitchell, managing director at Juneau Hydropower Inc. said. “Basically, the only maintenance costs for an electric car are tires and windshield wipers.”

Mitchell agrees that electric vehicles are becoming increasingly attractive for both private citizens and businesses.

“Costs are dropping,” he said. “Mike’s just on a leading edge.”


• Contact reporter Peter Segall at 523-2228 or psegall@juneauempire.com.


More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of May 18

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule.… Continue reading

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, prepares to open the Alaska Senate’s floor session on Friday, May 2, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Senate President Gary Stevens to retire; House Rep. Louise Stutes announces run for seat

At least one other member of Senate’s bipartisan majority is expected to not seek reelection in 2026.

Juneau Assembly members discuss a proposed increase in the mill rate for the fiscal year starting July 1 during a meeting of the Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Increasing mill rate to 10.24, rather than 10.19 in earlier versions of city’s budget, gets OK from Assembly

Extra costs in budget, loss of federal funds cited for higher increase from current rate of 10.04 mills.

Rep. Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, speaks to the Alaska House of Representatives on Friday, April 25, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
At adjournment, Alaska Legislature leaves elections overhaul, campaign finance bills undone

House Bill 16 and Senate Bill 64 could be part of a wave of big legislation that passes early next year.

State Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel) exits the Senate Chambers after the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, adjourns until next January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Legislature adjourns a day early in ‘smoothest ending in 20 years’ following months of budget battles

Lawmakers speed through final votes on veto override on education funding bill, budget with $1,000 PFD.

Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Legislature overrides governor’s education veto in moment of ‘courage’

Supporters of bill raising BSA by $700 stand together as session nears adjournment.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, May 18, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Visitors walk along the downtown cruise ship dock on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Initiative to limit number of cruise ship passengers, shorten season fails to get signatures to make ballot

“Enthusiasm for this just wasn’t there in the same way as Ship-Free Saturday,” author of proposal says.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Dunleavy vetoes second bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

Most Read