September 26, 2023
Library and Community Services
DATE: September 26, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager, Community
Services
Denée Evans, Project Manager
Lori Reese-Brown, Project Manager
Subject:
Approve the Purchase of Two R-Transit Electric
Passenger Vans
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Measure J funds will be used to support the purchase of new vehicles. In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, a Measure J
Claim form was submitted to the Contra Costa
Transportation Authority (CCTA), in which staff noted the allocation of Measure J funding for the purchase of two new low emission / electric vans from the approved
Transportation accounts (Fund 1003). If additional funds are needed, the City requests to use ECIA Transportation funds which are allocated to support the reduction of
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (11785051-400201-
2A109). The purchase of new electric vans will support
reducing vehicle emissions throughout West County
where existing paratransit gas fuel vans presently travel to support transit users.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Transportation staff is seeking City Council approval to replace two older model paratransit gas vans with two
newer model electric vans that will support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions into the community and will transition the City of Richmond R-Transit program to a
clean fuel fleet.
AGENDA
REPORT
September 26, 2023
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a contract between the City of Richmond and
the National Auto Fleet Group to purchase two R-Transit electric vans in an amount not to exceed $268,861.76;
and ALLOCATE and APPROPRIATE, if needed,
Richmond’s Environmental and Community Invest
Agreement funding to support the purchase of electric
vans to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions -
Community Services Department (LaShonda White 510-
620-6828/Denée Evans 510-621-1718/Lori Reese-Brown
510-620-6869).
DISCUSSION:
Background
Since the 1976 inception of the Richmond paratransit service, the City of Richmond has utilized gasoline fueled vans. The vans in current use have become old and frequently inoperable. The purchase of new vans would benefit operators and users by reducing emissions that lead to sources of carbon pollution and meet the City’s goal of combating climate change and safeguarding a healthy climate for future generations.
The purchase of the electric vans helps meet several State goals, as well as goals outlined in the Climate Element of the City’s General Plan, of transitioning existing gas- fuel fleets to clean fuel fleets. A few State bills are referenced below:
Assembly Bill (AB) 118 (Low-Carbon Transportation and “Smart” Growth):
Establishes the California Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, which provides grants and rebates to support the development, manufacture, and purchase of electric vehicles (EVs), natural gas vehicles (NGVs), hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), biofuel vehicles, and other low-emissions vehicle technologies.
Senate Bill (SB) 375: Requires climate impacts to be addressed by local General Plans and directs California Air Resources Board (CARB) to work with metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to set and achieve regional targets for greenhouse gas reductions based on changes in land use and transportation.
In the Bay Area, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is the lead agency for SB 375 planning.
Assembly Bill (AB) 1493: Requires CARB to adopt regulations that achieve the maximum feasible reduction of greenhouse gases from vehicles.
In West Contra Costa County, Richmond has demonstrated its commitment to reducing emissions by instituting programs and services that support the laws on climate change.
As we continue to obtain funding to support such goals, there are existing grant and tax
September 26, 2023
measure funding mechanisms in place (i.e., Measure J), that support adopted low emission policies.
Hybrid and Zero Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP)
The HVIP program is a program funded through the California Air Resources Board and funds from the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives.
The HVIP program offers point-of-sale discounts to power California communities and to drive commercial technology transformation to small fleets as they transition to zero emission vehicles.
On April 7, 2023, the Richmond Transportation Division and the National Auto Fleet Group (NAFG) submitted a joint request to receive HVIP vouchers. On May 24, 2023, Richmond Transportation received notification via email that the request for two vouchers for the total amount of $90,000 was accepted and reserved to purchase two wheelchair accessible electric passenger vans for paratransit from the National Auto Fleet Group. As a disadvantaged community, Richmond also qualified to receive an additional fifteen percent (15%) discount for a total amount of $13,500 off the sales price for the vehicles that are purchased or leased from a program approved vendor by a public small fleet with 10 or fewer trucks or buses. R-Transit currently operates two vans. The National Auto Fleet Group was selected as an approved HVIP dealership with Sourcewell Contract 091521-NAF to complete electric engine modifications on HVIP approved vehicles. NAFG provided a quote of $268,861.76 to purchase the two 2022 Transit wheelchair accessible passenger vehicles which reflects the purchase point of sale HVIP voucher discount of $103,500.
Transportation staff recommends that the City Council approve a contract between the City of Richmond and the National Auto Fleet Group to purchase two R-Transit electric passenger vans in an amount not to exceed $268,861.76.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – City of Richmond and National Auto Fleet Group Contract Attachment 2 – City of Richmond Lightning Truck National Auto Fleet Group Quote Attachment 3 – HVIP Letter of Commitment
Attachment 4 – Voucher Reservation Acceptance
Attachment 5 – Sole-Source Form