November 28, 2023
Library and Community Services
DATE: November 28, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager – Community
Services
Denée Evans, Transportation Services Project Manager
Subject:
Pacific Gas and Electric – Electric Vehicle Fleet
Electrification Program
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no direct costs associated with participating in this program. The work proposed is in direct support of the City’s Climate Action Plan goals, State zero emission objectives, and aligning related implementation efforts with funding opportunities.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City of Richmond lacks the as-built infrastructure to readily install the required number of electrical vehicle charging stations deemed necessary to transition the City fleet to electric vehicles and to support the expansion of City-managed electric Micromobility services.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the City to execute a
letter of commitment and other related contracts
necessary to participate in the Pacific Gas and Electric Company Electrical Fleet Program to upgrade electrical
utility infrastructure that will enable electric vehicle service equipment installations at various City facilities to support the City’s active transition to electric fleets – Community Services Department, Transportation Division
(LaShonda White 510-620-6828/Denée Evans 621-
1718).
AGENDA
REPORT
November 28, 2023
BACKGROUND:
The City of Richmond lacks the as-built infrastructure to install the number of electrical vehicle charging stations that will be required for the City to successfully transition its fleet to electric vehicles and nor is it adequate to support the city-wide expansion of existing electric Micromobility services such as the Richmond Moves On-Demand Shuttle and Community Carshare.
In Fall 2022, Transportation staff applied for the California Hybrid and Zero – Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) to reduce the cost to replace the two- gas operated R-Transit vans with two new wheelchair accessible electric vans. The purchase of the R-Transit vans also includes two level II electric vehicles chargers. The chargers were scheduled for installation at the City Corporation Yard EV Charging Hub.
However, the existing service panel for the Corporation Yard EV Charging hub was not installed as separate service to support the number and level of energy output needed to support a growing electric City fleet as well as employee personal vehicle charging.
As a result of the acceptance into the HVIP, the Transportation division was contacted by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to participate in their Electric Vehicle Fleet Electrification Program Make – Ready Incentive Option to upgrade the City’s electrical utility infrastructure. If qualified, PG&E would pay the costs to upgrade the main utility transformer which would enable the City to install switchgear, an upgraded separate service panel that can support the installation of multiple electric vehicle charging stations at any City facility site(s) which are identified as potential charging hubs.
Specifically, Transportation staff submitted a letter of interest to receive utility upgrades at five sites: the 32nd Street Recreation Complex, the City Corporation Yard, the Barrett Avenue Lot at 25th Street, the Richmond Auditorium lot adjacent to Nevin Avenue, and the Marina Parking lot at Macdonald Avenue. The sites were identified as integral to sustaining support for the City’s EV fleet and Micromobility services (i.e., Richmond Moves and Community carshare).
On August 30, 2023, PG&E’s Engineering and Design team met with City staff from the Transportation and Public Works Departments to visit each of the five proposed City EV fleet facility sites to discuss the feasibility and design of the utility upgrade.
On September 27, 2023, Transportation staff received a letter from PG&E indicating approval of the Recreation Complex located on 32nd Street. Staff were also advised that the remaining sites were still under consideration but were also likely to receive approval. The City would receive notice as each facility location is approved which would require multiple requests to City Council for approval.
However, Transportation staff requests the adoption of a resolution by the City Council to allow City staff to avoid making several trips to City Council seeking approval as each site is approved. Instead, the resolution will allow City staff to continue participation in
November 28, 2023
the PG&E EV Fleet TTM utility upgrade which is at no cost to the City. Per the terms of the program, City staff will return within the next five years to receive City Council’s approval as it continues to transition to electric fleet vehicles and to acquire the supporting electric vehicle service equipment.
PG&E EV Fleet Terms of Participation
To secure the City’s participation in the Program, PG&E has requested that the City provide the letter of commitment for the City to meet the minimal electric vehicle and charging equipment investment, as required and to allow PG&E to access the City sites to install and maintain the “To The Meter” (TTM) Infrastructure.
PG&E will, at no cost to the City, construct, own, and maintain all electrical infrastructure from the transformer to the customer’s meter. The City will be responsible for designing, building, owning, operating, and maintaining the electrical infrastructure from the meter to the EV charger.
To participate in the program, the City must comply with the following conditions:
1. Be a PG&E Customer: This includes Direct Access as well as customers receiving power from a Community Choice Aggregator.
2. Own or lease the property: An organization must have authority to install charging infrastructure at their site or can allow a property easement.
3. Acquire at least 2 Electric Vehicles: An organization must acquire and deploy a minimum of two medium-or heavy-duty electric fleet vehicles by 2024. The Richmond City Council met this requirement with the recently approved acquisition of two electric R-Transit buses.
4. Agree to all requirements: Participating organizations must make a 10-year commitment to operate and maintain equipment, provide EV usage data, and agree to the terms and conditions of the program.
5. Approved program applicants must meet the selection qualifications for selecting and installing electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE).
Selection of Electric Vehicle Service Equipment
Upon approval of the application by PG&E, the City shall select and procure an EVSE Package from the PG&E approved list of qualified vendors. PG&E will share the qualified vendor list with the City. Richmond shall install, operate, and maintain the number and type of the EVSE Package, associated equipment, and signage as selected by the City and approved by PG&E. If the EVSE Package is not on the approved list of qualified vendors, the EVSE Package must be compliant with minimum requirements. These minimum requirements are attached to the PG&E Contract, as applicable. The City must agree to provide all information requested by PG&E about non -approved EVSE Packages, including but not limited to technical and safety specifications.
November 28, 2023
Participation in this program and the work involved to improve the utility infrastructure and to add electric vehicle service equipment to various City facilities is in direct support of the Climate Action Plan goals to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, improving resilience to climate change, in addition to the corresponding metrics:
Objective 1: Energy Efficient Buildings and Facilities Objective 2: Increase Use and Generation of Renewable Energy Objective 3: Sustainable Transportation and Land Use
Objective 6: Green Infrastructure Urban Forestry and Agriculture
In conclusion, City staff recommends that the Richmond City Council adopt a resolution that authorizes the City to execute the letter of commitment and related contracts necessary to participate in the Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Electrical Fleet Program at public facility sites.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Invitation and Contract to join the PG&E EV Fleet Electrification Program
Attachment 2 – Authorizing Resolution