March 16, 2026
San Rafael City Council
1400 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
RE: Installation of EV Fast-Charging Equipment
Dear Mayor and Members of the San Rafael City Council
On behalf of Sustainable San Rafael, I am writing in strong support of the resolution authorizing the procurement of Level 3 fast-charging Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging
Equipment for the City of San Rafael’s Public Works fleet. This infrastructure will enable a reliable transition to electric vehicles, ensuring the fleet can charge quickly and operate efficiently whenever needed, including during emergencies.
Transportation electrification is central to San Rafael’s goal of dramatically reducing carbon emissions in our community.
The transportation sector remains the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Marin and across California.
Every EV charger installed removes a real barrier to EV adoption and accelerates our transition away from fossil fuels.
When the City electrifies its own fleet, it sends a powerful message to residents, businesses, and neighboring
municipalities that EVs are practical and ready for
widespread use. Municipal fleet electrification is one of the highest-leverage actions a city can take — reducing
operational costs over time, shrinking the City’s carbon footprint, and building public confidence in the technology.
The decision to install Level 3 fast-charging across all eight chargers is the right choice. Level 3 chargers dramatically reduce charging time compared to Level 2 equipment, making them far more practical for an active municipal fleet. Choosing capable equipment maximizes the value of the City’s
investment in this infrastructure for years to come.
We also want to underscore the urgency of acting now.
Approximately $300,000 in Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
funding sunsets on June 30, making this a time-sensitive and fiscally responsible decision. Approving this resolution ensures that the City can complete installation before that deadline and capture federal incentives that significantly offset costs to taxpayers.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Annika Osborn, Co-President
Ben Snyder, Co-President
William Carney, Vice President
Miles Smith, Secretary
Greg Brockbank
Kay Karchevski
Rina Lopez
Phil Muller
Marisa Nordstrom
Stuart Siegel
415.302.0110
Sustainable San Rafael applauds the City’s Sustainability Team and Public Works Department for their diligence in securing grant funding and advancing this project. We urge the Council to adopt this resolution without delay and keep San Rafael at the forefront of the region’s clean transportation future.
Thank you for your continued leadership on climate action.
Sincerely,
Annika Osborn
Annika Osborn
Co-President, Sustainable San Rafael