To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: LUKE SMUDE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROGRAMS AND GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS ON COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the Strategic Plan, Council asked staff to report on programs and funding sources to develop additional electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on commercial corridors in the City. Currently, there are both federal and local grant programs available to help move this initiative forward.
At the federal level, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) includes approximately $7.5 billion in funding for EV chargers over the next 5 years through both formula and competitive grant programs. Locally, Southern California Edison (SCE) is accepting applications for its Charge Ready program which provides full funding for electrical and other infrastructure costs associated with approved EV projects. Staff are working with SCE officials to prepare a Charge Ready application. This report provides an opportunity to discuss possible EV project locations in the City and give direction on the preparation of future grant requests.
BACKGROUND
The move to zero-emission vehicles is an important initiative for federal, state, and local agencies. In California, the California Energy Commission has set the goal of having 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roads by 2025. In order to do our part to support this goal, Council asked staff to investigate programs and grant funding sources that are currently available to build-out additional EV charging stations throughout the City’s commercial corridors.
At the federal level, the BIL represents an historic investment in EV charging infrastructure across the United States and will provide $7.5 billion in funding over the next 5 years through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula and the Discretionary Grant Program for Charging and Fueling Infrastructure programs. Distribution of funds will be overseen by the newly formed Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office).
States are currently developing EV Infrastructure Deployment Plans outlining their planned apportionment of NEVI funding. State plans are due to the Joint Office by August 1, 2022, and will be approved by September 30, 2022. NEVI funds are directed towards Alternative Fuel Corridors as well as areas in close proximity to the Interstate Highway System. As such, Redondo Beach is well positioned to utilize the NEVI formula program as Pacific Coast Highway was one of the first Alternative Fuel Corridors designated in 2016, and areas of North Redondo are within 1 mile of Highway 405.
Staff is monitoring developments in California’s submission of its EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan and will be ready to move at Council’s direction once the application window is opened for local agencies.
In addition to preparing for the possibility of federal funding, staff has also been working with SCE to identify projects that qualify for inclusion in their Charge Ready program, which is aimed at leveraging publicly owned facilities to expand the available EV charging network locally. Under the Charge Ready program, SCE provides no cost evaluation, design, and installation of all the necessary infrastructure improvements required for qualifying projects. At the completion of the SCE-funded infrastructure build-out, the City is responsible for purchasing the charging stations, with SCE providing rebates of up to $750 per EV charging plug installed.
The City is currently working with SCE to complete site reviews for various Waterfront parking lots through their no-cost Transportation Electrification Advisory Service that could serve as candidates for a Charge Ready application. After identifying the most viable location(s), staff will prepare an application for City Council consideration of approval.
COORDINATION
The City Manager’s Office coordinated the preparation of this report with the Public Works and Waterfront and Economic Development Departments.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the preparation of this report.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Map - Alternative Fuel Corridor and Highway Proximity