DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability and Building and Equipment Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Doug Melnick, Chief Sustainability Officer
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this item is to provide the Innovation and Technology Committee with an overview of the City of San Antonio Electric Vehicle Fleet Conversion & Citywide EV Infrastructure Study and EVSA Program.
BACKGROUND:
In San Antonio, the transportation sector contributes 38% of our greenhouse gas inventory. Fleet electrification and EV charging infrastructure are key strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality and are identified as mitigation measures in the SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan (adopted 8/11/16) and the SA Climate Ready, Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (adopted 10/17/19). As a participant in the American Cities Climate Challenge, the City has also committed to pursue infrastructure and policy improvements to advance electric transportation by the end of 2020. Further, Bexar County has been designated in marginal non-attainment for ground-level ozone, a public health issue, by the Environmental Protection Agency and is developing a plan with control strategies, including vehicle electrification.
The City of San Antonio Office of Sustainability has been leading the “Electric Vehicle Fleet Conversion & Citywide EV Infrastructure Study” and is developing the branded “EVSA” program to unify infrastructure, policy and public outreach around electric vehicles. The project team for the study includes BESD, CPSE and a consultant team. The study includes a municipal fleet electrification plan; public charging spatial analysis; barriers to EV adoption and a discussion around mobility, equity and electric transportation. The study is projected to be completed by the end of 2019.
CoSA fleet vehicles were scored for EV suitability based on usage; initial capital cost; operation and maintenance costs; and impact on the reduction of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter. In addition to reducing emissions, electric vehicles are generally less expensive to maintain and operate.
In addition to the study, OS has released a Request for Information (RFI) to explore business models and potential partnership opportunities with third-party electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) providers who will install, operate, maintain, and possibly own publicly-accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure on City property. Sites may include off-street parking lots and garages, curbside parking spaces and sites with longer dwell times such as at public parks, community centers and libraries. The RFI closes on November 20, 2019. An evaluation team representing OS, OI, BESD, CCDO, TCI and CPSE will review responses.
To unify all efforts related to electric vehicles, OS is developing the branded EVSA program to include encouragement, information and resources for the general public, the business community and property owners; outreach events and focus groups. A survey is currently available through SASpeakUp.
ISSUE:
A briefing on the City of San Antonio Electric Vehicle Fleet Conversion & Citywide EV Infrastructure Study and EVSA Program.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
This item is for briefing purposes only.