Title
a. Receive a presentation on the Sustainability Program's successful grant application with
FreeWire Technologies for an award of $1 million to install Level 3 Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers at the County libraries in Castroville, Greenfield, and San Lucas; and
b. Recommend staff advance this project to the Board of Supervisors for implementation
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Capital Improvement Committee:
a. Receive a presentation on the Sustainability Program's successful grant application with
FreeWire Technologies for an award of $1 million to install Level 3 Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers at the County libraries in Castroville, Greenfield, and San Lucas; and
b. Recommend staff advance this project to the Board of Supervisors for implementation.
SUMMARY:
Sustainability Program Staff partnered with FreeWire Technologies as a site-host in an application to the California Energy Commission's Rural Electric Vehicle Charging Program, which successfully secured funding to install level 3 fast chargers at the County libraries in Castroville, Greenfield, and San Lucas. The County may elect FreeWire Technologies to own and operate the chargers for no cost but must grant permission to use County land via a site-host agreement or land easement. The County may also choose to own the chargers for an estimated cost of $215,393, which would allow the County greater flexibility for charging County vehicles or offering residents reduced cost charging.
DISCUSSION:
The California Energy Commission (CEC) issued a notice of funding opportunity for the Rural Electric Vehicle Charging Program on December 14, 2021. Sustainability Program staff partnered with FreeWire Technologies to participate in their application as a site-host to install their "Boost Charger," a level 3 fast charger, in rural jurisdictions. Staff recognized this grant as an opportunity to increase rural access to electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) and to increase ...
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