BOARD MEETING DATE: November 5, 2010
AGENDA NO. 11

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contracts to Support Electric Charging Infrastructure

SYNOPSIS:

Southern California has an established but obsolete network of public charging for electric vehicles. State and federal funds are being invested in our region to support the deployment of plug-in electric vehicles including charging infrastructure. This action is to execute contracts with Clipper Creek, Coulomb Chargepoint and ETEC ECOtality to cofund the upgrade of existing chargers and install new chargers in high priority locations for a total cost not to exceed $210,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, October 15, 2010, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Authorize the Chairman to execute contracts from the Clean Fuels Fund (31) for electric charging infrastructure projects with:

0. Clipper Creek, to upgrade existing chargers in an amount not to exceed $70,000;

1. Coulomb Chargepoint, to install chargers at existing and new locations in an amount not to exceed $70,000; and

2. ETEC ECOtality, to install chargers at existing and new locations in an amount not to exceed $70,000.

2. Authorize the Executive Officer to redistribute (add or reduce) funding among the participating contractors to address the demand and selection criteria for electric charging infrastructure for a total amount not to exceed $210,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

There are currently about 1,800 chargers at approximately 500 sites in the South Coast Air Basin. Although some of these chargers remain to serve vehicles already in operation, many are good candidates for installation of new chargers compatible with new battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and extended range electric vehicles (PEV) that will be sold in our region starting this year.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – Transportation Electrification funds were awarded to prepare communities for new PEVs. ETEC ECOtality was awarded $99.8 million for national efforts to increase electric charging infrastructure involving Nissan and General Motors, and this effort is expected to result in approximately $15 million for charging infrastructure in California. Coulomb Chargepoint was awarded $37 million for national efforts with General Motors, Ford, and Smart, and this amount of funding is expected to result in approximately $15 million for electric charging infrastructure in California.

In addition, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released solicitations for electric charging infrastructure, and through this effort the CEC awarded $8 million to ETEC ECOtality, $3.4 million to Coulomb Chargepoint, and $1.9 million to Clipper Creek to upgrade and install new chargers in California. 

Proposal

This proposal would provide cofunding to the three charger manufacturers that have been awarded federal or state funding. Staff recommends providing up to $1,000 in cofunding for each charger. Cofunding above $1,000 per charger will be considered on a case-by-case basis. AQMD staff will provide a status update on electric vehicle charging including location, number of chargers and any signage replaced with this funding.

The AQMD will work with stakeholders including SoCalEV Ready participants, PEV drivers, auto manufacturers, charger manufacturers, charging equipment distributor, local electric utilities, public charging site providers, and other government agencies to prioritize public and workplace charger placement in the South Coast Air Basin.

Staff recommends upgrading existing chargers and installing new chargers using the following selection criteria: located within the South Coast Air Basin, publicly accessible, sites having SoCal EV Ready stakeholder interest, previous MSRC or Clean Fuels funded sites to ensure high utility, and sites with owner cooperation.

Electric Vehicle Support Equipment (EVSE) will be required to comply with SAE J1772 2010 recommended practice, be UL listed, and include adequate signage. AQMD funding will be used to install chargers additional to those funded with state and federal funds; or will be used to reduce the actual cost to the site owner, as demonstrated on a case-by-case basis.

This action is to execute contracts with Clipper Creek, Coulomb Chargepoint and ETEC ECOtality in amounts not to exceed $70,000 each from the Clean Fuels Fund. This action further seeks authorization to allow the Executive Officer to reallocate money between the contracts in order to ensure funds are expended.

Benefits to AQMD

AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program has been active in funding the development and demonstration of electric vehicles and electric charging infrastructure. The proposed electric charging infrastructure projects are included in the Technology Advancement Office 2010 Plan Update under “Electric/Hybrid Technologies.”

Sole Source Justification

Section VII.C.2. of the Policy for Clean Air Incentive Contracts identifies provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for three sole source awards is made under provision C.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are C.2.d.(1): Projects involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors and B.2.c.(3): Contractor has ownership of key assets required for project performance.” 

In addition to the AQMD’s proposed funding, the DOE and the CEC will provide funding for the electric infrastructure projects with ECOtality, Coulomb Chargepoint and Clipper Creek.

ETEC ECOtality, Coulomb Chargepoint and Clipper Creek have extensive experience in the construction and deployment of electric charging stations and have received significant amounts of funding from the DOE and the CEC to expand the network of electric charging stations on a national basis and in California.

Resource Impacts

AQMD’s proposed funding for ETEC ECOTality, Coulomb Chargepoint and Clipper Creek shall not exceed $210,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. The funding partners and the proposed funding amounts are as follows:

Staff recommends providing up to $1,000 in cofunding for each charger. Cofunding above $1,000 per charger will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Sufficient funds for the proposed projects are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.