Title
Public Works Fleet Electrification Strategy
Description
This report provides the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee with an update on the Public Works Department's Electric Vehicle Implementation Strategy
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The Public Works Department is responsible for acquisition, maintenance, and disposition of the City's fleet (with the exception of Public Transit and some Aviation vehicles) of approximately 7,800 light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. A sustainable fleet focused on protecting air quality and natural resources remains a priority of the department dating back to the early 1990s. Thanks to this longstanding commitment by Phoenix leaders, the city has one of the largest alternative fuel programs in the country with over 3,000 vehicles powered by alternative fuels, which represents 73 percent of all fuel used. As a result of these past commitments, the city fleet continues to be recognized as one of the top Green Fleets in the country by Government Fleet Magazine.
In recognition that a new wave of vehicle technologies was on the horizon, Public Works commissioned a study in 2016. This study was designed to evaluate electric vehicles and other strategies to reduce vehicle emissions and maintain a reliable fleet to provide exceptional service delivery. This strategy is now primed for execution in support of the Climate Action Plan and Transportation Electrification Action Plan (TEAP), approved by Mayor and City Council. These plans set forth the path to the newest technology investments in a clean and sustainable fleet.
Charging Infrastructure Strategy
Similar to the transition from gasoline and diesel fuel to compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG), the transition to electric, hydrogen or other energy sources will require a transformation of the fueling infrastructure. The first priority of the implementation strategy is to evaluate, design and construct the required infrastructure to support electric vehicles and to safely decommission fossil fuel infrastructure.
In July 2022 Public Works received supplemental funding as approved by City Council to engage an outside consultant to perform a Fleet Electrification Study. Public Works identified Gannett Fleming, LLC, as the most qualified and responsive vendor from the Street Transportation Department Citywide Engineering/Consulting On-Call Services. The vendor is expected to conduct a review of operations, maintenance, and capital needs to support electric vehicle infrastructure at various city locations. The locations are being strategically identified based on an evaluation of city parking locations and which locations contain the greatest number of internal fleet scheduled for replacement. The vendor has proposed a phased approach to the study, for completion by June 30, 2023.
In addition, on Aug. 31, 2022, Mayor and City Council authorized Public Works to partner with Salt River Project (SRP) to fund a study at the Okemah Service Center to similarly evaluate infrastructure and fleet replacement options to transition to electric vehicles. This study is valued at $20,000 and is funded by SRP.
Vehicle Replacement Strategy
Vehicle manufacturers continue to invest in and develop electric vehicle technology. Light-duty vehicles, such as sedans, pick-up trucks and motorcycles have been the primary models, while research and development continue on medium and heavy-duty trucks and equipment. The City's current fleet includes approximately 3,600 light-duty vehicles. Of these, Public Works has identified approximately 1,700 vehicles in the fleet that are ready for modernization to electric vehicles (EVs) as they become eligible for replacement under the current fleet replacement schedule.
Both the Climate Action Plan and the TEAP have established a goal to acquire 200 electric vehicles by 2030. To achieve this goal, Public Works plans to procure a minimum of 24 light-duty electric vehicles annually. To date, there are 18 light-duty electric vehicles in the fleet in addition to a number of utility vehicles and a few specialty units. Public Works is actively meeting with departments to identify an additional 24 EVs to be ordered in FY2022-23.
In addition to the replacement strategy for light-duty trucks and sedans, Public Works Fleet Services is working closely with multiple departments to identify and pilot medium and heavy-duty electric, hydrogen or other alternative fuel options. For example, the Public Works Department Solid Waste Division has procured two electric solid waste side loader trucks and Public Transit was recently awarded a $16.3 million grant, which will be used to test and replace a few existing buses with battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses,and to install new infrastructure for bus charging/fueling and maintenance.
In accordance with the TEAP goals, the replacement plan for citywide operations includes the current inventory of 18 EVs and the following estimated purchases through FY2027-28.
- 2022-23 purchase 24-30 light-duty vehicles.
- 2023-24 purchase 24-30 light-duty vehicles.
- 2024-25 purchase 24-30 light-duty vehicles.
- 2025-26 purchase 30-50 light-duty vehicles.
- 2026-27 purchase 30-50 light-duty vehicles.
- 2027-28 purchase 30-50 light-duty vehicles.
Public Works is closely monitoring the auto industry research and development in the advancements of alternative fuels and green fleet technologies including hydrogen fuel engines and hydrogen motor fuels for medium and heavy-duty equipment. Listed below are some of the important goals of the TEAP that will be managed by Public Works to accelerate the progress of key deliverables outlined for the successful transition to EVs.
FY2022-23 TEAP Plan Deliverables
- Establish a city-wide steering committee to guide and track TEAP implementation.
- Engage a professional consultant to perform an infrastructure needs assessment of City facilities to assist in the development of an implementation strategy.
- Pilot electrification of medium and heavy-duty EVs and other zero emission solutions to evaluate their performance.
- Evaluate infrastructure and power needs along with financial resource requirements to support the transition of light-duty vehicles to EVs.
- Identify City employee workplace charging needs and provide access to charging infrastructure to City employees to meet demand.
- Proactively install charging infrastructure to prepare for future adoption of EVs in the City fleet.
- Implement training of employees for EV driving, EV charging, and EV maintenance, prioritizing employee change management to achieve effective employee engagement.
Department Strategic Focus
- Developing an EV Ride Share program to allow all City departments the opportunity to drive EV models within the City's internal fleet.
- Work with manufacturers to participate in vehicle demonstrations to evaluate the latest EV equipment to ensure they can meet operational duty cycles.
- Continue to seek funding opportunities through state and federal grants and partnerships with local utility companies.
- Maximize procurement capacity by using existing contracts and leverage cooperative agreements for vehicle acquisitions.
- Exploring the use of Renewable Natural Gas.
Financial Strategy
To accomplish the goals established in the Climate Action Plan and the TEAP, financial resources will be necessary to address infrastructure and vehicle replacement capital needs. Public Works expects to have a better understanding of the infrastructure needs and associated costs upon completion of the consultant study and SRP study. This information is necessary to work in collaboration with the Finance and Budget and Research departments to develop a financial strategy for infrastructure and vehicle replacement needs.
A significant element of Public Works' financial strategy is to collaborate with the Office of Sustainability to identify and apply for the federal funding available to municipalities from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This strategy will also help Public Works accelerate the deployment of EVs.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Public Works Department and the Office of Sustainability.