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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 15-25Report to Executive Committee Report Number: CS 15-25 Date: June 9, 2025 From: Laura Gibbs Director, Community Services Subject: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Pilot Project File: A-1440 Recommendation: 1. That Report CS 15-25 regarding the City’s electric vehicle charging stations pilot project be received for information. Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the electric vehicle charging station pilot project. Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priority of Lead & Advocate Environmental Stewardship, Innovation & Resiliency. Financial Implications: There are no direct financial implications resulting from endorsing this report. Discussion: The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the City’s electric vehicle (EV) charging station pilot project. The objective of the project was to explore and inform the viability and challenges associated with developing a framework for future corporate and public -use EV charging infrastructure on City -owned property . 1. Project Background The 2014 – 2019 Corporate Energy Management Plan identified an Electric Vehicle Initiativ e which included two projects: 1) electric charging stations; and 2) electrification of fleet vehicles. The City was selected for the Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging Incentive Program and received three EV charging stations. The EV stations were funded in part by the province, and the stations were installed for fleet vehicles in the underground parking lot at City Hall. By 2019, the City had six EV charging stations. CS 15-25 June 9, 2025 Subject: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Pilot Project Page 2 In May 2022, the City undertook its first installation of EV charging stations for public use with five units installed at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC) and conversion of six existing chargers at the Pickering Operations Centre (POC). The existing chargers at the POC were installed in 2019 and originally intended only for use by City fleet vehicles. Installation, conversion, and commissioning of the chargers at both locations w as completed in May 2023. The CHDRC project was developed in partnership w ith Elexicon Group and supported by grant funding obtained through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program . Total project costs were $150,000.00, with grant funding covering approximately 50 percent. The City’s existing EV chargers are networked using cellular wireless connections with third party billing/technical support providers. The providers collect all user fees on behalf of the City and remit the collected fees to the City on a monthly basis, less a five to ten percent administration charge and a fixed monthly network fee per connection. User fees set early in the project were benchmarked against other lakefront municipalities in Durham Region, but did not generate significant revenue and have since been adjusted to target operating cost recovery. Full capital cost recovery is not factored into this pricing, as it would prove prohibitively expensive to users. Rates for 2025 were set as follows: Level 2 (6kW) $1.77/hr or $0.30/kWh Level 2 (8.3kW) $2.22/hr or $0.30/kWh Level 3 (60kW) $21.24/hr or $0.35/kWh CHDRC EV chargers at CHDRC were installed in the parking lot located on the north side of the squash courts, west of the loading dock and Delaney Arena. Four 8.3 kW Level 2 chargers, and one dual-port 60 kW Level 3 charger , or DCFC, were installed. Electrical capacity has been included for the installation of four additional Level 2 and one additional DCFC at a future date, contingent on demand and funding availability. POC Six EV chargers were installed at the north-west corner of the existing parking lot as part of the construction of the Operations Centre. These were originally limited to use by City fleet vehicles, but converted for public use in 2023, providing six 6 kW Lev el 2 charging ports. Signage was changed from “fleet use only” to “parking permitted while charging”, and public billing was enabled. These charging stations were renewed with updated hardware and software at no cost to the City, and also service the adjacent Pickering Soccer Centre, operated by the Pickering Football Club. CS 15-25 June 9, 2025 Subject: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Pilot Project Page 3 2. Pilot Project Usage Summary Since the pilot project began, the City’s EV chargers have delivered approximately 108.2 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy to EVs, avoiding 40,500 L of gasoline combustion and over 92 tonnes CO 2 emissions.1 The following table summarizes the usage and financial statistics of the project from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. Location CHDRC DCFC (Level 3) CHDRC Level 2 Charger POC Level 2 Charger Total Nominal Power 60 kW 8.32 kW 6.2 kW - Qty Ports 2 4 6 - Number of Charging Sessions 2,050 1,606 688 4,344 Total Energy Delivered (kWh) 57,392 28,011 10,742 96,145 2024 Fee Structure $19.00/hr $1.45/hr $1.45/hr - Net Collected Fees $17,103.00 $4,613.00 $2,808.00 $24,524.00 Average Energy Input Cost ($/kWh) $0.171 $0.173 $0.171 $0.172 Total Energy Input Cost $9,818.00 $4,850.00 $1,833.00 $1,681.00 Network Fees $305.00 $1,220.00 $1,650.00 $3,176.00 2024 Net Revenue (Loss) $6,980.00 ($847.00) $183.00 $6,316.00 The table above shows that the project operated at a modest overall gain in 2024, without accounting for capital installation cost and repairs. The DCFC delivers energy at a much greater rate than the Level 2 chargers and is therefore able to offset fixed monthly network fees more quickly. However, DCFC have a much higher capital costs (8-10 times the cost of Level 2), and have much greater complexity, leading to higher future repair costs. The installation of EV chargers, at public municipal facilities, should be viewed as a public service to encourage adoption of EV technology and reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and as an amenity also increasingly expected by the public. It is noteworthy that in areas of low utilization and relatively low energy delivery capacity (e.g. 6 kW Level 2), such as at the POC, the fixed monthly network fees can often exceed collected user fees before even considering the input costs for the electricity. The City’s strategy has 1 Based on energy delivered from June 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024, using a comparison of typical comparable ICE and EV vehicles from NRCan 2024 Fuel Consumption Guide: Chevrolet Equinox, combined cty/hwy 8.5 L/100 km vs Chevrolet Equinox EV,19.3 kWh/100 km divided by (conservatively assumed 85%) wall -to-battery efficiency = 22.71 kWh/100 km. Fuel emissions based on 2.29 kg/L gasoline. Average annual grid emissions 0.00071 kg/kWh from The Atmospheric Fund’s Ontario Electricity Emissions Factors and Guidelines, June, 2024. CS 15-25 June 9, 2025 Subject: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Pilot Project Page 4 since shifted, and the 2025 user fee structure was adjusted to aim for operational cost recovery. 3. Charger Utilization Trends Charger utilization has trended upward in energy delivered and number of charging sessions, as shown in the following graphs. 4. 2025 User Fees and Benchmarking The current pricing structure, included in the 2025 user fees approved by Council as part of the annual budget process, was based on the mandate of full operational cost recovery. Other public sector organizations have taken a variety of different approaches, some offering free Level 2 charging, while others subsidize the full operating cost of their chargers. Doing so CS 15-25 June 9, 2025 Subject: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Pilot Project Page 5 places public sector organizations in direct competition with the private sector in the fuel distribution business but can also be viewed as offering a public service and leading by example for the adoption of sustainable technologies. The City of Pickering was the first municipality within Durham Region to install a Level 3 (DCFC) charger. Since that time, other Durham Region municipalities have reached out to the City for advice on the pricing structure for their own DCFC charger installations. Due to high first cost and electrical infrastructure constraints, most municipalities were only offering 6 kW Level 2 chargers. In 2024, City fees were $1.45/hr for Level 2, and $19/hr for 60 kW DCFC. Upon analysis of the first year of available utilization data to mid-2024, the 2025 fee structure was set at $2/hr for 6 kW Level 2 (POC), $2.50/hr for 8.3 kW Level 2 (CHDRC), and $24/hr for 60 kW DCFC (CHDRC). Lakefront Durham municipalities have implemented a tiered fee structure, scaling upward over time, which discourages charging for longer than two or three hours. The fees are also based on connected time, not charging time, so vehicles will continue to be charged fees after charging is complete. This idle fee is increasingly used to encourage vehicles to move once charging is complete to free up the charger for others. • The Regional Municipality of Durham has primarily focused on enabling EV charging installation by other hosts through collaboration and partnerships with organizations across the region, and by administering federal funding from the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. The Region has 6.2 kW Level 2 chargers at Regional Headquarters, at $1.50/hr (including idle time after charging is complete). • Ajax typically has four 6.2 kW Level 2 charging ports at each of its major facilities (recreation complexes, libraries, town hall), at a cost of $1.00/hr for the first two hours, $2.00/hr thereafter. • Whitby has 27 Level 2 charging ports across its facilities and municipal lot, at a cost of $1.50 service fee per charge plus $1.50 for the first three hours, $4.00/hr thereafter. Whitby also added a 60 kW DCFC in 2024, implemented a $1.50 service fee per charge, then matched Pickering’s 2024 rate of $19.00/hr. • Clarington has 23 total Level 2 charging ports at multiple locations. Ten are located at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, eleven in public parking lots and two at the Orono Library, at $1.50/hr for the first three hours, increasing to $4.00/hr thereafter during daytime hours. • Oshawa has collaborated with Oshawa Power to install a significant number of Level 2 charging stations (more than 80) both on and off -street in the downtown area. The stations offer charging at no cost to end-users. A staff report indicated the intention to introduce pricing in 2024, but currently charging is still free. The City’s publicly accessible chargers appear on commonly used digital apps used by EV drivers to locate convenient charging locations, including PlugShare and ChargeHub. CS 15-25 June 9, 2025 Subject: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Pilot Project Page 6 5. Lessons Learned and Emerging Trends The City’s EV Charger Pilot Project was intended to explore the options, challenges and opportunities associated with introducing, developing and operating EV Charging systems, and to understand how key considerations should be taken into account during future decision making. Level 2 chargers, for example, are much more cost effective to install, but generate far less revenue and have a longer payback. By comparison, Level 3 chargers can deliver power up to ten times faster, but their capital investment costs and power infrastructure requirements can be prohibitive. First and foremost, it became clear that EV chargers are not a significant potential revenue stream, and that the City provides this service as an outlier competing with the private sector. Municipalities have a particular and critical role to play as leaders in the field of sustainability, but must do so while balancing their investment of valuable and finite public funds. By providing a suitable threshold for basic levels of service and convenience, the City can also help encourage the private sector to help build and grow consumer markets on a broader scale. This approach is in keeping with general public expectation that the City will provide support and capacity for this emerging technology, as well as leading by example. The balance of issues to be addressed are primarily technical, relating to maintenance, operation, financial risks and liabilities, limitations with existing infrastructure at various scales, and the coordination of hardware, software, and compatibility issues. Recent changes in North American and global political and economic climates have added uncertainty to the electric vehicle and supporting industry. EV technology provides a critical tool to offset global GHG emissions, but implementation and adoption carry financial impacts and infrastructure constraints that cannot be overlooked. 6. Conclusions and Next Steps EV Chargers are an important tool available to the City when considering how best to achieve Priority 4 of the Corporate Strategic Plan: Lead & Advocate for Environmental Stewardship, Innovation & Resiliency. A robust alternative to fossil fuels is also required to help the City migrate towards solutions that will help reduce its GHG emissions, as outlined in the 2024- 2029 C orporate Energy Management Plan. A balance must be struck between a basic level of service to meet the needs of residents, encouraging private sector development of related infrastructure, and shifting City fleet priorities to EV options as they become available and commercially viable. With regards to City facilities and amenities, location and demand are top priorities. Public - facing facilities will require a minimum level of EV charging capacity, to be phased in over time. Larger facilities which attract visitors from farther afield, and who therefore stay longer, are ideal locations for early investment, as users have the greatest need and potential to use EV charging infrastructure if it is made available. By comparison, local residents driving to a nearby community centre, or attending other locations only for a short time, will tend to favor charging their vehicles at home. CS 15-25 June 9, 2025 Subject: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Pilot Project Page 7 Moving Forward: i. Opportunities will be explored to include rough-in provision of EV charging infrastructure at all future City facilities as part of their design. ii. There may also be value in exploring demand and opportunities for potential provision of EV chargers in City parks, and at other public municipal amenities in the future. iii. For existing facilities, it may be feasible to add new EV chargers as standalone capital projects, depending on the limits of local infrastructure, but the most cost-effective option would be to do so as part of any larger scale renovations. iv. Staff are ready to take advantage of any new or expanded incentive programs or grants for EV charging infrastructure that may become available in the future. Recent initiative and developments in EV charging infrastructure at City facilities already include: • Provision of rough-in locations for up to six dual-port EV chargers at Fire Station 1 & Headquarters. • Provision of two dual-port Level 2 EV charging stations at the Pickering Heritage & Community Centre, currently under construction, with rough-in capacity to add up to two more dual-port units. • The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library will include provisions for EV chargers. Specific numbers to be installed and roughed-in to be determined as the design develops. • The new location for Fire Station 5 is anticipated to allow for two dual-port Level 2 EV chargers to be made available for staff and visitors. Precise counts may be revised during the design process to commence later this year. • George Ashe Library & Community Centre, Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Community Centre and the South Esplanade parking lot servicing the Pickering Civic Complex and Pickering Central Library have been identified as viable candidate locations for the near -term installations of additional EV charging stations, making use of available funding and infrastructure. The City currently has EV chargers supplied by three different service providers, including units limited to fleet vehicle use. Each set of devices operates under separate agreements, including different software packages and technical support regimens. This is less than ideal and consumes an excessive amount of time for coordination, accounting and repairs. Staff will pursue opportunities to consolidate and standardize future EV chargers under a single vendor for improved efficiency and management. Staff will continue to monitor and adjust operating costs and revenue generation, adjusting user fees annually with a mandate for full cost recovery. CS 15-25 June 9, 2025 Subject: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Pilot Project Page 8 A plan will be developed to inform future EV charging infrastructure, for fleet, public and combined use, recommending appropriate levels of service to be developed and maintained throughout the City. Doing so will help forecast future needs and help ensure that sufficient infrastructure is provided and reserved, especially as the power needs of this equipment can be significant. High load demand from chargers can compete with efforts to electrify existing facilities to reduce their GHG emissions. Lastly, as identified by the 2024-2029 Corporate Energy Management Plan, roughly 35% of the City’s GHG emissions come from City fleet vehicles. Private sector GHG emissions are of equal concern and will rely both on public and private initiatives to facilitate a transition away from fossil fuel consumption. A prudent and measured adoption will be undertaken, gradually introducing and growing EV charger infrastructure to meet levels of service, while balancing costs and existing City site and system capacity constraints. Attachment: 1.CAO Correspondence 23-23 EV Charging Station Pilot Project Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: Original Signed By Original Signed By Vince Plouffe. OAA Laura Gibbs MBA, MSc. Division Head, Facilities Management Director, Community Services & Construction Original Signed By Dennis Yip, P.Eng., PMP®, CEM, LEED® AP Manager, Facilities Capital Projects Original Signed By Robin Thornton, CEM, CMVP, LEED® AP BD+C Supervisor, Energy Management LG :vp CS 15-25 June 9, 2025 Subject: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Pilot Project Page 9 Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Original Signed By Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer Attachment 1 to Report CS 15-25 Memo To: Marisa Carpino March 14, 2023 Chief Administrative Officer From: Brian Duffield Director, Operations Copy: Director, Finance & Treasurer Division Head, Operations Services Supervisor, Energy Management Subject: EV Charging Station Pilot Project File: O-8320 The City is currently finalizing installation of new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC), and converting chargers previously installed at the Operations Centre from City-fleet only to public use. The CHDRC project was developed in partnership with Elexicon Group and supported by grant funding obtained through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP). Total project costs are $150,000, with grant funding covering approximately 50 percent. Once complete, CHDRC will offer four level 2 charging stations and one dual-head level 3 charging station in the parking lot located on the north side of the squash courts. This location reduced installation costs by using easily available power, and is well-monitored by existing security cameras. The new charging stations are intended for public use. All equipment is in place and currently undergoing setup and commissioning. It is expected to be in service by March 27, 2023. The Operations Centre will offer 6 level 2 charging stations in the parking lot located on the north side of the Pickering Soccer Centre. The original equipment was installed for the City’s fleet as part of the new Operations Centre construction. The conversion of this equipment to public use is underway and is expected to be in service by March 27, 2023. To meet City’s fleet charging needs, there are currently 2 charging stations within the service and storage bays, and rough-in for 20 additional chargers in the secure parking area along the west of the Operations Centre, to be installed as needed. Level 2 charging stations are a common commercial standard, whereas level 3 chargers offer enhanced charging capability at a much faster rate. No other Durham municipalities currently offer level 3 chargers. Typically, level 2 chargers will add approximately 30-45 km range per hour of charging, whereas level 3 chargers will add 300 km range per hour. March 14, 2023 Page 2 of 2 EV Charging Station Pilot Project User Fees and Costs User fees for these charging stations differ between levels 2 and 3, and have been set based on a survey of other local communities, reaching farther afield and including private sector examples for the level 3 chargers. The industry currently sets pricing based on time spent charging, rather than energy consumption. Recent changes by Measurement Canada will permit a more direct charge out rate linked directly to energy consumption. Staff will explore the opportunity to convert the units to this energy-billing model in the 2024 Capital Budget. The rates have been set at $1.40 per hour for level 2 charging, and $18.00 per hour for level 3. Note that these rates are fixed, whereas the City’s energy costs will fluctuate based o n time of day costs for power. Until usage trends are better understood, full cost recovery cannot be guaranteed. CHDRC charger fees are collected from the end-user by a third party, EVSTART, which deducts a five percent administrative fee. Due to existing equipment and contracts, Operations Centre charger fees are collected from the end-user by a different third party, ChargePoint, which deducts a ten percent administrative fee. The balance is provided to the City as revenue. The City remains responsible for all maintenance, software/network license, utility and capital replacement costs, including any vandalism and theft. All chargers have an estimated life span of ten years. An estimated revenue of $10,000.00 has been included in CHDRC budget for this pilot project. Community Notification PlugShare and ChargeHub are two independent user-verified public charging maps that track the location and operating status of every public charging station. Staff have set up a City of Pickering account on each of these two platforms. CHDRC and the Operations Centre’s stations are currently listed on these platforms as “Coming Soon”, which staff will update to “Available” once the stations are live and tested. Operations Services’ staff are working with Corporate Communications to build out a web page and related marketing materials to promote this new opportunity to Pickering’s residents, businesses and key stakeholders. The team will be coordinating photography and video of the new infrastructure as well as a scheduled photo opportunity for Mayor, Members of Council, CAO, and key staff, along with a demonstration electric vehicle. Pilot Project Evaluation Period The intended pilot period for this project is two years from the equipment in-service date. Evaluations will be conducted by site and by charger type (level 2 vs level 3). Energy usage and impact on peak electrical demand will be reviewed on a quarterly basis. Equipment uptime, utilization rates, network fees, maintenance costs, energy cost recovery, and user fees will be reviewed and reported annually.