Tesla Supercharger Pasadena Approved
Tesla Supercharger Pasadena Approved
Tesla Supercharger Pasadena Approved
RECOMMENDATION:
At its September 22, 2020 meeting, the Municipal Services Committee recommended
that the the City Council approve the staff recommendation. The Committee requested
that staff provide additional information related to the term and financial aspects of the
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Authorize Agreement with Tesla for the Arroyo Parkway Charging Depot
October 19, 2020
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recommended agreement, as well as some discussion of site access for drivers. The
clarifications and additional information have been incorporated in this revised report.
BACKGROUND:
As an effort to reduce greenhouse gas ("GHG") and other air emissions, the City of
Pasadena is promoting electric vehicles ("EV") and associated charging infrastructure.
This is consistent with the City's Climate Action Plan ("CAP"). Electric vehicles being
charged within Pasadena also increase revenues for the power fund of the Pasadena
Water and Power Department ("PWP").
The Direct Current Fast Charger ("DCFC"), one of the most advanced electric vehicle
charger technology can charge a vehicle up to 80% in 20 - 30 minutes. Fast charging has
high demand but the availability of such chargers is scarce throughout the region. The
City of Pasadena currently operates one DCFC located at the Del Mar Parking Garage
and 20 DCFC at the Marengo Charging Plaza, located at the Marengo Parking Garage.
The Marengo Charging Plaza, which also features 24 Tesla Superchargers (which are in
high demand), is currently the largest public fast charging site in the nation. The site was
developed and managed under a joint partnership with Tesla; an agreement that was
approved by the City Council on March 11, 2019. This partnership has provided cost
savings for both parties and has garnered national press for both the large number of
chargers and benefits of the public-private partnership. Despite a downturn in vehicle
usage associated with "Safer at Home" orders, the Marengo Charging Plaza is delivering
5,000 to 7,000 charging sessions per month and associated additional revenues for the
power fund.
Under the recommended Agreement, Tesla will install and operate 20 Tesla
Supercharging EV charging stations at their expense. PWP will install up to seven DCFC
EV charging stations, and up to 20 Level 2 chargers, that may be used by all types of
electric vehicles. PWP will install the necessary electric infrastructure to serve the Arroyo
Parkway Charging Depot, utilizing funds available in the PWP capital fund and the Utility
Underground Surtax fund. Although there will be charging fees for the use of the PWP EV
chargers, EV drivers will not be assessed parking fees to charge at this site.
Under the proposed agreement, Tesla will connect to PWP's electric service equipment
and will be responsible for all of the costs related to equipment procurement, installation,
maintenance and electricity use associated with the Tesla charging stations. The Tesla
charging stations will be separately metered, and Tesla will be responsible for the
associated electric bills. PWP will own and operate non-Tesla EV chargers, and institute
appropriate charges within the City Council approved fee schedule. PWP is expected to
benefit by additional revenues for electricity sales to Tesla and non-Tesla vehicles.
Authorize Agreement with Tesla for the Arroyo Parkway Charging Depot
October 19, 2020
Page 3 of 5
Term of Agreement
The initial term of the agreement is five years from the date the EV chargers commence
operation. The agreement provides for the option to extend the agreement for an
additional five-year term by mutual consent.
In addition to the projected net project cost savings, PWP and the City will benefit from
additional retail electricity sales to Tesla and the associated taxes and surcharges.
PWP secured a $280,000 grant on June 2, 2020 from the Southern California Incentive
Project ("SCIP") for this project. The grant reservation is valid for 12 months and time is
of the essence. The balance of the City's costs will be funded from revenues derived from
sales of Low Carbon Fuel Standard ("LCFS") credits and from the Utility Underground
Surtax Fund 206 for the underground electric infrastructure. No electric rate payer
revenues will be used to construct the project.
Authorize Agreement with Tesla for the Arroyo Parkway Charging Depot
October 19, 2020
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It is estimated that approximately $250,000 will be used from the Utility Underground
Surtax Fund 206 for the portion of the project that involves installing underground electric
infrastructure in accordance with the Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 4.24 -
Underground Utilities Special Activity Fund. The remaining costs will be funded from
revenues derived from the sale of LCFS credits.
The City's net costs will be funded from existing appropriations in the Fiscal Year 2021
Power Fund Capital Improvement Program budget, and will be incurred under separate
contracts for materials and services with the exception of any net reimbursement due to
Tesla as a result of shared cost allocations under the proposed agreement with Tesla.
Site Access
Like many gas stations on busy corners with a divided road, direct ingress and egress to
and from the Arroyo Parkway Charging Depot will be limited to east-bound traffic on
Glenarm Street. Drivers approaching from the south, north, and east will need to be
redirected through wayfinding signage, driver apps, and informational outreach. PWP
staff have worked with Pasadena's Department of Tranportation to develop appropriate
routes and signage. Furthermore, staff will coordinate with Caltrans to deploy signage for
northbound traffic on the 110 Freeway to exit at Fair Oaks and proceed to Glenarm.
The proposed action supports the City Council Strategic Planning Goals, Pasadena's
CAP, the 2018 Power Integrated Resource Plan, the Urban Environmental Accords, and
the General Plan, in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by expanding the use of EVs
and related infrastructure. It supports expanding sustainable mobility and land use, and
the City's commitment to a more sustainable community. Lastly, it supports Governor
Brown's goal of installing 250,000 charging stations in the state by 2025 and his
Executive Order to help accelerate the market to 5 million zero-emission vehicles on
California's roads by 2030.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The recommended action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per
Section 15061 (b)(3), the "General Rule" that CEQA only applies to projects that may
have an effect on the environment.
Authorize Agreement with Tesla for the Arroyo Parkway Charging Depot
October 19, 2020
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FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommended agreement will require Tesla to fund approximately $100,000 in site
improvements and co-fund certain common portions of the project work. Furthermore, it
will commit the City to installing electrical infrastructure to serve the entire charging plaza,
as well as the DCFC, to be installed by the City under separate agreements at a total
estimated cost of $1,250,000. As a result of Tesla's obligation to fund a portion of work,
the City will benefit from approximately $165,000 in reduced net costs that otherwise
would have been borne entirely by the City to install DCFC at this location.
Sufficient funds are budgeted in Capital Improvement Program Number 3225, - Electric
Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, and revenues derived from the Low Carbon Fuel
Standard program and the Utility Underground Surtax Fund to cover all project
expenditures.
Funding for ongoing maintenance and back office services for PWP's DCFC will be
addressed in the annual operating budget and is anticipated to be covered by a
combination of revenue derived from charger usage and LCFS program revenues.
Respectfully submitted,
~
GURCHA'RAN S. BAWA
General Manager
Water and Power Department
Mauricio ejia
Customer Program Manager
Approved by:
~ / ~.
STEVE MERMELL
City Manager