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Staff Report
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Report To: Planning and Development Committee
Date of Meeting: June 8, 2020 Report Number: PSD-020-20
Submitted By: Faye Langmaid, Acting Director of Planning Services
Reviewed By: Andrew C. Allison, CAO
File Number: PLN 23.29
Report Subject: Electric Vehicle Funding Opportunities
Recommendation:
1. That Report PSD-020-20 be received for information.
By-law Number:
Resolution#: PD-085-20, C-290-20
Municipality of Clarington Page 2
Report PSD-020-20
Report Overview
This report is to inform Council of two available funding opportunities: 1) To develop and
implement a pilot project to assess the suitability of light -duty electric vehicles (EV) and
plugin hybrid vehicles providing municipal services in real -life conditions; and 2) To cover
50% of the costs associated with the purchase and installation of EV charge stations for light
duty workplace and fleet electric vehicles and plugin hybrids.
1. Background
1.1 On March 2, 2020, the Municipality declared a climate emergency, highlighting its
commitment to protect the community and ecosystems from climate change by reducing
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are causing climate change (Resolution #GG-
083-20).
1.2 As part of its climate emergency declaration, Clarington joined the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program to
expedite efforts to reduce GHG emissions that are causing climate change.
1.3 Staff have completed a corporate GHG inventory as Milestone 1 of the PCP Program.
The inventory identifies fleet and workplace vehicles as the second highest source of
GHG emissions in the municipal corporation.
1.4 On March 2, 2020, Council passed Resolution #C-066-20 which states "That it be policy
for all future car and SUV purchases be EVs [electric vehicles] or similar vehicles
without tailpipe emissions, where practicable".
1.5 Currently Clarington is partnered with Trent University to develop a Community EV
Strategy. The Community EV Strategy will provide Council with information about
community EV uptake and use. It will not include information about corporate EV
adoption.
1.6 Several funding opportunities are now available that would support the pursuit of
Council's direction to adopt EVs and plugin hybrid vehicles for Clarington's fleet, save
money on fuel and maintenance, and reduce GHG emissions workplace and fleet
vehicles.
Municipality of Clarington Page 3
Report PSD-020-20
2. EV Funding Opportunities
Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund
2.1 Funding is available through the FCM Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to develop and
implement a pilot project to demonstrate the practicability of utilizing EVs and plugin
hybrid vehicles to reduce or avoid fossil fuel use in vehicles used for municipal services.
Municipalities are using this funding to pay for 50% of the cost of purchasing EVs and
plugin hybrid vehicles for their fleets up to $500,000 based on available funding.
2.2 Based on each department's purchasing forecast, up to 14 light duty fleet vehicles (cars
and vans) will be purchased in the next 5 years. All these vehicles fall within the
eligibility criteria for the FCM GMF pilot funding.
2.3 Staff intend to submit a proposal to the FCM GMF to assess the suitability of light duty
EVs and plugin hybrid vehicles providing municipal services in real -life conditions in
Clarington.
2.4 No funding is being requested from Council at this time. If the FCM GMF funding
application is successful, Council will be requested to approve the Municipality's portion
of the pilot initiative. Council maintains the option to opt out of the funding application.
Natural Resources Canada's Zero Emissions infrastructure Program Fleet and
workplace Charging
2.5 The Region of Durham is undertaking a second application to Natural Resources
Canada's (NRCAN) Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP), which is
intended to fund the purchase and installation of EV stations for workplaces and fleets
for light -duty vehicle fleets only.
2.6 Clarington participated in round one of the ZEVIP with the Region, with a proposal to
fund 62 public EV stations. Five of the public EV stations were proposed to be located in
downtown Bowmanville. Natural Resources Canada has indicated that applicants are
not yet permitted to divulge to the public whether their application was successful.
2.7 Round two of the ZEVIP covers up to 50% of the costs associated with the purchase
and installation of EV charge stations for workplace and fleet use, up to a maximum of
$5,000 per charge point.
2.8 EV charging stations are needed for EV and plugin hybrid vehicles to be a practicable
option when purchasing light duty fleet vehicles.
Municipality of Clarington Page 4
Report PSD-020-20
2.9 Potential sites for EV workplace and fleet stations have been identified based on each
department's purchasing forecast over the next 5 years. Locations include: Fire Station
1, Fire Station 4, the Firehouse Youth Centre, the Animal Services Building and the
Clarington Public Library, Orono Branch.
2.10 If successful in the ZEVIP application, staff will report to Council with a proposal for the
balance of the financing.
3. Concurrence
3.1 The Interdepartmental Climate Change Working Group endorses applying for these
funding opportunities.
3.2 This report has been reviewed by the Directors who have fleet vehicles that could be
part of this program - the Municipal Clerk, Fire Chief, Acting Director of Engineering,
Acting Director of Operations and Director of Finance - who concur with the submitting
applications for funding.
4. Conclusion
4.1 It is respectfully recommended that Council receive this report for information. If
successful in either or both of these applications, staff will report back to Council with
recommendations on funding for the Municipality's portion of each application.
Staff Contact: Doran Hoge, Climate Change Response Coordinator, 905-623-3376 ex.2429 or
dhoge@clarington.net
Attachments:
Not Applicable