Title
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Lease
Action
Action:
Approve a lease agreement with Brightfields Transportation Solutions for use of a City-owned parking lot on Thomas Avenue (parcel identification number 081-176-43) for operation of an electric vehicle charging station.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Rob Phocas, Neighborhood & Business Services
Steve Gucciardi, Engineering & Property Management
Explanation
§ The City owns a 0.56-acre parking lot at the corner of Thomas Avenue and Central Avenue (parcel identification number 081-176-43) operated by the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT).
§ CDOT has approved the use of up to two parking spaces on the property for electric vehicle charging station use, contingent upon City Council approval.
§ The total area to be leased is approximately 172 square feet, including one parking space, with the option to add an additional 172 square feet, including another parking space, if necessary.
§ The lease rate is $3.87 per square foot for a total of $665.64 in the initial year, subject to escalation by 2% per year at the beginning of each subsequent year of the lease term.
§ The lease term is 10 years with the right to terminate by the City if an alternative use for the property is identified.
Background
§ The City established an electric vehicle charging station program in 2010 using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds as part of an initiative to make Charlotte more electric vehicle friendly. Currently there are 26 charging stations publicly available throughout Charlotte. Staff has been evaluating the program and looking for opportunities to expand it.
§ The North Carolina Plug-In Electric Vehicle Taskforce (NC PEV) launched a planning project called Plugging in From Mountains to Sea to promote the creation of electric vehicle charging station infrastructure to address electric vehicle range issues for drivers traveling across the state.
§ Brightfields Transportation Solutions (BTS) is partnering with NC PEV, Nissan North America, and other private donors and organizations to install and operate electric vehicle charging stations in strategically selected cities around the state.
§ The charging station equipment to be installed is a direct current fast charger, which has the ability to charge electric vehicles in 15-30 minutes. This is significantly faster than the City’s current publically available charging stations, which takes 6-8 hours to charge.
§ Nissan North America provides the charging station equipment at no cost, and BTS pays for installation. The cost to charge would include a $5.95 plug-in fee and then $0.20 per minute connection fee. Charging rates are established by Nissan North America. Subscribers of certain electric vehicle programs would not be charged any fees.
§ The program creates an opportunity for the City to add a new tool to its sustainability portfolio and encourages the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles by city of Charlotte residents.
§ This is one more action to help staff meet the City Council’s goal of Charlotte being a global leader in environmental sustainability.
§ BTS has successfully implemented programs with local governments in the city of Asheville and the town of Matthews.
Fiscal Note
Funding: General Transportation Community Investment Plan
Attachments
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