Title
Carrboro's Green Future: Advancing Zero Emission Vocational Vehicles
PURPOSE: This item seeks approval from council to apply for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Heavy Duty Vehicle Grant (EPA CHDV).
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Finance and Climate Action
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Wendy Welsh, Grants Manager, 919-918-7302, wwelsh@carrboronc.gov, Laura Janway, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, 919-918-7326, ljanway@carrboronc.gov
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity __X__ Climate _X___ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
The EPA CHDV grant aligns perfectly with Carrboro’s strategic objectives. This program would support the Comprehensive plan the Community Action Climate Plan. The Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan <https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12199/Carrboro-Connects-Plan-ADOPTED-2022-06-09-compressed?bidId=> was developed with the foundational themes of race and equity and climate action. Chapter 10: Municipal Operations, recommends reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to municipal fleet operations. One strategy mentioned is to replace internal combustion vehicles with electric vehicles and/or alternative fuel vehicles as the market continues to improve.
This grant will also support implementation of the Energy and Climate Protection Plan <https://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/8962/Energy-and-Climate-Protection-Plan---Updated-Oct-2020> (ECPP). The ECPP is a companion to the Community Action Climate Plan. It shares a similar goal (reducing 2010 emissions 80% by 2030) but focuses on the Town’s municipal carbon footprint. This application will align with the Fleet Study’s technology leadership recommendation to convert a refuse hauler to a BEV by 2025. Purchasing the other two vehicles will accelerate the Fleet Study’s schedule in transitioning heavy-duty vehicles.
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Information
INFORMATION: This project aims to replace three Class 6 & 7 internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with three comparable zero-emission (ZE) heavy duty vehicles. Funding will be used to purchase three battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles, a level three charging station, and facilitate a workforce development program to educate and certify drivers and mechanics who work with these vehicles daily. Replacing heavy duty ICE vehicles will make a substantial contribution to achieving the town's climate action goals. By adopting zero-emission technology for heavy-duty vehicles, Carrboro will affirm its pledge to a sustainable future.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that council approve staff to apply for the EPA CHDV grant.
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