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Board tells staff to return with EV-fleet plan and grant list after Frontier Energy briefing
Summary
After a presentation from Frontier Energy about a county zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) transition plan, the board directed staff to return with a resolution and a prioritized list of grants and vehicles to buy now. The board also authorized staff to pursue exemptions where appropriate and asked for coordination with neighboring jurisdictions.
A consultant presentation on April 22 laid out a multi-year plan to electrify Shasta County’s public fleet and charging infrastructure, and supervisors directed staff to return with a resolution, a grant priority list and a near-term vehicle replacement list.
Troy Bartlett, Shasta County Director of Public Works, introduced the plan prepared by Frontier Energy and DKS. Soraya Deebi of Frontier Energy summarized the consultant’s recommendation to phase electrification, prioritize a centralized “East Side Hub” for roughly 45% of county fleet charging, and use a hybrid approach to ownership and operations that combines county-owned chargers with third-party hub operators. “We created an interactive dashboard that shows the transition process for the county,” Deebi said; Frontier’s dashboard link was shared during the meeting.
The board discussed technical and financial issues: supervisory questions focused on whether the state’s regulations and vehicle availability — particularly for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and equipment with power-takeoff (PTO) needs — make full electrification feasible. Deebi and staff said battery-electric options are advancing for many vehicle classes but hydrogen fuel-cell technology remains limited for some heavy-duty PTO-driven equipment. Bartlett emphasized grant competitiveness: having an adopted plan could improve the county’s chances for state infrastructure funding.
Directives and vote - After extensive discussion the board voted 5–0 to direct staff to return with a resolution to adopt the plan (or a version of it), and to provide: (1) a prioritized list of grant opportunities to pursue in 2025, and (2) a list of specific county vehicles the county would consider replacing in the next 12 months to get ahead of expected regulatory timelines. The motion also authorized the Public Works director to apply for exemptions where warranted. - The board asked staff to coordinate with adjacent public fleets (City of Redding and REU) and to consider a hybrid ownership model that keeps smaller facility chargers county-owned while using partners for the larger hub.
Why it matters - California regulations require increasing shares of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty purchases by specified dates; the county’s fleet includes roughly 130 vehicles subject to those mandates. The plan aims to ensure county compliance and competitiveness for grants while minimizing stranded cost risk.
Outstanding questions - Funding: staff and consultant continue to model capital needs for vehicle replacement and charger installation and will refine cost estimates and grant opportunities. - Heavy-duty readiness: the county will pursue exemptions and monitor technology availability for PTO-driven equipment and refuse trucks; staff described exemptions as part of the recommended near-term strategy.
Ending Staff will prepare the resolution, grant list and vehicle replacement list for a future board meeting as directed. The board’s vote gives county staff authority to seek exemptions and to proceed with grant applications as the county finalizes costs and schedule.
