Board committee recommends purchase of EV chargers tied to VW grant to prepare for electric buses

Facilities staff told the Building & Growth Committee on April 3 that the district is ready to install four additional EV chargers at the transportation facility to support four electric buses expected this summer. Administrators said underground conduit and piping are already installed and the proposed purchase includes one DC fast (Level 3) charger and three Level 2 dual-port chargers, plus labor and parts warranty.

The presenter said the purchase is covered 75% by an anticipated VW grant; ComEd rebates are expected to cover much of the remaining 25% of cost. The administration recommended the Board approve the $103,508 purchase and noted the EV vendor (ChargePoint) expects a price increase in May, providing additional rationale to move forward now.

Trustees asked about charger pricing and durability; staff said ChargePoint had been selected in prior procurements for reliability and service response and that the district had vetted multiple vendors when previous chargers were purchased. The presenter said ComEd has been a reliable partner on past rebates and that administration will continue working with ComEd on available incentives.

Ending: The committee recommended the purchase be forwarded to the Board for approval; staff said it will continue to coordinate grant and rebate paperwork and report back on final out-of-pocket district cost once ComEd and VW funding are confirmed.