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Greenbelt says transformer issue will delay community‑center EV chargers; city to pursue grants
Summary
A transformer supply issue has forced a redesign of the planned EV charging installation at the Community Center/library parking lot, pushing public‑use chargers from a projected June online date to potentially the end of the year; the city will seek Pepco grants and consider ordinances to regulate public charging.
City staff told the Greenbelt City Council that a transformer availability issue has delayed planned electric vehicle charging stations at the Community Center/library parking lot and that the project will likely require a revised design and additional funding.
City Manager Sal Maron and staff said the original design planned to tie level‑2 chargers into an existing transformer near the library and to install eight level‑2 public chargers and two DC fast chargers (the DC chargers were designed primarily to service fleet vehicles such as the city’s parking enforcement EVs). After a recent engineering review, the project team determined a new transformer will likely be required, which adds lead time and cost.
Staff said the project had hoped to bring stations online in June but now expects delivery and installation could occur by the end of the calendar year. The design change increases capital cost; city staff said they will pursue two Pepco grant opportunities to offset additional transformer and installation expenses.
Funding for the project is allocated from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and staff said ARPA obligations allow completion through calendar year 2026. Staff also told council the change provides more time to resolve operational questions: whether community charging will be city‑run or managed by a third‑party vendor, appropriate pricing models, and whether to make fleet DC chargers available to the public.
Staff noted that the charging site will be at the rear of the library/Community Center and that the proposed install includes eight public Level‑2 chargers plus DC fast chargers sized to serve fleet vehicles. The city is also negotiating a contract with an EV services firm referred to in the packet as the EV Institute; staff said the city does not yet have a valid, executed contract with that firm and is working to finalize terms.
Council members asked for follow‑up on timing and permitting and were told grant applications and revised engineering design will determine the schedule. Staff said ordinances governing public charging operations and enforcement may be necessary and will be presented to council for consideration before public charging goes live.
