Draft EV charging plan presented to Calaveras County; consultants propose chargers at five county sites

The Calaveras Council of Governments and county staff presented a draft electric vehicle charging infrastructure implementation plan to the Board of Supervisors on March 25, outlining charger siting, regulatory context and a phased 15-year rollout for county and municipal fleet electrification.

Marcos Muñoz, assistant CEO for Calaveras County, said the plan — prepared with DKS Associates and Frontier Energy — evaluates opportunities to replace internal-combustion fleet vehicles with zero-emission vehicles and to install chargers at locations where county vehicles are stored overnight. The plan recommends a mix of level 2 chargers and DC fast chargers at five primary sites: two lots at the Government Center, the sheriff’s office, probation/Columbio site, and the Human Services building. The consultants broke the rollout into three phases spanning through 2040 and provided cost estimates: capital expenses just under $4 million and total operating expenses nearing $7 million over the implementation period.

Presenters reviewed regulations that shaped the plan, including the Advanced Clean Fleet regulation (requiring that medium- and heavy-duty vehicles bought after 2027 be zero-emission where feasible), the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation for light-duty vehicles, and state laws that streamline permitting for EV chargers (AB 1236 and AB 970). County staff noted exemptions in some rules — for example, certain public-safety vehicles and snow-removal equipment have defined exceptions — and emphasized that federal and state policy developments could alter timelines.

Consultants showed site layouts: the Government Center West Lot proposal focused on level 2 chargers adjacent to the main entrance; the East Lot mix included DC fast chargers near the Public Works yard and behavioral-health offices. Muñoz said staff asked the consultant to consider whether some public-facing sites should include DC fast chargers rather than only level 2s, especially where public charging would be convenient and turnover is needed.

Christopher Butner, a local publisher who spoke during public comment, urged caution on siting, saying a Tesla supercharger planned in Arnold posed a wildfire/fire-safety risk given its proximity to forested neighborhoods and propane tanks; he asked state agencies to review site selection. County staff said the plan will be finalized after the board’s feedback and that funding strategies will be pursued by the Calaveras COG and the county.

The item was informational; no board action was required or taken at the meeting. Staff will forward public comments to the consultants for the final plan, and the COG will seek funding options to implement the recommendations.