Takoma Park staff recommend vendor, grant mix to install fleet EV chargers

City staff told the council they are ready to move forward on fleet electric‑vehicle charging infrastructure after a competitive procurement and several grant opportunities. The presentation described three funding tracks and proposed equipment that would prepare the city for a broader fleet transition.

Director Braithwaite said the city has multiple grant avenues: Pepco/ICF fleet charging funds tied to the city’s fleet transition evaluation; a Montgomery County‑managed federal grant expected to supply a fast charger (county to select vendor and manage procurement); and a Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) grant the city applied for that could cover replacement or new chargers. "We're in an enviable and very lucky position" to access multiple funding sources, Braithwaite said.

Staff reported a competitive bid process among Pepco‑approved vendors and recommended EnergyDynamics (partnered with Switch for charging equipment) as the low, responsible bidder. The proposed purchase would include a fast charger for the police area and two Level 2 chargers tied to police operations, plus two Level 2 chargers at Public Works. Staff noted make‑ready work—electrical panels, conduit, excavation—accounts for much of the installation cost and recommended a five‑year warranty package (the selected vendor’s five‑year warranty option raised the project cost by roughly $22,000).

Council members asked about flood protections for curb‑level chargers, long‑term maintenance and warranty terms, possible vendor willingness to cover part of a grant match, and whether additional chargers would be needed as fleet purchases expand. Staff said the community center and Public Works sites were designed with flood mitigation (stormwater chamber and an inflatable flood wall in the lower parking level) and that additional capacity exists in building electrical panels for foreseeable expansion.

Why it matters: installing fleet chargers is a prerequisite to purchasing more electric vehicles for city operations; the grants and procurement approach reduce upfront city costs but require make‑ready investments and vendor selection.

What’s next: staff will return the ordinance and contract recommendation to council for a formal vote next week; continued grant negotiations will determine matching requirements and precise site choices.

Speakers quoted include Director Braithwaite and members of the grants and sustainability teams who appeared on the record during the presentation.