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Davis updates fleet electrification and EV charger plans; commissioners press for new GHG inventory
Summary
City staff reported progress on fleet electrification (10 EVs procured, seven purchased, five in service) and plans for an RFP for public EV chargers funded through a regional grant (city share ~$2 million). Commissioners pressed for regular greenhouse-gas inventories and passed an advisory motion asking City Council to fund an updated inventory.
City staff provided a progress report on local electrification and climate-related transportation work, including fleet purchases, EV charging planning and regional coordination.
What staff presented - Fleet electrification: Staff said an assessment (2024) led to an immediate procurement of about 10 zero-emission vehicles; seven have been purchased and five light-duty trucks are in service. Staff framed the initial buys as focusing on passenger and light-duty fleet needs while planning longer-term procurement when funds and infrastructure allow. - EV charger RFP and grant: Staff said the city is preparing an RFP for level 2 and level 3 public chargers at five publicly accessible sites; the project is part of a regional grant for which the city is the lead agency and is currently responsible for roughly $2 million of that grant funding. - Zero-emission vehicle action plan: Staff noted a countywide action plan and forthcoming public workshops to identify strategic charging and mobility-hub locations, plus a planned dashboard to track CAP (Climate Action Plan) progress.
Commissioner concerns: measurement, equity and funding Commissioners focused on the larger policy and measurement framework underpinning electrification. Several commissioners argued that mode shift (getting people out of cars) must accompany vehicle electrification to meet GHG goals and pressed for clearer metrics and more frequent greenhouse-gas inventories. Commissioner Mark moved an advisory motion asking City Council to prioritize funding a new GHG inventory; the motion passed after a second and recorded 'I's in favor.
Context on funding and advocacy During questioning staff and commissioners discussed the patchwork of funding sources that support transit and electrification (farebox revenue, FTA and formula grants, state TDA/LTF and competitive grants) and uncertainties about federal levels after infrastructure program expirations. Commissioners urged staff and regional partners to pursue added advocacy and partnership opportunities (including UC Davis and SACRT) to expand stable funding and mitigate risk to express and commuter services.
What happens next Staff will proceed with the fleet procurement and RFP work; the commission asked staff to forward the advisory motion asking Council to allocate funds for an updated GHG inventory, and staff indicated a small regional participation cost (staff cited a prior regional participation cost of about $18,000 in 2020 as context). The city will also continue outreach for the zero-emission vehicle action plan and accept public workshop input.
