2.3. ERMUSR 09-10-2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Establish branding and social media platforms prior to installation of equipment. • Determine partnerships early and make sure partners are fully committed to the objectives and capable of following through. Have contingency plans for charging site locations and partnerships with retailers. • Identify how each vehicle is used on a daily basis prior to enrolling it in the fleet assessment study. Some internal combustion engine vehicles are not suitable to be replaced with an EV because of the requirements on the vehicle (towing heavy trailers or the need for four-wheel drive). • Customer education is time-consuming and can be demanding on staff time. • Work to educate local auto dealerships on programs and incentives available to EV buyers. Work with the dealerships to educate their staff about any utility charging programs offered. • Battery electric vehicles do not perform best in temperatures below zero and the battery range is diminished by 30 percent in cold weather if they are stored outside. If a battery electric vehicle cannot be stored inside during the winter they, should be connected to a charger. Budget The most significant budget deviations were caused by the purchase and installation of a third ChargePoint unit. As a result of purchasing the Chevy Bolt, Elk River Municipal Utilities decided to install a public station in the parking lot to allow the Elk River Municipal Utilities and City vehicles to charge in the parking lot. This was not in the original budget and accounted for just over$16,000 in expenses. The other source area of additional expense was the need to install a transformer for the DC Fast Charger at the Coborn's location.The additional transformer increased the costs by just over$5,000 plus some additional labor. While the purchase of the warranty added to the project going over budget, ERMU felt this was the correct decision based on the newer technology and ERMU staff having no experience with the equipment. Another item that was not included in either the budget or the actual numbers below is the $33,600 for the 2018 Chevy Bolt. Based on the FleetCarma study and the review of the Elk River Municipal Utilities fleet, it was decided to shift vehicles around. The Conservation & Key Account Manager was using a Ford Explorer for day-to-day activity but based on the FleetCarma assessment, it was determined that an EV would be suitable. The Ford Explorer was shifted to the meter reading staff and the Chevy Bolt was purchased for the Conservation and Key Account Manager.There was actually a savings since the new electric vehicle was less expensive than the pickup truck that was budgeted. Those savings also helped offset some of the additional costs of installing a public charging station at the ERMU office. 28 67