The Bourbon Town Council considered a Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant opportunity through the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG); Leah Thiel presented and was available to answer questions.
The CFI Grant Program is a federal initiative with goals to fill gaps in Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure in rural and disadvantaged communities, target areas where EV infrastructure and adoption is currently low – particularly beyond the areas where private markets are supporting investments, and to provide reliable, accessible charging which promotes safety for vehicles and pedestrians.
The opportunity available to Bourbon is the Level 2 “Destination” EV Charging Station – these stations are intended to draw people to a destination for several hours rather than swift en route charging.
At this time MACOG is soliciting applications from interested site hosts – public and private entities are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is October 14. MACOG expects to select site hosts around November 1st.
Entities are applying for a Level 2 “Destination” EV charging station, 240 V, 7 – 19 kW, which adds approximately 25 miles of range per hour of charging.
The grant period is five years from the time the station begins operation.
MACOG assumes the following roles and responsibilities during the grant period – own and co-operate Level 2 stations with site hosts, procure consultant for engineering and design, procure contractors for installation, assumes administrative rights to control all station data and features, assumes responsibility of oversight and required reporting, and will collect 20% cost match from site hosts.
The Site Host assumes the following roles and responsibilities – provide a cost match of 20% of the project cost which is estimated between $11,000 and $15,000, fundraise to offset the cost match if necessary, provide power to the station (utility account), set a reasonable user fee in consultation with MACOG, collect revenue from user fees to offset electricity costs, maintain the area around the station, report maintenance needs and issues to MACOG, provide utility bills annually for expense reporting purposes, report any maintenance expenses incurred, and provide a revenue report for program income reporting purposes.
According to Thiel, Plymouth and Culver have already benefited from the program. Plymouth has reported the highest utilization of any station within the region which includes Mishawaka, South Bend, and Elkhart. “The City of Plymouth is seeing the most use of their station so it’s pretty impressive.”
According to Thiel, the Town of Bourbon will need to charge $1.50 an hour to break even on costs of electricity and credit card fees.
Moving forward with the application does not obligate the Town of Bourbon; but it allows for them to consider the opportunity.
Member Jonah Best made a motion to move forward with the application, Vice President Terry Clemens seconded. The motion was unanimously approved by Best, Clemens and President Les McFarland.
There was then discussion regarding the cost of electric vehicles and the ability to sustain them. Grant opportunities and tax credits will be considered as the Town of Bourbon moves forward with exploring EV and Charging Station possibilities.
Thiel recommended that the Town of Bourbon conduct a fleet analysis of what vehicles they have and to prioritize which vehicles will need replaced from greatest need to least according to miles, condition, and use. She informed the Council that when such grant opportunities arise there is a window of application for that opportunity so it is best to be prepared with what is needed so that the analysis doesn’t slow down the grant application process resulting in a missed opportunity.
Thiel reminded the Council that MACOG does offer assistance writing grant applications when needed. More information about the CFI Grant opportunity can be found at engage.macog.com.
