GHG-07: Increase EV Charging and ZEV Infrastructure

With this measure, the County aims to reduce on-road transportation emissions by increasing the availability and convenience of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) and refueling infrastructure for other types of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), including current and  future EV charging types. The County plans to achieve this by making the network capacity and infrastructure for EVs and ZEVs easily accessible by installing a considerable number of EV chargers throughout the unincorporated county. The plan is to conduct direct installations by the County and simultaneously make amendments to the building code to require new developments and eligible retrofits to install EV charging stations or facilities.

Action Description: Develop and adopt an ordinance that amends the building code to require EV charging capability consistent with the latest version of CALGreen Tier 2 Voluntary Measures, at the time of ordinance development, for the following project types:

• new single-family residential,
• new multifamily residential, and
• new nonresidential (both light-duty and medium-/heavyduty requirements).

Action Description: Develop and adopt an ordinance that amends the building code to require EV charging capability installation at existing nonresidential developments consistent with the latest version of CALGreen Tier 2 Voluntary Measures, at the time of ordinance development, for additions or alterations to existing buildings or parking facilities under the following conditions:

• When the scope of construction work includes an increase in power supply to an electric service panel as part of a parking facility addition or alteration.
• When a new solar PV system is installed covering existing parking spaces.
• When additions or alterations to existing buildings are triggered pursuant to CALGreen and the scope of work includes an increase in power supply to an electric service panel.

Action Description: Develop and adopt an ordinance that amends the building code to require EV charging capability installation at existing multifamily residential developments consistent with the latest version of CALGreen Tier 2 Voluntary Measures, at the time of ordinance development, for additions or alterations to existing buildings or parking facilities under the following conditions:

• When new parking facilities are added.
• When a new solar PV system is installed covering existing parking spaces.
• When electrical systems or lighting of existing parking facilities are added or altered, and the work requires a building permit.
• When additions or alterations to existing buildings are triggered pursuant to CALGreen and the scope of work includes an increase in power supply to an electric service panel.

Action Description: Develop a "Sacramento County Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Strategy" to prepare Sacramento County for the widespread adoption of EVs, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, or other types of ZEVs, and install public EV chargers in the unincorporated county and provide hydrogen-fueling and other renewable fuel options, using the Electric Vehicle Readiness and Infrastructure Plan as a foundation. The strategy should:

• identify key areas for public EV charging access, including near multifamily developments and in Environmental Justice Communities;
• assess additional electrical load capacity needs and limitations for EV charging;
• assess biofuels, hydrogen, and other ZEV technology growth forecasts, and potential infrastructure needs to support growth in alternative fuel demand;
• identify costs and funding and financing strategies for installation of EV charging installation;
• identify policy objectives to support an increased need for EV and alternative fuel infrastructure based on the analysis results; and
• identify methods and procedures for monitoring progress and evaluating the effectiveness of the strategy, and the strategy should be reviewed and updated every three years to reflect technology and market trends.

Action Description: Upon completion and adoption of the "Sacramento County Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Strategy,” include new EV charging infrastructure projects annually in the CIP to provide the direct install of at least 100 publicly available EV chargers per year. Installation of charging infrastructure should be located in shaded areas of parking lots when practical, and installation in shaded areas should be considered to increase charging efficiency. 

Action Description: Adopt an ordinance requiring gas stations that undergo major renovations with a permit value over $300,000 to install at least one EV DC fast charging station for every 10 fuel dispensers.

Action Description: Develop a system for tracking the number, type, and location of new EV chargers installed in the unincorporated county each year for permitted installations.

Action Description: The Sacramento County Airport System (SCAS) will expand EV charging at county airports by doing the following:

• Develop an EV charging plan for County airports, taking into consideration the opportunities and constraints identified in the Energy Management Plan as specified under Action GOV-04-a. The plan will hierarchize EV charging for the public and employees.
• SCAS currently hosts a pay-to-charge EV fueling facility at the Sacramento International Airport with eight DC fast chargers for passengers, employees, and commuters along the I-5 corridor. This facility is open 24-7 to allow EV drivers to charge their vehicles at any time. A second fueling station will be constructed in the Free Waiting Area to allow even greater access to charging.
• Any new long-term parking facilities constructed will include an appropriate percentage of spaces equipped with Level 1 chargers, based on the EV charging plan. Average parking dwell times at the airport do not warrant charging in excess of Level 1.
• Include signage for EV charging facilities for both wayfinding and parking restrictions.
• Perform bi-annual reviews of publicly accessible EV charging utilization at Sacramento International Airport and install additional EV chargers as supported by demand.

Action Description: Prepare educational materials including pamphlets and video tutorials and conduct educational workshops to inform residents and businesses about new requirements, EVs rebates (like the SMUD’s Residential Rebate program, SMUD’s Business Rebate program, the Clean Vehicle Tax Credit program, the Commercial Clean Vehicles tax credits program, and the Credit for Previously Owned Clean Vehicles program) and the expanded EV infrastructure. Education materials and workshops will strive to be culturally compatible to be accessible to underserved and Environmental Justice Communities.

Action Description: Partner with SMAQMD to secure additional funding for expanding the Our Community CarShare program to additional affordable housing developments in Environmental Justice Communities in the unincorporated county.

Action Description: Coordinate with regional ZEV initiatives developed or implemented by various agencies including, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT), City of Sacramento, SMUD, and SMAQMD to coordinate the activities of different agencies and simplify or unify permitting processes for the installation of EV charging or hydrogen refueling infrastructure and the deployment of ZEV fleets in the region.

Action Description: Update the County's EV infrastructure permitting process triennially (if needed) to maintain consistency with regional permitting best practices, and as permitting processes are updated perform internal trainings such that permitting staff understand the permitting, inspection, and enforcement process. The County will also consider reductions in permitting fees during process updates.

Action Description: Reassess and update the "Sacramento County Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Strategy" every five years to incorporate new market trends and technologies.

Action Description: Conduct a feasibility study on a County program to encourage early retirement of internal combustion en​gine (ICE) vehicles and replacement with electric vehicles. The program may assess the feasibility of offering rebates, tax credits, or other incentives such as a buyback plan.

Action Description: Based on the findings of the feasibility study described in GHG-07-n, the County may develop and implement a program to facilitate the early retirement of ICE vehicles.​​