Agenda - 11-15-2011 - 5i - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 larger CNG fuel containers. As such, there may be future possibilities for CNG options in these areas that will be explored as opportunities arise. Deploying electric based AFV vehicles and re-fueling infrastructure is a sustainable strategy consistent with the County's environmental responsibility goals for the following reasons: 1) The County's fleet of nine Toyota Prius sedan vehicles has by far the lowest operating costs of any vehicle platform. With over 313,000 miles recorded across the fleet, the Prius is significantly less expensive to operate when compared to other non- emergency services passenger sedan platforms within the County's fleet. Prius has a slightly higher acquisition cost, as do other models of AFVs, but quickly recovers that cost with its exceptional fuel mileage and lower maintenance cost. The PHEV model, when introduced sometime in 2012, will only improve this cost benefit ratio since it will allow grid provided electricity to power the vehicle at an estimated rate of less than 3 cents per mile. When coupling higher fuel economy with a lower equivalent fuel cost, the cost benefit ratio is even more attractive. 2) Electric charging station infrastructure supports privately owned EVs and PHEVs and their lower greenhouse gas emissions relative to fossil fuel based vehicles. Apure EV is a "zero emissions" vehicle and collects its electric power from an electric grid that has a diverse set of production sources: wind, biomass, solar, coal, natural gas, and nuclear power plants. Fossil fuel driven vehicles produce the highest concentration of greenhouse gas emissions; 100% of the fossil fuel is derived from a finite, depleting, and more costly petroleum resource. 3) As the consumer market's adoption of EVs and PHEVs continues to grow, charging stations located near natural "destination" areas -employment centers, public transportation stops, retail hubs, dense transportation corridors -attract capital investment and nurture sustainable economic development. The proposed locations for the initial eight charging stations meet the criteria of being near dense travel corridors and within natural "destination" areas. The proposed locations include the following: 1) Orange County/Chapel Hill Visitor's Bureau, Chapel Hill (two charging stations); 2) West Campus Office Building, Hillsborough (two charging stations); 3) Durham Technical Community College Park & Ride Lot, Hillsborough (two charging stations); and 4) Robert & Pearl Seymour Senior Center, Chapel Hill (two charging stations). As part of its utility conservation workplan, AMS staff will continue to evaluate and recommend the deployment of AFVs within County departments as well as its re-fueling infrastructure. A full report on the County's vehicle fleet and its fuel consumption will be presented as part of the annual Utility Conservation Report to be delivered to the Board in the Spring of 2012. This report will also coordinate AMS workplan activity relating to the FY2012-13 budget preparation.