Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The City of Lebanon aims to reduce local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2035, and by 100% by 2050. In the transportation sector this will require almost all drivers to switch from gas and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) or a non-polluting equivalent. EVs save drivers money, produce no tailpipe pollutants that can cause respiratory problems, and their sales prices continue to drop as global competition to manufacture them heats up. EVs reduce GHG emissions by at least two-thirds compared with comparable gas vehicles and more if the electricity comes from renewable sources. All Lebanon residents should have access to these benefits. Many residents (especially renters) cannot charge an EV at home or at work, however, and there are no public chargers in key parts of Lebanon, making it very difficult to switch to an EV. In addition, an increasing number of tourists and other visitors who drive EVs have nowhere to charge in downtown Lebanon or along West Lebanon's Main Street, and thus may avoid visiting those areas, taking their tourism dollars elsewhere. An additional 1.85 million EVs are expected on New England roads within a decade. Installing EV charging benefits the local economy by increasing sales at businesses near the chargers, studies show. Lebanon intends to install public EV charging at strategically selected locations to service both residents and visitors and to support the local economy. This RFP seeks to implement this action by developing partnerships between the City and installers/owners/operators of EV charging stations to expand EV charging access in north Lebanon, downtown, near West Lebanon's Main Street, and/or at Lebanon's Municipal Airport. The City is increasing the number of EVs in its municipal fleet and may consider utilizing these chargers as part of its fleet electrification plan.