SR 10-15-2019 3I
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: October 15, 2019
Agenda Item: 3.I
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Susan Cline, Director, Public Works, Engineering and Street Services
Edward F F King, Director, Big Blue Bus, Transit Services Department
Subject: Award Request for Proposal and enter into agreement with Stantec
Architecture Inc. to Develop a Work Plan for Upgrading Big Blue Bus
Facilities to Accommodate a Zero-Emission Fleet by 2030
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Award RFP SP#2604 to Stantec Architecture Inc., a California-based company,
to provide design and planning services for the Big Blue Bus Charging
Infrastructure Project; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Stantec
Architecture Inc., in an amount not to exceed $537,663 (including a 10%
contingency) for two years.
Summary
The City not only promotes public transit through its regional Big Blue Bus (BBB)
operations that carry nearly 14 million passengers a year, but is committed to continuing
to be a leader in powering the BBB fleet by the most environmentally sustainable
means. Transportation emissions, including those from BBB, account for 64 percent of
the City’s carbon emissions. As a leader at the forefront of sustainability, the City
established a goal of converting 100 percent of its BBB fleet from natural gas buses to
zero emissions buses (ZEB) by 2030, which may include battery-electric buses,
hydrogen fuel cell buses, or a combination of both . The Climate Action and Adaptation
Plan (CAAP), adopted by Council in May 2019, aims to reduce citywide carbon
emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050
or sooner. The CAAP also includes a goal of achieving carbon neutrality in municipal
operations by 2030. Electrifying the BBB fleet will play a significant role in achieving
these emissions reductions and supports the Council Framework priority to address
climate change.
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Transitioning the BBB fleet to ZEB by 2030 requires the development of a plan for the
implementation of a series of phased upgrades to the BBB campus to ensure efficient
allocation of campus space and resources and to ensure uninterrupted road operations.
Staff recommends Stantec Architecture Inc. (Stantec) to develop the plan for an amount
not to exceed $537,663 (including a 10% contingency) f or a two-year period.
Discussion
In 2016, the City Council directed staff to begin working on a plan to convert the BBB
fleet to ZEBs by 2030 (Attachment A). To fulfill this objective, staff deployed two high-
speed chargers at the BBB campus in June 2019 and took delivery of one prototype
battery-electric bus manufactured by Gillig, Inc. and Cummins, Inc in July 2019. After
conducting a series of performance tests, staff placed the bus into service in August
2019, replacing an aging 2004 LNG-powered bus that had reached the end of its useful
life. In late 2019, staff plans to return to Council requesting authorization to order up to
18 additional ZEBs to be delivered in Fiscal Year 2020 -2021.
Table 1, below, provides the anticipated fleet replacement schedule through 2030.
Year # of ZEB Buses
to Procure
Anticipated ZEB
Arrival Date
1 1 12/1/2019
2 18 12/1/2020
3 5 12/1/2022
4 10 12/1/2023
5 30 12/1/2024
6 29 12/1/2025
7 29 12/1/2026
8 11 12/1/2027
9 11 12/1/2028
10 25 12/1/2029
11 26 12/1/2030
The transition to ZEBs would require significant facility and yard upgrades to the BBB
campus as existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG)
buses are phased out gradually over 11 years. These upgrades would include the
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installation of charging infrastructure and changes in bus circulation and parking at the
BBB campus.
To ensure a seamless transition, a plan would be developed for the implementation of
phased upgrades throughout the BBB campus. Milestones and phased upgrades in the
plan would be informed by:
• a comparison of ZEB road performance against LNG and CNG buses and how
each bus type influences BBB’s current operations
• a review of how combinations of ZEB, CNG, and LNG buses perform when
serving riders
• a review of the time required for different bus types to recharge or refuel at the
BBB campus.
Campus upgrades would be phased as BBB initially operates a mix of CNG, LNG, and
ZEB buses and eventually exclusively ZEBs.
Past Council Actions
06/28/16 (Attachment A) City Council established the BBB Zero Carbon 2030 Fleet
Plan, directed staff to provide an analysis outlining the
steps that the City would undertake to plan, implement,
and track progress toward zero carbon emissions for Big
Blue Bus operations, and authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute a Professional Services Agreement
with a qualified consultant to assist BBB staff in conducting
the analysis.
04/24/18 (Attachment B) City Council directed staff to move forward with the
electrification of the BBB fleet by authorizing the purchase
of one Gillig battery-electric bus and conducting a pilot
program with 10 or more battery-electric vehicles, and
providing a proof of concept plan.
Vendor Selection
Bidder Recommendation
Best Qualified Firm Stantec
Evaluation Criteria
Training/credentials/experience, competence/skill, capacity/ability to
perform services promptly, sufficiency of financial/other resources,
character/reputation, ability to provide future services as needed, past
working relationship
Municipal Code SMMC 2.24.190
RFPs Received
Arup Black & Veatch Burns & McDonnell BurroHappold
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Engineering
Center for Transportation
& the Environment
DHS Consulting EVgo HDR
JMPE JC Chang & Associates Kiewit Stantec
RFP Data
Posted On Posted On
Advertised In
(City Charter & SMMC)
Vendors
Downloaded
Date Publicly
Opened
03/28/19 City's Online
Bidding Site Santa Monica Daily Press 112 04/30/2019
Justification to Award
Staff interviewed four shortlisted firms. Based on this criteria and criteria in SMMC
2.24.190, staff recommends Stantec as the best qualified firm to develop a work plan for
upgrading the BBB campus to accommodate an entirely zero -emission fleet by 2030.
The recommendation is based on the firm’s previous experience working with the Ci ty
on the BBB Master Plan and Fuel/Wash Facility, positive references from Stantec
clients, and its relevant experience working with over 20 transit agencies on zero
emissions bus and vehicle projects to accommodate a zero-emission fleet. These
agencies include the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority, Orange County
Transportation Authority, Napa Valley Transportation Authority, Santa Barbara
Metropolitan Transportation District, and the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation
District of Oregon. Additionally, the Stantec team is technically robust, which is
highlighted by their in-depth approach to route and energy modeling that was recently
used to complete a fleet electrification feasibility study for the Toronto Transit
Commission. Finally, their local project team is comprised of transit industry
professional with decades of experience in many areas, including sustainable
engineering and design, project management, infrastructure solutions, alternative
energy solutions, cost estimating, and operational knowledge.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve funding from the Big Blue Bus Fund to award a
professional services agreement with Stantec to provide design and planning services
for the Big Blue Bus Charging Infrastructure Project
.
Agreement Request
Request Amount
FY 2019-20 Budget
CIP Account # Total Contract Amount
$537,663 C6007240.689000 $537,663
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Prepared By: Thomas Check, Civil Engineering Associate
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. June 28, 2016 Council Meeting - BBB Agenda Item 13B
B. June 24, 2018 Staff Report - BBB Item 4A
C. Stantec Architecture Oaks Initiative Disclosure Form
13.B
June 28, 2016
Council Meeting: June 28, 2016 Santa Monica, California
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CITY CLERK’S OFFICE - MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk, Records & Elections Services
Department
Date: June 28, 2016
13.B Request of Councilmembers O’Day, Davis and Mayor Pro Tem Winterer that
the Council establish a Big Blue Bus Zero Carbon 2030 Fleet Plan, direct
staff to provide an analysis outlining the steps that the City would
undertake to plan, implement, and track progress toward zero carbon
emissions for Big Blue Bus operations, and authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute a Professional Services Agreement with a qualified
consultant to assist BBB staff in conducting the analysis. The analysis will
include the opportunities and challenges of operating electric vehicles in
an urban transportation environment, electric vehicle range, vehicle cost,
Big Blue Bus facility infrastructure cost, industry best practice, sources of
electricity and carbon offsets, and evaluating potential funding
opportunities to fund the project, including the use of the proceeds from
the sale of the 4th/Colorado terminus site to Metro, for achieving this goal
by 2030. Staff will report back to Council in a study session within 6-9
months.
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 24, 2018
Agenda Item: 4.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Edward King, Director, Big Blue Bus, Finance & Administrative Services
Subject: Fleet Composition Study
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Review, and provide guidance to staff on the future implementation of a BBB
vehicle propulsion technology for the BBB fleet to achieve a goal of Zero
Emissions;
2) Provide feedback regarding a proof of concept program for evaluating the
operational effectiveness and efficiency of a sub -fleet of electric buses which
shall consist of up to 10 battery electric buses and requisite infrastructure at the
BBB yard; and
3) Authorize staff to work with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of
Innovation, FTA Region 9 Office, and Gillig, LLC for the procurement of one 40-
foot electric propelled bus from Gillig, LLC under the FTA’s Prototype Waiver
Program that would be produced in December 2018, and placed into revenue
service in January 2019.
Executive Summary
Big Blue Bus provides regional transit service for 13.6 million passengers a year,
serving an area covering 58 square miles. Since the 1990’s, Big Blue Bus (BBB) has
been a leader in using cost efficient environmentally-friendly vehicle propulsion
technology for its fixed route bus fleet. With the advent of ne w propulsion technology
being tested and evaluated at many California transit agencies and the potential that the
California Air Resources Board (ARB) proposed Innovative Clean Transit (ICT)
regulation being finalized later this year, staff initiated an an alysis to compare the
economic and environmental benefits for future ve hicle procurements under two
propulsion scenarios: 1) transitioning BBB’s existing fleet to near-zero NOx emission
(NZE) natural gas engines that would continue to be fueled by renewable natural gas
(RNG); and, 2) transitioning BBB’s existing fleet to battery electric buses (BEB).
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Staff is committed to providing an objective and unbiased approach to help guide
Council, and while the GNA report summary and cost implications for each fuel path are
provided in the staff report, there are inherent tradeoffs with each fuel path scenario,
upsides to each, and unknowns with Scenario Number 2, (transition the fleet to BEBs)
due to how new this technology is in the transit industry. At the end of the day, BBB is
committed to consistently provide financially sustainable, efficient, effective and safe
mobility services to our customers and the community on a daily basi s.
Understanding that this technology is new in the transit industry, staff recommends a
responsible approach to first prototyping the application of electric bus operation on the
BBB system, and moving forward with the implementation of a proof of concept program
with measurable outcomes for success with a small fleet of electric buses over the next
2 years to lay the groundwork for a transition to a 100% zero-emissions fleet.
Background
BBB operates twenty fixed routes that include traditional local transit service, commuter
transit, express service, and community-based circulators. The urban area serviced by
BBB’s transit fleet includes the entire Westside region of Los Angeles. The BBB fleet
provides service to approximately 13.6 million passengers annually in an urban service
area of 58 square miles. The fleet’s service area is vastly larger than the City’s
municipal service boundary of 8.4 square miles.
To provide these services, BBB operates a fleet of 200 natural gas urban transit buses
which include nineteen (19) 30-35 foot buses, (153) 40-foot buses, and twenty-eight
(28) 60-foot articulated buses. Approximately 60% of the fleet is model year 2011 or
newer buses. The entire fleet is powered by natural gas engines fueled with renewable
natural gas. Today, 62 ½ percent of the fleet operates on compressed natural gas
(CNG) and 37.5% operates on liquefied natural gas (LNG). However, all LNG buses
within the fleet would be retired by 2019.
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Make Year Qty # of
Buses
Fuel
Type Engine
lbs. NOx
per yr per
bus
Total lbs.
NOx per
year
Gillig 2018 20 Near Zero 32.44 649
Gillig 2017 25 Near Zero 32.44 811
Gillig 2016 4 ISLG 324.41 1,298
Gillig 2015 11 ISLG 324.41 3,568
Gillig 2013 58 ISLG 324.41 18,816
NABI 2011 6 Near Zero 32.44 195
NABI 2011 3 ISLG 324.41 973
New Flyer 2006 10 C-Gas Plus 3,568.50 35,685
New Flyer 2004 13 C-Gas Plus 3,568.50 46,391
New Flyer 2015 7 ISLG 324.41 2,271
NABI 2011 7 ISLG 324.41 2,271
NABI 2011 14 Near Zero 32.44 454
Gillig 2018 7 Near Zero 32.44 227
El Dorado 2011 10 ISLG 324.41 3,244
El Dorado 2010 5 ISLG 324.41 1,622
200
72 Near Zero 32.44 2,336
105 ISLG 324.41 34,063
23 23 RLNG C-Gas Plus 3,568.50 82,076
RCNG
VEHICLE MAKEUP
177 RCNGFUEL MAKEUP
RLNG
RCNG
RCNG
23
28
22
40
'
B
u
s
60
'
B
u
s
30
'
B
u
s
127
Figure 1 - BBB's Current Revenue Vehicles (Note: ISLG refers to a Cummins Engine
model)
The transit facility consists of a maintenance facility, administrative buildings, fueling
infrastructure, wash bays, bus yard, and a maintenance parking lot for staff vehicles.
The maintenance facility was remodeled in 2009 and there are currently no plans to
expand the facility.
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Two fueling stations are physically located on BBB’s property. A private on -site station
is located within the fenced boundary of the transit facility, while a public access station
is located outside of the fenced boundary but still on BBB’s property. BBB’s transit fleet
is supplied with CNG (via the LCNG station) and LNG from renewable liquefied natural
gas (RLNG) that is procured from Clean Energy. On average, Clean Energy delivers
one load of RLNG each day which is transported via tanker truck from C lean Energy’s
Boron LNG plant. An onsite storage tank supplies the RLNG to the LCNG and LNG
dispensers that are co-located within the drive-through wash bays.
Southern California Edison (SCE) provides electricity to the transit facility. On average,
BBB’s electricity cost is higher than that of surrounding utility customers because the
City procures a higher fraction of renewable electricity in its electricity mix than SCE’s
average delivered electricity mix. The low carbon electricity is purchased via a t hird
party energy service provider (ESP) but is delivered through SCE’s distribution system.
During peak service days, which occur Monday through Friday, BBB’s fleet operates
240 daily weekday assignments which require 162 transit buses during peak weekd ay
service. The average distance of an assignment is 71 miles; however, individual
assignments range from 13 miles up to 181 miles. Some transit buses receive more
than one assignment during a peak day. The majority of route operations occur on
primarily flat surfaces, however, there are a small number of route assignments, such
as those travelling to and from the Pacific Palisades area, that entail a significant
amount of elevation change.
Discussion
Fuel Path Analysis
To help staff better understand the issues surrounding vehicle propulsion systems, the
consulting firm of Gladstein, Neandross & Associates/Ramboll prepared a detailed
analysis looking at the different fuel paths. For each of the vehicle deployment
scenarios, cost and emissions profiles were developed on a per-mile, annual, and
lifecycle basis using fleet composition, operational, and procedural data provided by
BBB, as well as assumptions where necessary in order to characterize the recently
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commercialized alternative technologies. The operational cost for each transit bus
technology is an aggregate of individual cost factors that include bus capital, fuel,
operations and maintenance (O&M), midlife overhaul, fuelling infrastructure, and facility
modification costs. Data provided by BBB and assumptions were evaluated to quantify
the individual cost factors as a component of the overall cost. The emissions evaluated
as part of the analysis include greenhouse gases (GHGs), oxides of nitrogen (NO x), and
particulate matter (PM10).
The analysis found the total per-mile operational cost for BBB’s existing transit buses to
be $2.789/mi compared to $2.829/mi for near-zero NOx emission natural gas transit
buses and $4.054/mi for battery electric transit buses if purchased in 2017. While
significant operating cost reductions are not expected for BBB’s existing buses or for
NZE natural gas buses over the next 20 years, it is widely projected that operating costs
for battery electric buses will fall over time.
The analysis projects that battery electric buses purchased in 2030 would have an
average operating cost of $3.382/mi. Over a 12 -year lifecycle, the operational cost of
BBB’s existing transit bus is approximately $1,079,343/bus compared to $1,094,823/bus
for near-zero NOx emission transit buses, $1,568,898/bus for battery electric transit
buses purchased in 2017, and $1,308,834/bus for battery electric buses purchased in
2030. This represents an incremental cost of $15,480/bus for near-zero NOx emission
transit buses, $489,555/bus for battery electric transit buses purchased in 2017, and
$229,491/bus for battery electric transit buses purchased in 2030. Estimated costs for
battery electric transit buses take into account significant reductions in battery costs
over time and are net of projected credits that BBB could generate under California’s
Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
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The emissions analysis found well-to-wheel (WTW) GHG emissions of BBB’s existing
transit bus to be 1,475 grams per mile (g/mi) compared to 1,213 g/mi emitted from near -
zero NOx transit buses, and 8.88 g/mi for battery electric transit buses purchased in
2017 and in 2030. Well-to-tank (WTT) NOx emissions were found to be 4.53 g/mi for
BBB’s existing transit buses, 4.55 g/mi for near-zero NOx transit buses, and 0.0653 g/mi
for battery electric transit buses purchased in 2017 and in 2030. Tank -to-wheel (TTW)
NOx emissions were found to be 0.581 g/mi emitted by BBB’s existing transit buses
compared to 0.045 g/mi emitted from near-zero NOx transit buses and 0.00 g/mi emitted
from battery electric transit buses purchased in 2017 and in 2030.
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Transit Bus Emissions
Profiles
BBB Existing
Transit Bus
NZE NOx CNG
Transit Bus
2017 Battery
Electric
Transit Bus
2030 Battery
Electric
Transit Bus
WTW GHG Emissions 1,475 g/mi 1,213 g/mi 8.88 g/mi 8.88 g/mi
WTT NOx Emissions 4.53 g/mi 4.55 g/mi 0.0653 g/mi 0.0653 g/mi
TTW NOx Emissions 0.581 g/mi 0.045 g/mi 0.000 g/mi 0.000 g/mi
WTW NOx Emissions 5.111 g/mi 4.600 g/mi 0.065 g/mi 0.065 g/mi
In addition to evaluating the cost and emissions performance of the individual transit
bus technologies, BBB’s fleet-wide costs and emissions were evaluated over the
proposed ICT regulatory timeframe that is currently under development by the ARB.
The figure below displays BBB’s existing fleet transitioning to near-zero NOx emission
natural gas transit buses according BBB’s planned replacement schedule.
During the 23-year implementation timeframe of the ICT regulation, BBB would incur a
cost of approximately $414 million as a result of continuing to procure and operate their
existing transit bus technology. The analysis found that BBB would incur a cost of
approximately $418 million as a result of transitioning the existing fleet to a near -zero
NOx emission natural gas fleet, representing an incremental cost of approximately $4
million. The analysis also found that BBB would incur a cost of approximately $492
million (an incremental cost of $78 million) as a result of transitioning to a battery
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electric fleet assuming expected reductions in ba ttery costs and net of projected LCFS
credits generated across the timeframe.
BBB Fleet Costs – 2018-2040 BBB Existing
Transit Fleet
NZE NOx CNG
Transit Fleet
Battery Electric
Transit Fleet
Fleet Operational Costs $ 413,748,150 $ 417,803,910 $ 492,001,711
Incremental Cost Relative to
Baseline Scenario $ - ↑ $ 4,055,760 ↑ $ 78,253,561
Transitioning BBB’s fleet to near-zero NOx emission natural gas transit buses would
reduce the fleet’s WTW GHG emissions by 26,724 MT (metric tons) during the
timeframe. Transitioning BBB’s existing fleet to a battery electric fleet would significantly
reduce fleet-wide GHG emissions by approximately 150,000 MT during the timeframe.
However, the reductions provided by the transition to battery electric transit buses come
at a cost of approximately $78 million or approximately $526/MT. The majority
(approximately 99%) of WTW GHGs emitted during the transition to a battery electric
fleet are the emissions from BBB’s existing transit buses as they operate for the
remainder of their useful lives.
The analysis found that transitioning to either of the alternative scenarios technologies
would yield significant TTW NOx reductions. During the timeframe, transitioning to a
near zero NOx emission natural gas transit fleet yields a 63% reduction from the
baseline scenario while the transition to a battery electric transit fleet buses yields a
68% reduction from the baseline scenario.
Though the reductions achieved by each scenario are comparable, there is a significant
difference in the costs that would be incurred. At an incremental cost of approximately
$4 million, the 60.1 tons of NOx reduced as a result of transitioning to a near-zero NOx
natural gas fleet would cost approximately $67,484/ton. In contrast, the 65.1 tons of NOx
reduced as a result of transitioning to a battery electric transit fleet would cost
approximately $1,202,052/ton (approximately 1800% more than the cost of the
reductions that would result from transitioning to an NZE NOx fleet) because the
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incremental cost of transitioning to a battery electric transit fleet is approximately $78
million.
BBB Fleet Emissions – 2018-
2040
BBB Existing
Transit Fleet
NZE NOx CNG
Transit Fleet
Battery Electric
Transit Fleet
TTW NOx Emissions 95.2 tons 35.1 tons 30.1 tons
Reductions Relative to
Baseline Scenario 0.0 ↓ 60.1 tons ↓ 65.1 tons
Cost of TTW NOx Emissions
Reductions 0.0 $67,484/ton $1,202,052/ton
The analysis also found that transitioning to a near -zero NOx emission natural gas
transit fleet would not yield any significant PM10 (particulate matter) reductions. The
reason is the Cummins ISL G Near-Zero (NZ) and the Cummins ISL G (equipped in
BBB’s existing transit buses) have the same certified PM10 emissions values. In
contrast, transitioning to a battery electric transit fleet yields a 68% reduction from the
baseline scenario. While this is a significant percent reduction, the PM emissions from
each of the scenarios is very small because natural gas engines have extremely low
PM10 emissions.
In summary, the analysis found that, at an incremental cost of approximately $4 million,
the transition of BBB’s existing fleet to a fleet of near -zero NOx emission natural gas
transit buses would result in a small decrease in GHG emissions and a significant
reduction in TTW NOx emissions. At an incremental cost of approximately $78 million,
the transition of BBB’s existing fleet to battery electric transit buses would result in GHG
and TTW NOx emissions reductions that are more costly compared to those achieved
from the deployment of near-zero NOx emission natural gas transit buses.
The results of the analysis are based on projections of significant operating cost
reductions for battery electric buses over time. These reductions are based on large
reductions in battery storage costs and projections of revenue from the LCFS program.
Changes in these assumptions would have a dramatic impact on the total estimated
project costs. Were battery storage costs to remain constant (and not fall over time as
they almost certainly will based on history), the incremental cost of converting the entire
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fleet to battery electric buses would increase to approximately $130 million as opposed
to approximately $78 million.
The LCFS program works with other programs in California, such as the Cap -and-Trade
Program, to reduce transportation-related GHG emissions. Credits are generated from
the use of low carbon fuels in the transportation sector. Regulated entities, such as
petroleum refiners, are required to purchase credits to offset the GHG emissions
associated with the higher carbon fuels that they produce. It is the demand for these
credits by regulated entities that sets the credit price. Though the credit price has
remained stable in recent years, future credit prices would be established in an open
market environment and any fluctuations in the price of the credit would directly impact
BBB’s cost of operating battery electric buses.
Funding Opportunities
With the proposed 23-year length of a transition to a zero emission fleet, it is impossible
to accurately predict what the funding landscape would look like. However, this section
describes existing federal, state, and county programs and incentives outside of BBB’s
ongoing funding streams that could help pay for alternatively-fuelled buses.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) offers two relatively small funding pots for the
purchase of zero-emission transit buses. The Low or No Emission Competitive Program
(LoNo) provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or
lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition,
construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. The LoNo Program distributes
$55 million nationwide. Big Blue Bus applied for funding for battery electric buses i n the
FTA’s last funding cycle but was not selected.
The FTA also offers the Bus & Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program which
allows agencies to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and
to construct bus-related facilities including technological changes or innovations to
modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities. The Bus and Bus Facilities Program
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distributes $226 million nationally. BBB currently submitted an application for the
purchase of seven battery electric vehicles through this program but was not selected.
The state’s funding opportunities for zero and near zero engines have been increasing
in recent years. For example, the Hybrid and Zero -Emission Truck and Bus Voucher
Incentive Project (HVIP) provides vouchers to help California fleets purchase advanced
technology trucks and buses. HVIP provides vouchers for California purchasers and
lessees of hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses on a first-come, first-served
basis. Purchasers of fixed route zero emission buses receive $110,000 per vehicle
while using near zero engines receive $10,000 to offset costs. BBB would utilize these
vouchers regardless of the fuel path chosen.
To help with the implementation costs of the ICT regulation, the ARB has rec ently
proposed to invest one-third of the VW Mitigation Trust in zero-emission buses. The
program would create a maximum incentive of up to $180,000 for a new battery electric
transit bus, up to $400,000 for a new fuel cell electric transit bus, and up to $100,000 for
a new battery electric shuttle bus. These maximum funding amounts exceed the
maximum funding amounts allowed under HVIP. Unfortunately, no funding is proposed
for charging infrastructure.
In January, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) approved the first
transportation electrification applications under SB 350 from the three large investor -
owned utilities. The decision approves 15 projects with combined budgets of $42 million
statewide. One approved project in Southern California E dison’s (SCE) area is
$3.9 million for “Electric Transit Bus Make-Ready.” SCE would deploy make-ready
infrastructure at bus depots and along bus routes to serve electric commuter buses
operating in SCE’s service territory. SCE would also provide a rebate to participating
customers to cover the cost of the charging equipment and installation. SCE would
maximize the electric transit bus routes it supports in disadvantaged communities.
The California State Transportation Agency has recently finished accepting applications
for the next round of Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). The TIRCP
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aims to increase ridership on the state-wide transit and rail network and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. The five-year program is anticipated to distribute $2.4
billion. Big Blue Bus recently submitted a grant application to CALSTA asking for $3.05
million to pay for the incremental cost of ten 40-foot battery electric buses. The total cost
of the ten vehicle program would be $9.7 million. Associated infrastr ucture costs were
not included in the request in order to make the application more competitive.
At the County level, BBB’s participation in Metro’s Bus Operations Subcommittee (BOS)
allows it to apply for bus replacements and facility improvements. The B OS distributes
15% of Los Angeles County’s Federal 5307 Capital funds on an annual basis. Typically,
the fund source spreads approximately $17 million among the sixteen Municipal
Operators. The funds are allocated based on a competitive process.
Context for All-Electric Fleet Conversion
With over 200 public transit systems operating about 14,000 buses, the State of
California is leading the way nationally in making the commitment to an all zero -
emission fleet. Within the state, seven transit agencies have committed to making full
transition to an all-electric fleet by the year 2030. LA Metro currently has 100 zero -
emission vehicles on order, and has committed to the conversion if their new vehicles
comply with performance benchmarks. Foothill Transit and the City of Los Angeles
Department of Transportation (LADOT) have also made the same commitment to have
an all zero-emission fleet by 2030. Foothill Transit has 30 zero -emission buses on the
road; Long Beach Transit has 10. LADOT has four vehicles on the road and recently
ordered 25 more zero emission vehicles. Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) has
eight buses on the street and an order placed for all 85 of their buses to be battery
electric by the end of 2019. Elsewhere in the United States, King Cou nty Metro in
Seattle has committed to purchasing 120 all electric battery buses by 2020 with the goal
of having a 100% zero emission fleet between 2034 and 2040.
The number of manufacturers currently providing battery electric buses is limited but the
number is growing as more transit systems commit to the new technology. Two battery
electric only bus manufacturers - Proterra and BYD - currently sell most of the battery
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electric buses across the United States. Other legacy bus manufacturers such as New
Flyer and Gillig are also entering the battery electric marketplace.
The most exhaustive study of battery electric bus performance was completed in June
2017 by the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory on
twelve Foothill Transit buses. The study compared the performance of Proterra battery
electric buses versus Foothill's NABI CNG vehicles as a baseline. Highlights of the
study include: the twelve battery electric buses accumulating more than 900,000 miles
during the study period; the buses surpassed their target of 4,000 miles between road
calls with more than 6,000 miles during the evaluation period; the on -route chargers
operated reliably with minimal issues; and the high voltage batteries showed little to no
sign of capacity degradation during the study period.
Conversely, the short-range on-route charged buses are inflexible and cannot be
deployed to other routes; the higher use of air conditioning lowers the effective range in
hotter months; charger availability is needed for successful vehicle deployment; and the
CNG buses did significantly outperform the battery electric bus in many of the
evaluation areas. For comparison, BBB’s miles between road failures on the CNG and
LNG fleets are more than 18,000 miles. Additionally, systems in Albuquerque, NM, and
Long Beach have experienced significant delays in BEB deliveries from vendors,
delaying new projects that both systems had intended to launch in early 2017.
Based upon proactive discussions with Southern California Edison, and through staff
evaluation of the proposed SCE medium- and heavy-duty vehicle charging
infrastructure that includes transit agencies, staff has identified up to 23 potential
charging unit locations within the maintenance/parking yard where BEBs could be
charged overnight.
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BBB all-Electric Fleet Challenges
One of the many challenges with converting the fleet to electric is operational and
maintenance continuity of operations. As buses become eligible for replacement under
the FTA funding regulations that BBB follows, transitioning and operating a dual fueled
fleet becomes complex. During the conversion, more space would be needed for
infrastructure required to support charging the BBB electric fleet, while still maintaining
RNG fueling facilities for the CNG fleet including giving consideration to back-up power
and energy storage. As BBB is already constrained by the size of the yard and facilities
from which it operates, a feasibility and transition analysis would need to be conducted
to inform staff and stakeholders on best practices and how to ensure that service
delivery to BBB’s 54,000 daily customers remains consistent.
Other challenges and critical areas that need to be reviewed prior to transition to an all -
electric fleet include: training of mechanic staff on new fleet propulsion technology; route
specific energy analysis; impacts of a replacement analysis greater that one -to-one for
electric buses; and the evaluation of electric bus technology advancements and
reduced battery costs that are hard to accurately predict. While these challenges exist,
there are many opportunities for growth of BBB’s understanding of electric bus
technology.
BBB Transition Plan
Understanding the unknowns, benefits, costs, tradeoffs, and the City’s desire to move
toward an all-electric fleet, staff continues to responsibly and conscientiously prepare
and plan for that transition.
To address the electric bus fleet and new infrastructure costs, staff continues to seek
additional funding for both, applying for new federal and state programs for this
technology, as well as meeting with SCE to learn about their new programs. As
mentioned earlier, a TIRCP grant has been submitted to partially fund up to ten new
electric vehicles. BBB anticipates announcement of successful grant applications by
May 2018. Previous grant submittals for FTA LoNo funding and Bus and Bus
Infrastructure Program funding were not successful. Staff has scheduled a conference
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call with FTA staff on 4/20/18 to discuss our recent grant submittals and how to improve
future grant applications.
Staff continues to work with American Public Transportation Association, California
Transit Association and sister agencies to maintain the pulse and knowledge of the
market. Locally, staff has joined the LA Regional Electric Bus Working Group to
collaboratively work with our peers to find solutions for implementation and to the
increased costs of this technology. Staff is also working on the Zero Emission Bus
Procurement Committee to provide input to the St ate Department of General Services
(DGS) for the creation of a statewide electric bus procurement, giving us options to buy
our buses as funding comes in. Additionally, we are in dialogue with Southern California
Edison (SCE) to layout plans and estimate costs for converting our property to support a
100% electric fleet. In those conversations, we have learned of SCE’s work with the
CPUC for potential funding for infrastructure. We would continue to monitor all funding
possibilities.
Finally, BBB has initiated a collaborative effort with FTA, Gillig and the Honolulu Transit
System to test one of Gillig’s five total prototype battery electric buses that they are
building at the end of this calendar year. In June or early July 2018, staff will
recommend to council procurement of one prototype electric bus. This pilot project
would help BBB immediately begin to evaluate the technology and the application of
operating an electric bus within our service area and how it would impact our operations
as we transition to an electric fleet.
Following best practices, we would perform route, charge and rate modeling to better
prepare for a future implementation plan. This process would ultimately help staff
understand the differences of this technology and how best t o procure, deploy and
operate electric buses into the BBB fleet mix. Staff would continue efforts with our
funding partners to apply for grants to fund electric bus purchases.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
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There is no immediate financial impact or budget action associated with conducting the
study session. Depending on the direction given, costs associated with purchasing new
vehicles and accompanying infrastructure may be affected.
Prepared By: Eric O'Connor, Chief Administrative Officer
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Written Communication
B. Powerpoint Presentation
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
OAKS INITI ATIVE DISCLOSURE FORM
In order to facilitate compliance with the requirements of the Oaks Initiative, the City
compiles and maintains certain information. That information includes the name of any
person or persons who is seeking a “public benefit.” If the “public benefit” is sought by
an entity, rather than an individual person, the information includes the name of every
person who is: (a) trustee, (b) director, (c) partner, (d) officer, or has (e) more than a ten
percent interest in the entity.
Public benef its include:
1. Personal services contracts in excess of $25,000 over any 12-month period;
2. Sale of material, equipment or supplies to the City in excess of $25,000 over a 12-
month period;
3. Purchase, sale or lease of real property to or from the City in excess of $25,000
over a 12- month period;
4. Non-competitive franchise awards with gross revenue of $50,000 or more in any
12-month period;
5. Land use variance, special use permit, or other exception to an established land
use plan, where the decision has a value in excess of $25,000;
6. Tax “abatement, exception, or benefit” of a value in excess of $5,000 in any 12-
month period; or
7. Payment of “cash or specie” of a net value to the recipient of $10,000 in any 12-
month period.
Name(s) of persons or entities receiving public benefit:
Name(s) of trustees, directors, partners, and officers:
Name(s) of persons with more than a 10% equity, participation, or revenue interest:
Prepared by: ____________________________Title: __________________________
Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ________________
Email: ____________________________________ Phone: ____________________
FOR CITY USE ONLY:
Bid/PO/Contract # ____________________________ Permit # ___________________________
REFERENCE:
Agreement No. 10951
(CCS)