Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Description

The City of Lebanon, N.H. is seeking comments through this RFI for installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in order to help make our RFP clearer and more helpful to potential respondents and the City. PLEASE NOTE: This RFI seeks only comments and suggested changes for improving the RFP, which will be issued later (see Timeline below). Because of the open nature of the RFP we are particularly interested in suggestions for how we can design the RFP to be able to easily compare vastly different proposals that may have differing cost, technology, and ownership structures.  We specifically are seeking comments on sections that relate to the RFP -- that is, under Project Documents, sections 1 (introduction), 2 (Scope of Work), and 5 (Attachments). We do not need comments on sections 3 and 4, which relate to this RFI, not the RFP.The City of Lebanon aims to reduce local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2035, and by 100% by 2050, which will require almost all drivers to switch from gas and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). 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 downtown 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 and may avoid visiting, 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 econom