Communities in Charge
Learn about the Communities in Charge program, which offers incentives for installing EV Chargers, currently aimed at multi-family housing properties.
This grant program, part of CalStart, is bringing millions of dollars that can help cohousing neighborhoods support their members in moving to Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Berkeley Cohousing recently installed 4 EV Chargers that were 100% covered by the Communities in Charge program. Could yours be next?
The Communities in Charge team joined us for an informational zoom call Tuesday, November 11th, from 2-3 PM, exclusively for members of California cohousing neighborhoods (both established and forming ones).
This is your opportunity to learn about the program and get the resources you need to fund EV Chargers in your community.
In addition to folks from the granting agency, we had cohousers who have successfully used the program, and a technical advisor who helped them through the process.
Quick recap (automated, not human reviewed)
The meeting focused on introducing and discussing a CALSTART grant program aimed at supporting EV charger installations in cohousing communities, with participants sharing their current charging infrastructure needs and challenges. Presenters from CALSTART outlined the Communities in Charge program's incentives, application process, and equipment requirements, while participants explored funding options, permit processes, and implementation strategies for various charging solutions. The discussion covered practical considerations including transformer upgrades, accessibility requirements, and community management approaches for EV charging systems, with participants receiving guidance on next steps and available resources for electrification projects.
Summary
EV Charger Grants for Cohousing
The meeting began with introductions and technical setup, with participants joining from various cohousing communities and CALSTART representatives. Raines Cohen welcomed everyone and explained that the session would focus on a presentation from CALSTART about grants to support the installation of EV chargers in multifamily housing, including cohousing communities. The meeting was set to start at the hour, with slide decks to be distributed as PDFs after the session.
Cohousing EV Charging Solutions
Participants introduced themselves and their cohousing communities, sharing information about the number of homes, existing electric vehicles, and current charging infrastructure. George from La Corencia mentioned having one installed charger, while Larry from Pleasant Hill Cohousing highlighted the need to replace aging chargers and add more. Molly from Valley Oaks Village discussed installing a new charger and exploring options for financing additional ones to accommodate future needs. The discussion set the stage for further exploration of charging solutions and financing options.
EV Charging Incentives for Cohousing
Natalie and her team presented an overview of the Communities in Charge program, which provides incentives for installing EV charging stations in California cohousing communities. They discussed the benefits of EV charging, eligibility requirements, and the application process. The team also covered equipment requirements for Level 1 and Level 2 chargers, and mentioned that Orange EV offers recommended Level 1 smart outlets.
Communities in Charge Program Overview
Chris presented details about the Communities in Charge program, including incentive amounts for smart outlet installers and the application process. He explained that eligible applicants can receive up to $12,000 per smart outlet, with additional incentives for projects on tribal land. Chris outlined the application process, which is done online through the Charge Portal, and discussed the scoring system based on community connection and priority population designation. He also covered key dates for the application window and award notifications.
EV Charger Funding and Installation
The meeting focused on discussing the availability of funding for EV charger installations, with Xiomara confirming that the base amount is $8,500 per charger for non-tribal properties. Brian inquired about stacking grants, and Xiomara clarified that while it's generally not allowed, there are exceptions, such as city-level funding. The group also addressed the challenges of obtaining permits for EV charger installations, with Bryce highlighting the lengthy process and the need for expediting legislation in California. Lewis raised concerns about the cost of installing multiple chargers, and Bryce shared an example of a successful installation at Berkeley Cohousing that stayed within budget by avoiding a problematic PG&E contract and instead using an existing meter and service.
Berkeley Cohousing EV Charging Project
The meeting discussed the implementation of EV charging infrastructure at Berkeley Cohousing, focusing on a grant-funded project that utilized existing power capacity through peak shaving techniques. Mary inquired about Level 1 charging requirements, learning that data collection is not necessary for low-voltage systems, and clarified that permit applications by January 9th would qualify for Tier 2 consideration. Xiomara explained that payment processing for completed projects would take 15 business days once documents are submitted, and Raines described how Berkeley Cohousing financed the project through a community contribution system, with each EV supporter contributing $7,000 for a 0% interest loan to the community.
EV Charger Funding and Incentives
The meeting discussed funding for EV chargers, with Xiomara confirming that $56.5 million is still available from a program that opened in August. Sven from the National Charging Access Coalition inquired about qualifying for a $2,000 incentive for Level 1 chargers, and Xiomara clarified that while direct wiring to a resident's meter would be possible, she would need to defer to local permitting authorities. Bryce shared an example from Strawberry Commons HOA, where the community acts as its own EV service provider, collecting usage data and managing billing among residents, which he noted is a unique approach for cohousing communities.
Grant Program and EV Charging
The group discussed a grant program with a 6-year commitment for data collection, offering two options: having someone dedicated to quarterly data submission or signing a 6-year network agreement with an EV service provider like ChargePoint or Autel, with networking fees covered by the grant. Betsy showed a Wallbox level 2 charger installation, explaining how the charging infrastructure was installed under a sidewalk without excavation, with power running from the back of the property to the charger, which can be unlocked via a phone app for billing purposes. The group clarified that the grant application approval process remains at 4-6 weeks, and the payment process has been streamlined after project completion.
Wallbox EV Charging Implementation
The group discussed the implementation of Wallbox charging units for managing EV charging data and costs. Bryce explained that the Wallbox system, priced at $750, tracks charging sessions through user data and can be managed locally via Bluetooth, with the option to switch to an EV service provider if needed. Raines highlighted the system's ability to optimize charging times and noted that most users only need partial charges every few days. Betsy emphasized the benefits of working with a contractor like Bryce, who handled technical issues and provided support, while also warning that not everyone may be comfortable with self-managing the system.
EV Charger Installation in Cohousing
The group discussed installing EV chargers in a cohousing community with 5 garages that could house 3 cars each, and additional parking spots. Raines shared their experience managing EV charging spaces and emphasized the importance of community collaboration. Tim asked about future funding for EV chargers, and Xiomara from CALSTART explained that while funding is currently available, it may change in the future. The group also discussed the process of submitting building permit applications for EV chargers, with Xiomara clarifying that applications can be upgraded from Tier 2 to Tier 1 after the January 9th deadline. David Mandel warned about potential issues with older community transformers being at capacity and the need for upgrades.
Cohousing Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade Costs
The meeting focused on the costs and logistics of upgrading electrical infrastructure for cohousing projects, with Bryce explaining that PG&E costs for transformer upgrades can be significantly reduced through proper planning and leveraging future load credits. Larry raised concerns about accessibility requirements under the ADA, which Bryce clarified are well-defined but may require creating new accessible parking spots for shared charging systems. The discussion concluded with Raines announcing upcoming resources and webinars about electrification, and Tim expressing gratitude for the helpful information shared.
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2018-08-09 19:24:31 -0700