Title
Presentation and Possible Acceptance of the Community-Wide Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Plan
Recommended Action
I move that Council accept the Community-Wide Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Plan as presented.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends Council approve the motion as presented.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
At the February 19, 2026 Environmental Sustainability Board meeting, the Board passed a motion supporting the Community-Wide Electric Vehicle Charging Plan and recommended forwarding the plan to County Council for consideration.
Body
Led by Stantec in partnership with County staff, the Fleet Conversion Plan and Community-Wide EV Charging Plan project began in March 2025 and included engagement with County departments, leadership, advisory boards, and the public. Draft plans were presented for review, and feedback from County staff, the Environmental Sustainability Board, the Board of Public Utilities, County Council and community members was incorporated into the final documents. The planning process also included a public visioning session, a community survey with more than 500 responses, and a public comment period to ensure the recommendations reflect local priorities and concerns.
The Community-Wide EV Charging Plan evaluates projected electric vehicle adoption, assesses future charging demand, and identifies priority locations for charging infrastructure using a site suitability analysis that considers access, equity, land use patterns, and proximity to community destinations. The analysis confirms that most EV charging demand will occur at home; however, publicly accessible charging remains essential for residents without dedicated parking, including those living in multi-family housing, as well as for visitors, commuters, and regional travel. Public feedback also emphasized the need for more charging access in residential areas and White Rock, which informed updates to the final plan.
The plan recommends a phased approach in which the County strategically installs chargers at key civic facilities while leveraging private sector partnerships to expand the broader charging network. These recommendations are intended to guide future planning and investment decisions rather than mandate immediate installation. As a best practice, the County should continue to monitor utilization of existing charging stations and evaluate demonstrated demand before pursuing additional installations, ensuring that investments are aligned with actual usage and community need. County-owned chargers are recommended to operate on a cost recovery basis through user fees, while funding opportunities from state and federal programs may help offset installation costs. Together, the plans provide a data driven framework to guide transportation decarbonization in Los Alamos County and support the County’s Climate Action Plan goals.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
The County’s current policy is to procure two electric vehicles per year and includes approximately $550,000 in recurring funding for electric vehicle infrastructure. Implementing this plan as recommended could require additional funding for charging infrastructure beyond current allocations.
Attachments
A - Final Community-Wide EV Charging Plan
B - Community-Wide EV Charging Plan Presentation