ON the heels of the announcement by California Governor Newsome that it will be illegal to buy new gasoline-fueled vehicles in California starting in 2035 the Eagle Mountain City Staff announced that it is looking into having two Electric Vehicle Charging stations installed in the city. They made this announcement on their Facebook page. “Eagle Mountain City has the opportunity to procure and install Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at select locations around the city at a minimal cost due to grants and programs promoting the deployment of charging stations. We would like to verify that there is a demand first, and also seek your help in identifying the best location(s) for the charging stations. Please take this short survey – https://www.jotform.com/EMCity/chargingstationsurvey.” I suggest that residents of Eagle Mountain take the survey by either clicking on the link above or the graphic below. But please finish reading this article before you take the survey.
Saratoga Springs – Case Study
Saratoga Springs, a neighboring city to Eagle Mountain, during the recent construction of their new public works building installed three EVSE charging stations for public use. The stations can be used by anyone for a fee of $1.00 per hour for charging. I reached out to the city and asked them for some details on the cost and usage of their newly installed charging stations. Owen Jackson, Assistant City Manager for Saratoga Springs responded to my request. Here is some data and information on the charging stations in Saratoga Springs.
The model that was installed was a ChargePoint+ CT4070-HD-GW. Between the 3 of them have 6 240V 24A J1172 Charging Ports.
The charging stations had a total cost of $34,532 dollars. This amount includes a 5-year service plan and the cost of maintenance for 5 years. “For five years the total maintenance for the service plan is $12,978. That is simply the service plan (software, support, merchant services) at $6,630, and then the physical maintenance we paid $6,348 which covers any issues with the actual hardware or physical station.”
- Cost of three stations (2 vehicles can charge at each station) – $15,037
- Cost of Installation – $6,067
- Cost for service plan (5 years) – $6,630
- Cost of physical maintenance (5 years) – $6,348
- Shipping Costs: $450
Total project cost: $34,532
The city used grants and public funds to pay for the stations and their install. “We applied for a grant through the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and received $26,788 for the stations. The remaining $7,000 was paid for from city funds as part of the building project for our Police and Court Facility.” Saratoga Springs at this time could not provide me with usage data to the present time.
Revenue / Cost Analysis
The three stations can charge two vehicles at a time. This means that if the stations had 100% usage they could generate $114 revenue a day. Giving the city the potential of receiving $52,560 per year or $262,800 over the 5 year period. This does not take into consideration the cost of electricity used to charge the cars.
The average electricity cost per kWh in Utah, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration was 9.01 (average of all sectors) in July of 2020.
The chargers do 5.8 kW (240V AC @ 24A) per connection. Taking this data into account, that the charger that Saratoga Springs purchased charges at 5.8 kWh and if the city pays the 9.01 cents per kWh average then the cost per hour for electricity would be $.52. That then brings the total the city would collect per hour to $.48 or 48 cents above the cost of electricity. Taking that into consideration, then the number will drop from $52,560 over the 5 years to $24,606 if the stations are running at full capacity 24 hours a day. It should be noted that I am making the assumption that the city rate for power is 9.01 cents per kWh.
I asked Jackson if the city had any electric vehicles that would be using the charging stations. “No. We currently do not own any vehicles that use the charging stations. This project was meant to provide charging stations for residents or the general public and a fee of $1.00 per hour of charging is required to use the stations.” I want to thank the City of Saratoga Springs for getting me this information to share with the residents of Eagle Mountain.
Remember the Survey
Remember to take the survey https://www.jotform.com/EMCity/chargingstationsurvey and let the City Staff and Council know your thoughts. You can also drop an email to the City Council as well: council@emcity.org.
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.