Electric Vehicle Solar Charging Station Assisted Acquisition
Project Background
Solar-powered electric charging stations maximize flexibility to solve charging challenges- they are mobile, rely on carbon-free electricity for the vehicles, and are independent of the grid. In 2022, the GSA Fleet Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and TTL Acquisition Support Teams worked with Veteran Affairs (VA) to provide assisted acquisition support to purchase 140 solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations delivered to 34 sites.
Sustainability Strategies and Features
GSA was approached by the VA to conduct an assisted acquisition for solar, non-grid-tied electric vehicle charging stations. VA was seeking solar (or non-grid tied) energy solutions because they were unsure if their existing electrical capacity was adequate for their facilities, and they were purposefully looking to use renewable energy sources. GSA chose mobile non-grid energy solutions because:
- They are valuable options for beginning phases of transitioning to ZEVs
- The infrastructure can be moved as plans become more defined and changed.
- They provide risk mitigation that enables rapid deployments and offer the flexibility to move valuable assets as later grid-tied solutions are installed and come online according to site surveys and demand analysis findings.
Results
This procurement has resulted in the VA deploying hundreds of electric vehicles at these locations that will use renewable energy. Since 2020, the VA has procured over 800 ZEVs, representing almost eighteen percent of VA's vehicle orders. The VA can deploy these vehicles without the need to install any new chargers or upgrade any existing electrical infrastructure. GSA is also working with the VA post-acquisition and has monitored delivery, ensured the stations are properly activated and set up and the supplier has provided charging station RFID cards to initiate payment and training. GSA published a press release
to share this valuable experience and since then solar station procurements have been on the rise in the Federal government helping agencies accelerate zero-emission vehicle deployment.
