CC SR 20260120 01 - EV Charging Stations at LL Update
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 01/20/2026
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider an update on establishing electric vehicle (EV) charging fees at Ladera Linda
Community Park.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file a status update on Level II and III EV charging stations costs
and options at Ladera Linda Community Park pursuant to Council direction at
its April 1, 2025 meeting;
(2) Establish a base fee of $0.63/kWh that recovers the full costs related to
providing and operating seven Level II EV charging stations at Ladera Linda
Community Park, and direct Staff to return to the City Council at a duly noticed
public hearing with a resolution to establish the EV charging fee;
(3) Direct Staff to conduct an annual evaluation of the EV charging fee based on
actual data, and propose fee changes (if any), as part of the annual Master Fee
Schedule;
(4) Accept and appropriate a $76,370 Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency
and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program Equipment Rebate Voucher
Program grant to procure and install seven Level II EV charging stations at
Ladera Linda Community Park; and
(5) Award a Professional Services Agreement to SWTCH Energy, Inc. in the
amount of $54,812 to procure and install seven Level II EV charging stations,
and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement in a form approved by the
City Attorney.
FISCAL IMPACT: If the City Council approves the establishment of a base fee of
$0.63/kWh to recover all costs associated with providing seven Level
II EV charging services, there would be no fiscal impact, provided
that actual use of charging stations matches the forecasted use rate.
Once adopted by resolution at a future public hearing, the fee will be
part of the Master Fee Schedule, which is reviewed annually by the
City Council for potential Consumer Price Index (CPI) and other
actual cost adjustments for the service.
Should the City Council decide to charge a fee lower than
$0.63/kWh, the City will be subsidizing the cost of EV charging to the
public of up to $25,325 annually from the General Fund. If this option
is approved, the additional appropriation request would increase
from $76,370 up to $101,695.
1
The City was approved for a rebate grant up to $76,370 from the
Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Block Grant (EECBG) Equipment Rebate Voucher Program for the
purchase and installation of seven Level II EV charging stations at
the Ladera Linda Community Park. The rebate grant is sufficient to
cover the cost of furnishing and installing seven Level II EV charging
stations. VR
Amount Budgeted: $0
Additional Appropriation: $76,370 (full-cost recovery)
Or up to $101,695(with subsidy)
Account Number(s): 331-300-0000-3301 $76,370
(Federal Grants Fund/ Federal Grants
331-400-0000-xxxx $76,370
(Federal Grants Fund/ Federal Grants)
101-400-3110-5201 up to $25,325
(only if approved rate is lower than $0.63)
(General Fund – PW Admin – Repairs & Maint.) VR
ORIGINATED BY: Vanessa Hevener, Project Manager
REVIEWED BY: Deanna Fraley, PE, Principal Engineer
Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Professional Services Agreement with SWTCH Energy, Inc. (Forthcoming)
B. April 1, 2025 Staff Report - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at the Ladera
Linda Community Park (Page B-1)
C. Matrix Electric Vehicle Charging Fee Analysis (Page C-1)
D. Level III Fee Analysis (Page D-1)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
• On April 1, 2025, Staff presented a report to the City Council on establishing fees
for Level II electric vehicle (EV) charging at Ladera Linda Community Park (Ladera
Linda), and the City Council directed Staff to return with information on faster, Level
III EV charging stations for the City Council’s consideration.
• Level III charging will require the installation of new electrical infrastructure and the
purchase of Level III charging equipment not covered by the grant rebate at a cost
of approximately $260,000; whereas Level II charging does not require any
2
electrical upgrades, and the charging equipment costs of approximately $76,370
are covered by the grant rebate.
• To recover all City costs, a fee of $0.63/kWh is required for Level II charging, and
a fee of between $3.52/kWh and $6.34/kWh is required for Level III charging,
depending on the combination of Level II and Level III chargers.
• Considering that the fee for Level III charging would be the highest on the Palos
Verdes Peninsula, there may be less Level III usage resulting in the City
subsidizing the cost of the electrical upgrades and charging stations, which would
be a burden on the City’s already challenging budget.
• Staff recommend the City Council proceed with seven Level II charging stations at
Ladera Linda and establish a base fee of $0.63/kWh to recover all costs associated
with providing Level II EV charging services.
BACKGROUND:
On April 1, 2025, Staff presented a report to the City Council on establishing fees for Level
II EV charging at Ladera Linda (Attachment A). In summary, Staff presented the following
information to the City Council:
• Construction of Ladera Linda included infrastructure to accommodate seven Level
II EV charging stations as required for new commercial buildings under the
California Green Building (CALGreen) Code.
• The City was awarded a rebate grant of up to $76,370 from the U.S. Department
of Energy’s, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Equipment
Rebate Voucher Program to purchase and install seven Level II EV charging
stations at Ladera Linda.
• The City Council may recover the cost of providing EV charging to the public by
adopting a charging fee that does not exceed the City’s actual cost of providing the
EV charging service.
• The total cost of providing Level II EV charging (which adds an average of 12 to 50
miles of range per hour) at Ladera Linda was calculated to be $0.52* per kilowatt-
hour (kWh).
• Staff recommended that the City Council adopt a base fee of $0.52 per kWh to
recover the full costs related to EV charging at City facilities and consider future
rate adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to keep up with
inflation and other actual costs to provide this service.
* After the April 1, 2025 City Council meeting, Staff discovered that Matrix
Consulting, Inc., the City’s consultant, miscalculated the annual electricity costs
used to derive the charging rate. The calculation was erroneously based on 8 Level
II charging stations rather than the 7 available at the site. The correct calculation
based on 7 stations would have resulted in a total annual electricity of $22,071
3
instead of $25,224, resulting in a charging rate of $0.47 per kWh instead of $0.52
per kWh. However, upon further review, Staff learned that Matrix assumed 100%
utilization of seven EV chargers any time the park is open and Staff believes that
this is not a reasonable assumption upon which to base the rate. Therefore, Staff
have revised the calculation to 50% utilization resulting in a rate of $0.63 per
kWh. (Attachment B)
Following the discussion, the City Council requested Staff to investigate Level III charging
stations, including whether the grant could be used to cover the cost difference between
Level II and Level III charging stations. City Council further requested that the
investigation include a combination of Level II and Level III charging stations and directed
Staff to return to a future meeting with more information on Level III charging options and
costs.
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to City Council direction at its April 1, 2025 meeting, the following discussion
provides an update on both Level II and III charging stations for Ladera Linda.
Level II Charging
To ensure that the City’s fees for Level II EV charging do not exceed the actual cost of
providing the service, the City retained Matrix Consulting, Inc. (Matrix) to conduct a cost-
of-service analysis (Attachment B). The analysis evaluated replacement/maintenance
costs, electricity costs, and indirect costs, which cover the total cost of providing EV
charging services.
EV Equipment Costs
In September 2024, Staff started a competitive procurement to furnish and install seven
Level II charging stations at Ladera Linda. Informal bids were solicited from vendors
known to supply and install EV charging equipment, including provisions for software,
replacement, and maintenance over a five -year lifecycle – the typical life expectancy of
such equipment. Three vendors provided proposals as shown below.
Table 1: Level II Equipment Cost
Vendor Total Cost
EV Range $46,070
SWTCH Energy Inc. $52,193*
GreenWealth Energy $66,921
*Cost of EV charging equipment increased by 5% to $54,812 since April 2025.
After evaluating the proposals, SWTCH Energy, Inc. (SWTCH) was selected. Although
not the lowest bidder, SWTCH was determined to be the most qualified and experienced
vendor, best suited to provide reliable maintenance and software updates necessary to
ensure continuous operation of the charging stations.
4
SWTCH’s initial cost proposal was $52,193. Since April 2025, however, the cost has
increased by $2,618 (5%) for a new total cost of $54,812, which is still within the grant
amount.
Replacement/Maintenance Costs
The cost to maintain seven Level II EV charging stations at Ladera Linda over a five-year
lifecycle is included in the initial installation cost. The annualized replacement cost, based
on an average of current pricing provided by the three vendors to reflect potential future
market variability, is calculated by Matrix to be $10,940 per year. The EV equipment
replacement cost is factored into the cost-of-service rate so that funds are readily
available for replacement of the EV equipment in five years.
Electricity Costs
Electricity costs were calculated using the average time-of-use rates charged by Southern
California Edison (SCE) and the anticipated annual usage of the seven charging stations.
Based on 50% usage of all chargers during the park operating hours (12 hours per day),
total annual electricity consumption is expected to be 40,322 kWh. This results in a
calculated annual electricity cost of $11,036 for all seven stations at Ladera Linda.
Indirect Costs
In addition to direct costs, the City incurs indirect operational costs such as staff time across
various City departments associated with providing EV charging services. Matrix
determined the City’s indirect cost rate to be approximately 15% of total operating costs.
Applying this rate to the combined replacement/maintenance and electricity costs, based
on 50% utilization, is calculated to be $3,349 in annual indirect costs.
Total Cost
The total annual cost, which includes maintenance/replacement, electricity, and other
indirect costs for seven Level II EV charging stations at Ladera Linda, is calculated to be
$25,325. This cost is based on a five-year lifespan with EV Charger replacement factored
at that time (using currently known prices), as shown below.
Table 2: Total Annual Cost for 7 Level II Charging Stations at Ladera Linda with 50% Utilization
Cost Category Annual Cost (based on 40,322 kWH)
Replacement/Maintenance Costs $10,940 or $0.27 per kWh
Electricity Costs $11,036 at $0.27 per kWh
Indirect Costs $3,349 or $0.09 per kWh
Total Direct and Indirect Annual Cost $25,325 or $0.63 per kWh
To determine the estimated fee per unit of service, the total annual cost for the 7 Level II
charging stations is divided by the projected annual electricity usage:
$25,325 total cost = $0.63 per kWh
5
40,322 kWh annually
Therefore, the full cost of providing Level II EV charging service is calculated at $0.63 per
kWh based on 50% utilization.
Level III Charging
To provide faster charging times, Level III charging stations require two to ten times the
amount of electricity that is required by Level II charging stations. This would require an
upgrade of electrical equipment at Ladera Linda to increase the amount of electricity that
can be received, even if only one or two Level III charging stations are installed.
Staff conducted a cost-of-service analysis of providing Level III charging using the same
methodology as for Level II charging.
Electrical Upgrade Costs
Although the current electrical supply to Ladera Linda is sufficient for Level II chargers,
upgrades to the electrical system are required to accommodate Level III chargers. This
includes trenching or boring to install electrical supply conduits from the transformer to
electrical panel or charging location and upgrading electrical panels to create dedicated
circuits for charging equipment.
To estimate the cost of these upgrades, Staff retained Novus Design Studio (Novus), the
electrical engineering consultant that designed the electrical system at Ladera Linda.
Novus determined the needed electrical system upgrades to accommodate Level III
charging stations and prepared construction cost estimates for the upgrades. The
estimated cost to upgrade the electrical system is approximately $64,000 for one dual
Level III to $90,000 for three dual Level III charging stations. As it currently stands, the
rebate grant cannot be used towards electrical infrastructure as it is restricted to Level II
charging stations only. Staff is inquiring with DOE if a modification to the grant to include
Level III EV stations is possible. Staff will provide an update once the City receives
confirmation.
EV Equipment Costs
Staff reached out to EV service providers to obtain cost estimates for supplying and
installing Level III charging equipment. Procurement and installation of a combination of
Level III and Level II charging stations is estimated to be in the range of $91,400 to
$170,200. The lower end of the range is for one dual port Level III charger (Level III
chargers only come as dual ports) with the remaining five chargers being Level II. The
higher end of the range is for three dual port Level III chargers with one single port Level
II charger.
6
Replacement/Maintenance Costs
The cost to maintain one dual port Level III EV charging station over a two-year period,
which is the warrantied period, is included in the initial installation cost (the lifespan of
Level III chargers ranges from five to seven years; however, based on conversations with
charging station providers, the cost to repair and maintain Level III chargers after the
warranty expires is greater than the replacement cost). The annualized
replacement/maintenance costs for one dual port Level III charging station and five Level
II charging stations, based on the current pricing provided by a vendor, is estimated to be
$45,700. The cost to replace/maintain three dual port Level III and one Level II charging
station over the same period is $85,084.
Electricity Costs
Electricity costs were calculated using the average time-of-use rates charged by SCE and
the anticipated annual usage of the seven charging stations. Based on the Park’s projected
operating hours (12 park hours per day, and 50% utilization), total annual electricity
consumption is expected to be 20,966 kWh for one dual port Level III and 62,899 kWh for
three dual Level III. The total consumption is higher for Level III stations, because they
can charge more quickly and take on more charging sessions than a Level II station in the
same amount of time.
This results in an estimated annual electricity cost of $5,738 for one dual port Level III with
five Level II charging stations and $17,214 for three dual port Level III with one Level II
charging stations.
Indirect Costs
In addition to direct costs, the City incurs indirect operational costs associated with
providing EV charging services. Matrix determined the City’s indirect cost rate to be
approximately 15% of total operating costs. Applying this rate to the combined
replacement/maintenance and electricity costs based on 50% utilization resulting in a
range between $17,592 and $29,305 in annual indirect costs.
Total Cost
Considering the electrical upgrades, replacement/maintenance, electricity, and indirect
costs (Attachment C), the total annual cost for Level III EV charging stations at Ladera
Linda is calculated to be $133,030 to $221,603 based on a calculated 2-year warranty
with replacement factored in at that time (using currently known prices), as shown below.
7
Table 3: Total Cost for 6 Level III Charging Stations at Ladera Linda at 50% Utilization Rate
Annual Cost
Cost Category One Dual Port Level III
(based on 20,966 kWh)
Three Dual Port Level III
(based on 62,899 kWh)
Electrical Upgrades* $64,000 ($3.05 per kWh) $90,000 ($1.43 per kWh)
Replacement/Maintenance $45,700 ($2.18 per kWh) $85,084 ($1.35 per kWh)
Electricity Costs $5,738 ($0.27 per kWh) $17,214 ($0.27 per kWh)
Indirect Costs $17,592 ($0.84 per kWh) $29,305 ($0.47 per kWh)
Total Direct and Indirect
Cost
$133,030 or $6.34 per
kWh
$221,603 or $3.52 per
kWh
*The cost of electricity upgrades is a one-time expense, and the rate will need to be adjusted after the first year to
remove the electricity upgrades costs from the cost analysis calculation.
To determine the estimated fee per unit of service, the total annual cost is divided by the
projected annual electricity usage:
Rate for Level III chargers (of which there would be two in a one dual-port configuration):
$133,030 total cost = $6.34 per kWh
20,966 kWh annually
Rate for Level III chargers (of which there would be six in a three dual-port configuration):
$221,603 total cost = $3.52 per kWh
62,899 kWh annually
The cost of electricity upgrades is a one-time expense, and the rate will need to be
adjusted after the first year to remove the electricity upgrade costs; based on current
calculations, the new rate without electrify upgrades would be $2.09 to $3.29 per kWh.
Cost Recovery Comparison
Staff surveyed nearby jurisdictions to obtain information on their cost recovery policies.
The comparison, displayed in the table below, shows that neighboring agencies generally
recover the full cost of providing Level II EV charging services, although actual rates vary
based on each jurisdiction’s cost structure and timing of their respective studies. It should
be noted that Redondo Beach has one dual port Level III charger with a charge fee of
$0.40/kWh.
8
Table 4: Summary of Rates in Neighboring Cities
Agency Level II EV Charging
Fee (per kWh)
Charging
Fee
Subsidized
Additional Information
Rolling Hills
Estates
$0.24 plus $0.50
session fee
No $2.50 per hour for first 2
hours when idle and
$5.00 after 2.5 hours
Lomita Sheriff’s
Station
$0.45 (4-9PM)
$0.30 (all other hours)
No
Manhattan
Beach
$0.51 No
Redondo Beach
$0.30
No Overstay fee of
$1.50/hour
after 4 hours
El Segundo $0.50 plus $0.50 per
hour
No Only 1 station
Summary
The cost per unit of Level III charging is significantly higher at $3.52/kWh to $6.34/kWh,
depending on the number of Level III chargers, compared to $0.63/kWh for Level II
chargers. Staff notes that the electricity upgrades are a one-time cost, and the rates after
the first year are anticipated to be $2.09 to $3.29 per kWh. Table 5 summarizes the cost
for Level II and Level III charging.
Table 5: Summary of Level II and Level III Charging at 50% Utilization
7 Level II Charging
Stations
Level III Charging Stations
(One Dual Level III to Three
Dual Level III)
Electrical Upgrades: (e.g.,
transformer, panel, conduit)
$0 (already installed) $64,000 to $90,000
EV Equipment Cost $54,812 $91,400 to $170,200
Replacement/Maintenance $10,940 over 5-years;
then $1,563/year after
$45,700 to $85,084 over 2-years;
then $24,310 for replacement
Electricity Cost (SCE) $11,036 $5,738 to $17,214
Indirect Costs $3,349 $17,592 to $29,305
Total $25,325 $133,030 to $221,603
Fee Per Unit of Service $0.63 per kWh $6.34 to $3.52 per kWh
In considering the difference between Level II and III charging stations, there may also
be an unintended consequence of providing Level III charging at Ladera Linda in that it
may become a destination for EV charging, rather than being a park where visitors come
to Ladera Linda to charge their EVs as a complementary activity to recreation rather than
primary activity. There are currently only two other locations on the Palos Verdes
Peninsula where Level III chargers are available.
9
If the City Council approves, SWCTH is expected to install the Level II chargers in early
February 2026 with activation by early May 2026.
CONCLUSION:
Given the required electrical system upgrades not covered by the grant, high cost of Level
III equipment and installation, and operational and maintenance implications, Staff
recommend proceeding with 7 Level II charging stations and setting a charging rate of
$0.63/kWh to recover the full cost of providing the service. Accordingly, Staff recommend
awarding a Professional Services Agreement to SWTCH Energy, Inc. for the purchase
and installation of the seven Level II charging stations at Ladera Linda in the amount of
$54,812.
Additionally, Staff recommend the City Council accepts and appropriates up to $76,370
of the U.S. Department of Energy’s, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
Equipment Rebate Voucher Program for the purchase and installation of the 7 Level II
charging stations at Ladera Linda.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for the
City Council’s consideration:
1. Direct Staff to exclude one of the following costs from the base Level II EV charging
fee of $0.63/kWh:
a. Replacement/Maintenance Costs – There may be future grants available to
fund replacement costs or the life cycle of the Level II chargers may exceed
five years. This results in a new EV charging fee of $0.36/kWh.
b. Indirect Costs – Results in a new EV charging fee of $0.54/kWh.
c. Replacement/Maintenance Costs and Indirect Costs – Results in a new EV
charging fee of $0.27/kWh.
2. Direct staff to proceed with the purchase and installation of both Level II and Level
III EV charging stations.
3. Direct Staff not to proceed with seven Level II EV charging stations at Ladera
Linda.
4. Do not approve one or more recommendations, and direct Staff accordingly.
5. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
10
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 04/01/2025
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration to provide direction to Staff on establishing electric vehicle (EV) charging
fees at Ladera Linda Community Park.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Provide direction to Staff on establishing fees for electric vehicle (EV) charging
at the Ladera Linda Community Park.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact to provide direction to Staff on establishing
fees for electric vehicle (EV) charging at Ladera Linda Community
Park.
Depending on direction from the City Council, there could be costs
associated with installing, maintaining, and operating EV charging at
the Ladera Linda Community Park. If the City Council provides
direction to adopt an EV charging fee that recovers less than the total
annual cost to provide the service, there could be an impact on the
General Fund of up to $41,675 annually, which is the estimated cost
of electricity, replacement/maintenance, and other indirect costs. If
the City Council provides direction to recover all costs associated
with providing EV charging services, there would be no fiscal impact
on the City. Once adopted, the fee will be part of the Master Fee
Schedule, which is reviewed annually by the City Council for potential
Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments and actual cost increases
for the service.
The City was approved for a $76,370 grant from the Department of
Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
Equipment Rebate Voucher Program for the purchase and
installation of EV charging stations. The reimbursement grant is
sufficient to cover the cost of furnishing and installing the EV
charging stations. VR
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
B-1
ORIGINATED BY: Vanessa Hevener, Project Manager
REVIEWED BY: Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works
APPROVED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Electric Vehicle Charging Fee Analysis (Page A-1)
BACKGROUND:
In response to public requests, the City has been considering opportunities to install
electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at City facilities. The recent reconstruction of
Ladera Linda Community Park presented the first such opportunity. EV infrastructure
capable of accommodating charging stations was included in the design of the Project
due to legal requirements for new commercial buildings under the California Green
Building (CALGreen) Code. Based on the size of the parking lot, and as required by
CALGreen, a total of seven parking spaces were designated for EV charging.
In December 2023, the City applied for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency
and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Equipment Rebate Voucher Program to
purchase and install EV charging stations at Ladera Linda Community Park. On January
22, 2024, the City was notified that the grant was approved in the amount of $76,370.
Providing EV charging stations to the public comes at a cost to the City consisting not
only of the initial installation (which will be reimbursed by the above-mentioned grant), but
also of replacement/maintenance, electricity, and indirect costs.
The City Council may recover the cost of providing EV charging to the public by adopting
a charging fee that does not exceed the City’s actual cost of providing the EV charging
service. Such a fee is not subject to Proposition 218 because the provision of electrical
service is not considered a property-related fee under Proposition 218. Additionally, the
legislative intent of California Government Code § 65850.7 further supports the notion
that fees related to EV charging stations are not subject to the procedural and substantive
requirements of Proposition 218.
DISCUSSION:
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on establishing a fee to recover all or a
portion of the City’s cost to provide EV charging to the public. To determine the actual
cost of providing EV charging such that the fee is set not to exceed that amount, the City
retained Matrix Consulting Group, Inc. (Matrix) to conduct a cost-of-service analysis
(Attachment A).
Initial Installation Costs
There are three different types, or levels, of EV charging stations the City may install:
B-2
• Level I is the slowest charging technology and adds about four miles of range per
hour of charging.
• Level II can charge at a low voltage and adds an average of 12 to 50 miles of range
per hour. This is the most common form of public charging equipment.
• Level III is the fastest charging technology, capable of charging an EV to 80 percent
in about one hour; however, it is not as common for public charging because the
equipment is orders of magnitude more expensive than the other levels.
In September 2024, Staff started a competitive procurement for furnishing and installing
seven Level II charging stations at Ladera Linda Community Park, which are the most
common public charging stations, by soliciting informal bids from vendors known to
furnish and install EV charging equipment. Bids were requested to furnish and install the
EV charging stations as well as replace/maintain them over a five-year period (which is
the typical life cycle of EV charging stations), inclusive of necessary software. Three
vendors provided proposals as shown below.
Vendor Costs
EV Range $46,070
SWTCH Energy Inc. $52,193
GreenWealth Energy $66,921
Staff reviewed the submitted proposals and SWTCH Energy, Inc. (SWTCH) was selected
because, although it was not the least expensive, it was a qualified and experienced
vendor that was the most responsive of the three, indicating that it was most capable of
providing maintenance and update services to keep the charging stations operational .
The cost to furnish, install, and maintain seven EV charging stations at Ladera Linda
Community Park is $52,193.
Replacement/Maintenance Costs
The cost of furnishing and installing the EV charging stations includes maintenance for a
five-year period. The estimated life cycle of the EV charging stations is five years, after
which they will need to be replaced. The life cycle is five years because of the rapid changes
in technology.
The cost to maintain seven EV charging stations at the Ladera Linda Community Park for
their life cycle of five years is included in the initial installation cost.
The annualized cost to replace the seven EV charging stations at Ladera Linda Community
Park is estimated to be $10,940 based on an average of current prices provided by three
different vendors representing the uncertainty of which vendors will be available in the
future.
Electricity Costs
B-3
The annual electricity costs were estimated based on the average electricity rate charged
by Southern California Edison (SCE) per kilowatts (kWh) at Ladera Linda Community Park
and the estimated number of kWh used for the charging stations based on the hours of
operation for the facility. The annual kilowatt hour usage for Ladera Linda Community Park
is expected to be 80,644 kWh; assuming charging occupancy of approximately 45% of the
time for 12 hours per day, which is what Matrix has found to be the typical usage at similar
public facilities.
The annual cost for electricity for seven EV charging stations at Ladera Linda Community
Park is estimated to be $25,224 based on typical usage at similar public facilities.
Indirect Costs
Beyond installation, replacement/maintenance, and electricity, there are indirect,
operational costs cities incur associated with various services, including EV charging
services. Matrix calculated the City’s indirect cost rate to be approximately 15% of the City’s
overall operating costs. The factor of approximately 15% was applied to the combined cost
of replacement/maintenance and electricity.
The annual costs for other indirect costs associated with providing EV charging services at
Ladera Linda Community Park are estimated to be $5,511.
Total Costs
The annual installation (inclusive of maintenance), electricity, and other indirect costs of
seven EV charging stations at the Ladera Linda Community Park is $41,675 based on an
estimated useful life of five years with replacement factored in at that time (using currently
known prices), as shown below.
Total Annual Direct and Indirect Cost – Seven EV Charging Stations at Ladera Linda
Cost Category Total Cost
Replacement/Maintenance Cost $10,940* or $0.14 per kWh
Electricity Cost $25,224 or $0.31 per kWh
Indirect Costs $5,511 or $0.07 per kWh
Total Direct and Indirect Costs $41,675
*Average replacement cost of three vendors representing uncertainty of which vendors will be available for future replacement
To charge a fee for EV charging, the total annualized cost of $41,675 must be converted
to a cost in terms of a unit of EV charging. The unit for EV charging is kWh. To convert
the total annual cost to a fee based upon utilization per hour, the following formula is
applied:
$41,675 total cost = $0.52 per kWh
80,644 kWh annually
Based on this calculation, the full cost associated with the City’s operation and
maintenance of a Level II charging station is $0.52 per kWh.
B-4
Costs Recovery
Staff surveyed surrounding areas to obtain information on the cost recovery policies of
nearby government agencies. The table below shows the fees for Level II charging
stations, which are the most common type of public charging stations. The fee structures
of the jurisdictions shown below recover the full cost of providing EV charging services.
However, the fees vary as each agency’s rates were developed through their own studies
and based on their total costs at the time.
Agency Level II EV Charging
Fee (per kWh)
Charging Fee
Subsidized
Additional
Information
Rolling Hills
Estates
$0.24 plus $0.50
session fee
No $2.50 per hour for first
2 hours when idle and
$5.00 after 2.5 hours
Lomita Sheriff’s
Station
$0.45 (4-9PM)
$0.30 (all other hours)
No
Manhattan
Beach
$0.51 No
Redondo Beach
$0.30
No Overstay fee of
$1.50/hour
after 4 hours
El Segundo $0.50 plus $0.50 per
hour
No Only 1 station
CONCLUSION:
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on establishing a fee for EV charging
station use; if directed to establish a fee, Staff seeks direction on whether it should be at
a full or partial recovery rate. Based on the information provided above, Staff
recommends that the City Council adopt a base fee of $0.52 per kWh to recover the full
costs related to EV charging at City facilities and consider future rate increases based on
the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to keep up with inflation. Adopting a fee of less than that
amount would require a subsidy from the General Fund and would make the Ladera Linda
Community Park the only EV charging facility in the area not recovering the full cost of
providing EV charging services.
If the City Council wishes to establish a fee at full or partial recovery , Staff will return to
the City Council at a duly noticed public hearing with a resolution to establish the EV
charging fees. The fees will be incorporated into the Master Fee Schedule and any
subsequent increases in costs related to EV charging will be updated in accordance with
the Master Fee Schedule process.
ALTERNATIVES:
B-5
In addition to Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
B-6
Matrix Consulting Group Page 1
October 1, 2024
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Fee Analysis
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is in the process of installing Electrical Vehicle (EV)
Charging stations. As part of that installation, the City would like to develop a fee to offset
the cost associated with the station’s installation, electricity usage, and general oversight.
The proposed fee would be charged per kilowatt hour (kWh) to recover the cost
associated with EV Charging Station operations.
Overall, there would be 7 EV charging spaces proposed. The project team worked with
City staff to identify the total operating costs associated with the charging stations,
including the following cost components:
• Annual Electricity Cost: Reflects the total annual electricity charges assessed to
the City based on the estimated use of the charging stations.
• Annual Replacement / Maintenance Cost: Reflects the cost to fund the
replacement of EV stations as well as installation and maintenance costs, which
is annualized over a 5-year timeframe.
• Indirect Costs: Reflects the indirect costs associated with Citywide support in
managing the EV program1.
The following table breaks out the total annual cost for EV Charging stations by previously
discussed cost component:
Table 1: Total Direct and Indirect Cost – EV Charging Stations
Cost Category Total Cost
Annual Electricity Cost $25,2242
Annual Replacement Cost $10,9403
Indirect Costs $5,511
Total Direct and Indirect Costs $41,675
1 The indirect costs were based on a 15% indirect rate calculated by taking the total indirect support services and dividing it by total
direct citywide expenditures. This rate was applied to all annual cost components
2 The annual electricity cost was estimated based on the average rate of $0.27 per kWh and estimating the number of kiloWatts
used for the charging stations based on the hours of operation for the facility. As the stations are not available, actual data is
unavailable, so an estimate was used. This estimate was compared to other jurisdictions and their kWh usage and was in alignment.
3 The annual replacement cost takes into account the total average cost proposed by the City’s vendors for installation, operations,
and maintenance of the EV charging stations.
matrix
consulting group
B-7
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Fee Analysis City of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Matrix Consulting Group Page 2
The $41,675 is divided by the estimated kWh to calculate the cost per kWh. The following
graphic shows this calculation:
$41,675 total cost = $0.52 per kWh 80,6444 kWH annually
Based on the calculation conducted, the full cost associated with a Level II charging
station is $0.52 per kWh. In reviewing other surrounding jurisdictions, the charging fee
ranges from a low of $0.24 per kWh to a high of $0.51 per kWh. The City’s calculated full
cost of $0.52 is $0.01 higher than the City of Manhattan Beach’s fee of $0.51. It is also
within the range of the $0.45 charging station fee charged at the Sheriff Lomita Station
from 4-9pm.
Some of the vendors identified by the City, may have separate transaction fees. Therefore,
the rate charged by the City would cover the City’s costs, but any fees charged by the
vendor would be a direct pass through back to the vendor.
It is important to note that EV Charging station rates are similar to parking meter rates
and are not subject to user fee regulations. However, the State has recently passed a new
bill that requires all EV Charging Stations (public and private) to charge based upon
utilization per hour. As such, the full cost rate ($0.52 per kWh) calculated is based on per
kWH and is compliant with this new state regulation.
The City would assess this fee on top of any parking lot fees in which the EV charging
stations are located. This practice is consistent with other private and public entities,
which charge both for the use of the parking space as well as the use of the EV charging
station.
4 The estimated kWh utilization is based on the 7 units of EV Charging Station with an average annual utilization of 11,521 kWh per
unit.
B-8
Matrix Consulting Group Page 1
April 2, 2025
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Fee Analysis
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is in the process of installing Electrical Vehicle (EV)
Charging stations. As part of that installation, the City would like to develop a fee to offset
the cost associated with the station’s installation, electricity usage, and general oversight.
The proposed fee would be charged per kilowatt hour (kWh) to recover the cost
associated with EV Charging Station operations.
Overall, there would be 7 EV charging spaces proposed. The project team worked with
City staff to identify the total operating costs associated with the charging stations,
including the following cost components:
• Annual Electricity Cost: Reflects the total annual electricity charges assessed to
the City based on the estimated use of the charging stations.
• Annual Replacement / Maintenance Cost: Reflects the cost to fund the
replacement of EV stations as well as installation and maintenance costs, which
is annualized over a 5-year timeframe.
• Indirect Costs: Reflects the indirect costs associated with Citywide support in
managing the EV program1.
The following table breaks out the total annual cost for EV Charging stations by previously
discussed cost component:
Table 1: Total Direct and Indirect Cost – EV Charging Stations
Cost Category Total Cost
Annual Electricity Cost $22,0712
Annual Replacement Cost $10,9403
Indirect Costs $5,031
Total Direct and Indirect Costs $38,042
1 The indirect costs were based on a 15% indirect rate calculated by taking the total indirect support services and dividing it by total
direct citywide expenditures. This rate was applied to all annual cost components
2 The annual electricity cost was estimated based on the average rate of $0.27 per kWh and estimating the number of kilowatts
used for the charging stations based on the hours of operation for the facility. As the stations are not available, actual data is
unavailable, so an estimate was used. This estimate was compared to other jurisdictions and their kWh usage and was in alignment.
3 The annual replacement cost takes into account the total average cost proposed by the City’s vendors for installation, operations,
and maintenance of the EV charging stations.
mat rix
consulting group
C-1
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Fee Analysis City of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Matrix Consulting Group Page 2
The $41,675 is divided by the estimated kWh to calculate the cost per kWh. The following
graphic shows this calculation:
$38,042 total cost = $0.47 per kWh 80,6444 kWH annually
Based on the calculation conducted, the full cost associated with a Level II charging
station is $0.47 per kWh. In reviewing other surrounding jurisdictions, the charging fee
ranges from a low of $0.24 per kWh to a high of $0.51 per kWh. The City’s calculated full
cost of $0.47 is $0.04 lower than the City of Manhattan Beach’s fee of $0.51. It is also
within the range of the $0.45 charging station fee charged at the Sheriff Lomita Station
from 4-9pm.
Some of the vendors identified by the City, may have separate transaction fees. Therefore,
the rate charged by the City would cover the City’s costs, but any fees charged by the
vendor would be a direct pass through back to the vendor.
It is important to note that EV Charging station rates are similar to parking meter rates
and are not subject to user fee regulations. However, the State has recently passed a new
bill that requires all EV Charging Stations (public and private) to charge based on
utilization per hour. As such, the full cost rate ($0.47 per kWh) calculated is based on per
kWH and is compliant with this new state regulation.
The City would assess this fee on top of any parking lot fees in which the EV charging
stations are located. This practice is consistent with other private and public entities,
which charge both for the use of the parking space as well as the use of the EV charging
station.
4 The estimated kWh utilization is based on the 7 units of EV Charging Station with an average annual utilization of 11,521 kWh per
unit.
C-2
Annual Electricity Usage $22,071
Equipment Replacement & Maint. Cost Cost / Unit Life Span
Annual Cost
/ Unit # of Units Total Cost
Level II $7,815 5 $1,563 7 10,940$
-$
Subtotal Direct & Replacement Costs $33,011 Subtotal Replacement Costs 10,940$
Total Indirect $5,031
Total Costs $38,042
Total kWh 80,644
Cost per kWh $0.47 plus any passthrough transaction / charging fees assessed by vendor
C-3
50% Utilization
Annual Electricity Usage $5,738
Electrical Upgrade Cost $64,000.00
Equipment Replacement & Maint. Cost Cost / Unit Life Span
Annual Cost
/ Unit # of Units Total Cost
Level III $45,700 2 $22,850 2 45,700$
-$
Subtotal Direct & Replacement Costs $115,438 Subtotal Replacement Costs 45,700$
Total Indirect $17,592
Total Costs $133,030
Total kWh 20,966
Cost per kWh $6.34 plus any passthrough transaction / charging fees assessed by vendor
Attachment D - One Dual Level III Charging Rate Fee
D-1
50% Utilization
Annual Electricity Usage $17,214
Electrical Upgrade Cost $90,000.00
Equipment Replacement & Maint. Cost Cost / Unit Life Span
Annual Cost
/ Unit # of Units Total Cost
Level III $28,361 2 $14,181 6 85,084$
-$
Subtotal Direct & Replacement Costs $192,298 Subtotal Replacement Costs 85,084$
Total Indirect $29,305
Total Costs $221,603
Total kWh 62,899
Cost per kWh $3.52 plus any passthrough transaction / charging fees assessed by vendor
Attachment D - Three Dual Level III Charging Rate Fee
D-2