Nevada County Zero Emission Transition Plan
In April 2023, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, which requires all California municipalities to gradually transition their medium heavy-duty (MHD) fleets to zero-emission technologies. The regulation, which applies to municipalities and all other California fleets, is designed to accelerate the transition of medium and heavy-duty vehicles (over 8,500 pounds), off-road yard tractors and light-duty mail and package delivery vehicles to Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs). The ACF is part of California's broader strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
As a part of the transition process, the CARB ACF regulation requires that new MHD municipal fleet purchases be ZEVs. Designated small counties, including Nevada County, are permitted to delay implementation of ACF requirements until 2027, when 100% of new MHD fleet purchases must be ZEVs.
As a result of these regulations, Nevada County Transportation Commission (NCTC) contracted with Frontier Energy, who collaborated with Momentum, DKS Associates, and Sugarpine Engineering to develop the plan to address the complexities of fleet transition and infrastructure development for the County.
On May 14, 2024, Frontier Energy presented the draft ZEV Transition Plan to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors. Minor recommendations from that presentation were incorporated and the final plan is ready for Board approval. The following are highlights from the Nevada County staff Executive Summary:
- Nevada County will focus its initial transition on light-duty electric vehicles for the first several years of its transition to increase operational familiarity with the technology before requirements to purchase ZEVs for MHD fleet begin. And during this time, purchase one (1) class 7 (MHD) vehicle taking advantage of grants, vouchers, and tax credits.
- A three (3) phase transition (2024-2029, 2030-2034, and 2035-2053) with corresponding charging infrastructure at 16 County facilities.
- A list of recommended ZEV replacement is provided, initially focused on battery-electric vehicles (EVs) rather than hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), for the lack of hydrogen fueling facilities in the area. FCEVs will be considered beginning in 2035 with the focus of hydrogen technology on long-range and heavy-duty capacity vehicles that need fast fueling.
- 1 vehicle per plug versus multiple vehicles sharing a plug is recommended to ensure County vehicles are appropriately charged without staff supervision. Although more expensive to construct a 1:1 ratio, long term cost savings will be achieved through staff time savings and vehicles being charged and readily available for any emergent or non-emergent needs.
The plan currently estimates that the County’s full transition to electric vehicles is calculated to cost an additional $10 million above what an internal combustible engine (ICE) would cost over the 29-year transition period, without consideration of grant, voucher, and tax credit offerings. The additional cost of installing and maintaining Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) has not been calculated. Significant cost savings are expected from fuel and Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits. Total greenhouse gas reduction is expected to be over 39,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide between 2024 - 2053.