For public entities in Minnesota, a new statewide contract for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE or charging stations) is now in place.
Vendor product and contact information is available on the Minnesota Department of Administration website. The purpose of this statewide contract is to relieve the burden of each entity having to perform a request for bid and award contract process. EVSE can still be purchased outside this contract through your own competitive bid and procurement processes.
We spoke with Fran Crotty, Electric Vehicle State Program Administrator at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, to learn a bit more.
Joel Haskard: So if I am a city or county official interested in purchasing and installing an electric vehicle charging station for my community, how would this work?
Fran Crotty: Cities and counties can log into the Secure Area Sign-In, found on the right hand side, of the MN Dept. of Administration Materials Management web page at http://www.mmd.admin.state.mn.us/. The next step is to look for and open contract E-108(5). It is also available at this link. The contract lists the awarded vendors along with their charging station equipment offerings. Product descriptions, prices, and vendor contact information including phone numbers and email addresses are listed. Since the competitive bid process has already been completed vendors can be immediately contacted to place a charging station equipment order. However, meeting with one or more vendors prior to placing an order is encouraged if more information about the charging station equipment is needed prior to placing an order. This contract is for purchase of the charging station equipment only and does not include installation costs.
Joel Haskard: Where are ideal locations to locate charging stations?
Fran Crotty: Typically charging stations are installed close to existing electrical service to save on installation costs. In a parking lot this may be close to a light pole or the front of a building. Other considerations are whether electric vehicle drivers should be given preferred parking or spaces located further out in a ramp or lot. Some argue that electric vehicle drivers do not want to be singled out for getting preferential parking others say we this is a way to support and encourage more use of electric vehicles.
Joel Haskard: How many public charging stations are currently available in Minnesota?
Fran Crotty: The U.S. Department of Energy map shows that 186 charging stations are located in Minnesota. See the embedded map of EV charging stations in Minnesota below.
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