Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Grant Agreement Between the City of Olympia and Rocky Mountain Institute for a Multifamily EV Charging Project
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a resolution authorizing a grant agreement between the City of Olympia and Rocky Mountain Institute for a multifamily EV charging project.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution authorizing a grant agreement between the City of Olympia and Rocky Mountain Institute for a multifamily EV charging project.
Staff Contact:
Pamela Braff, Director of Climate Programs, City Manager’s Office, 360.753.8249
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
EV Charging Need
The transportation sector is the second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Olympia, making up 34% of inventoried emissions. Among transportation-related emissions, passenger vehicles are the largest source, followed by heavy-duty trucks and other commercial vehicles. One of the most important ways for the transportation sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to reduce the number of miles Olympians travel by vehicle. However, it will take many decades to achieve the land use and transportation infrastructure changes that will make walking, rolling, biking, or taking transit the best choice for most trips in Olympia. In the meantime, electric vehicles (EVs) and other types of electric micromobility, such as e-bikes, play an important role in reducing transportation-related GHG emissions.
Adequate charging infrastructure is needed to support the transition to electric vehicles. Concern about limited EV charging stations is a commonly cited barrier to EV adoption. This is particularly true for renters, who often face additional challenges in accessing EV charging at home. Ensuring equitable access to low-cost charging stations for all community members, regardless of where they live or work, is a critical step to support the transition to electric vehicles.
Grant Award
In 2025, the cities of Olympia and Tumwater began working with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to evaluate strategies for expanding access to electric vehicles and micromobility, with an emphasis on addressing barriers for low-income households, renters, and multifamily housing. In early 2026, RMI invited the cities to apply for subgrant funding, supported by a grant from General Motors, to advance this work. Each city was awarded $25,000 to fund the installation of Level 2 EV charging stations to serve residents of affordable multifamily rental housing.
By leveraging private investment, utility incentives, and in-kind staff support, this project will complete installations for at least 2 multifamily sites (one each in the cities of Olympia and Tumwater). Depending on site criteria and specific charging needs, we expect to install 1-2 dual-head, level 2 chargers (2-4 total ports) at each site.
Climate Analysis:
Transportation is one of the largest sources of inventoried greenhouse gas emissions in Olympia, and supporting the transition to electric vehicles is a key strategy to reduce emissions from this sector. By providing EV charging infrastructure for multifamily housing, this project helps remove barriers to electric vehicle adoption and directly advances the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan Policy PT5.4, “Encourage and incentivize the provision of low-cost EV charging for multifamily housing”.
Equity Analysis:
As the purchase price of new and used electric vehicles reaches parity with conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, more households will have the ability to purchase electric vehicles. However, access to affordable and convenient charging remains a significant barrier, especially for renters and residents of multifamily housing who have limited ability to install home charging infrastructure. This project directly addresses this barrier by prioritizing installations that serve residents of affordable multifamily housing and expanding access to EV charging.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
During the development of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan, many community members identified increasing access to EV charging infrastructure as a high priority.
Financial Impact:
This subgrant award is $25,000, and no match is required to accept the funding. If installation costs exceed the grant award, these costs would be the responsibility of the property owner.
Options:
1. Move to approve a resolution authorizing a grant agreement between the City of Olympia and Rocky Mountain Institute for a multifamily EV charging project.
2. Move to approve the resolution authorizing a grant agreement between the City of Olympia and Rocky Mountain Institute for a multifamily EV charging project, with specific modifications.
3. Do not approve the resolution authorizing a grant agreement between the City of Olympia and Rocky Mountain Institute for a multifamily EV charging project.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement