Shift your ride

Transportation was responsible for approximately 34% of 2018 community greenhouse gas emissions, including on-road vehicles, air travel, ferry travel and off-road vehicles and equipment. We can help improve the health of our environment and our community members by adding more biking and pedestrian infrastructure and promoting the use of electric vehicles. 

Electric Vehicle (EV) Car Sharing Program Available at City Hall 

You may have noticed two new electric vehicle (EV) chargers and four parking spots in the visitor lot at City Hall!  

  • One EV charger (with two parking stalls) is available for anyone with an electric vehicle to use by signing up and paying, per the directions on the charger pedestal.  
  • One EV charger (with two parking stalls) is available specifically for use by electric vehicles that are part of a new carshare program administered by ZEV co-op: https://zev.coop/. 

Both chargers – and the new electric carshare vehicles – were paid for with grant funds from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Zero-Emissions Access Program. Mobility for All – a non-profit advocacy group based on Bainbridge Island – was the grant recipient and is working with ZEV co-op to administer the carshare program. The City of Bainbridge Island provided parking stalls and electrical work to support both chargers and the carshare program, per actions outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan and Sustainable Transportation Plan. The City is not otherwise involved in the carshare program and is not earning any revenue from carshare operations. Electricity use associated with charging vehicles at both chargers is paid for by ZEV co-op. To learn more about the community EV carshare program, please contact ZEV co-op at https://zev.coop/ or 833-387-4273.

EV Car Share with ZEV coop

State funding available for installing EV chargers!

The State Department of Commerce and State Department of Ecology are opening two grant applications in September to support the growing adoption of EVs.  Both grants could help local organizations install EV chargers in support of goals outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan to develop infrastructure to support electric vehicles. Learn more about each grant opportunity below.

Department of Commerce – EV Charging Grants

  • Level 2 chargers: $7,500 per plug
  • DC Fast Chargers: $85,000 per plug
  • Eligible lead applicants include: public agencies, federally recognized Tribal governments, non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations and electric utilities. 
  • Applications open September 6 – December 1, 2023
  • Learn more 

Department of Ecology – Charge Where you Are Grants

  • Level 2 chargers: $10,500 per plug or up to 80% of project costs
  • Eligible applicants include: businesses, public organizations, Tribal governments, and non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations. 
  • Applications open September 26 – November 16, 2023
  • Learn more 

Electric vehicles (EVs) reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality because they do not have a tailpipe. Instead of consuming and combusting fossil fuels like a gas car, an EV uses a battery to power an electric motor. When walking, biking, or public transportation are not available, driving an EV is a great way to reduce emissions and help us meet our climate action goals. 

Electric Vehicles in the City Fleet

The City's first fully EV, a Ford Mach-E, arrived in August 2022. The Mach-E has zero emissions and marks the beginning of the City’s transition to electric vehicles. The vehicle is assigned to the Police Department, which will be using the vehicle in several different capacities as well as evaluating the car’s suitability for patrol purpose. 

Two Volkswagen ID.4 EVs also arrived in the Summer of 2023 at City Hall. City staff is currently working with a consultant to assess the best opportunities to convert light-, medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles to electric or alternative fuel vehicles, per Priority Action 4.B.1.a in the City's Climate Action Plan to “Transition the City's fleets to primarily electric vehicles and using biofuels where electric vehicles are not an option and encourage other Bainbridge Island taxing districts to also develop a plan.” This project will recommend a strategy for a multi‐tiered vehicle purchase and replacement process, inclusive of the support facilities required (i.e., EV charging infrastructure and associated electrical upgrades needed at City facilities). 

Mach-E electric vehicle

Thank you to everyone who attended the EV Expo! 

Over 300 people attended the Kitsap Electric Vehicle and Bike Expo on Saturday, May 20, 2023 to learn more about electric vehicle and electric bicycle options for low-carbon travel. Several dealers and approximately 20 residents had electric vehicles on display, including the City’s first EV – a Ford Mach-E for the police department, and an all-electric bus from Kitsap Transit. Attendees had an opportunity learn more about electric vehicles, the new community EV carshare program, and other low-carbon travel options at booths with Puget Sound Energy, the City of Bainbridge Island, ZEV Co-op, Pacific Mobility, Bainbridge Greenways, and others. Attendees also got to test ride various models of e-bikes from B.I. Cycle. 

Check out a short video with highlights from the event on the City's YouTube page. Thank you to volunteers from Climate Action Bainbridge for organizing this fun and informative community event!