Imperial County Office of Education goes green with EV infrastructure

On May 27, ICOE celebrated a significant milestone in its journey toward sustainability with the inauguration of its new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at both the ICOE West Administrative Conference Center and the ICOE Administrative Office parking lots.

This achievement would not have been possible without the generous support and collaboration of the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, the AB 617 Steering Committee, and the California Air Resources Board. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and commitment to improving air quality and public health in our region.

As our nation continues its transition to electric vehicles in response to the urgent challenge of climate change, ICOE is proud to be part of the solution. We remain committed to seeking out funding opportunities and integrating sustainable, forward-thinking technologies into our operations.

These EV charging stations represent more than just infrastructure—they symbolize our commitment to a cleaner, healthier future. They are a key step in our plan to gradually transition our gasoline-powered fleet to electric vehicles. This shift not only aligns with our environmental values but also promotes the well-being of our students, staff, and the broader community who visit our campuses every day.

By reducing our reliance on internal combustion engine vehicles, we are helping to lower exposure to harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, reactive organic compounds, particulate matter, and other toxic emissions.

Here's a brief overview of the equipment now in place:
• At the ICOE West Administrative Conference Center, we’ve installed four Level 2 dual-port ChargePoint charging stations.
• At our Administrative Office parking lot, we now have three Level 2 dual-port and two Level 2 single-port charging stations.

These stations will allow our electric fleet to charge overnight, ensuring they’re ready for use each morning—boosting both efficiency and sustainability in our daily operations.

We anticipate a combined energy throughput of approximately 17,895 kilowatt-hours annually across both locations, which translates to an estimated reduction of 13 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. That’s a meaningful contribution to cleaner air and a healthier community.

This project was made possible through approximately $1.2 million in Community Air Protection (CAP) incentive funding. Thanks to a competitive and thorough RFP process, we were able to complete the project at a significantly reduced cost of approximately $800,000, allowing the Air Pollution District to reallocate remaining funds (approximately $400,000) to other valuable community initiatives.

We are proud of what we’ve accomplished together and look forward to future partnerships that continue to advance our mission—improving the quality of life for our students, staff, and community through innovation, sustainability, and responsible stewardship.
Let’s continue driving toward a cleaner, greener future—together.