GAZETTE
Indianapolis Moving Municipal Fleet Toward EVs
Response by Christian Okolski
December 19, 2012
Indianapolis aims to be the first major U.S. city to replace its municipal fleet with efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles to reduce the dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels. Last Wednesday, the city’s mayor, Greg Ballard, signed an executive order to replace nearly 500 non-police sedans with EVs and will request the availability of a plug-in hybrid police car from automakers. Mayor Ballard is a Republican and retired Marine Corps officer, and he has touted the decision’s ability to help reduce the dependence on foreign fuels and bolster energy security. The move also has the potential to save taxpayers $12,000 over the lifespan of each new EV and fuel cost savings of up to $10 million a year. The city expects these savings, the $7,500 per-vehicle federal tax credit, and financing tools to make the new purchases sound investments, and it hopes to convert its entire current municipal fleet of 3,100 vehicles by 2025.
This latest move by Indiana’s capital city is a very important one, as governments on the local and state levels help accelerate the cause for EVs. While the federal government has made exceptional strides to incentivize EV development and adoption, politics has not made it easy. The $7,500 per year tax credit is very controversial, and investments in companies like Fisker and recently acquired A123 Systems have not gone unscathed by the media. However, two weeks ago, I wrote about Chicago’s efforts to be a leader in commercial EV adoption, which have received great mainstream recognition and even caused Smith Electric to build its third U.S. factory in the city. Efforts such as these are not only essential to the direct growth of EV markets, but also serve as examples of how EVs are practical and economical. Municipalities and states have the ability to demonstrate that range anxiety is just that… anxiety, and high purchase costs are only a minor short-term problem that is offset by high long-term paybacks. Alongside cities such as Chicago and states like California, Indianapolis is showing leadership in energy independence and security, and it’s time for others to do the same.
High Expectations for EVs in 2013
Response by Christian Okolski
December 11, 2012
While EVs have gained considerable recognition and publicity over the past few years, their adoption hasn’t been fully maximized due to several obstacles, such as high prices and poor charging infrastructure. However, that has all started to change lately, and the EV industry faces a major potential upswing and large investments as 2013 nears. Some of the main reasons for this outlook include: 1) lessons learned from past failures, 2) unified public charging locations, 3) higher gasoline and diesel prices, 4) favorable government policy resulting from President Obama’s reelection, 5) new, more convenient charging options (wireless, fast charge, etc.), and 6) better business models..
The six points above address the two biggest problems surrounding EVs – range anxiety and high vehicle costs. Whether it’s due to lessons learned from past failures, the consistent increase in gas and diesel prices, or better business models, the EV market is one that is bound to become more efficient and cost competitive with conventional, fossil-fuel technologies. On the other hand, a unified charging network where EV drivers have access and knowledge of a widespread charging network, as well as better charging options and technology will make huge strides in reducing range anxiety. Wireless technology in particular has the potential to be a game changer. The ability to charge quickly and seamlessly without having to deal with wires and cords (not to mention the phantom unplugger who greedily or maliciously unplugs your EV) has potential to make range anxiety a thing of the past. Just imagine a world where you can park in front of your local java stop, grab a cup of coffee, and voila, you just got 20% of your battery back. This is not science fiction. It is only one piece of a puzzle that is validating the future success of EVs.
Chicago’s Getting Serious About Electric Trucks
Response by Christian Okolski
December 07, 2012
Last Tuesday, electric truck enthusiasts got some very exciting news out of Chicago. Smith Electric, one of the Country’s most prominent makers of electric trucks will build its third manufacturing facility in the Windy City, adding to their Kansas City and New York City locations and supporting 200 new jobs. This news alone is a major development in the commercial EV scene, but the primary reason for Smith’s decision might be even better. Next year, Chicago will begin a $15 million voucher program to cover roughly 60% of the price difference between cheaper diesel trucks and higher priced electric ones. The subsidy is going to vary based on the size of the truck’s battery, but for reference, a truck with an 80-kilowatt-hour battery would receive an incredible $45,000 incentive. Furthermore, to simplify the program each voucher will be distributed at purchase (not a post-sale rebate) and available for electric trucks bought either from a dealer or directly from the manufacturer.
The announcement of Smith’s new factory is great news in and of itself. With a new plant coming online in New York City, and a future one in Chicago, Smith should be able to streamline production, fulfill demand, and start gaining some serious market presence. Second, the voucher plan will likely be a significant catalyst to the electric truck market. Electric trucks are already far cheaper to operate than diesel ones, being much less expensive to power and requiring much less maintenance (EVs in general have less moving parts than conventional ones, which means less stuff breaks). By reducing their cost premium by 60%, the new incentives are going to make the decision to go electric a much easier one for fleet managers. Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the United States, and a surge in electric trucks there is going to be a huge boost to the overall market.
This latest EV news, as well as the recent purchase of 20 all-electric garbage trucks and the receipt of $120 million in federal funding for battery research at the city’s Argonne National Laboratory, is leading way for Chicago’s rebranding as not only the Windy City, but also a leader in electric vehicles, energy independence, and cleaner air.
Nissan Introduces e-NV200 Electric Taxi to Barcelona
Response by Christian Okolski
November 27, 2012
Nissan has introduced its gas-powered NV200 and all-electric e-NV200 as Barcelona’s next generation of taxi. The e-NV200 taxi van will not only transport Barcelona’s residents and visitors around the city by 2014, but in late 2013, it will be manufactured at Nissan’s Zona Franca plant in the city. The Japanese auto manufacturer has invested €100 million in the Zona Franca factory, which is expected to provide 700 new jobs in a country that is in desperate need of new employment. With its goal to provide leadership in EV technology and adoption, Barcelona also intends to deploy 250 public charging stations and will be hosting the 2013 Electric Vehicle Symposium.
The NV200 taxi (gas-powered) first gained mainstream recognition about a year and a half ago, when it won New York City’s “Taxi of Tomorrow” competition, ensuring its impending dominance over the NYC taxi scene. Ever since, there’s been speculation about whether or not the e-NV200 concept would prowl the streets of New York alongside its gas-powered brother, or even be a viable taxi option in general. The e-NV200’s role in Barcelona is undoubtedly a good sign for its future as a taxi. It is already being vetted as an environmentally friendly and cost-saving delivery van by companies such as FedEx and Coca-Cola (both of whom will be field testing the new EV), but if it can prove its viability in the global taxi market, the e-NV200 could be an incredible success.
The main benefits of the e-NV200 taxi are fairly obvious, especially in urban settings. Zero emissions, less noise, and great public relations will undoubtedly be significant for Barcelona and any other city that decides to operate Nissan’s “green” taxi. However, one question is bound to come up: How will the e-NV200 be charged in a way that does little to interrupt operations? To respond, HEVO has two words, “wireless charging.”
Tesla Model S is Motor Trend’s 2013 “Car of the Year”
Response by Christian Okolski
November 21, 2012
For the first time ever, an EV has earned the prestigious honor of being named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, and by a unanimous vote of all 11 judges. The Tesla Model S luxury sedan beat out not only the competition in its class such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and Lexus, but also every other car on the road. In its review, Motor Trend touts the Model S’s excellence in speed, agility, responsiveness, comfort, cargo space, design, and of course, efficiency. Features such as a super cool and convenient touch screen control panel, 0-60 acceleration of 4 seconds flat, EPA-rated mpg-e of 88/90 (city/hwy), and much more make Tesla’s biggest success “a damned good car you happen to plug in to refuel.”
Granted, commercially viable EVs have only been on the market since December 2010 (unless you consider GM’s EV1 as commercially viable before it was scrapped in 2003), but maybe that’s what makes this accomplishment even more impressive. The internal combustion engine has dominated the automotive landscape for the past century, and although EVs have been on the market for less than two years, the Model S has attained one of the most important and revered distinctions in the U.S. auto industry. What’s even more impressive is that Tesla Motors is a California startup that is not even 10-years-old yet, but competing with automotive giants across the globe.
Skeptics may say that EVs are unrealistic and bound for failure, but Tesla should have them reevaluating their opinions. The Model S is truly a brilliant automobile and hopefully a sign of things to come from numerous auto manufacturers. If a startup from Palo Alto can prove its superiority on the back of an electric “eco” car, then maybe the future of EVs is not as bad as the skeptics say.
U.S. Navy to Use Electric Vehicles in Oahu
Response by Christian Okolski
August 06, 2012
Last week, Hawaii’s Khon 2 reported that the United States Navy’s Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii added 36 electric vehicles to its fleet on the island of Oahu. These vehicles have a top speed of 25 miles per hour, a range of 40 miles, and roof-mounted solar panels. They were purchased from Vantage Vehicle International, Inc., a manufacturer of light-duty electric trucks that is based in Corona, California. The Navy plans to continue purchasing EVs to support President Obama’s fossil fuel reduction mandate.
The current Administration has been very outspoken about its support of EVs, and their desire to deploy them throughout multiple tiers of government. The Navy’s decision to pilot alternative vehicle technologies highlights the efforts being made by the government to integrate EVs into military fleets. Oahu, as an example of a relatively remote military base location, has notoriously high fuel prices, but benefits from abundant, renewable solar energy resources. Combining renewable energy technologies like solar power with electric vehicles, as seen in the Green Van model, could prove to be very promising for the Navy and their green fleet initiatives. HEVO is fully committed to partnering with U.S. military in order to develop and deploy wireless charging devices that optimize motor pool and theater fleet operations.
Charging Mats Seen Boosting Market for Electric Vehicles
Response by Christian Okolski
July 23, 2012
In late June, Bloomberg reported on several companies who are developing devices to charge electric vehicles wirelessly. These companies range from major auto manufacturers to others who are not as well known. The method used to develop wireless charging units is not yet established, and while some firms focus on magnetic induction as the solution, others are looking to magnetic resonance. Wireless charging is seen as a solution to the inconveniences and limitations of current, plug-in technology as well as a possible means for fast charging EVs in less than one hour.
The commitment of companies to develop wireless charging within the United States, as well as globally, not only stresses the expected growth of the EV charging infrastructure market, but also the anticipated technology switching to a wireless charging option from automotive manufacturers. The research and investment of wireless charging by global automotive manufacturers, supports HEVO’s expectations of an expanding electric vehicle and corresponding charging infrastructure market. Wireless charging is undoubtedly on the emerging technology horizon. The real question lies in how companies like HEVO plan to commercialize and deploy wireless charging technology.
Car2go Adds Electrical Cars as Portland Membership Soar
Response by Christian Okolski
July 30, 2012
The Green Car Website’s blog explains how the car-sharing service Car2go expanded its Portland memberships substantially since March, gaining more than 6,000 users within its first 100 days of operations in the Oregon capital. The company is adding 30 Smart Fortwo electric cars this year, as it electrifies its fleet and gains support from the city’s Mayor. Electric vehicles seem to be a perfect fit for Portland’s car-sharing needs, since the city’s Car2go members drive an average of three to six miles and 30 to 45 minutes per trip, falling well within an electric car’s battery range.
Recent months have shown tremendous growth in the emerging market for car-sharing in the United States, which is even grabbing the attention of major car rental companies. More importantly, these services have made significant leaps to electrify their fleets. This trend not only introduces electric vehicles to drivers that ordinarily would not have the opportunity or desire to drive one, but also expands the need for strategically located charging infrastructure. As car-share and rental users choose EVs over conventional vehicles, opportunistically located charging infrastructure will be in higher demand.