Electricity

What is an Electric Vehicle?

In an electric vehicle (EV), a battery or other energy storage device is used to store the electricity that powers the motor. EV batteries must be replenished by plugging in the vehicle to a power source. Some electric vehicles have onboard chargers; others plug into a charger located outside the vehicle. Both types, however, use electricity that comes from the power grid or through stationary renewable energy. Although electricity production may contribute to air pollution, EVs are considered zero-emission vehicles because their motors produce no exhaust or emissions.

There are a limited number of light-duty electric vehicles available from the major auto manufacturers, but production is increasing. New vehicles were be introduced in 2010 and 2011, such as the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt.  Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) are being manufactured by a variety of companies.  These small vehicles are commonly used for neighborhood commuting, light hauling, and delivery. Their use is limited to areas with 35 mph speed limits, for off-road service on college campuses, at airports, or in resort areas.

For information about preparing Virginia for electric vehicles, please visit our Virginia Get Ready page or www.virginiaev.org.

What Electric Vehicles Are Available?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are available as neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) and as scooters and bicycles. Conversion kits are also available to transform a conventional light-duty vehicles into one that runs on electricity.  While the Tesla Roadster and other electric vehicles from smaller manufactures have been available for a few years, full-size electric vehicles were initially be released to US markets in 2010 and 2011.

For more information on EV models, visit the AFDC page.

Public and Private Electric Charging Stations

View page »

Get Ready

Virginia Plug-in Readiness
Virginia Get Ready Roundtable Efforts

The Virginia Get Ready Roundtable gathered for an introductory meeting  on May 18, 2010 and met throughout the summer to establish a cooperative plan for deployment of electric  vehicles in Virginia. This plan and related educational information for the state are now published on the Virginia Clean Cities and partner sites as well as a new educational resource: http://www.virginiaev.org/

Project Get Ready (PGR) is an initiative led by Rocky Mountain Institute to focus on identifying barriers and proposing solutions related to adoption and deployment of electric vehicles. This effort in Virginia spans many groups, with varying roles and experiences. A collaborative and organized effort to address these issues is led by the Governor’s Office, Virginia Clean Cities, and key stakeholders to benefit the entire state and region. The national PGR effort provides a forum to interact with other partner cities and technical advisers to address a range of issues.

Virginia Get Ready Goals:
Establish Virginia as a leader in the adoption of the electric vehicles in order to reduce vehicle emissions, increase energy independence, and generate positive economic development for the Commonwealth. By October 2010, present an initial Virginia “electrification plan” detailing:
· How to overcome potential barriers associated with the adoption of plug-in vehicles and charging infrastructure specifically related to codes, standards and processes;
· A communication strategy to educate appropriate partners, stakeholders and the general public;
· The potential incentives (monetary, nonmonetary, upfront and long-term) to encourage businesses and individuals to purchase plug-in vehicles;
· The issues and tasks necessary to the installation of charging infrastructure, from the technical to the managerial.

Virginia Utilities have installed and converted Prius vehicles, bucket trucks, and have agreed to purchase test Chevy Volt units when available. The Commonwealth has installed free access vehicle charging units at one rest area. Virginia entities are assessing charging capacity, investment needs, and roles in jumpstarting vehicle adoption and infrastructure deployment.

Virginia companies make batteries, motors, charging stations, and design and deploy electric vehicles and convert hybrid vehicles to plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery electric vehicles.  Northern Virginia is connected within the 70 mile radius of the DC ChargePoint America deployment and early adoption vehicle enthusiasts. Charlottesville, Virginia is involved in a robust smart grid and vehicle conversion deployment program and has a high number of early Prius adoptions. Richmond, Virginia has a large fleet presence and a local electric vehicle initiative. Hampton Roads includes large federal fleets in close proximity that are likely to benefit from electric improvements. Virginia fleets currently have 35 electric vehicles and there are numerous charging stations available, including modern units and EV1 deployment units from the late 1990′s.

State and local government entities, fleets, universities, utilities, civic organizations, vehicle manufacturers, and businesses are represented and stakeholder numbers are growing in the Virginia electrification effort.

Government representation includes the Virginia Secretary of Transportation, the state Department of Mines Minerals and Energy, the Department of General Services, the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board, the U.S. Department of Energy and Clean Cities program, Virginia Clean Cities, Fairfax, Virginia, Arlington, Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, Henrico, Virginia, Chesterfield, Virginia, James Madison University, and the University of Virginia.

Utility representation includes Dominion Power and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative. Civic involvement includes Electric Vehicle Association of Washington DC, Richmond STIR, the Virginia Automobile Association, and Virginia Clean Cities. Business representation includes Nissan, Ford, Smith Electric Vehicles, the Advanced Vehicle Research Center, Richmond Segway, Evatran, Plugless Power, Aker Wade, Kollmorgen, Coulomb, and Encell.

Based on likely adoption predictions, infrastructure and vehicle efforts will be initially targeted for the specific regions of Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads.

This plan was refined over the summer of 2010 and presented to public and private stakeholders in October 2010 at the Commonwealth of Virginia Energy Symposium. The Virginia effort was based on the four working groups of the neighboring efforts in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Virginia Get Ready Roundtable subcommittee groups included: 1) Standards and Readiness, 2) Education and Outreach, 3) Incentives, and 4) Sites and Installation.

The Regional Champion for the Virginia effort was Virginia Clean Cities.

Materials:

http://www.virginiaev.org/

Virginia EV Plan

Virginia Get Ready May 18 Presentation

Virginia Get Ready July 14 Presentation Info and Materials
VA Get Ready Nissan PresentationGM Presentation – Ford Presentation

DOE July 22 Plug-in Vehicle and Infrastructure Workshop and Materials

Virginia Get Ready Coordinator:
Alleyn Harned
Program Coordinator, Virginia Clean Cities
540-568-8896 desk
540-568-5181 fax
804-539-9425 cell
aharned@vacleancities.org

View page »

What is a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)?

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of high fuel economy and low emissions with the power, range, and convenience of conventional diesel and gasoline fueling. HEV technologies also have potential to be combined with alternative fuels and fuel cells to provide additional benefits. Future offerings might also include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

HEVs typically combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle. The combination offers low emissions, with the power, range, and convenient fueling of conventional (gasoline and diesel) vehicles-and HEVs never need to be plugged in.

How Hybrid Electric Vehicles Work

Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by two energy sources-an energy conversion unit (such as an internal combustion engine or fuel cell) and an energy storage device (such as batteries or ultracapacitors). The energy conversion unit can be powered by gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas, hydrogen, or other fuels.

Hybrid electric vehicles have the potential to be two to three times more fuel-efficient than conventional vehicles. HEVs can have a parallel design, a series design, or a combination of the two.

The DoE Alternative Fuels and Advanced Data Center has ananimation showing how HEVs work.

Are There Tax Incentives for HEVs?

Yes! Visit the AFDC’s HEV Incentives and Laws page for information on state and federal incentives available for hybrid electric vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles and equipment.

Where Can I Get More Information?

The AFDC’s HEV Cost Calculator allows fleets to compare the costs, benefits, and emissions of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) with those of conventional vehicles in two ways:

  • Single Vehicle Tool: Users can select one HEV and one conventional vehicle for comparison. Factoring in purchase price, fuel costs, repair and maintenance costs, resale value, and applicable tax incentives, the tool calculates expected lifetime costs for both vehicles, as well as cost and emissions savings associated with purchasing the HEV.
  • Fleet Tool: Users can compare two fleets of up to five vehicles-one composed of HEVs and the other made up of conventional vehicles. The tool calculates lifetime costs and emissions for each vehicle fleet.
  • See current available HEVs here.
  • View page »

    Virginia Electric Vehicles

    Commercially produced electric vehicles are a reality in Virginia today and Virginia is well positioned physically and economically to be a leader in electric vehicles.  Embracing electric vehicle use in Virginia will assist statewide efforts to reduce vehicle emissions, increase energy independence, and generate positive economic development for the Commonwealth. Below is a link to this initial Virginia electrification plan.

    Get Ready Plan

    Appendixes

    Recommendations and Public Comment

    Because the Virginia Get Ready Electric Vehicle Plan includes several recommendations, we are providing six weeks for public comment.  Please submit comments by November 24 to this form or by email to aharned@hrccc.org

    Resources

    Links

    View page »

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>