Agenda and Attachments - 02/16/10 CC/EWEB JEO

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Agenda Item #3: Electric Vehicle Initiatives Background This agenda item is a primer on our current understanding of electric vehicles technology. Staff will provide an overview of the types of products coming to market, the status of charging infrastructure technology, and a brief description of a few local initiatives underway. If time allows, we will also explore some potential impacts of this technology to the City and EWEB. Discussion In September 2008, Governor Kulongoski signed Executive Order No. 08-24 as part of his climate change and sustainable transportation agenda. The order established the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure working group to identify policy, procedures and programs to advance new transportation technologies, and signaled the Governor’s intent to position Oregon as a leader in an emerging electric vehicle industry. The working group recently submitted its report to the Governor (see (http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/afviwg_final_report.pdf).Meanwhile the Governor has been actively encouraging car manufacturers to bring the next generation of electric and alternative fuel vehicles to market in Oregon as an economic opportunity for both job creation and vehicle adoption. This high profile work spurred a number of initiatives seeking to prepare Oregon as a leading market place for electric vehicle adoption. One of the biggest limitations for drivers thinking about making the transition to an electric vehicle is the absence of a reliable network of charging facilities to alleviate fears of “running out of juice.” EV charging stations are locations where vehicles can be plugged into an electric source to re-charge batteries. Last Spring, on behalf of over 80 project partners, the State submitted a $30 million grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy to deploy a network of charging stations throughout the state, and to support the purchase of electric vehicles. While the application was unsuccessful, it laid the groundwork for Oregon’s participation in the nation’s largest electric vehicle demonstration project. Last August, the Governor announced that Oregon was named as one of five test markets that will participate in the $100M federally funded EV project. As part of the project, Arizona-based company eTec will deploy 4,700 zero-emissions electric vehicles (Nissan Leaf) and will establish approximately 11,210 electric vehicle charging stations in home-base, commercial and public locations (see EV Project FAQ sheet or go to www.theevproject.com/index.php). The Oregon Department of Transportation has established a coordinating team representing the Portland to Eugene I-5 corridor to work with eTec. The coordinating team has met twice so far and is just getting a flavor for the scope and timeline of this ambitious project. Staff will provide an update with project milestones at the joint work session. In addition to a briefing on the eTec EV project, staff will share information on a few other local initiatives that were initiated prior to the announcement of the eTec project. We are working with the U of O Community Planning Workshop on a needs assessment/feasibility study to provide guidance to local agencies on preparing for EV technology. Also, Lane Community College is well into the design phase of an EV charging site with grid-integrated photovoltaic panels for its main campus, and we will share some advance views of that innovative project. For more information, please contact Jeannine Parisi (685-7451) or Jeff Petry (682-5079).