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PROJECT UPDATE
Don Karner, CEO/eTec & Manager/The EV Project
In the few months that have passed since the contracts were signed for The EV Project (US Department of Energy Grant DE-EE0002194) the forward momentum has been constant as we ramp up the largest–ever rollout of electric vehicle infrastructure. Through this five-state, 11-city pilot we are essentially creating five laboratories in which we will build rich infrastructure, test it and learn from it. The information we acquire will inform the way electric vehicles are accepted and adopted throughout the United States.
The EV Project is on track and on time. We have opened regional offices in Washington and Arizona, and expect to have similar offices open in San Diego, Oregon and Tennessee in February. Later in this issue, you will read more about the regional representatives, how to contact them, and updates on the work ongoing in each region.
The EV Project continues to enjoy tremendous support from the Administration. Vice President Joe Biden visited Arizona last November for a roundtable discussion on the stimulus efforts and the success we have already seen with The EV Project. It was also my privilege to be seated with First Lady Michelle Obama for the State of the Union address, and witness the President acknowledge the effective job creation and economic growth that is – and will continue to be – a direct result of this project.
The goal is produce this newsletter monthly, to keep you – our project partners – updated on the progress of The EV Project. We remain constantly available to you by telephone and email, and welcome your input and questions.
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JOB CREATION AND THE EV PROJECT
Jonathan R. Read, CEO/ECOtality
Along with creating the substantial charge infrastructure that will make widespread adoption of electric vehicles a reality, The EV Project has another driving force: to create and retain jobs. The grant itself was issued as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) – the federal stimulus program.
The grant is approximately $100 million; it is important to note that project partners will match that amount for a total project value of nearly $200 million. It is equally important to understand that federal dollars flow only after each stage of the project work is completed. eTec’s parent company, ECOtality, has been actively engaged in procuring the capital necessary to put the funding in place for the project to be a success.
President Obama, in his State of the Union address, mentioned the success of the Stimulus Act, pointing to eTec as an example of that success. He spoke of the nascent economic recovery, saying, “The plan that has made all of this possible, from the tax cuts to the jobs, is the Recovery Act. That’s right – the Recovery Act, also known as the stimulus bill. Economists on the left and the right say that this bill has helped saved jobs and avert disaster. But you don’t have to take their word for it. Talk to the small business in Phoenix that will triple its work force because of the Recovery Act.”
In the few months since it began, The EV Project has been responsible for the creation of 15 jobs at eTec, with 27 more on the way in 2010. But those numbers don’t begin to tell the full story. Work in Phoenix has kept contractors and sub-contractors employed, and as the project begins its five-state rollout, that positive effect will be even more widespread. By the time The EV Project is complete in 2012, we expect 750 jobs to have been created.
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SOFTWARE UNVEILED AT EDTA
Software that will be essential to the easy, effective use of electric vehicle chargers was just unveiled in January in Washington, D. C. during the annual meeting of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), in conjunction with the Washington Auto Show.
eTec, a subsidiary of ECOtality, provided a preview of this first generation of internet-based software at The EV Project booth.
Click here to view the software preview
The hallmark of this signature software is convenience. Consumers will be able to use the networked portal to program the time of charge, for example, and choose the least expensive, ‘off-peak’ time periods in which to charge. Custom text and email alerts will remind drivers to plug in their vehicles, and will notify them when there is a change in charging activities - including whether a charge is complete or has been interrupted. To alleviate range anxiety, a GIS-based mapping system will help drivers find charging stations, identify how many chargers are available at a particular location and whether or not an individual charger is in use.
Use of the new software comes at no charge to EV Project participants; data gathered through this pilot will help evaluate the overall effectiveness of The EV Project.
Also at EDTA, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu recognized eTec and The EV Project for its work toward establishing a robust EV charge structure in the United States. “eTec is working on the largest EV infrastructure deployment in the world, and we are working very closely to get EVs on the road,” said Secretary Chu. “We need charging stations and infrastructure - it is very important. “ Secretary Chu made his remarks at a news conference announcing completion of a loan agreement with Nissan North America, Inc., that will enhance electric vehicle manufacturing in the U. S.
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LEAF MAKES ITS U. S. DEBUT
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Preview Tour of the Nissan LEAF
(Seen here at Westgate City Center
Glendale, AZ) |
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eTec supported project partner Nissan North America as the LEAF made its North American debut during a tour of 22 cities, including several that are part of The EV Project. Through the month of December and into early January, the LEAF prototype made appearances at Qwest Field in Seattle, at the Fiesta Bowl Block Party in Tempe, Arizona, at San Diego Gas & Electric Headquarters in California and as a guest of the Clean Cities Coalition in downtown Tucson, Arizona.
The tour offered thousands of interested drivers, media, civic partners, businesses and university students to learn more zero-emission driving and how it will be supported through The EV Project.
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Pacific Northwest
Rich Feldman joined us in December to facilitate work in Seattle and focus on the Pacific Northwest as that area’s Regional Manager for Planning and Business Development. Feldman recently worked as senior advisor to the Mayor of Seattle. Each region is responsible for working with project partners, federal, state and local governments,utilities,non-governmental organizations and businesses to develop and implement a roadmap for the infrastructure necessary to encourage mass consumer adoption of clean electric vehicles.
A successful stakeholder meeting was held in January, with stakeholder training tentatively planned for March.
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Arizona
eTec is also pleased to welcome Marc Sobelman, who joins us as the area manager for Arizona. Marc has a long and exemplary professional history in sales, project management, business analytics, marketing and management of strategic operations.
Next up on the Arizona regional agenda is a meeting of the local Phoenix Advisory Committee, scheduled for Thursday, February 11th, at eTec Headquarters in Phoenix. The goal is to provide critical updates, including an overview of the EV Micro-Climates© planning program, and the latest on the development of the Guidelines for EV deployment in Phoenix. We’ll be taking the larger view – planning for infrastructure growth and development over the long term – as well as a closer-term look at the roadmap for charging station locations. Guidelines will be distributed to all stakeholders by March 31. Watch for stakeholder workshops scheduled in the second quarter of this year, with more specific information forthcoming.
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NEW EV PROJECT / eTec / ECOtality STAFF
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Mark Aubry
Stakeholder Services, Strategic Infrastructure Deployment
602 345-9049
maubry@etecevs.com
Mark Aubry joins eTec as the representative for Stakeholder Services, Strategic Infrastructure Deployment, responsible for identifying, developing and acquiring strategic national partnerships. Mark is a senior executive with more than 15 years experience. He most recently served as VP North America for the UK's Smith Electric Vehicles, developing strategic national partnerships as well as new business, marketing and sales.
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Paul Heitmann
Stakeholder Services Utilities Representative
602 345-9063
pheitmann@etecevs.com
Paul Heitmann is eTec’s new Stakeholder Services Utilities Representative. Paul has a background in utility demand response programs, and has initiated major electric utility price responsive programs within highly dynamic, electric utility regulatory environments. Paul has been initiating programs for comprehensive Demand Response and Smart Charging solutions for government and utility customers that are entering the EV/EVSE market. Paul previously spent 16 years in AT&T in a series of solution development and system integration roles.
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ALSO JOINING ETEC AND THE EV PROJECT:
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THE EV PROJECT TIMELINE & NEXT ACTIONS
| 2010 |
| Establish local stakeholder forums |
Q1 |
| Develop deployment guidelines for each project state |
Q1 |
| Long-range infrastructure planning for each project state |
Q2 |
| Complete EV MicroClimate© for each project state |
Q2 |
| Initial infrastructure planning & permitting |
Q3 |
| Begin residential EVSE installation |
Q4 |
| Vehicle Launch |
Q4 |
| 2011 |
| Final Infrastructure |
Q2 |
| Start Evaluation |
Q4 |
| 2012 |
| End Evaluation |
Q3 |
| 2013 |
| Project Completion |
Q2 |
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The EV Project has delivered its progress reports to the Federal government on time. You can see a summary of the information related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act here.
Our next milestone is the official opening of each of the regional offices. That work is expected to be complete by the end of Q1.
As always, for the best information regarding The EV Project,
please visit www.theevproject.com
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For information about this newsletter, including suggestions and comments, please contact
Jeanine L'Ecuyer VP Marketing & Communications, ECOtality
480 219-5005 | jlecuyer@ecotality.com
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430 South 2nd Avenue - Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-716-9576 - www.theevproject.com
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