The Tesla-Toyota partnership continues to grow as the companies announce that Tesla will be producing Toyota's RAV4 electric crossover-utility vehicle. The new RAV4 will join the the Tesla Model S as the two electric vehicles to be released in 2012.
This is good news for those drivers who were fans of the RAV4 EV during the vehicles first production run in the late 1990s. Toyota's increasing partnership with Tesla is perhaps even better news as it signals a growing presence in the EV market for both automakers. Additionally, it allows Toyota to focus its attention on commuter cars which is likely going to be a significant portion of the consumer market.
Toyota's U.S. sales division president, Jim Lentz, said "a lot of our electric-vehicle work has been in small, commuter-type cars, because that's the direction we think most consumers will want to go."
Lentz highlighted the importance of the partnership as it gives Toyota the ability to "go in different directions at the same time." He said that if consumers are looking for something other than commuter cars Tesla will help Toyota "have alternatives in play."
There was no announcement as to the price of the new RAV4 EV, but it will likely be an affordable option for consumers looking for the versatility of an SUV that has the benefit of a zero-emissions vehicle.
The world of electric vehicles received another boost as General Electric introduced its own version of an EV charger to the public. GE's WattStation is expected to rollout in 2011 and will likely be just one of many more clean technologies to come as the company plans to double its spending for research and development to $10 billion from 2010 to 2015.
GE also announced that it will provide $200 million for a clean-energy contest to spur innovation in the sector. Venture capitalists RockPort Capital and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, which both have offices in Menlo Park and fund Bay Area companies like Solyndra and Silver Spring Networks, are helping to fund and sponsor the clean-energy contest.
"GE, one of the world's biggest companies, with a large stake in the electricity industry, touted what it called the "GE ecomagination challenge" in an event that also featured venture capital firms that are teaming up on the project, which will promote production of clean energy and energy efficiency."
GE's entry is a direct challenge to BACC partners Coulomb Technologies and Better Place. Coulomb received federal funding for the ChargePoint America project which will allow nearly 5,000 Coulomb ChargePoint stations to be installed in nine regions across the US. Also, Better Place, which specializes in battery switch stations, has made inroads in Asia and Europe through partnerships with Chinese automaker Chery and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Coulomb and Better Place are no doubt making significant progress, though with GE's announcement it will certainly increase competition in a growing market.
Coulomb Technologies has been granted $3.4 million from the California Energy Commission to expand its ChargePoint America program. The CEC grant supplements the $15 million in stimulus funds already provided by the Department of Energy.
ChargePoint Network stations provide a range of features including:
Providing open access for all drivers using any standards-based RFID card
Generating revenue for station owners to offset electricity and maintenance costs
Sending SMS or Email notifications to drivers for charging complete or interruptions in charging
Controlling access to eliminate energy theft and to enhance safety
Integrating with the utility Smart Grid for demand side management and preferred pricing
Timing of the grants will help ensure that charging stations will be available as auto manufacturers introduce a range of plug-in vehicles beginning at the end of this year.
Electric vehicles are gaining attention not only in the public eye but also in the eye of investors. The San Jose Mercury News notes:
Transportation was the leading cleantech sector for venture capital dollars in the first quarter of 2010, with 24 deals globally that totaled $729 million, according to data from the Cleantech Group in San Francisco. Leading the pack was Better Place, which raised $350 million, making it one of the largest cleantech investments in history.
What is notable however, is the limited investment in battery technology, one of the most critical elements in further advancing clean vehicles.
This week the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, in partnership with Toyota, was the first in the nation to roll out three 2012 Plug-in Hybrid Prius' on the streets of San Jose, CA. The 18 month Toyota demonstration project will allow drivers to experience the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) and send a signal to Bay Area consumers that EVs will soon be available on the market.
The Plug-in Hybrid Prius retains the standard hybrid engine but adds new electric-battery technology giving the Prius the capability of driving all-electric for 13 miles before switching to hybrid mode. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics the majority of drivers commute less than 15 miles to work, so those driving the new Prius now can get to work nearly carbon free. Not only will the Plug-in Hybrid Prius help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it will also help reduce the amount of money consumers pay at the pump. The average cost to charge an electric vehicle is comparable to $.75 per gallon, so when compared to current gas prices over $3 per gallon EV drivers will be able to save hundreds, if not thousands each year.
The event also included Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower Corp, who will be driving one of the cars. "I have a 12-mile commute. It's got a 13-mile range. I'm thinking I'm not going to use any gas, so this is going to be way different. A predictable amount of distance you can go and not a lot of messing around," Werner said.
The world of electric vehicles received another boost as General Electric introduced its own version of an EV charger to the public. 