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General
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Written by Tyler Savage
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Tuesday, 15 June 2010 17:45 |
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The BP oil spill in the Gulf has set a serious tone across the country to develop alternative energy sources for transportation and is increasing the attention of electric vehicles (EV). The Bay Area is already known as the “EV Capital of America” as it is home to companies like Coulomb Technologies and BetterPlace, who are leading the way in the development of clean technologies such as vehicle charging stations. On June 14th Bob Hayden and John Boesel, are co-chairs of the Bay Area Climate Collaborative’s EV working group, authored an opinion editorial in the San Jose Mercury News reiterating the important role Bay Area governments and businesses are playing to help reduce our dependence on oil.
“It will take time for the U.S. to adopt electric vehicles, but here in the Bay Area, consumer interest is exceptionally high, and we can benefit immediately. To quickly establish the Bay Area market, local governments are working with companies such as Tesla and innovative electric vehicle infrastructure developers like locally based Better Place and Coulomb Technologies to make the region "plug-in ready." Soon buyers will have chargers installed in their garages, and there will be networks of public charging stations throughout the Bay Area.”
On the national level, President Obama has set a goal to have 1 million EVs and plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015. And Congress is considering legislation that will expand tax credits to encourage consumers to purchase EVs and millions in grants to build the necessary EV infrastructure, including charging stations to support a national network.
There is no question that the Federal government is certainly eager to reduce our dependence on oil and establish EVs as the way forward.
“Democratic and Republican House and Senate members on May 27 proposed legislation to expand tax credits for the installation of charging equipment as well as electric vehicle purchases. The measure would direct the Energy Dept. to award $800 million in grants to support charging facilities for 700,000 electric vehicles within six years. “
And today in San Jose the Silicon Valley Leadership Group will be the first in the nation to partner with Toyota to roll out the 2012 Plug-In Hybrid Prius demonstration project. Perhaps the best news in a decade is that within the next few years we’ll rid ourselves of oil and have access to clean, efficient and affordable transportation.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 July 2010 01:36 |
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General
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Written by Rafael Reyes
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Thursday, 03 June 2010 07:40 |
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With the support of a major federal grant, Bay Area Climate Collaborative partner Coulomb Technologies looks to install charging stations throughout the Bay Area, California and other key locations throughout the country.
Coulomb Technologies, a Campbell startup that is a leading maker of electric-vehicle charging stations, is expected to announce today that it plans to install more than 4,600 charging stations in nine metropolitan regions across the United States, including the Bay Area and Sacramento.
The $37 million "ChargePoint America" program is being funded in part by a $15 million Department of Energy grant. More than 1,000 new public charging stations will be installed by December, with the remaining 3,600 to be installed by October 2011.
The number of stations per city has not yet been determined, but California is expected to get nearly a third of the total.
Other metro areas that will get charging stations include Austin, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Fla., Redmond, Wash., and Washington, D.C.
This is supplemented by a half million dollar grant from the California Energy Commission for the EV Corridor Project and multiple proposals to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) seeking support via the Climate Innovation Grants. Those proposals include exciting taxi battery-swap proposal led by Better Place in San Francisco, charging stations, car share projects and municipal electric vehicle fleets. |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 June 2010 16:00 |
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General
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Written by BACC Editor
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Thursday, 20 May 2010 22:55 |
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Despite the economic downturn and the large plunge the U.S. venture capital investment in cleantech companies suffered in the first quarter of 2009, an Ernst & Young LLP analysis released that VC investments in this surging market rose to $733 million in the first quarter of 2010. This is a 68% increase just from a year ago.
Specifically, there are certain areas driving the most investments in the cleantech market. According to Ernst & Young, there is a growing focus on energy efficiency, electric vehicles and solar investments; each of those taking large sums of venture investments in cleantech during the first quarter of 2010.
The venture investment focus on energy efficiency is reflective of broader trends. Electric utility energy efficiency budgets grew by 60% over the past two years, reaching $4 billion in 2009 - up from $2.5 billion in 2007, according to a report from the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE). In March, the US Senate introduced a bill that would establish a "Building Star" program, which would yield a prospective $6 billion in funding. The program includes rebates and financing incentives for building owners to upgrade their property's energy efficiency, including interior and exterior lighting, energy management, HVAC, motors, and drives.
And investments in the cleantech market are projected to keep growing due to the economic recovery, rise in oil prices and the ongoing deployment of federal stimulus funds. Moreover, the analysis shows that "venture investment in cleantech [is] recovering more quickly than venture capital overall". These are all good signs for the cleantech market, visible in examples such as BACC partner Better Place's significant new round of funding. |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 20 May 2010 23:36 |
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General
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Written by Rafael Reyes
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Thursday, 20 May 2010 21:59 |
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 The GM-Toyota NUMMI auto manufacturing plant looks to gain new life building electric vehicles. Governor Schwarzenegger stated today that Tesla and Toyota have entered into a partnership to build a new electric vehicles. Subsequent reports state that plans are to build the new cars at the plant.
The storied 25 year-old plant, which ushered in the Toyota strategy of continuous improvement, was a unique and successful initiative which came to a sad end earlier this year.
Press conference by Tesla is expected today.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 20 May 2010 22:13 |
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General
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Written by Rafael Reyes
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Tuesday, 18 May 2010 20:13 |
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Nissan introduces its all electric Leaf this fall and orders have already exceeded supply.
Nissan's chief executive says the automaker has received over 13,000 orders in the U.S. and Japan for its new electric car, the Leaf, exceeding production capacity.
Carlos Ghosn said Thursday the company is seeking to boost capacity to meet the demand. Currently, it can produce fewer than 12,000 of the cars by March.
Locally, at least one local government Sonoma County already have plans for the vehicle, aiming at 1,000 or more for their fleet as part of their climate and clean energy plan.
Further, in November 2008, the Board directed staff to negotiate an effective public/private partnership with Nissan to facilitate the early procurement of their all-electric vehicles for fleet use in 2010. Through this partnership with Nissan, Sonoma County continues to demonstrate its climate protection leadership among local governments across the nation. These all electric vehicles will be brought into our fleet as part of our vehicle replacement strategy. All of these fleet vehicles reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas production and save money. Our fleet investment reflects strong energy and cost savings in fleet management and is a vital part in Sonoma County’s ongoing commitment to climate protection.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 May 2010 20:41 |
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