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Need Help Planning for the Future of Electric Vehicles?
9/1/2021
This brochure helps states find tools to make informed decisions about implementing electric vehicles (EVs) and their charging infrastructure. To do so, many states will use funds from the Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreements from the Volkswagen Clean Air Act Settlement. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its national laboratories provide extensive information on EVs including both community planning and charging infrastructure. This information can help states implement EV and charging infrastructure projects using settlement funds. The tools in this brochure represent a sampling of key DOE resources available to states and other jurisdictions.
Electrifying Transportation in Municipalities: A Policy Toolkit for Electric Vehicle Deployment and Adoption at the Local Level
8/30/2021
This policy toolkit, designed for local governments, summarizes key policies that local agencies should consider when undergoing electric vehicle (EV) deployment projects at the city, town, and county level. The toolkit outlines policies within five categories of EV deployment: infrastructure, multi-sector, freight, fleets, and consumer. The report provides both a qualitative and quantitative summary of the policy’s impact on emissions, public health, social equity, jobs and the EV market, and details potential difficulties in policy implementation and potential costs.
Impact of Electric Vehicle Charging on the Power Demand of Retail Buildings
8/15/2021
As electric vehicle (EV) penetration increases, charging is expected to have a significant impact on the grid. EV charging stations will greatly affect a building site’s power demand, especially with the onset of fast charging with power levels as high as 350 kilowatts per charger. This paper assesses how EV charging stations would impact a retail big box grocery store, exploring numerous station sizes, charging power levels, and utilization factors in various climate zones and seasons. It measures the effect of charging by assessing changes in monthly peak power demand, electricity usage, and annual electricity bill, computed using three distinct rate structures.
Authors: Gillerana, M.; Bonnemaa, E.; Woodsa, J.; Mishraa, P,; Doebberb, I.; Huntera, C.; Mitchella, M.; Mann, M.
Installing and Operating Public EV Charging Infrastructure
8/6/2021
This report analyzes the issues site hosts are expected to encounter as they contemplate development of public electric vehicle (EV) charging by separating them into three key buckets: assessing the business case, utility engagement, and working with local authorities having jurisdiction over the site’s location. The report also presents several case studies from early adopters who’ve invested in the public EV charging space. In addition, the report includes crucial lessons learned from real world experience.
Notes:
This publication is copyrighted by Fuels Institute and can be downloaded from the Fuels Institute’s website.
Success Factors for Electric Carsharing
8/2/2021
Using electric vehicles for carsharing can enhance the environmental benefits of such programs. This briefing examines electric carsharing and the elements that are found in successful programs in North America and Europe. Specifically, it describes the benefits of electric carsharing, presents examples of carsharing, provides charging infrastructure insights, and identifies best practices for electric carsharing.
Authors: Nicholas, M.; Bernard, M
A Low Carbon Fuel Standard: In Brief
7/7/2021
As part of the congressional deliberations on addressing climate change, Congress may consider policy options for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector. One policy option Congress may examine is a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS). An LCFS is a policy that requires transportation fuels to meet a certain energy-related GHG target (e.g., a specific carbon intensity) within a specified jurisdiction and timeframe. This report provides a brief overview of an LCFS, congressional interest in an LCFS, the connection between the Renewable Fuel Standard and an LCFS, and considerations for policymakers.
Authors: Bracmort, K.
Electric Vehicle Charging for Residential and Commercial Energy Codes
7/1/2021
This technical brief presents a compilation of information on electric vehicles (EVs), examining market trends, benefits to consumers and society, and means of expanding the EV charging infrastructure by way of energy codes for new construction. A description of the concept is provided along with supporting justification and examples of similar concepts which have been adopted by states and local jurisdictions, as well as technical information on expected costs and benefits. In addition, the brief provides sample energy code language developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory following consultations with the International Code Council that can be overlaid directly onto model energy codes for EV charging infrastructure. This brief can be a resource for stakeholders, particularly those charged with considering the impacts of proposed code updates.
Authors: Salcido, V.; Tillou, M.; Franconi, E.
Electric Transportation Rate Design Principles for Regulated Utilities
7/1/2021
Growth in interest in electric vehicles (EVs) among policy makers in the United States is prompting utilities and state regulatory commissions to consider changes to traditional utility rate designs that more efficiently reflect the drivers of electric system costs, thereby allowing customers to better manage electric bills associated with EV charging in a manner that benefits the system. This paper proposes ratemaking and rate design principles applicable to transportation electrification where state commissions have authority to approve both investor-owned utility rates and rate design.
Authors: Jones, P., Edelston, B.
Electric Vehicles Roadmap Initiative
7/1/2021
Oregon Governor Kate Brown launched the Electric Vehicles (EVs) Roadmap Initiative in July 2020, to examine opportunities to improve the planning and siting of EV charging infrastructure in western states. The Chair Initiative of the Governor assembled states engaged in the West Coast Electric Highway (which includes California, Oregon, and Washington) and the Regional Electric Vehicle Plan for the West (REV West, which includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming). Together, they assessed opportunities for enhanced coordination on voluntary technical standards related to EV infrastructure hardware, payment methods, signage, and best practices for siting and location. This report presents findings from these sessions and examines state programs and coordination opportunities, grid infrastructure planning and the role of utilities, medium-and heavy-duty EVs, EV fleets, permitting and siting practices, and economic and workforce development opportunities associated with EVs.
Assembly Bill 2127 Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Assessment Analyzing Charging Needs to Support Zero Emission Vehicles in 2030
7/1/2021
Assembly Bill 2127, 2018, requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to prepare a statewide assessment of the charging infrastructure needed to achieve the goal of five million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2030. Executive Order N-79-20, 2020, directed the CEC to expand this assessment to support the levels of plug-in electric vehicle adoption required by the executive order. This report identifies trends and market, technical, and policy solutions that would advance transportation electrification to benefit all Californians. It outlines a vision where charging is accessible, smart, widespread, and easier than a trip to the gas station.
Authors: Alexander, M.; Crisostomo, N.; Krell, W.; Lu, J.; Ramesh, R.
Near-Term Impacts of Automated Vehicle Technologies
6/30/2021
Automated vehicle (AV) technology may substantially impact light-duty vehicle fuel economy in the coming decade. Although fuel economy and emissions regulations have the potential to encourage highly efficient AV technology, they are not guaranteed to do so; thus, AV technology may actually compromise fuel economy if regulations are not structured effectively. This paper investigates these issues and recommends how current regulations may be amended to better encourage the development of AV technology that improves fuel efficiency.
Authors: Mersky, A.
Electrifying Trucks: From Delivery Vans to Buses to 18-Wheelers
6/10/2021
Electrification of trucks and buses can bring many benefits, including lower energy use, emissions, and operating costs. However, compared to conventional trucks, these vehicles currently cost more up front, often have reduced range, and must depend on limited charging infrastructure. Efforts to address these limitations are making substantial progress, and leading experts expect electric trucks to be widespread by 2040. This paper summarizes the current state of the industry, including electric truck benefits and challenges, current and imminent models, charging, electric rates, and policies to promote electric trucks.
Authors: Nadel, S.; Huether, P.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Trends from the Alternative Fueling Station Locator: Fourth Quarter 2020
6/1/2021
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator contains information on public and private non-residential alternative fueling stations in the United States and Canada and currently tracks ethanol (E85), biodiesel, compressed natural gas, electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, and propane stations. Of these fuels, EV charging continues to experience rapidly changing technology and growing infrastructure. This report provides a snapshot of the state of EV charging infrastructure in the United States in the fourth calendar quarter of 2020. Using data from the Station Locator, this report breaks down the growth of public and private charging infrastructure by charging level, network, and location. Additionally, this report measures the current state of charging infrastructure compared with the amount projected to meet charging demand by 2030. This information is intended to help transportation planners, policymakers, researchers, infrastructure developers, and others understand the rapidly changing landscape for EV charging.
Authors: Brown, A.; Lommele, S.; Schayowitz, A.; Klotz, E.
National Blueprint for Lithium Batteries 2021-2030
6/1/2021
This report outlines a federal strategy to guide investments that will advance the domestic lithium battery manufacturing value chain. Included in this materials and technology supply chain are clean energy manufacturing jobs, decarbonization technologies, social justice initiatives, and strategies to meet national security requirements. The National Blueprint lays out five primary goals related to 1) critical mineral mining and sourcing, 2) materials processing, 3) electrode cell and pack manufacturing sector stimulation, 4) end-of-life reuse and critical materials recycling, and 5) battery technology-related research and development, STEM education, and workforce development.
Benefits of Transportation Electrification in a Post Pandemic World
6/1/2021
The first three months of 2021 saw early actions from the Biden administration and strong commitments to transportation electrification made by automakers, utilities, and other key players in the U.S. electric vehicle market. This activity has increased the number and breadth of pathways that policymakers can pursue to accelerate the shift towards transportation electrification and capture more of the billions of dollars in investments committed to the technology worldwide. This paper outlines three key opportunities for the country to achieve success and rapidly decarbonize the transportation sector by taking decisive action at federal level, expanding state policy frameworks, and prioritizing underserved communities.
Authors: Smith, C.; Nigro, N.; Lepre, N.
