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Clean Cities Coalitions 2017 Activity Report
5/14/2019
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) national network of Clean Cities Coalitions advance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local actions to promote the use of domestic fuels within transportation. The nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions, whose territory covers 80% of the U.S. population, bring together stakeholders in the public and private sectors to use alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction (IR) measures, fuel economy improvements, and new transportation technologies as they emerge. To ensure success, coalitions leverage a robust set of expert resources and tools provided by national laboratories and DOE. Each year, Clean Cities coordinators submit annual reports of their activities and accomplishments for the previous calendar year. Data and information are submitted via an online tool that is maintained as part of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Coordinators submit a range of data that characterize the membership, funding, projects, and activities of their coalitions. They also submit data about sales of alternative fuels; use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs); IR initiatives; fuel economy improvement activities; and programs to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). NREL analyzes the submitted data to determine how broadly energy use in the U.S. has shifted due to coalition activities, which are summarized in this report.
Authors: Johnson, C.; Singer, M.
Utilities and Electric Vehicles: The Case for Managed Charging
5/9/2019
Electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly becoming one of the largest flexible loads on the grid in certain parts of the United States. While most industry analysts see EVs as a boon for utilities, load management risks could be an issue. Managed charging allows a utility or third-party to remotely control vehicle charging by turning it up, down, or even off to better correspond to the needs of the grid, much like traditional demand response programs. This research report provides a wide-lens overview of the managed charging ecosystem, including examples of utility programs, a list of vehicle-grid integration and connected-car platform providers, a list of compatible electric vehicle supply equipment, and examples of automotive industry activities.
Notes:
This copyrighted publication can be accessed through Smart Electric Power Alliance's website.
Electricity Rates for Electric Vehicle Direct Current Fast Charging in the United States
4/26/2019
This report assesses the electricity cost for different scenarios of direct current (DC) fast charger station size and use, based on over 7,500 commercial and industrial electricity rates available for 2017 across the United States. Results show that the cost of electricity for DC fast chargers varies dramatically, ranging from less than $0.10 to over $2 per kilowatt-hour, depending on station design and high uncertainty in use. It explores the cost drivers for low- and high-utilization stations.
Authors: Muratori, M.; Kontou, E.; Eichman, J.
Notes: This Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews article (Vol. 113 (October 2019): pp. 415-426) is copyrighted by Elsevier B.V. and only available by accessing it through Science Direct.
Feasibility Analysis of Taxi Fleet Electrification using 4.9 Million Miles of Real-World Driving Data; SAE Paper No. 2019-01-0392
4/2/2019
Ride hailing activity is rapidly increasing, largely due to the growth of transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft. However, traditional taxi companies continue to represent an important mobility option for travelers. Columbus Yellow Cab, a taxi company in Columbus, Ohio, offers traditional line-of-sight hailing as well as digital hailing through a mobile app. Data from Columbus Yellow Cab was provided to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to analyze the potential for taxi electrification. Columbus Yellow Cab data contained information describing both global positioning system trajectories and taxi meter information. The data spanned a period of 13 months, containing approximately 70 million global system positioning system points, 840 thousand trips, and 170 unique vehicles. A variety of scenarios were evaluated using Columbus Yellow Cab data and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projection Tool (EVI-Pro) to understand challenges and opportunities associated with operating an electrified taxi fleet. Two main factors-access to home charging and vehicle specifications-are shown to be major variables affecting successful electric fleet operation. The analysis indicates that 95.7% of taxi travel days can be successfully completed by a 250-mile-range electric vehicle assuming access to overnight and public charging infrastructure. However, when no overnight access is available to fleet vehicles, only 39.9% of taxi travel days are possible with 250-mile range electric vehicles. An additional scenario, reducing the vehicle range from 250 miles to 100 miles (while controlling for infrastructure access and permitting overnight charging) resulted in only 34.4% of taxi travel days being completed.
Authors: Moniot, M.; Rames, C.; Burrell, E.
Update on electric vehicle costs in the United States through 2030
4/1/2019
This working paper assesses battery electric vehicle (EV) costs from 2020 through 2030, collecting the best battery pack and EV component cost data available through 2018. The assessment also analyzes the anticipated timing for price parity for representative EVs, crossovers, and sport utility vehicles compared to their conventional gasoline counterparts in the U.S. light-duty vehicle market.
Authors: Lutsey, N.; Nicholas, M.
Notes:
This copyrighted publication can be downloaded from the International Council on clean Transportation website.
Technology Solutions to Mitigate Electricity Cost for Electric Vehicle DC Fast Charging
3/16/2019
Widespread adoption of alternative fuel vehicles is being hindered by high vehicle costs and refueling or range limitations. For plug-in electric vehicles, direct current (DC) fast charging is proposed as a solution to support long-distance travel and relieve range anxiety. However, DC fast charging has also been shown to be potentially more expensive compared to residential or workplace charging. In particular, electricity demand charges can significantly impact electricity cost for fast charging applications. This study explores technological solutions that can help reduce the electricity cost for DC fast charging.
Authors: Muratori, M.; Elgqvist, E.; Cutler, D.; Eichman, J.; Salisbury, S.; Fuller, Z.; Smart, J.
Notes:
This copyrighted publication can be downloaded from the Elsevier ScienceDirect website.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Driving and Fueling Behavior
3/6/2019
The objectives of this project are to validate hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in real-world settings and to identify the current status and evolution of the technology. The analysis objectively assesses progress toward targets and market needs defined by the U.S. Department of Energy and stakeholders, provides feedback to hydrogen research and development, and publishes results for key stakeholder use and investment decisions. Fiscal year 2018 objectives focused on analysis and reporting of fuel cell electric vehicle driving range, fuel economy, drive and fill behaviors, durability, fill performance, and fuel cell performance. This report specifically addresses the topics of driving range, fuel economy, drive and fill behaviors, and fill performance.
Authors: Kurtz, J.; Sprik, S.; Saur, G.; Onorato, S.
Meeting 2025 Zero Emission Vehicle Goals: An Assessment of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Maryland
2/20/2019
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been enlisted to conduct a statewide assessment of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements for Maryland to meet its goal of supporting 300,000 zero emission vehicles by 2025. NREL's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projection Tool (EVI-Pro) was used to generate scenarios of statewide charging infrastructure to support consumer plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) adoption based on travel patterns provided by INRIX (a commercial mapping/traffic company) that are used to characterize regional travel in Maryland and to anticipate future demand for PEV charging. Results indicate that significant expansion of Maryland's electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be required to support the state's PEV goal for 2025. Analysis shows that a fleet of 300,000 PEVs will require 17,400 workplace Level 2 plugs, 9,300 public Level 2 plugs, and 1,000 fast charge plugs. These estimates assume that future PEVs will be driven in a manner consistent with present day gasoline vehicles and that most charging will happen at residential locations. A sensitivity study explores edge cases pertaining to several assumptions, highlighting factors that heavily influence the projected infrastructure requirements. Variations in the makeup of the PEV fleet, evolving consumer charging preferences, and availability of residential charging are all shown to influence 2025 infrastructure requirements.
Authors: Moniot, M.; Rames, C.; Wood, E.
Assessing Ride-Hailing Company Commitments to Electrification
2/7/2019
This briefing assesses electric vehicle adoption among five of the world’s largest ride-hailing companies. It discusses company-specific electric vehicle adoption, examines plans for future growth, and catalogs the unique actions that companies are exploring to promote electric ride-hailing on their platforms.
Authors: Slowik, P.; Fedirko, L.; Lutsey, N.
Next-Generation Grid Communications for Residential Plug-in Electric Vehicles
1/25/2019
As residential plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging loads increase, they represent significant contributions to local distribution circuits, and if not managed, can have negative effects on local electricity grid stability. For residential PEV participation to be effective for grid stabilization, it is key to have detailed data collection, coordination at charging stations owned by different parties, sensitivity to each driver’s needs and preferences, and real-time understanding of each vehicle’s state of charge or charge necessary. This pilot project tested the technology ecosystems required to handle adding significant PEV load to the grid.
Authors: Patadia, S.; Rodine, C.
Quantifying the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Gap Across U.S. Markets
1/23/2019
The electrification of the United States vehicle market continues, with the most growth occurring in markets where barriers are addressed through policy, charging infrastructure, and consumer incentives. This report quantifies the gap in charging infrastructure from what was deployed through 2017 to what is needed to power more than 3 million expected electric vehicles by 2025, consistent with automaker, policy, and underlying market trends. Based on the expected growth across the 100 most populous U.S. metropolitan areas, this report estimates the amount of charging of various types that will be needed to power these vehicles.
Authors: Nicholas; M.; Hall, D.; Lutsey, N.
When Does Electrifying Shared Mobility Make Economic Sense?
1/14/2019
Over the past several years, the reach and use of shared vehicles has expanded significantly throughout the United States, particularly in large metropolitan areas. Use of ride-hailing fleets, often referred to as transportation network companies, is especially on the rise. The deployment of plug-electric vehicles (PEVs) has accelerated in many of the same urban areas experiencing growth in shared mobility. This report assesses the timing of cost-effectively electrifying shared mobility fleets in U.S. cities, with a focus on ride-hailing. The study includes a total cost of operation metric for conventional vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and PEVs in eight U.S. cities to assess changing purchase and operating costs through 2025.
Authors: Pavlenko, N.; Slowik, P.; Lutsey, N.
Notes:
This copyrighted publication can be accessed on The International Council on Clean Transportation's website.
Technology Maintenance Readiness Guide for Zero-Emission Buses
1/10/2019
Transit agencies all over the United States are deploying zero-emission buses (ZEBs), including battery electric buses and fuel cell electric buses. Air quality is the primary driver for adopting ZEBs, especially in states where legislation has been passed to regulate vehicle emissions. The U.S. Department of Energy, through its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), tracks the progress of these advanced technologies as they are being developed and demonstrated. NREL works with transit agencies and their manufacturing partners to conduct independent third-party evaluations to validate performance under real-world service and report on the status of the technologies toward entering the market. The results are intended to help transit agencies understand the technology status and make informed purchase decisions.
Increasing Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Deployment: Electricity Rate Design and Site Host Options
1/1/2019
Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) provide customer, environmental, energy grid, and national security benefits. However, limited access to charging infrastructure remains a major hurdle to more rapid PEV adoption. While most PEV charging occurs at home, additional publicly located charging stations – both Level 2 and direct current (DC) fast charging stations – are needed. This paper presents a range of options to increase the deployment of DC fast charging infrastructure, either through rate design or through implementation by the site host. Given the early stages of DC fast charging infrastructure deployment, learning-by-doing is an important option to consider.
Notes:
This copyrighted publication can be accessed through the Brattle Group's website.
