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Consumer Views on Plug-in Electric Vehicles - National Benchmark Report
2/2/2016
Vehicle manufacturers, U.S. Department of Energy laboratories, universities, private researchers, and organizations from around the globe are pursuing advanced vehicle technologies that aim to reduce the consumption of petroleum in the form of gasoline and diesel. In order to make these technologies most appealing to the marketplace, they must take consumer sentiment into account. This report details study findings of broad American public sentiments toward issues that surround the advanced vehicle technologies of plug-in electric vehicles and is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technology Office in alignment with its mission to develop and deploy these technologies to improve energy security, provide mobility flexibility, reduce transportation costs, and increase environmental sustainability.
Authors: Singer, M.
Foothill Transit Battery Electric Bus Demonstration Results
1/27/2016
Foothill Transit is collaborating with the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to evaluate its fleet of Proterra battery electric buses (BEBs) in revenue service. The focus of this evaluation is to compare performance of the BEBs to that of conventional technology and to track progress over time toward meeting performance targets. This project has also provided an opportunity for DOE to conduct a detailed evaluation of the BEBs and charging infrastructure. This report provides data on the buses from April 2014 through July 2015. Data are provided on a selection of compressed natural gas buses as a baseline comparison.
Authors: Eudy, L.; Prohaska, R.; Kelly, K.; Post, M.
Using Natural Gas for Vehicles: Comparing Three Technologies
1/4/2016
In the United States, natural gas as a fuel is typically used for medium- or heavy-duty vehicles in centrally-fueled fleets. It has been proposed for greater use as a fuel for light-duty vehicles (LDVs). This can mean burning natural gas in an internal combustion engine like those used in most gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles on the road today. However, natural gas can also serve as the energy source for plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. This fact sheet compares some efficiency and environmental metrics for three possible options for using natural gas in LDVs.
2016 Propane Market Outlook; Key Market Trends, Opportunities, and Threats Facing the Consumer Propane Industry Through 2025
1/1/2016
The consumer propane market is in the midst of a period of very rapid change. The continuing development of propane engine fuel markets is expected to provide significant growth opportunities. Propane sales to traditional propane markets are expected to stabilize due to lower propane prices. However, traditional markets will continue to face competition from electric technologies, expansions of the natural gas distribution system, long term energy efficiency trends, and other shifts in the competitive market environment that are changing the nature of the consumer propane business. At the same time, significant changes in propane production, transportation infrastructure, and exports continue to require changes to propane marketer supply planning practices. These transformations are compelling propane marketers to adapt to new market conditions while also providing an opportunity to seize new opportunities expected to emerge over the next decade. In this report, ICF evaluates the major market factors driving propane demand, and reviews the outlook for propane markets through 2025.
Authors: Sloan, M.
Clean Cities 2014 Annual Metrics Report
12/22/2015
Each year, the U.S. Department of Energy asks its Clean Cities program coordinators to submit annual reports of their activities and accomplishments for the previous calendar year. Data and information are submitted via an online database 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, deployment of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), idle-reduction (IR) initiatives, fuel economy activities, and programs to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). NREL analyzes the data and translates them into petroleum-use reduction impacts, which are summarized in this 2014 Annual Metrics Report.
Authors: Johnson, C.; Singer, M.
Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2015
12/10/2015
This report, published annually, summarizes the progress of fuel cell electric bus (FCEB) development in the United States and discusses the achievements and challenges of introducing fuel cell propulsion in transit. Various stakeholders, including FCEB developers, transit agencies, and system integrators, have expressed the value of this annual status report, which provides a summary of results from evaluations performed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The annual status report tracks the progress of the FCEB industry toward meeting technical targets, documents the lessons learned, and discusses the path forward for commercial viability of fuel cell technology for transit buses. The 2015 summary results primarily focus on the most recent year for each demonstration, from August 2014 through July 2015.
Authors: Eudy, L.; Post, M.; Gikakis, C.
Workplace Charging Challenge, Mid-Program Review: Employees Plug In
12/1/2015
This Program Review takes an unprecedented look at the state of workplace charging in the United States -- a report made possible by U.S. Department of Energy leadership and valuable support from our partners as they share their progress in developing robust workplace charging programs. Through the Workplace Charging Challenge, more than 250 participants are accelerating the development the nation's worksite PEV charging infrastructure and are supporting cleaner, more convenient transportation options within their communities. Challenge partners are currently providing access to PEV charging stations at more than 440 worksites across the country and are influencing countless other organizations to do the same.
Costs Associated with Non-Residential Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
11/30/2015
As more drivers purchase plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), there is a growing need for a network of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to provide power to those vehicles. PEV drivers will primarily charge their vehicles using residential EVSE, but there is also a need for non-residential EVSE in workplace, public, and fleet settings. This report provides information about the costs associated with purchasing, installing, and owning non-residential EVSE.
Model Year 2016: Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles
10/21/2015
The fact sheet details the model, vehicle type, emission class, transmission type/speeds, engine size, and fuel economy of a variety of flexible fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, all-electric, and extended range electric vehicles, as well as CNG and propane vehicles.
American Fuel Cell Bus Project Evaluation: Second Report
9/14/2015
This report presents results of the American Fuel Cell Bus (AFCB) Project, a demonstration of fuel cell electric buses operating in the Coachella Valley area of California. The prototype AFCB was developed as part of the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) National Fuel Cell Bus Program. Through the non-profit consortia CALSTART, a team led by SunLine Transit Agency and BAE Systems developed a new fuel cell electric bus for demonstration. SunLine added two more AFCBs to its fleet in 2014 and another in 2015. FTA and the AFCB project team are collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory to evaluate the buses in revenue service. This report summarizes the performance results for all four buses through June 2015.
Authors: Eudy, L.; Post, M.
Quadrennial Technology Review 2015
9/1/2015
The 2015 Quadrennial Technology Review (QTR) examines the status of the science and technology that are the foundation of our energy system, together with the research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) opportunities to advance them. It focuses primarily on technologies with commercialization potential in the midterm and beyond. It frames various trade-offs that all energy technologies must balance across such dimensions as cost, security and reliability of supply, diversity, environmental impacts, land use, and materials use. Additionally, it provides data and analysis on RDD&D pathways to assist decision makers as they set priorities, within budget constraints, to develop more secure, affordable, and sustainable energy services.
Plugged In: How Americans Charge Their Electric Vehicles
9/1/2015
The U.S. Department of Energy's EV Project and the ChargePoint America project, combined, formed the largest PEV infrastructure demonstration in the world. Between Jan. 1, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2013, this combined project installed nearly 17,000 alternating current (AC) Level 2 charging stations for residential and commercial use and over 100 dual-port direct current (DC) fast chargers in 22 regions across the United States. This report is a summary of the findings from these projects.
Primer on Motor Fuel Excise Taxes and the Role of Alternative Fuels and Energy Efficient Vehicles
8/24/2015
Motor fuel taxes were established to finance our nation's transportation infrastructure, yet evolving economic, political, and technological influences are constraining this ability. At the federal level, the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which is primarily funded by motor fuel taxes, has become increasingly dependent on general fund contributions and short-term reauthorizations to prevent insolvency. As a result, there are discussions at both the federal and state levels in which stakeholders are examining the future of motor fuel excise taxes as well as the role of electric and alternative fuel vehicles in that future.
This report intends to provide an overview of motor fuel taxation, review its specific relationship to alternative fuel use and vehicle efficiency, and outline approaches that a number of states have taken to address these issues. The specific focus is on motor fuels used in over-the-road transportation, which accounted for approximately 82% of all energy used for transportation in the United States in 2014 (EIA 2015a). The report primarily provides context around federal fuel tax rules and rates, but analogies can be drawn to individual state programs.
Authors: Schroeder, A
Long-Haul Truck Idling Burns Up Profits
8/12/2015
Long-haul truck drivers perform a vitally important service. In the course of their work, they must take rest periods as required by federal law. Most drivers remain in their trucks, which they keep running to provide power for heating, cooling, and other necessities. Such idling, however, comes at a cost; it is an expensive and polluting way to keep drivers safe and comfortable. Increasingly affordable alternatives to idling not only save money and reduce pollution, but also help drivers get a better night's rest.
Challenges and Opportunities for Transactive Control of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment: A Reference Guide
7/29/2015
This report seeks to characterize the opportunities and challenges that arise in developing a transactive control strategy for grid and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) integration in various use-case scenarios in a way that provides end-user, energy market, grid, and societal benefits. This report serves as a reference guide for stakeholders in the grid-EVSE integration area, illustrates potential implementations, and identifies a high-value research project for overcoming the barriers and unlocking the benefits of transactive controls of EVSE.
Authors: Jin, X.; Meintz, A.
