Publications

State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleets: Fleet Compliance Annual Report - Model Year 2021, Fiscal Year 2022

4/25/2023

This annual report of the Alternative Fuel Transportation Program, which ensures compliance with DOE regulations covering state government and alternative fuel provider fleets pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), as amended, provides fleet compliance results for manufacturing year 2021/fiscal year 2022.

Clean Cities: A Model of Collaborative Technology Innovation Built Over 30 Years

4/19/2023

The Clean Cities Coalition Network is an example of successful government-sponsored efforts to address challenges and facilitate collaborative governance across sectors and levels of government within the transportation sector. In 1993, under what is now the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) established Clean Cities in response to a requirement in the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 to implement voluntary alternative fuel deployment activities.1 VTO’s Technology Integration Program is responsible for the Clean Cities Coalition Network and many other activities. DOE created a collaborative governance effort that has translated higher-level policy goals into multiple local collaborative practices for more than 30 years.

Authors: Romero-Lankao, P.; Rosner, N.; Reichelt, L.; Allerhand, J.

Charging for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks

3/1/2023

This fact sheet provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Megawatt Charging System and SAE J3271 for heavy-duty electric trucks.

Authors: Bohn, T.

Home Charging Access and the Implications for Charging Infrastructure Costs in the United States

3/1/2023

As the electric vehicle market expands, substantial investment in home, workplace, and public charging infrastructure will be necessary. This analysis shows how additional efforts to expand home charging access can lead to overall reductions in the total costs required to deploy the necessary charging ecosystem.

Authors: Pierce, L.; Slowik, P.

Notes:

This copyrighted publication can be accessed on The International Council on Clean Transportation's website.

The Costs and Challenges of Installing Corridor DC Fast Chargers in California

2/13/2023

This study investigates the feasibility and cost considerations associated with establishing a national network of direct current (DC) fast charging infrastructure to support long-distance travel using electric vehicles (EVs). Specifically, it focuses on the optimal placement of these charging facilities along major transportation corridors in California, aiming to ensure convenient access for EV drivers without significant deviations from their planned routes. The study delves into the diverse project costs involved in installing and commissioning 54 DC fast charging stations at 36 distinct sites, highlighting significant cost variations influenced by various factors. Additionally, the research explores the unique challenges and complexities of infrastructure investments in remote, underserved communities adjacent to highways, as opposed to more conventional urban settings with shared utility infrastructure. It also examines the potential cost reduction strategies, such as early collaboration with local electrical utilities and the cost-effectiveness of grid-connected DC fast charging designs compared to off-grid solar-powered alternatives with onsite storage.

Authors: Gamage, T; Tal, G; Jenn, A

Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Battery Life Cycle Management

2/1/2023

As the key component powering electric vehicles (EVs), batteries are poised to play a major role in making cleaner transportation while addressing climate change and improving environmental quality. Lithium-ion batteries are currently the default choice for EV batteries, a trend that is predicted to remain well into the future. The objective of this report is to inform all EV battery stakeholders of global initiatives, challenges, and opportunities for optimum EV battery life cycle management and to encourage collaboration to support a sustainable EV battery industry well into the future. This report is divided into two major sections: (1) technical aspects of recycling and reuse and (2) regulations, initiatives, and stakeholder perspectives.

Authors: Pesaran, A; Roman, L; Kincaide, J

Propane Fueling Infrastructure Trends: A Decade in Review

1/31/2023

This report provides information on propane fueling infrastructure and industry trends over the last 10 years. It is informed primarily by propane fueling station location data collected through the Alternative Fuels Data Center's Alternative Fueling Station Locator from 2011 through 2021. Industry stakeholders, including the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and other members of the Alternative Fuels Data Center Station Locator Propane Working Group, also provided data and additional context around trends seen in the data.

Authors: Brown, A.; Schayowitz, A..; White, E.; Carlson, D.

Clean Cities Coalitions 2021 Activity Report

1/24/2023

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) works with local Clean Cities coalitions across the country as part of its Technology Integration Program. These efforts help businesses and consumers make smarter and more informed transportation energy choices that can save energy, lower costs, provide resilience through fuel diversification, and reduce air emissions. This report summarizes the success and impact of coalition activities based on data and information provided in their annual progress reports.

Authors: Singer, M.; Johnson, C.; Wilson, A.

E85 Fueling Infrastructure Trends: A Decade in Review

1/12/2023

This report provides information on ethanol fueling infrastructure and industry trends over the last 10 years. It is informed primarily by ethanol fueling station location data collected through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) Station Locator from 2011 through 2021 (AFDC 2021a). Industry stakeholders, including the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy, also provided data and additional context around trends seen in the data.

Authors: Brown, A.; Erickson, H.; White, E.

Connecting Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure to Commercial Buildings

1/2/2023

Electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity and gaining meaningful market share with record sales year over year in the last decade. EV charging equipment must proportionally match the growing number of new EVs on the road for a comparable experience to gas-powered vehicles. The majority of EV charging currently happens at residential buildings. However, demand for EV charging at commercial buildings will significantly increase with wider mainstream EV adoption and as businesses return to more normal operation following COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. This document describes how EV charging equipment can be connected to commercial buildings, including considerations for facility managers, and the effects that charging will have on the buildings electrical distribution system.

Road Map to a U.S. Hydrogen Economy

1/2/2023

Since 1969, America has remained a leader in fuel cell and hydrogen technology, commercializing a wide range of technologies that produce, deliver, store, and utilize hydrogen across applications and sectors. Today, the hydrogen industry as well as the US are at a crossroads as the country’s energy future is determined. Hydrogen is a unique energy carrier with applications across sectors, and its use in the United States could provide many benefits.

Ready Set Go! 2023 Ethanol Outlook

1/1/2023

While the U.S. economy experienced turbulence in 2022, the ethanol industry’s financial performance was strong and biorefineries continued to stimulate crucial economic activity in communities across the country. Consumer price inflation was the highest in decades, spurred in part by record gasoline prices that put a damper on fuel demand. However, the ethanol content of gasoline (i.e., the ethanol “blend rate”) continued to increase due to its cost-competitiveness and the expanded availability of E15 and flex fuels. And, as international markets also faced high fuel prices and tight supplies, ethanol exports rose sharply. As a result, ethanol production increased to more than 15.4 billion gallons and has now almost rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. This report looks at the state of the ethanol industry in 2022 and focus areas for 2023.

Community Engagement Workbook: Discretionary Grant Program for Charging and Fueling Infrastructure

1/1/2023

This workbook is geared towards local government applicants for federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to support them in reaching the highest possible community engagement score. The workbook goes through the process of identifying a project, establishing community engagement goals, planning community engagement techniques, and establishing a communications plan.

Authors: Colunga, T; Pavelic, N; Stone, B

2022 Public Transportation Fact Book

1/1/2023

The Public Transportation Fact Book, published annually, contains national aggregate statistical data covering all aspects of the transit industry in the United States and Canada. Major sections include an overview of U.S. transit facts, transit finances and operating statistics by modes of travel, transit vehicle characteristics and deliveries, facts and numbers relating to federal grants and the Federal Transit Act.

Authors: Dickens, M.

Notes:

This copyrighted publication can be accessed on the American Public Transportation Association's website.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Guidebook

1/1/2023

This guidebook aims to streamline and simplify the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations regarding planning, permitting, installation, operation, and maintenance of EV charging stations in California, discussing context, federal and state requirements, and recommendations and best practices. The best-case scenario for the state includes local governments that are committed to having strong building standards and EV-related planning; a streamlined and transparent permitting process; a predictable energization process; and well-informed EV charging station developers.

Authors: Hickerson, H; Goldsmith, H