April 2007

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Google – Silicon Valley’s Latest Transit Operator?

Google has begun free commuter shuttles to and from its Silicon Valley headquarters in an effort to spare its employees a long and congestion-filled commute.   Equipped with leather seats and wireless internet access, the company’s 32 shuttle buses not only carry nearly 1,200 employees daily-- approximately one-quarter of its local workforce-- but does so running on biodiesel.

The shuttles, each with a capacity for 37 passengers, make 132 trips each day to 40 different pickup and drop-off locations in more than a dozen cities in six counties, logging approximately 4,400 miles across the San Francisco Bay area.  Google's operation covers more than 230 miles of freeways which is twice the reach of the region's BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) commuter train system.

Google has employed a team of transportation specialists to monitor the region's traffic patterns and map employee residences in order to determine shuttle routes, which change frequently to remain efficient and keep up with rising demand.  “We are basically running a small municipal transit agency,” says Marty Lev, who directs Google's security and safety program.

The service is not only reducing the environmental footprint of the company and its employees but has become a competitive draw in terms of attracting top engineering talent.  Further, Google may even be sending small ripples through the San Francisco housing market as employees are now seeking to live near shuttle stops.  For example, the number of Google employees living near the Pacific Heights stop has grown from a dozen in 2005 to more than 60.  

However, Google is not the only company to offer shuttle services to its employees.   Yahoo transports 350 employees daily on biodiesel-powered buses while eBay has recently begun a pilot service.   Company-sponsored cleaner mass transportation services provide a strong incentive for employees to use public transportation while helping to reduce vehicle miles traveled and congestion significantly as well decreasing air emissions and improving the quality of life.

Google’s efforts have earned it a high ranking by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Transportation-sponsored program Best Workplaces for Commuters.  The program is a government-business partnership to encourage employers to offer commuter benefits such as transit and vanpool subsidies, telecommuting and parking cash-out.   In 2006, Intel Corporation was ranked as the top workplace for commuters, followed by Microsoft and Google.  

For more information on the Best Workplaces for Commuters program, please see:
http://www.bwc.gov/index.htm

 AutoNation Backs Fuel Efficient Cars

The nation’s largest auto dealer is backing green.  AutoNation has embarked on a campaign to promote fuel efficient cars as part of its “E-Vehicle” initiative.  The retailer has announced that it will fund marketing campaigns to increase awareness about the availability of E-Vehicles-- those that get at least 28 mpg or provide 10 percent better fuel efficiency-- at its 350 dealerships nationwide.  AutoNation Chief Executive Mike Jackson hopes that the E-Vehicle program will demonstrate the vehicles’ availability to its customers.

Jackson has been lobbying for reduced dependency on foreign oil by calling for a 10-cent-per-year raise in the current federal gas tax of 18 cents per gallon.  Current gas prices have yet to spark major change in policy or consumer action, and Jackson notes, “[F]or consumers to really change their behavior on the scale that it changed in the 1970s and 1980s, gas has to reach $6 a gallon.”  This is exactly what has happened throughout Europe and nations have succeeded in swaying consumers to purchase smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles as a result.  Currently, the average fuel economy of new cars sold in Europe is above 40 mpg, nearly twice the level it is in the United States.

With AutoNation’s sales slipping just over 1 percent from year-to-year and net income also sliding 36 percent, could the sale of green vehicles, which are not nearly as much in demand and, therefore not as profitable as luxury and SUV models, actually help the company? Many would think not.  However, if gas prices rise to nearly $4 per gallon again and AutoNation expanded their offering of E-Vehicles to include flex-fuel trucks and SUV’s, Jackson’s plan could very well attract a broader segment of consumers.    

With this in mind, AutoNation also plans to market “F-Vehicles”.  These cars and trucks utilize flex-fuel technologies and will be identified with a yellow leaf logo.  Through these campaigns, AutoNation believes it will promote greater use of renewable and alternative energy sources and spur energy companies to more aggressively pursue non-fossil-based fuel production and distribution-- a critical component of responsible energy policy.

Last year, AutoNation signaled its support for plug-in hybrids.  The retailer issued a challenge to automakers that if they build these advanced, fuel-efficient vehicles, it would sell them.  Mike Jackson reiterated his support of plug-in technology at the EESI-sponsored National Plug-In Partners one-year anniversary event held on January 23, 2007.

French Postal Service Plans Order for 10,000 Electric Vehicles

La Poste, France's state-run postal service has begun soliciting bids from electric vehicle manufacturers to supply 500 electric delivery vans, with a plan to order an additional 9,500 over the next five years.  This will constitute the world's biggest bulk order of electric vehicles to date. Currently, the company employs 100,000 postal workers and has a fleet of 60,000 motor vehicles, 30,000 bikes, 25 planes and three high-speed trains.

In 2003, La Poste committed to making significant reductions to its carbon emissions and has estimated that each fossil-fueled vehicle it replaces with an electric equivalent will reduce 4 tons of greenhouse gases per year.  In addition, the switch will have financial benefits, helping La Poste reduce fuel bills and making it eligible for government grants, which support the use of electric vehicles.

In addition to electric vans, the organization plans to purchase 600 electric bicycles and 250 electrically-assisted handcarts to help achieve its goal of operating the largest fleet of clean vehicles in the world.

The wholesale backing of electric vehicles follows successful trials in Paris and Bordeaux. The trials showed that the vehicles were particularly well-suited for urban areas where restrictions are in place on polluting diesel and gasoline vehicles.  Postal staff using the trial vehicles also reported better working conditions, with less stress, less noise and a lower than average incidence of accidents.


U.S. and Japan Investing in Batteries

In support of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) battery development, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced that $14 million will be available for funding in partnership with the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC).  This solicitation will require a $14 million cost-share.  The submission deadline is Thursday, May 31, 2007.

The development of a lower cost, high-energy battery has been identified as a critical pathway for the commercialization of PHEVs.  Research will work to advance battery performance so PHEVs can achieve a 40-mile electric range prior to recharging.  As most auto-dependent commuters tend to travel less than this distance daily, such battery life would allow round-trip travel without gasoline consumption. 

The joint DOE and USABC effort will focus on electrochemical storage technologies.  Research conducted by the DOE's Office of FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies (FCVT)  will aim to meet USABC’s criteria for performance, weight, life-cycle, and cost as well as address the potential to commercialize proposed battery technologies to accelerate market availability.

In related news, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has announced project plans to develop an electric vehicle (EV) in partnership with business and academia.  By 2015, the team intends to have a model that is of comparable cost to the current generation of Japanese minicars. 

Japan is targeting development and manufacture of a high-capacity lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that would cost 85 percent less than existing Li-ion batteries.   METI is planning to produce a higher performance battery that would power an EV for 310 miles on a single charge by 2030.

As the development of electric vehicles is a key element in METI’s New International Energy Strategy, the ministry is also considering other measures to promote the use of EVs, including tax breaks to owners and building recharging stations.        

A copy of USABC's request for proposals can be downloaded at: http://www.uscar.org/guest/article_view.php?articles_id=87 

Hybrid Buses Join Houston Fleet

The Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority recently welcomed 10 new diesel-electric hybrid buses to its fleet.  With 30 more on order and a long-term plan to convert its entire fleet to hybrids, Houston Metro's new vehicles will contribute to cleaner air by significantly reducing nitrogen oxide, particulates and carbon monoxide emissions.  In addition, the buses improve fuel economy by 30 percent, run more quietly, and produce less wear on their engines and brakes.

The 40-foot New Flyer buses are equipped with GM-Allison’s diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system. In addition, the buses have a 280-horsepower engine that burns low-sulfur diesel fuel.
At $490,000 each, the hybrids cost nearly $150,000 more than a comparable conventional diesel bus.  At present, the decision to purchase them rests partly on their environmental advantages according to Andrew Skabowski, Metro's director of maintenance support.  

Chris Collet, of Allison Transmissions says, “The 700 buses around the nation equipped with Allison hybrid engines have logged 35 million miles without a battery failure, in 64 cities and 26 states.” Currently, Seattle has 265 of the company's New Flyer buses and the fleet in Yosemite national park is 100 percent hybrid.  EESI has recognized both fleets as National Clean Bus Leaders in the past. 

A quick comparison of the Houston hybrids vs. their conventional diesel buses follows:

  • Price: $490,000 vs. $340,000
  • Miles per gallon : 3.5 vs. 2.7
  • Annual fuel cost : $31,429 vs. $40,741 (based on 40,000 miles per year and low-sulfur diesel fuel at current price of about $2.75 per gallon)
  • Other hybrid advantages : Less wear on engine and brakes, quieter operation, faster acceleration, lower emissions

$700,000 in Clean School Bus Grants Available for Midwest School Districts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5's Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative announced recently that it expects to award $700,000 this year in grants for school bus diesel-emission reduction projects in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Project proposals will be accepted until June 22 and final awards are expected to be made around Nov. 1.

Proposals may include, but are not limited to, diesel exhaust retrofits, vehicle replacement, engine replacement, idle reduction technologies or strategies, and use of cleaner burning fuels such as biodiesel.

Grant funds come from EPA's Clean School Bus USA program. Program goals are to reduce school bus idling, retrofit existing buses with emission-control devices, use cleaner fuels and replace the oldest buses with new, cleaner buses.

Since 2003 when the program started, EPA has provided nearly $2.8 million for 23 school bus emission-reduction projects in EPA Region 5. In addition, more than $800,000 in matching funds was contributed by applicants for education and installation of emission-reduction technologies.

The Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative is a collaboration of federal, state and local agencies, communities, non-profit organizations and private companies working together to reduce emissions from diesel engines in the Midwest.

A copy of the request for proposals is at http://www.grants.gov and http://www.epa.gov/midwestcleandiesel..

SOURCE: U.S Environmental Protection Agency

Biden Pushes Plug-Ins in New Legislation

Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) recently joined a growing list of policymakers in support of plug-in hybrids with the introduction of legislation to significantly increase the nation's investment in the development of advanced lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.  The “American Automobile Industry Promotion Act of 2007” (S.1055) authorizes $100 million per year for five years to advance relevant technologies.  This amount is double the Administration’s current budget request for battery and advanced vehicle component research and development.

The proposed legislation would target four major areas:

  • Research and development of advanced battery technology and vehicle components for hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric and fuel cell vehicles. 
  • Demonstration programs for testing and evaluation of hybrid electric vehicles for many different applications including military, mass market passenger and SUV vehicles.
  • Education:  Support for curriculum development in secondary, high school, as well as higher education institutions that focuses on electric drive system and component engineering.
  • Testing: In collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the program would develop testing and certification procedures for criteria pollutants, fuel economy, and petroleum use in vehicles.

Currently, the United States lacks capacity to manufacture advanced batteries for hybrids and sources its batteries from foreign markets.  Domestic automakers and policymakers alike have called for an accelerated effort to develop domestic manufacturing capacity for advanced batteries.    Senator Biden, who hails from Delaware, a major auto manufacturing state, believes the U.S. must assist domestic automakers in staying competitive with international lithium ion battery research and development.   His bill would specifically support the development of advanced electronic components, systems and vehicles by providing funds for battery research to national laboratories, academic institutions and small businesses. 

To view the Biden plug-in bill, please visit:
http://thomas.loc.gov (Type S.1055 as the bill number)


Senators Feinstein and Snowe Tackle Greenhouse Gas Emissions with New Legislation

In a move that would nationalize California’s motor vehicle greenhouse gas reduction standard, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) have introduced the “Clean Fuels and Vehicles Act of 2007” (S.1073).  The measure would require automakers to reduce new vehicle greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent below 2002 levels by 2016. 

The bill further requires fuel suppliers to raise the percentage of low-carbon fuels--biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol, corn ethanol, hydrogen, electricity and others --in the motor vehicle fuel supply by 2015.  This low-carbon fuel standard is expected to reduce motor vehicle emissions by 10 percent below projected levels by 2030.  Oil refineries and importers would be required by 2015 to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the entire motor vehicle fuel pool by three percent below 2007 levels and continue to reduce emissions by another three percent annually for the next five years .

Other highlights of the bill include the establishment of a carbon-credit trading program to help fuel providers meet the emissions reduction target levels and a requirement that automakers optimize vehicles to run on low-carbon fuels (such as ethanol).  Currently flexible-fuel vehicles are optimized to run on gasoline.

The “Clean Fuels and Vehicles Act of 2007” introduced in the third prong of Senator Feinstein’s comprehensive global warming agenda, which includes: 

  • A national cap-and-trade program for the electricity sector (S.317);
  • Increasing the fuel economy for cars, trucks and SUVs by 10 miles per gallon over 10 years (S.357);

To view the Feinstein-Snowe plug-in bill, please visit:
http://thomas.loc.gov (Type S.1073 as the bill number)

Renewable Fuels, Efficiency Addressed in New Bills

Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has introduced a series of bills to expand the use of renewable fuels and improve transportation efficiency over the next decade.  The "Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007" (S. 987) seeks to expand the amount of renewable fuels used in the transportation sector to 36 billion gallons by 2022, an increase from the existing Renewable Fuel Standard of 7.5 billion gallons by 2013.   The “Energy Efficiency Promotion Act” (S.1115) sets national goals for reducing gasoline usage 20 percent by 2017, in addition to other energy efficiency standards for industrial and residential sectors.

The "Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007" (S. 987) provides a variety of incentives for the development and usage of renewable fuels with an emphasis on advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol, biobutanol and other fuels derived from unconventional sources of biomass.   The bill increases funding for bioenergy at the Department of Energy (DOE) by 50 percent over fiscal years 2007 to 2009.   It also authorizes federal loan guarantees for renewable fuel infrastructure.   The bill requires DOE to study the optimization of flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) to run on E-85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) and to minimize the decrease in fuel efficiency associated with E-85, which has a lower energy content when compared to gasoline.  Currently FFVs are optimized to run on gasoline.   EESI has been advocating policies for the optimization of FFVs for use with ethanol to reduce any energy penalty compared to gasoline.

The “Energy Efficiency Promotion Act” (S.1115) is a comprehensive energy efficiency bill, which addresses the often overlooked role of efficiency in reducing energy costs and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.  The bill, which is co-sponsored by Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Larry Craig (R-ID), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ken Salazar (D-CO), John Kerry (D- MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), addresses efficiency in the transportation efficiency sector through a proposal to reduce gasoline consumption by 20 percent in 2017, 35 percent by 2025 and 45 percent by 2030 (when compared to projected usage levels for those years).  

The bill requires federal fleets to reduce petroleum consumption 30 percent by 2016 (from a 2005 baseline).  It provides assistance to states seeking to reduce school bus idling, authorizing $5 million per year for fiscal years 2007- 2013 for this purpose.   S.1115 encourages research and development of advanced lightweight materials for automobiles, authorizing $60 million over five years, and provides loan guarantees and other incentives for the manufacture of advanced technology vehicles and fuel-efficient automobile parts.   The legislation calls for the formation of an Energy Storage Advisory Council and supports research centers for batteries and other forms of energy storage.   In addition, it authorizes $200 million for research, development, demonstration and commercial application for batteries and electric drive technology. 

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee intends to mark up both bills very soon to meet Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) goal of enacting an energy legislation package before the Memorial Day recess.

For more information on these bills, please visit:
http://energy.senate.gov

Multi-Million Dollar Challenge to Build a 100 MPG Car

The X PRIZE Foundation has unveiled guidelines for its Automotive X PRIZE (AXP), inviting automotive companies and innovators to design a super-efficient vehicle that exceeds 100 miles per gallon equivalent.

"We are at a pivotal moment in time when promising new technologies, growing consumer demand, and global politics make it ripe for a radical breakthrough in the cars we drive,” said X PRIZE founder Dr. Peter H. Diamandis.  “Our addiction to oil is hurting consumers, undermining the economy, exacerbating international conflicts, damaging the environment, and threatening the health of the planet. We have made great progress in designing a competition that will capture the public's imagination to solve these problems."

The multi-year contest will require teams to meet strict standards to prove they are capable of designing and building production-capable vehicles. The vehicles will have to meet a “wells-to-wheels” emission standard of no more than 200 grams of carbon dioxide per mile and criteria pollutant emissions standards which conforms to U.S. EPA’s Tier II, bin 5 standards.  Models will then be subject to a series of rigorous driving exercises to test their performance under real-world requirements and conditions. 
Vehicle designs will be grouped into two categories: 1) Mainstream (4+ passengers, 4+wheels) and 2) Alternative (2+ passengers, no requirement on number of wheels).   Participants will be required to present a business plan for bringing their vehicles to market.  The Foundation hasn’t specified a prize amount yet.  However, it is expected to be a multi-million dollar award.  The final award is expected to be made in 2009.

For more information about the X PRIZE Foundation's Automotive X PRIXE and to view the competition's preliminary guidelines, visit: http://auto.xprize.org.


PG&E Demonstrates Vehicle-to-Grid Technology

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) showcased the first ever utility Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology demonstration during the recent Silicon Valley Leadership Group Alternative Energy Solutions Summit.  The demonstration is the first of its kind, offering a glimpse at technological innovation able to make electric vehicles purveyors of electricity to homes and businesses.  The ability of V2G technology to share electricity between either Electric Vehicles (EVs) or PHEVs and the power grid essentially turns the vehicles into storage systems, capable of feeding the grid renewable energy during peak hours as well as increasing the overall reliability of the grid.

PG&E partnered with Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Energy CS to convert a standard Toyota Prius to a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) by adding a lithium-ion battery pack, which will allow the vehicle to operate on electricity for an extended distance.

The company then showed-- a first for any utility-- the reverse flow of energy from the PHEV back to the outlet.  Once connected, PG&E powered several lights and appliances to demonstrate to Silicon Valley’s government and industry representatives how V2G could be of use to its customers.

“V2G represents the best of these [alternative] technologies because it intersects the transportation and utility sectors-- the nation’s two largest contributors of greenhouse gases-- to increase energy reliability and protect the environment,” said PG&E vice president of gas transmission and distribution Bob Howard.  PG&E’s short-term vision for V2G technology is that it could provide power to residences or businesses on hot summer days to prevent outages and mitigate high energy prices.  Further, during these periods of peak demand, when energy is worth more than it is overnight when vehicles would recharge, V2G could allow consumers to sell energy back to the utility when demand is highest and earn credit in the amount of energy used by the utility toward their monthly bill.

V2G technology has the potential to increase the amount of renewable energy used during peak consumption hours.  When energy demand is at its maximum, utilities usually purchase power from less efficient and more expensive fossil fuel generating sources.  If PHEVs charge at night during off-peak hours, they could replenish their batteries with a greater percentage of renewable resources such as wind (which is strongest at night) and do so more cheaply.  Utilities can then purchase the renewable energy stored in a vehicle's battery as demand peaks again during the day.

PG&E already owns and operates a clean fleet of fuel cell vehicles and more than 1,200 natural gas vehicles -- the largest of its kind in the United States. Its PHEV and V2G program is part of a broader strategy to develop innovative energy solutions that deliver the cleanest and most reliable power to its customers.


HyPower to Partner with University on Plug-Ins

HyPower Fuel Inc., a company specializing in hydrogen production and hydrogen-related products, has announced a research alliance with Middle Tennessee State University.  Both entities will co-fund Dr. Cliff Ricketts' research of series-configuration hydrogen plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs).

HyPower's Hydro Power Pak (HPP) is the company's signature product-- a retrofit hydrogen insertion device developed for use on tractor trailer rigs as well as stationary diesel engines to improve fuel economy, reduce harmful emissions and increase engine performance and horsepower.  Drawing less than 10 amps of the engine's electrical current to produce a small amount of hydrogen and oxygen, which is then injected into the combustion cycle, the HPP is more efficient than any existing form of electrolysis-based hydrogen production technology, according to the company.

The company is also developing its H2 Reactor (H2R) hydrogen system.  This on-board electrolysis unit will produce sufficient hydrogen on-board, on-demand to fuel a combustion engine.  HyPower claims that the electrolyzer is 2 to 2.5 times more efficient than current competing technology and will efficiently and safely produce large quantities of hydrogen using very little electrical current.

Dr. Ricketts has a long-standing interest in development of hydrogen-fueled plug-in hybrid vehicles.  He testified before the U.S. House Science Subcommittee on Energy in 2006 on the prospects for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.  He is also a 15-year holder of the Land Speed Record for a hydrogen vehicle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.    Ricketts is currently developing a hydrogen hybrid conversion of a Nissan pickup truck. Batteries already provide a near 70-mile range, and Ricketts is working on a hydrogen combustion engine range extender that he hopes will double that.

Commenting on the alliance with HyPower, Dr. Ricketts says, “This research partnership will ultimately result in a number of high-profile demonstrations of a vehicle powered by hydrogen within the next eight months.”  He then hopes that the team will venture back to the Bonneville Salt Flats to again set a new land speed record.

APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference
May 4-9, 2007
Nashville, TN

The American Public Transportation Association Bus and Paratransit conference will feature 40+ sessions, tours, and seminars designed to answer requests from previous conference participants for more interactive/ "how to" sessions applicable to make transit work for communities across the country.

For more information and to register, please visit:
http://www.apta.com/conferences_calendar/bus/index.cfm

EESI’s Transportation Program is eager to learn about your clean vehicle fleet/efforts. If you are in the process of procurement, or if you already operate heavy or light-duty vehicles that produce fewer emissions and consume less fuel than conventional diesel or gasoline powered vehicles, let us know if we haven’t heard – and told -- your story!  We’ll post this information on our website and include it in future editions of Clean Motion!

Send this information to Shefali Ranganathan at sranganathan@eesi.org or call 202-662-1883. More information can be mailed to 122 C St., NW, Suite 630, Washington, DC 20001.

Clean Motion is a free monthly periodical providing an overview of current program and policy activities related to the deployment of low-polluting, energy-efficient transportation in the United States. Topics include technology developments, clean vehicle deployment, energy consumption, the environment, government policy, and public health. If there are issues we are missing and you think we should cover, please let us know.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress to provide timely information on energy and environmental policy issues to policymakers and stakeholders and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path .  EESI's  valuable  work in energy, climate change, agriculture, transportation and smart growth is made possible through financial support from people like you. 

Your tax deductible contribution will help EESI develop innovative policy solutions for a cleaner, safer, healthier world. For more information, go to our website or contact Shefali Ranganathan at sranganathan@eesi.org or call 202-662-1883.