My friend John Addison is reporting from the Plug-in 2009 Conference in Long Beach California this week. John just wrote an article on electric vehicle charging issues faced by both the public and the car manufacturers. You’d think the main challenges with electric cars consist of technical issues, like battery charging, safety, reliability problems, range, speed, or financial issues like purchase price and battery pack replacement cost. Stuff like that, right? Not really. Actually one of the major hurdles have been bureaucracy, according to some industry experts.

Here’s what John wrote:

Given the potential for energy security, a climate solution, and lowering monthly fuel costs, who would want to stop this? Who could? A terrorist needing oil money? An oil executive? A conspiring auto maker? None of the above. The biggest concern is that the number one “speed bump” will be bureaucracy. Enid Joffe with Clean Fuel Connection was in the middle of the first wave of installing 7,500 chargers and in the current challenges of installing chargers from BMW’s MiniE.

Her customers have been caught in the catch-22 of the utility not approving charger installation without a city permit and the city refusing a permit without utility approval. A process that should take a few days and cost a few hundred dollars can take 45 days and cost thousands.

The process involves essentially the following simple steps to have charging capability installed:

• Car owner applies for license to City (in person in some locations, online in others)
• Car owner provides proof of insurance
• City issues City Permit to install charger
• Utility company reviews installation contract
• Electrician installs charger adapter
• Utility company returns to install separate meter.

Sounds simple enough. But guess what? Because electric cars are still too new of a product in the market, we’re still trying to work out the proper procedures and processes. I’m sure over time this whole permit thing will be resolved and streamlined. Nobody says we’ll switch to electric cars overnight.

Read John Addison’s “Electric Vehicle Charging Passes Inspection” article.

One More Challenge For the Electric Car – Charging Station Permit and Installation is a post from: CleanCarTalk

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. on 7-26-09 previewed its electric vehicle (EV) platform on a Tiida-based prototype to demonstrate the superior driving pleasure of a pure zero-emission vehicle. It also showcased a sophisticated EV-IT system developed to support electric driving 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

Newly developed EV platform

The dedicated EV platform is comprised of a highly rigid body, high-performance motor, compact lithium-ion battery with high power output and energy capacity, delivering outstanding driving performance and safety, while offering a quiet and peaceful driving experience – a unique feature of a fully-electric drivetrain.

The in-house developed electric motor delivers 80kW/280Nm for high response and powerful acceleration. Nissan’s unique motor control also contributes to the vehicle’s seamless acceleration.

The 24kWh laminated compact lithium-ion battery pack is placed under the vehicle floor for more efficient packaging, without compromising cabin or cargo space. The battery layout also allows smooth underfloor air-flow which helps reduce drag. Additionally, the regenerative brake system employed to recharge the battery during deceleration and braking extends the driving range to more than 160km under a full charge (based on US LA4 mode, a typical urban driving cycle consist of a cold start phase, followed by a transient phase with many speed peaks which start from rest.)

High durability is achieved by employing an additional frame for the battery pack to significantly improve the rigidity of the platform. The combination of a high rigidity platform and electric powertrain minimizes vibration and external sounds to produce a quiet and pleasing drive.

EV-IT support function

Nissan has developed an sophisticated IT system for its zero-emission EVs, connecting the vehicle’s on-board transmitting unit to a global data center to support EV driving 24 hours 7 days a week. The global data center is a globally common platform to provide identical telematics services via mobile network by connecting internet and vehicle IT system.

Usability and convenience for EV driving is achieved via the following:

Maximum range display

• With a simple touch of a button, the navigation map shows the driving radius within range under the current state of charge.
• The system can calculate if the vehicle is within range of a pre-set destination.

Update on charging stations

• The navigation system points out the latest information on available charging stations within the current driving range.
• Detailed information for each charging station will also be displayed.

Timer function

• The timer function enables the air-conditioner or battery charging to begin at a specified time. The air-conditioner can be pre-set while the vehicle is plugged-in to cool the cabin to a desirable temperature before driving begins, without taxing the vehicle’s battery. Meanwhile, the battery charging can be set to start at a specified time at night to benefit from more favorable electricity rates.

EV remote control and monitoring function

• The driver can monitor the state-of-charge of the EV via an online website and a cellular phone. For example, when the battery is fully charged, a message alert is sent to the cellular phone. Additional remote control functions range from switching the charging system ON/OFF or setting the air-conditioner timer.

To be a leader in zero-emission mobility, Nissan is progressing its development for electric vehicles and the key components. The all-electric vehicle slated for launch in 2010 will have a unique design and body. Nissan plans to unveil the design of the production EV at its new Global Headquarters Opening in Yokohama on August 2nd. A Nissan Zero-emission Website (www.nissan-zeroemission.com) will also go live on Aug. 2nd.

Nissan has been addressing a wide range of actions under “Blue Citizenship” which represents the company’s desire to protect the blue planet and to be a corporate citizen that can live symbiotically with people and society. These efforts range from such global issues as the environmental protection to contribution to communities, promoting diversity and making personal mobility available to as many people as possible. Nissan continues promoting the development of zero-emission vehicles based on the “Blue Citizenship” spirit by introducing effective technologies, products and services into the market.

Nissan All-Electric Car Goes to Market in U.S. and Japan in 2010 on New Vehicle Platform is a post from: CleanCarTalk

I had a chance to visit with Jim Ruby, Manager of Fleet Services, and Greg Nishihira, Business Manager of Fleet Services at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD.) We talked about fleet operations at UCSD that support numerous university functions and the many programs that Jim and Greg are spearheading to achieve sustainable transportation for the school.

UCSD is reducing its reliance on conventional, gas-powered vehicles, and capitalizing on new technology by:

• Replacing older vehicles with hybrid and electric models
• Running its shuttle fleet on 20% biodiesel or compressed natural gas
• Installing diesel particulate traps on shuttle buses to significantly reduce particulates
• Collaborating with students on biofuel research

By changing purchasing and maintenance procedures, UCSD’s Fleet Services has become a California certified Vehicle Service & Repair Model Shop. This is the Model P2 Shop Program (P2 for Pollution Prevention,) California’s implementation program to eliminate or reduce waste generation at automotive repair shops.

Among Fleet Services’ improved maintenance and repair procedures are:

• Recap tires on shuttle fleet, which require 30% less energy and 66% less oil to produce and cost 30% to 60% less than new tires
• Synthetic transmission fluid lengthening shuttle fleet service intervals and decreasing hazardous waste

Below is part 1 of our conversation, with Fleet Services photos showing electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles in action in and around the UCSD campus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxnkzFmbc6s

UC San Diego’s Fleet Services – Pushing for Sustainable Solutions in Vehicle Operations is a post from: CleanCarTalk

It’s all about buzz, so here’s another interesting one. A Youtube video has surfaced for a week now, describing a fast charge concept by Awesome Mobility to allow electric vehicles (EVs) to recharge quickly and affordably.

Awesome Mobility claims to have designed a recharging system that can charge your EV in the time it takes to do your shopping. According to the video, which has no source nor a referenced website, Awesome Mobility “has developed a specially constructed fast charging module that is optimized for public scale application of fast charging and electric driving. The basic module is designed to withstand the harsh environments it will be exposed due to the weather, vandalism and heavy duty of every day life. The simple exterior look modular design allows for future interior technical hardware and software improvements. Combined with the increase in use of electric vehicles, the need for fast charging units will increase hence production will get cheaper from economies of scale. The time of charging using Awesome Mobility Recharge Unit is much quicker than regular charging.”

The recharging system claims to have solved a major problem of consumer adoption of EVs by allowing trips beyond typical current EV range of about 150 miles. With fast charging, drivers merely have to pull in to recharging stations much like refueling your internal combustion-engined cars, charge up the batteries, pay for the charge, and continue on their trips.

Below is the video by Awesome Mobility for the faculty Industrial Design at the TUDelft, Holland, showing the fast charging concept.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-4vnNL7dzk

The video claims, “all the freedom that you’re accustomed to from your petrol vehicle is now easily achievable in an electric one.” It’s possible that we’ll get there eventually but the near-term scenario and technology may be more limiting at best. At the most basic level, fast charging of battery packs requires reliable battery heat management system, large cables and reliable contacts. Heat is always a serious enemy of fast charging. Additionally electromagnetic interference will need to be understood and designed for.

But assuming heat and other technical issues have been worked out for all components (batteries, cabling, hardware, software, management system design, etc.), the solution offered here is still too complex to implement with any reliability and operational confidence. Sometime I wonder why they don’t keep it simple. Why add all the bells and whistles and try to sell on the wow factor, when more reliable solutions will do?

Here’s what I mean. Again assuming the technical issues of fast charging have been solved, the cool looking and interesting sounding under-vehicle recharging mechanism is just too complex! Why not just make a free-standing charging station, much like a gasoline refueling station, and recharging the car from the side like a petrol car? A driver just plugs in to charge.

The system as described not only requires a complicated charging station, but also a completely different design of car battery system that all manufacturers must follow. The complexity level increases even more when such car must provide a receptacle on the side somewhere for the owner to recharge at home, while recharging will be done from underneath during trips.

I’m a skeptic on this one. Interesting idea, but I just wish they spend their time and effort on something more realistic and worthwhile. All we want is a working and reliable infrastructure to support our new EVs. Is that too much to ask?

What’s your view on the Awesome Mobility recharging concept? Have you seen another concept that has better and more sensible design and operational considerations? Share your views and comments below.

Awesome Mobility ReCharge: Fast Charging Solution for Electric Vehicles? is a post from: CleanCarTalk

I ran into a really sad sight on my recent trip to the local Costco Warehouse. It forced me to think a little bit more than usual. It’s not the first time I noticed this. I’ve seen it many times before. But it wasn’t until yesterday that it dawned on me with a huge mega-watt light bulb. I wonder who else noticed it. Maybe everyone is immune to it.

What am I talking about? I’m talking about those electric car charging stations sitting idling and unused at Costco locations. Here’s what Costco wrote about these charging stations back in its December 2006 Costco Connection issue:

“Costco offers 90 charging stations at 64 locations. Most of the stations are in California, with a handful in Arizona, New York and Georgia…The process couldn’t be simpler. Members park in reserved spaces, attach special paddles and head into the warehouse. By the time their shopping is done, their car should be, too.”

The article had this photo showing a Toyota RAV-4 EV parking right next to it, although I don’t think it’s charging. As far as I know all those charging stations are still where they’re originally installed. The one near my home in Carmel Mountain Ranch has 2 charging stations and 2 spaces. The sad fact is there’s no one using them.

Well back to the present, November 2008. I couldn’t help but whip out my iPhone to take a few snapshots. What a sad scene, I must admit. One can look at this from different angles, including:

1. It’s such a big waste of space. Many cars can utilize this space every day. Oh wait, people are parking in those spaces. In fact there’s an SUV parking right there!
2. Actually it’s not a bad storage area. Or a temporary shopping cart roundup area. Or a place to recycle cardboard boxes.
3. There must not be enough electric car drivers who need a recharge while shopping, else there would be some serious complaints logged.

I guess we’re still not ready for clean electric or plug-in cars yet. These charging stations are still way ahead of their times.

What a Sad Sight: Electric Car Charging Station at my Local Costco Warehouse. is a post from: CleanCarTalk