San Diego Gas & Electric is offering two on seminars on electric vehicle charging in October! A a seminar on workplace vehicle charging will be held on October 18th and seminars on charging in multi-unit dwellings will be held on October 25th. Details below

Seminar 1 | Tuesday, October 18
Plug-in Vehicles & Workplace
Charging Seminar
This seminar focuses on:

• Charging equipment options, from
  standard outlets to DC Fast Charging
• Important considerations for your
  workplace charging policy
• Factors affecting utility billing costs
  for charging
• Parking management, usage monitoring
  and pay-for-use options
• Available incentives
• Factors affecting installation costs

Read More…

Seminar 2 | Tuesday, October 25
What’s Involved When Residents Want to Charge a Plug-In Vehicle Within a Multi-Unit Dwelling Community?

Learn about the stakeholders involved, the
decision process flow and possible issues for multi-unit dwelling communities interested in the install- ation of vehicle charging units for electric cars.

Read More…

Speakers

Matt Zerega is a Product Innovations Project Manager for SDG&E’s Clean Transportation group. He has a 4+ year academic background in automotive technology and over 15 years’ experience in global consulting, merchant power and utilities focusing on energy economics, financial analysis and information technology.

Joel Pointon is the Manager of Electric Transportation for SDG&E® and has initiated a national emphasis program on plug-in electric vehicle charging for multi-unit dwellings. He serves on a number national advisory panels for electric transportation and has presented on this topic extensively in California and the U.S.

Additional seminars will take place on November 30 and December 20.

For more information and to register please visit seminars.sdge.com

You can view a flyer for the workshops here.

SDG&E offers vehicle charging workshops is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

Here are a few resources on charging stations across the country.

Electric Drive Transportation Association: http://www.goelectricdrive.com website under the National Plug-in Vehicle Initiative. SDG&E has participated in founding the concept, participated in the development of this website through the Steering Committee, Outreach Committee, Technical and Policy Committees that developed this site.

Rocky Mountain Institute’s Project Get Ready: http://www.projectgetready.org. SDG&E serves on the Technical Advisory Committee for this resource which provides resources to cities relative to charging initiatives.

Coulomb Technologies has created an online map www.mychargepoint.net/find-stations.php showing units across the country.

ECOtality also has an interactive map at www.theevproject.com/charging-maps.php, though the company won’t start building its stations until next month.

The Department of Energy runs the Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center, which features a map of stations for alternative vehicles. www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations.

EV Charger News ( www.evchargernews.com ) lists locations as well as driver comments on the units.

Charging Station Resources is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

On November 30, 2010, the San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition hosted a Clean Start event at the CCSE. Over 35 fleet managers and alternative fuel enthusiasts attended the workshop to learn about propane fueling options, fleet conversions and the fueling infrastructure currently being developed in the region.

Here are some highlights from the speaker, Jon Van Bogart, from CleanFuelUSA:

• Propane is an national focus for alternative fuels because its carbon footprint is smaller than petroleum and diesel, it exists everywhere, is easily transportable, and large propane storage facilities already exist around the U.S.

• Propane received a lot of Federal Stimulus money.

• There are ~200 propane fueling stations nationwide. Thirteen are currently in CA. Ten million vehicles run on propane in the U.S.

• Ten new stations will be coming to San Diego (the majority will be public access although some school districts may be eligible for a private site.) Expo Propane will be installing the stations locally.

• There will be free training for CNG and Propane at service centers (to be determined) for one year. These service centers will include free classes to educate and certify technicians.

• Nationwide station locator http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/propane_locations.html

• Propane qualifies for all federal and state rebates that are based on weight/class.

• Federal funding through the IRS AFV tax credit can be found on the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/article/0,,id=202341,00.html.

• CA State incentives are available through CARB and CEC.  The CEC AB-118 Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program has vehicle buydown incentives for all the fuels and technologies including propane.  Propane has $2M in the 2009-2010 FY, and $3M in the 2010-2011 FY investment plans. The Executive Summary for the 2010-2011 Investment plan showing funding allocations:  http://www.energy.ca.gov/2009-ALT-1/documents/2010-09-13_Executive_Summary_CMF.pdf.

• Propane is now less expensive than diesel on a cost per mile basis ($.16 for propane vs. $.22 for diesel fuel)

• Propane is projected to grow from 8% of all U.S. motor fuel consumption to 20% in the next 10-15 years.

Propane Fueling Infrastructure Underway in San Diego is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

The 25,000 EVs will constitute most of GE’s fleet.

NEWS |  TRANSPORTATION

MICHAEL KANELLOS: NOVEMBER 11, 2010

The electric car industry has clamored for a case study to showcase they economics of electric cars. General Electric is giving them one.

The conglomerate said it would purchase 25,000 electric cars for its fleet. GE’s global car fleet right now is 30,000 cars so electrics will come to predominate. GE will buy 12,000 next year, including many Chevy Volts (General Motors only plans to make around 10,000 Volts through 2011, but could expand to 15,000). By 2015, half of the fleet cars will be electric.

This will likely make General Electric one of the largest owners of electric cars in the world. Wal-Mart, UPS, and other delivery companies are converting to electric and hybrid deliver trucks, but the size of GE’s fleet will be tough to match.

Fleet owners will be one of the important drivers for EVs. Nearly half of the cars sold are actually fleet cars, said Brandon Mason, Global Powertrain Lead Analyst, U.S. Auto Practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers at The Networked EV this week. It is also easier for fleet owners to incorporate technologies like high-powered charging stations or even battery swapping into the mix. Fleet cars ply circumscribed routes for the most part–employees aren’t taking them skiing on the weekend. As a result, charging stations and infrastructure can be localized.

Better Place, the battery swapping and charging guys, will launch in Israel with fleet customers. Proterra, the electric bus company, sells its buses with high speed chargers.

Electric cars, of course, would help GE’s bottom line. The company sells the WattStation charging station, but also transformers, smart grid equipment, sodium sulfur batteries and all those other components that will be required to beef up the grid for electric drive. Kevin Dasso at PG&E estimates that it will cost $150 million to $175 million to upgrade the grid for uncontrolled (i.e. peak hour) charging. Even with off-peak charging, upgrades will be needed.

General Electric to Purchase Massive Flotilla of Electric Cars is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

Charged2020: The Global Energy Storage Forum

Driving sustainable innovation along the energy storage and smart-grid value chain

30 June – 1 July 2010, University of San Diego, USA

Addressing today’s energy storage challenges:

This annual senior executive summit will bring together key business leaders, senior technologists, battery entrepreneurs and venture capitalists along the energy storage value-chain.

The aim is to discuss strategic challenges and opportunities for creating a sustainable energy future through developing cutting-edge technologies.

Apart from best practice cases studies and interactive panel discussions led by key players of the battery and energy storage industry, this summit will provide a unique and exciting opportunity for delegates to network with their peers across multiple industries along the value-chain.

Hear experts speak on:

Developing cutting-edge energy storage and smart grid innovations

Designing high-performance energy storage technologies that are safe, low-cost and reliable

Establishing successful strategies for the commercialization of energy storage and smart grid technologies

Enhancing battery innovation through successful value chain integration and collaboration

Meeting the challenges of new standards, market discontinuities and regulation

Aligning smart grid and battery R&D to the marketplace to attract venture capital and government funding

The Charged2020 forum will be officially inaugurated by the Mayor of San Diego,
Mr Jerry Sanders on 30th June 2010.

Charged2020: The Global Energy Storage Forum is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

National AFV Day Odyssey

The Journey Continues

National AFV Day Odyssey

• A biennial event dedicated to promoting cleaner choices in transportation!

The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) undertook this project because of the critical need to support the alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) industry. More public awareness is necessary to help ease our dependence on foreign oil, and we must support those manufacturers that are making AFVs a viable option for individuals everywhere. With everyone joining together on one day, working toward the same goals, we cannot help but compound the effect of our individual efforts. Such unity will further increase the impact of each individual site’s program and will catalyze the momentum for the advanced transportation movement nationwide. Together, we will bring national attention to AFVs and advanced technology vehicles and promote them as a cleaner and more efficient choice for transportation.

• Has something for everyone!

Odyssey events are held in numerous locations nationwide and are tailored to the specific needs of the audience. Site coordinators are encouraged to be creative and host events that are fun, interactive, and educational. Past event formats have included ride-and-drives, vehicle displays, and workshops. Additionally, industry experts are often on hand to answer questions that attendees may have while educational seminars provide detailed information about viable alternative fuel options. In 2008, a rock concert, custom paint demonstrations, stock car racing, and an E-85 station fueling event were some of the unique Odyssey events hosted by local site coordinators.

• Guarantees Results!

Odyssey feedback proved that the 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008 events were tremendous successes. Sponsors, partners, National Training Centers (NTCs), Clean Cities Coordinators, and attendees alike have seen how valuable the program can be for promoting energy independence and supporting the environment. They have also seen the proven results of Odyssey and the millions of individuals reached by its message. We hope that you will become part of the solution and join us on Friday, October 15, 2010. Together, we can make a difference!

Odyssey; October 15th 2010 is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

The 2010 San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition Survey is currently underway, we are gathering data regarding many organization’s alternative fuel/advanced technology fleets in order to complete our 2010 annual report for the Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Cities Program. The DOE uses this data to report to Congress, as required by the Energy Policy Act, on the success and benefits of the program and to calculate the millions of gallons of gasoline and diesel displaced in the nation due to the conversion of fleets from gasoline and diesel fuels to alternative fuel/advanced technologies.  The survey will ascertain the number and types of alternative vehicles currently in use, their various fuels and the frequency of use, the fueling station availability for both public and private entities, the idle-reduction and fuel economy improvements for fleets, vehicle miles traveled reduction and incentive programs, and other general information such as operational, stakeholder, and outreach activities of the Clean Fuel Coalition.

The survey will span various city governments of San Diego County, School Districts, Transit Systems, Private Enterprises, and many other fleet types. If you are a fleet manager in San Diego County please take some time to complete the linked survey; your most accurate information is truly appreciated.

Click here to take survey

As part of this years San Diego Clean Cities Survey there will be an updated list of the contributors, collaborators, and companies that have completed the survey and would like to be noted for their efforts in reducing petroleum fuel use. Thank you to all whom have put forward your efforts in transportation sustainability:

Private:

Allied Waste Services, Cloud Nine, EDCO, Kick Gas Co-op , TerraMoto Transportation , Port of San Diego, San Diego Zoo,

Public:

City & County:

Carlsbad , Chula vista , Coronado , Del Mar ,  El Cajon , Encinitas , Escondido , Imperial Beach , La Mesa , Lemon Grove , National City , Oceanside , Poway , San Diego , San Marcos , Santee , Solana Beach , Vista

State & Federal:

Airport Authority, Air Pollution Control District, Camp Pendleton,  California Highway Patrol, CalTrans, Olivehein Water District, Valley Center Water District, US Navy, US Postal Service,

Educational:

Transit Systems:

Chula Vista Transit, MTS, North County Lifeline Transit, North County Transit, SD Transit Authority

Non-Fleet Contributors:

NewLeaf BioFuels

2010 San Diego Clean Cities Progress Report is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

U.S. Department of Energy Chooses ECOtality’s eTec to Implement Project

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 5, 2009 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) today announced that eTec, a leader in the research, development and testing of advanced transportation and energy systems, has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to implement the largest transportation electrification project in U.S. history through a $99.8 million grant.

eTec, a subsidiary of ECOtality, Inc. (OTCBB: ETLY), is partnering with Nissan North America to deploy up to 5,000 electric vehicles and establish charging infrastructure in five key markets, including San Diego, to develop, implement and study techniques for optimizing the effectiveness of charging infrastructure supporting widespread electric vehicle deployment.

Read the Press Release (PDF 100KB.)

San Diego Selected As Target Market For Largest Transportation Electrification Project In U.S. History is a post from: San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition