Evatran™ Installs Plugless Power™ Electric Vehicle Charging Unit at Google Headquarters

March 21, 2011 08:00 AM?Eastern Daylight Time?Plugless Power’s “hands-free” charging technology provides Google with a convenient option for recharging its electric vehicles

WYTHEVILLE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Using technology similar to that available in an electric toothbrush, Google is trialing a Plugless Power? charging station for electric vehicles at its Mountain View, Calif. headquarters. Plugless Power is the first electric vehicle (EV) charging system on the market to offer consumers a simple way to charge their EVs with the ease of hands-free, automatic technology.

“The interest shown by Google and the cooperation we’ve received to retrofit their EV provides evidence that a simple, convenient charging process is needed for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.”

Developed by Evatran?, LLC, Plugless Power is based on inductive technology, which has been used in electrical transformers for more than 100 years, and streamlines the charging of electric vehicles and extended-range hybrids by eliminating the nuisance of the cord and the plug.

“We are thrilled to have our first public release of the Plugless Power technology installed at Google’s headquarters,” said Tom Hough, co-founder and CEO of Plugless Power. “The interest shown by Google and the cooperation we’ve received to retrofit their EV provides evidence that a simple, convenient charging process is needed for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.”

Google has multiple low-speed electric vehicles for short-range travel around its campus and includes plug-in vehicles in its on-campus employee car-sharing program. The company will initially use the Plugless Power station to charge a retrofitted short-range electric vehicle. Google showed interest in testing the Plugless Power technology and understanding how its features could simplify the charging process for its plug-in EV fleet vehicles.

According to Hough, this first public installation is an important step in bringing the technology to commercial customers, and Evatran is actively seeking other fleet trial opportunities with corporations and municipalities to experience the Plugless Power technology in the third quarter of 2011. Most EV models are eligible for Plugless Power through a simple retrofit process. In addition to fleet distribution, Evatran is currently working with automotive manufacturers to integrate the Plugless Power technology into mass-market EVs by 2012.

For more information about Plugless Power’s unique technology, visit www.pluglesspower.com.

About Plugless Power

Plugless Power? (www.pluglesspower.com), manufactured by Evatran?, is the first electric vehicle (EV) charging system on the market to offer customers a simple way to charge their EVs with the ease of hands-free, automatic technology. Utilizing inductive technology, which has been used in electrical transformers for more than 100 years, Plugless Power streamlines the charging of electric vehicles and extended-range hybrids by eliminating the nuisance of the cord and the plug. For more information, visit www.pluglesspower.com.

Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110321005240/en/Evatran%E2%84%A2-Installs-Plugless-Power%E2%84%A2-Electric-Vehicle-Charging

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'Angkor' electric vehicle to hit road | Business | The Phnom Penh Post - Cambodia's Newspaper of Record

Tuesday, 22 March 2011 15:01 Sieam Bunthy  Women look at a domestically-produced electric car at NagaWorld in Phnom Penh yesterday. Photo by: Sovan Philong
DOMESTICALLY-produced electric cars may be brought to market early next year thanks to a new factory.

Cambodia’s Heng Development Co has signed an agreement with Hong Kong-based Chau Leong to build an eco-friendly vehicle called the “Angkor.”

The vehicle was developed by local inventor Nhean Phaloek – who once reportedly claimed that the doors to one of his prototype vehicles opened telepathically.

Nhean Phaloek said that construction on the plant started? on March 14 on 20 hectares in the Kandal Stoeng district of Kandal province.

Sien Chanheng, director general for Heng Development, said plant will aim to make between 500 and 1,000 cars a year, with the first appearing soon after the beginning of next year.

She also said the US$20 million deal will be split 80 percent/20 percent between her company and Nhean Phaloek, and Chau Leong, respectively. Nhean Phaloek will import machines and spare parts from China, as well as other technology from Germany, to make the Angkor.

He said the goal is to start with two- and four-chair cars sold for $5,000 and then move on to six- and 12-chaired vehicles.

He also expects high demand from visitors to the Kingdom.

“My guess is that 20 cars can be sold in one day because foreign tourists are already booked to buy,” he said.

Nhean Phaloek plans to expand to overseas markets as well, he said.

Ith Praing, secretary of state at the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy, who attended the signing ceremony yesterday morning at NagaWorld Phnom Penh, praised the car for its small carbon footprint.
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Senate's transportation budget would levy $100 annual fee on electric cars

HeraldNet.com - Local news: Senate's transportation budget would levy $100 annual fee on electric cars THE HERALD???EVERETT, WASHINGTONENTERPRISE??|?? BUSINESS JOURNAL??|?? NUESTRO NOROESTEADVERTISING INFO?|?CONTACT US?|?SUBSCRIBER CENTER     ArchivesPast week Forecast
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Senate's transportation budget would levy $100 annual fee on electric carsBy Jerry Cornfield,?Herald Writeradvertisement?|?your ad hereOLYMPIA -- State lawmakers are driving forward with a plan to charge electric vehicle owners $100 a year to help take care of the highways on which they travel.

Senate transportation leaders penciled the new fee into the proposed $8.9 billion spending plan for the 2011-13 budget that they unveiled Tuesday. A public hearing on the budget proposal is scheduled this afternoon in the Senate Transportation Committee.

While the fee will only generate around $500,000 for roadwork in the next two years, they said it's an important drop in the revenue bucket for the state.

Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, who is chairwoman of the transportation panel, said all automobile owners need to share the burden of maintaining highways, which is becoming increasingly difficult with gas tax revenues on the decline.

She said the state expects to collect fewer gas tax dollars in this budget than in the current one. That's why she and her Senate colleagues expressed agreement Tuesday with House transportation leaders on the need to put some sort of a revenue-raising package before voters next year.

For the most part, the Senate proposal mirrors the transportation spending plan released by the House on Monday. Once each chamber passes its own plan, negotiations will be held to iron out any differences.

Both will make travel on state ferries more expensive and slightly less convenient though not quite in the same way.

The Senate is proposing to increase fares by 5 percent in the next two years and add a 25-cent surcharge on each ticket to put toward building new ferries. The House is calling for raising fares by 7.5 percent with no surcharge.

Service is cut in both budgets. While the Senate lets Washington State Ferries management decide which sailings to cancel, the House came up with a list. It includes eliminating the last runs of the night between Mukilteo and Clinton.

On the matter of boats, the Senate joined the House in requiring the next new 64-vehicle ferry be assigned to the Coupeville-Port Townsend route. That boat is due for delivery this year.

This puts lawmakers at odds with Gov. Chris Gregoire who wants the boat available for use elsewhere in the ferry system.

Senators are backing $87 million to start construction of two new 144-car vessels. Moreover, they want ferry officials to see if both boats can be built to run on liquefied natural gas, a move they said will save the state money on fuel costs. The House is only looking toward building one larger boat.

Both budgets do retain funding for fixing the intersection of Bickford Avenue and U.S. 2. But unlike the House, the Senate plan does not provide funds to Community Transit for restarting a minimum level of service on Sundays.

SB 5176 and HB 1175, the transportation budgets for the Senate and House respectively, can be read online at www.leap.leg.wa.gov.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com

On the Net

To see a comparison of the House and Senate Transportation budgets, go to tinyurl.com/WaTransPlans.Story tags??? ‧ Legislature ‧ Road Repair ‧ Traffic ‧ Community Transit
RelatedHouse's proposed transportation budget raises ferry fares, restores Community Transit's Sunday bus service3/22/11???Tweet??function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}Comments Log in or register to post a new comment.

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Changed mind
Originally, when I first read about this proposed tax I thought here we go again. Then I thought about all the tax dollars that were and are being spent to put in charging stations....for only electric car owners, They save way more than $100 per year, but still use the roads in this state just as much. I think it is only fair that they have to pay an extra tax. Especially since we are putting in those charging stations. I never did hear....are they even going to charge people that use them? I know the businesses that are putting in charging stations will probably profit from them, but what about the state charging stations?
Mar 24, 2011 5:21 pm | 0 replies | Request removal Judy Balsom

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(No heading)
Which "state lawmakers" are pushing for this tax?
Mar 24, 2011 9:19 am | 0 replies | Request removal John Zomok

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Tax the Bicycles as well!!
While they are at it charge the bicyclist an annual fee as well. I know they don't tear up the road like cars but a lot of money is spent making special lanes and making signs and striping for the bicyclist. so only fair they share the cost as well.
Mar 23, 2011 3:50 pm | 0 replies | Request removal David K

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Well, it does make cents..
The fact is, with only a $35.00 car tab, the only other funding for roads is through gas taxes. And really, an extra $100 isn't much. You will still be saving in the long run.

Think about it, if electric cars represent a loss in revenue, then they will just find a way to shoot them down entirely. It's tough to make everyone happy. I don't typically agree with added taxes, but in this case, it really does make sense.

Seriously, if you use the roads, you should help pay for them. If you REALLY don't like it, then get a bicycle.
Mar 23, 2011 12:46 pm | 0 replies | Request removal tmcally

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GO GREEN! REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL CONSUMPTION!!
But if you do .. the State will Tax you for doing it!
So, instead, go out and buy that gas guzzler! Either way the state gets your ca$h, so may as well enjoy it!
The State obviously care less about the enviroment than they do about Tax $$$$sss ....
Washington State, Their Hand in Your Pocket!
Mar 23, 2011 11:17 am | 0 replies | Request removal Pete Eaton

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$$
For years we've been told we're using too much gas. Now that people are using less gas, the .gov is screaming about losing gas taxes. Any .gov solution is all about power and control, it's all they want.
Mar 23, 2011 11:14 am | 0 replies | Request removal chuck finley

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power and control
For years they were screaming we were using too much gas, so now that we use less gas, they scream about less tax revenue.
It's all about power and control. No solution is palatable to the .gov unless they have power and control over our lives.
Mar 23, 2011 10:17 am | 0 replies | Request removal chuck finley

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Thanks for the good news
The do-gooders who buy electric cars have half the price paid for by the rest of us. They should drive for free?

If the PUD gets their way and convinces 20% of the people to drive electric cars and the buses are electrified, where will the extra electricity come from and what will it cost?

If there is no electric fuel tax on the electric cars, will there be a general rate raise so that the 80% who can't afford to pay the extra ten grand for en electric car get stuck with the electric bill for thos who can?
Mar 23, 2011 9:11 am | 0 replies | Request removal bill wald

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Begging YOUR Pardon, but ...
.
Begging YOUR pardon, but IF the tax monies which are collected in the name of the transportation infrastructure WERE NOT BEING SPENT ON EVERYTHING ELSE, then maybe there would be the money needed to do the job.
.
Mar 23, 2011 3:00 am | 1 replies | Request removal Royal Scots Highlander

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Re: Begging YOUR Pardon, but ...
Begging YOUR pardon, but EV's do use the road and contribute to the decimation of the infrastructure. They should pay a reasonable contributions to road use, or you'll never get anywhere.

$100.00 almost seems reasonable.
Mar 23, 2011 8:29 am | Request removalVictor Harris
advertisement?|?your ad here LOCAL NEWS Be the first on Lynnwood's new water slide?(2)House in Valley View barely holding on to sliding hillside ?(1)Open arms greet returning sailors of USS Lincoln ?(5)Bothell kid is a movie star -- but still a typical middle schooler?(0)Tension takes toll at Monroe prison ?(8)Eminent domain at center of property-rights bill ?(13)? More local news Top JobsHomesAutosCatch up on HeraldNetThursdayWarm welcome for sailors: Crowds greet USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Momsen (gallery)Meet 'Wimpy Kid' star: Actor will sign books before movie tonight in LynnwoodA yearly bloomer: Brilliant tulip tarda is well-suited for Northwest gardensWednesdaySlipping away: House is close to toppling off bank in EverettMan escapes boat fire: The boat sank after catching fire near Hat Island'Welcome to our rainforest': Arlington tree farmer, 93, honored for forestry, ecology roleTuesday4 lanes, less waiting: Work begins this summer on Highway 522 improvementsMore choices for workers: Aerospace program gives people the skills to find a jobEverett landmark logged off: The former Jazwieck's Golfette and Trainland is for saleMondayPepper spray, personal alarms: Federal report outlines changes after death at Monroe prisonTaking back Clark Park: Everett seeks ideas to reclaim the city's first parkControversial finish: Clock issues involved in final seconds of Huskies' gameSundayOverpaid or misrepresented?: Critics latch on to past perks for some ferry workers'Absolutely gorgeous': Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental makes first flight (photo gallery)Disappointing finish: North Carolina beats Washington 86-83 MOST READ COMMENTS Everett mans third strike, second-degree assault, gets him life in prison Hoping to win the lottery? Snohomish store may be just the ticket Monroe project meets permits, owner says KRKO gets FCC approval for a second station No upsell on the tankers Warm welcome for sailors New loan program will help students get aerospace training Lake Stevens lawmaker launches 100 Ideas initiative Herald's Man of the Year A house full of art FAA chief suspends dozing air traffic controller Joblessness in Snohomish County increases again, to 10.3 percent. Local lawmaker launches '100 Ideas' initiative??(15)Everett man gets life in prison??(15)Sinking hill tips house??(12)Property rights debate??(11)New radio station OK'd??(10)County unemployment up??(9)$469,000 to upgrade Everett TV??(5)Warm welcome for USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Momsen??(5)FAA chief suspends dozing air traffic controller??(5) HeraldNet highlights  Chorus and a Cabaret: Seattle Men's Chorus sings songs of 1920s Germany  Chowder Cup: Blazers-Stealth game has playoff implications  NCAA guest pickers: Lundquist, Rissanen tied for lead heading into Sweet 16  Warm welcome for sailors: Crowds greet USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Momsen (gallery) MOST READ THIS WEEK Everett mans third strike, second-degree assault, gets him life in prison Slipping away Man escapes boat fire Hoping to win the lottery? Snohomish store may be just the ticket Stanwood twins, 31, both in intensive care for influenza Monroe project meets permits, owner says KRKO gets FCC approval for a second station Intercontinental's first flight Air Force will get the tanker it wanted, nothing more, Boeing says Boeing hiring 100 a week; here's how to join the ranks No upsell on the tankers 'Welcome to our rainforest' News Communities Good News blog Crime & courts Sirens blogLocal Nation?&?World Northwest Politics The Petri Dish Religion Schools Traffic Street Smarts Special Reports Vital StatisticsWorkBoeing Aerospace blogPersonal financeReal EstateSmall business The StorefrontStocksTowns Arlington Bothell Brier Camano Island Darrington Edmonds Everett blog Gold Bar Granite Falls Index Lake Stevens Lynnwood Marysville Mill Creek Monroe Mountlake Terrace Mukilteo Snohomish Stanwood Sultan Tulalip Whidbey Island WoodwaySports AquaSox Auto racing Basketball Community Cougars Golf High schools Double Team Hunting?&?Fishing Wayne Kruse Huskies Mariners Mariners blog Seahawks Seahawks blog Fantasy Football Silvertips Silvertips blog Sounders Stealth Stealth blogPlay Dining Family FunMovies listings Music Theater The Arts Seen TV blog Life Aptonyms Books Food?&?Wine The Dish Health blog Home?&?Garden Mudrakers Outdoors Travel More Blogs Reblog Log The Buzz Eco Geek Midday Snacks My Back Pages Web Monkey Opinion Columns Editorials Letters More Calendar Celebrations Contests Crossword Horoscopes Mobile Newspapers in
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With gas prices rising, first electric vehicle owners are charged up

First electric vehicle owners: With gas prices rising, first electric vehicle owners are charged up - latimes.com div.thumbnail span.credit { font-weight: normal !important;}div.article div.articlerail ul li.relatedTitle, div.storygallery div.storyGalleryRail ul li.relatedTitle { font-size: 12px !important;} Subscribe/Manage Account Place Ad LAT Store Jobs Cars Real Estate Rentals Classifieds Custom Publishing ?  Cars HOME Breaking Hoy Crime Obituaries Community Weather Traffic Crosswords Comics Projects Apps Local L.A. Now Politics Crime Education O.C. Westside Neighborhoods Environment Obituaries FindLocal U.S. Politics Now Top of the Ticket Science & Environment Obituaries Religion World Afghanistan & Pakistan Africa Asia Europe Iran Iraq Latin America Mexico Under Siege Middle East Business Money & Co. Technology Personal Finance Small Business Company Town Jobs Real Estate Cars Sports Lakers Clippers Dodgers Angels NFL Ducks/Kings USC UCLA Soccer High Schools Scores/Stats Entertainment Movies TV Music Celebrity Arts & Culture Company Town Calendar Envelope Books FindLocal Health Booster Shots Medicine Fitness & Nutrition Mental Health Healthcare Cancer Awareness Heart Awareness Living Home Food Image Books Parenting FindLocal Brand X Magazine Reader Photos Cars Travel Los Angeles California Mexico Hawaii Las Vegas Europe Asia Australia Travel & Deal Blog Opinion Editorials Op-Ed Letters Opinion L.A. Readers' Rep Shop Go: Travel Eat: Food Wear: Apparel Live: Everyday Needs Play: Electronics Save: Offers Find More Subscribe/Manage Account Place Ad LAT Store Jobs Cars Real Estate Rentals Classifieds Custom Publishing Weekly Ad In the News: Mickey Mantle Syria Japan Libya Arnold Palmer Invitational /*OVERWRITES*/.adv_search { background-color: #fff; }#adv_search { background-color: #eee; }#adv_search .adv_search_head,#adv_help .adv_search_head { background-color: #000; }#search_overlay { background-color: #eee; }#search-results ul.advTabs { background-color: #000; }#search-results ul.advTabs li a { background-color: #000; }#search-results ul.advTabs li.advCurrTab a { background-color: #fff; color: #000; }div.panelTab { background: url("/images/adv_search/adv_panel_bg.png") no-repeat; }#adv_keywords_head { background-color: #000; }#adv_results .clearfix {display:block;} Advanced Search Advanced Search X include all of these words: include any of these words: include this exact phrase: exclude: Select a date range this week past 30 days past 3 months past year Create a custom date range From: To: With gas prices rising, first electric vehicle owners are charged up Early adopters of battery powered cars say they are satisfied with their purchases, despite some hassles. 1 2 next | ? single page Share Related  Michael Walsh: At the forefront of change with the Nissan Leaf  Nissan Leaf: A revolutionary vehicle that drives like a car  Review: Chevy Volt — electrifying Photos  Nissan Leaf owner Stories  Japan earthquake may push oil prices higher Oil falls for the day and week, ends above $101  Interest in renewable energy may stick as oil prices surge Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times March 12, 2011

E-mail Print Text Size Gas prices are rising, and drivers are fretting. But not Roy Olson.

The Rancho Mirage retiree drives a plug-in hybrid electric Chevrolet Volt, which he said runs for about 40 miles on battery before switching to traditional fuel. Because he charges the car nightly, Olson has yet to visit a gas station.

"Having our future in our own hands is really important," he said. "I'm insulated from what's going on in the Middle East. If I had to pick one reason for getting this car, that's probably No. 1."

Olson is part of a small group of auto fanatics, environmentalists and technology enthusiasts who bought the first batch of Volts and Nissan's all-electric Leafs that rolled out in December. So far, several hundred have reached drivers, including talk show host Jay Leno and actress Alyssa Milano, with tens of thousands on waiting lists.

Chevrolet has sold fewer than 1,000 Volts; the number for the Leaf is about 200. Chevrolet and Nissan said they expected sales to grow as they ramp up production this year. Even so, the cars will barely register among the 13 million vehicles Americans are expected to purchase this year.

The early adopters are no longer wringing their hands over their decision to be the first to drive the vehicles.

"I could have looked very sensible or very dumb in the decision to buy this car," said Michael J. Walsh of his new ocean blue Leaf. "It's looking like the former."

Even if gas hits $5 a gallon, electricity rates for charging won't change much, he said, and drivers dependent on foreign oil — and vulnerable to foreign conflicts — may start to covet the battery-powered cars they once mocked.

"We're at the tip of the spear," said Walsh, 49, of Garden Grove. "First, people will cut back on driving, and then they'll look for alternatives."

But cruising around in an electric vehicle hasn't been an entirely smooth ride. Drivers have reported difficulty with home and public charging systems and have trimmed travel plans because of limited battery range.

The cars aren't cheap. Olson nearly got sticker shock from the Volt's price tag: $40,000 before government incentives that shaved $7,500 off the cost.

Same for Walsh and his Leaf, with a sticker price of $34,000 before incentives. "The economy is iffy, and we already had another car that's working fine," he said. "It probably doesn't make any financial sense whatsoever. But then again, this is a purely green purchase."

Walsh, a self-described technology geek, thought his early-adopter days were over after he "got burned" buying massive satellite dishes and $1,600 brick-size cellphones that quickly grew outdated. But still he longed for an electric vehicle.

The $100,000 Tesla Roadster was out of his price range. He nixed the Volt and the Toyota Prius hybrid because both used fossil fuels. He considered retrofitting an existing car or importing an electric vehicle from abroad.

Then came the Leaf, one of the first mass marketed all-electric cars for sale from a major automaker.

"It was something I had to be a part of right away," Walsh said. "Even 15 years ago, I realized that EVs were going to be the next big thing, the Car 2.0."

Some drivers remember the last brief heyday of electric cars, with the debut of General Motors' EV1 in 1996. But the program was scrapped in 1999, and the cars were crushed because of low demand, according to the automaker.

This time around, most early adopters of electric vehicles are hoping for a better reception.

President Obama wants 1 million such vehicles on the road by 2015. Automakers — including Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi — are scrambling to roll out electric models.

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Love my Chevy Volt. Have had it 7 weeks. Have not had to fill up the tank yet. Charge it at home, drive downtown, charge it in a regular plug at work, drive home. Getting about 35 miles on a 9-10 hour charge. Putting solar panels on my house, will be charging the car with sunshine. Cabin tech is great. Bose stereo rocks. The car is a pleasure to drive. Very good acceleration, not a Corvette mind you, but completely acceptable, and better than the Prius based on my drives. Plus it looks much better than the Leaf, and if you forget to charge it or run out of electricity, you can use gas. GM NAILED IT with this car. It is a bit expensive but I'm saving $250/mo on gas, so it works out. The electric and gas generator engine is the perfect combo. Have been a Japanese car driver for years, never imagined myself in a Chevy, but it is really a great car. Less $$ to big oil, less reason to go to war in the middle east. Let's reinvest some of that saved money in American infrastructure, businesses, schools, and reduce our deficit. Oh yeah, it's great for the environment too when you charge with solar, not electricity generated by coal. Any way you look at it, it's a win.

JenniferFaria at 4:28 AM March 16, 2011 Here's a good electric vehicle community with news and info: http://www.energyinyourlife.com/article.php?t=100000210 JTeach at 9:17 PM March 12, 2011

A couple of things:

‧??????????????? That Leaf number is domestic; internationally, Nissan has sold more than 3,500 units.?http://green.autoblog.com/2011/03/11/nissan-leaf-sales-3657-four-times-more-chevy-volt/

‧??????????????? Second, I'm not sure there's polling data that backs up the claim that the public is "wary of expensive and potentially fickle batteries." Perhaps better reporting and analysis instead of regurgitating CR articles and GM press releases could improve public awareness of EVs.

‧??????????????? The Volt's engine charges the battery. So even if the charge runs low after the 30-40 miles, electricity (provided by a gas generator) is still the means by which the powertrain moves.

Please, please do a better job of reporting on EVs.

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Nissan Leaf Joins UK Electric Vehicle Trial

SUNDERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM – March 24, 2011: Fourteen people today took delivery of a 100% electric Nissan LEAF each as part of their participation in Switch EV, a major electric vehicle test drive in North East England.

The Switch EV project, which began in September last year and involves several other automakers, is one of eight UK projects supported by the Technology Strategy Board’s ?25m Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles Demonstrator Programme and is aimed at accelerating the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the UK.

These 14 drivers will use the five-seater vehicle as their own car for six months to experience and report on life with an electric car.

The Nissan LEAFs were handed over to the participants in a ceremony at the Nissan Sunderland Plant in the presence of UK Minister for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk MP, who also received a tour of the production facilities where the Nissan LEAF will be manufactured from 2013.

Mark Prisk said: “The UK Government has set a clear ambition of placing the country at the global forefront of low and ultra low carbon vehicle development. Nissan in Sunderland has taken up the challenge.

“Today I’m delighted to hand over the keys to these 14 Nissan LEAFs so people can experience and feedback valuable information on what it’s really like to drive an electric car as part of the largest project of its kind in the world.”

Trevor Mann, Nissan Senior Vice President for Manufacturing in Europe, said: “Today marks a major milestone in the advancement of electric vehicles in the UK. Up to now Nissan has only been able to allow limited access to the zero-emission Nissan LEAF – but today we are handing over 14 cars to members of the public for six months.

“The drive home today will be enough for these drivers to realise that driving the Nissan LEAF does not mean they have to compromise on driving experience or performance.”

The first trial candidates to drive the Nissan LEAF include:

Five individuals: Martin Dixon, Mick English, Kevin Jones, Rosie Stacey and Phil Ternert.

Three businesses: Capital Shopping Centres, Cobalt Business Park and Greggs.

Three local authorities: Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council and Sunderland City Council.

Three employees from Nissan: Sunderland Plant Production Director Ian Black, Body Shop Production Manager Ian Richardson and Nissan Europe Quality Engineering Manager Colin McVay.

The 14 participants are among the first people in Europe to drive the award-winning car. Earlier this week, Nissan began deliveries of Nissan LEAF to UK customers.

A fifteenth Nissan LEAF will be added to the Switch EV project in the coming weeks. After six months these Switch EV LEAFs will pass to a new group of people to experience life with an EV. More than 150 people are expected to test a total of 49 new, all-electric vehicles from different manufacturers during the Switch EV project. Bespoke data collection units have been installed in each vehicle to provide data, including the effects of road topology and congestion on the range of the battery, which is expected to aid the development of electric vehicles.

The Switch EV project is being rolled out alongside the installation of a comprehensive EV recharging infrastructure in the North East as part of the UK’s Plugged in Places scheme, which will see 1,300 regional charging points installed in the region by 2013, including domestic charging units, on-street charging posts and quick chargers capable of providing a 0-80% charge within 30 minutes.

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Electric vehicle package working through state legislature

Published on: Thursday, March 24, 2011

By David Saleh Rauf, Capital News Service

In a small office tucked away in the Chesapeake Innovation Center, SemaConnect engineers hand assemble prototypes of electric vehicle charging stations.

The future of the roughly three-year-old Maryland startup is tied directly to an anticipated boom in the electric vehicle market. And to some degree, the company’s success relies on what happens about five miles away from its headquarters — at the State House.

“For Maryland to look at this issue and set the right incentives and policies is critical,” said Mahi Reddy, SemaConnect’s CEO.

As the first generation of electric cars produced by major automakers trickles into the market, Maryland lawmakers are considering a trio of proposals intended to spur sales and lay the foundation for the high-tech autos.

Electric vehicles aren’t expected to zoom around in mass for years, analysts say. But the planning starts now because Maryland and the District of Columbia are projected to be among the top areas for electric vehicle adoption.

“I think a lot of people in this area are progressive minded and willing to take the steps to move forward with this type of technology,” said Ivan Haggins, one of the first Marylanders to invest in an electric vehicle made by General Motors.

Haggins slapped his name on a waiting list in July for GM’s plug-in electric hybrid vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt. He drove the car off a dealer lot in Silver Spring on Christmas Eve, making him one of the so-called early adopters of the technology.

“The thought of an electric car is not just that I want to have the first one,” he said. “But it’s one of those things we need to move into the future on, and I wanted to make sure I’m a part of that.”

The electric vehicle package is part of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s legislative agenda, which is ripe with renewable energy proposals. So far, the electric vehicle bills are part of a small cluster of the governor’s legislative priorities that have advanced to the full House or Senate.

The Senate on Friday approved a measure to create a policy and planning body to guide statewide decisions on infrastructure for electric vehicles. The House did the same with a similar bill last week.

Last month, the Senate voted unanimously to pass a proposal that requires the Public Service Commission to start a pilot program to create incentives for consumers to plug in their vehicles at night when the energy grid has excess capacity.

The third, and possibly most critical component, is a tax credit of up to 20 percent for electric charging stations. Supporters have called this part of the legislative package, which would award up to $1.5 million in tax credits over three years, “the backbone of a robust electric vehicle infrastructure.”

The tax credit bills are still in House and Senate committees.

Government is playing a growing role in helping nudge forward the electric vehicle market.

President Obama pumped billions in stimulus dollars into rebate programs for first-generation electric vehicle owners. That includes a tax credit up to $7,500 toward the purchase of an electric auto.

O’Malley and the General Assembly sweetened the pot last year when Maryland approved a $2,000 tax credit of its own and granted drivers of the futuristic autos use of HOV commuter lanes regardless of their passenger count.

“This is going to be the wave of the future,” said Sen. Rob Garagiola, a Montgomery Democrat and a co-sponsor of the electric-vehicle package. “We need to be agile and move quickly to position ourselves so we can develop the roadmap for the future of electric vehicles.”

GM lobbyists, along with representatives from other big companies with a stake in the future of electric autos, have been making the rounds for weeks at committee hearings, pressing lawmakers to pass the package.

In those hearings, GM hasn’t been shy to remind lawmakers about the company’s recent commitments to the state. Those include a nearly $250 million investment to build electric motors at a manufacturing plant in Baltimore County and the decision to tap Maryland along with the District as early roll-out markets for the Volt.

The Volt, which can run for about 40 miles on a full charge before a gas engine kicks in, is the first of the autos produced by major manufacturers to arrive in Maryland. Nissan’s all-electric Leaf will hit dealer showrooms across the state this spring. Ford’s initial electric offering is slated to become available in the District later this year.

About 2,000 electric autos will commute on Maryland roads by the end of 2012, according to a report from the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Center for Automotive Research. By 2015, more than 11,600 electric vehicles are projected to be registered in the state, ranking Maryland among the top 15 states for electric auto registrations.

That same year, the number of plug-ins and electric autos on roads across the country is expected to reach more than 469,000, according to the report.

Ultimately, consumer demand will be influenced by incentives offered by state and local governments, ranging from grants, rebates, tax credits and fee exemptions.

In December, Haggins, the Volt driver, became one of 13 Marylanders to receive the $2,000 state tax credit approved by the legislature last year. He missed out on the $7,500 federal rebate because he is leasing his Volt.

“I think our government is doing a fair amount but could do more,” said Haggins, who would like to see more electric vehicle incentives for businesses.

Haggins also received a federal rebate for the 240-volt charging station attached to a wall in his garage. The device cuts the time it takes to charge his Volt from eight hours to four.

“I would have thought a little longer about the charging station in the garage without the tax incentive,” said Haggins, who is slated to receive up to a 30 percent tax credit on the $500 he spent on the charging station.

The cars, rebates and the legislative package debated at the State House are all signs of the first wave of vehicle electrification in Maryland. Lawmakers are hopeful electric vehicles will play a part in reinvigorating the state’s post-recession economy.

O’Malley’s administration estimates that GM’s decision to build electric motors in Maryland will attract 800 direct and spinoff jobs by 2018.

At SemaConnect, the Annapolis-based startup that specializes in building commercial charging stations, the company is readying for expansion as production of electric vehicles ramps up.

The six-man firm is busy building 55 charging stations as part of a roughly $367,000 state contract, the company’s first major deal. The charging stations are expected to be up and running by this summer at 15 locations across Maryland, including select Metro stations, municipal buildings and the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

By the end of June, SemaConnect’s Reddy estimates about100 public charging stations will populate the state. In the future, they will be commonly installed in apartment buildings, parking lots, hotels and shopping centers, he said.

Each charging station, Reddy said, will have a ripple effect for employment — from the engineers and programmers that design the stations to laborers who dig trenches for installation.

“Across the spectrum, from one end of the blue collar to the other end of the white collar, you got job creation,” Reddy said.

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Western Michigan University Unveils EV Charging Stations

March 22, 2011

KALAMAZOO, MI - Western Michigan University opened four electric vehicle charging stations to the public during a brief ceremony March 21 on the Parkview Campus in Kalamazoo.

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow drove up to the ceremony with WMU President John M. Dunn in the first Chevrolet Volt bought in southwest Michigan. Before addressing the crowd, the two received a quick tutorial on how easy it is to use the new charging stations.

Earlier this year, Stabenow introduced legislation called the Charging America Forward Act. The legislation provides consumers with a rebate up to $7,500 at the point of purchase to help spur the sale of plug-in electric vehicles. Her bill also extends and expands a current tax credit for investments in plug-in electric vehicle charging stations.

"Having the capacity to do the battery innovation and manufacturing and then to build these wonderful automobiles and add the infrastructure is all part of a strategy," Stabenow said during the WMU ceremony. "...This is a strategy for us that is about jobs in Michigan. It's about innovation. It's about getting us off of foreign oil and having a strategy for controlling our own destiny in terms of energy. And we're on a campus of people that are very smart who are contributing to this both in the innovation and the vision for the future."

Anyone with a special card may use the chargers for free, since much of the expected electricity use will be offset by WMU's existing renewable energy resources -- a wind turbine on the Parkview Campus and a solar array atop Wood Hall on the main campus. If usage is more than expected, university officials will re-evaluate keeping the service free.

Dunn said the charging stations support WMU's sustainability goals as well as the Southwest Michigan Regional Sustainability Covenant. He also noted that the stations' installation is consistent with ongoing research at the university.

"I could not think of a better place or better company in which to celebrate these wonderful new resources. Our College of Engineering and Applied Science is a center for research that focuses on the battery technology that makes the electric vehicle possible," Dunn said. "Our Center for Hybrid Electric Applied Research -- the CHEAR Lab -- is a partnership between WMU and Eaton Corp. The $1?million lab was opened last fall, and we expect hybrid-electric vehicle drive and battery technology to take a significant leap forward as a result of the work being done here."

WMU had several vehicles on hand at the unveiling event. The Volt was borrowed from Todd Bannon of Kalamazoo, who pre-ordered the car last October and picked it up March?19 from fellow alumnus Jason Sellers, a salesman at DeNooyer Chevrolet in Kalamazoo. Also on display were plug-in vehicles owned by Professor John Patten and by WMU. The university's growing fleet of energy-efficient vehicles includes two that are all-electric and about 50 that are flex-fuel capable. They are used by the public safety, maintenance and custodial units.

WMU is the first Michigan university to place a public charging station on its main campus. The EV charging stations at WMU can each support two vehicles. While one car charges at the traditional 120-volt rate, the other can plug in for a 240-volt quick charge.

WMU received its four EV charging stations at no cost from their manufacturer, Coulomb Technologies, through an equipment grant from the company's ChargePoint America program. The program is part of a federal government demonstration project to encourage adoption of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.

ChargePoint America is helping to build needed infrastructure for the cars by providing about 5,000 networked stations free of charge to organizational and residential applicants in 10?U.S. regions, including Michigan's Lower Peninsula. All of the stations are expected to be installed by this coming October. During the following two years, the program will collect anonymous, real-world data regarding the stations' usage and potential impact on the nation's electrical grid.

The $37?million ChargePoint America program was made possible by a $15?million grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through a U.S. Department of Energy initiative. The program also involves a partnership with three automakers -- Ford, General Motors and smart USA, part of Daimler AG Co. The companies have committed to delivering electric vehicles to ChargePoint America's 10 designated U.S. regions.

WMU's four charging stations have been positioned next to public transportation bus stops. They went online March?17. Because they are part of the ChargePoint America network, they cannot be used without a ChargePass card or credit card.

To obtain a ChargePass card, those interested must go to the ChargePoint America Web site at chargepointamerica.com and create an account. Users can opt to receive an e-mail or text message telling them when their cars are fully charged. In addition, anyone can use the Web site to find out which ChargePoint America stations across the country are unoccupied and navigate to them.

At slightly more than 50, Michigan now has more public charging stations than any state in the Midwest. In addition to WMU's four Kalamazoo stations, the state's west side has five stations in Traverse City, two in Holland, and one each in Grand Rapids and Muskegon.

The state's only other public stations are located at Schoolcraft College, a two-year institution in Livonia, and the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon, which is operated by Grand Valley State University.?

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