Proposal:
Issue RFP to Develop and Demonstrate Fast Charging Systems for Electric Vehicles
Synopsis:
Automotive original-equipment manufacturers have announced the introduction of their EVs. Besides higher capacity batteries, fast charging systems for EVs have been identified as an area in which new technology is needed. It is proposed that the AQMD issue an RFP to expedite the development of this charging technology. AQMD funding of $1,000,000 for multiple projects is proposed. Expected cost-sharing is $2,000,000 with a total project value of $3,000,000.
Committee:
Technology, November 15, 1996, Recommended for Approval
Recommended Action:
Issue RFP #9697-23 to develop and demonstrate fast charging systems for electric vehicles, for an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
Background
In 1990, the ARB adopted a requirement that large vehicle manufacturers with annual California vehicle sales greater than 35,000 units must offer for sale a specified percentage of ZEVs. As a result, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, and Toyota were required to produce passenger car and/or light-duty truck ZEVs starting with 1998 models. For the near term, these ZEVs are expected to be battery-powered EVs. In March 1996, the ARB modified the ZEV requirements to incorporate a market-based approach which will advance the introduction of cleaner vehicles into the marketplace and allow time for further development of longer-range batteries and EV infrastructure. Mandatory requirements to produce and offer ZEVs for sale will go into effect in 2003 when all large and intermediate-size vehicle manufacturers must each offer 10 percent ZEVs for California sales. Between 1996 and 2000, the seven largest vehicle manufacturers have agreed to put on the market a total of 3,750 EVs with advanced batteries. GM and Ford have announced the market introduction of their EVs. These vehicles’ performance will be equivalent to gasoline vehicles in all respects except for travel range, which will be limited to 50 to 90 miles. This range is a result of the limited energy capacity of lead-acid batteries. GM, Honda, and Toyota have also announced that they will introduce EVs with advanced nickel-metal-hydride batteries next year, which will enable EVs to travel from 130 to 150 miles.
There are active efforts to increase the range and energy storage capacity of EVs. The United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) is supporting the development of several new batteries made of high-energy materials such as nickel and lithium. The Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC) and others are also developing improved batteries made of more traditional materials such as lead and zinc.
The travel range of a vehicle is a combination of many factors, including energy storage capacity and refueling or recharging time. With large fuel tanks and relatively short refueling times, traditional vehicles have essentially unlimited daily range. However, EVs have relatively small "fuel tanks" (battery energy storage capacity) and relatively long "refueling" (recharging) times of between three and twelve hours for empty battery packs. This essentially limits the daily range to the capacity of the battery pack with an overnight charge. Charging between short trips or "opportunity charging" can potentially double an EV’s daily range.
Fast, high-power charging systems are now being developed, or are under consideration for development, with the goal of recharging EVs in minutes rather than hours. These charging systems include those using conductive (metal-to-metal) and inductive (magnetic) coupling between the EV and the off-board charging station. Besides high electrical power, some of these systems use proprietary charging patterns or algorithms which speed charging and improve battery life.
Proposal
An RFP is proposed to solicit cost-shared projects for the development and demonstration of fast charging systems for EVs. This solicitation is for technologies for which proof’s-of-concept have been demonstrated, not for basic research. These proposed systems should meet the Level 3 charging specifications as defined by the Electric Power Research Institute. Specifically, a qualifying charging system should be able to return 50 percent of the battery pack capacity within 10 minutes, generally greater than 50 kilowatts in power. Expected proposals will include charging-equipment development for specified battery technology, and an EV demonstration, preferably using original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) EVs. Impacts of the fast charging system on battery technology, other than that which is specified in the proposal, will be addressed. The proposed systems may include energy storage at the charging station as an option.
Staff will develop a public announcement advertising the RFP on local radio stations and will advertise this RFP in the following publications:
The Black Voice News, Chinese News, Eastern Group Publication, El Chicano, The Excelsior, Inland Empire Hispanic News, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (SB area), Korean Central Daily, L.A. Sentinel, La Opinion, La Voz, Los Angeles Times, M/W/DBE Source, Orange County Register, Philippine News, Precinct Reporter, Rafu Shimpo, Riverside Press Enterprise, and The San Bernardino Sun.
Copies of the RFP will be sent to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and interested minority contractors/professional associations and vendors listed in the Los Angeles County, MTA, Cal Trans, and Inland Area MBE/WBE directories. Further, the RFPs will be placed on the AQMD’s internet and bidders’s 24-hour telephone message line. To avoid a potential violation of Proposition 209, preference points for minority- or woman-owned business enterprises (MBE/WBE) may not be given. Proposition 209 does not affect disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBE).
Due to the particular importance of technical qualifications in awarding advanced technology contracts, staff has proposed in the RFP to weight a significant portion of the cost component of the scoring by technical strength, in effect a form of cost effectiveness. This form of scoring differs from the general practice of using total costs as the sole criterion, which the Board’s Consultant Selection Policy may be interpreted to call for. This change was brought to the attention of the Technology Committee, which approved this revision.
Resource Impacts
Multiple project awards are expected. The total cost to the AQMD will not exceed $1 million, with no individual award exceeding $500,000. The total aggregate, shared cost of these projects is expected to exceed $3 million. There is sufficient funding in the FY 1996-97 budget to fund these projects.
Request for Proposals #9697-23, Fast Recharging Systems for Electric Vehicles