Proposal:
Issue RFP to Study the Use and Impacts of Advanced Batteries in Electric Vehicles
Synopsis:
Automotive original-equipment manufacturers have announced the introduction of their EVs, many with lead-acid batteries. Three manufacturers will sell EVs next year with advanced, higher-capacity batteries which increase EV range by 50%. These batteries may substantially alter EV usage, charging patterns and utility impacts compared to lead-acid batteries. This RFP solicits bids to conduct a study of the market and infrastructure impacts of advanced batteries in EVs. This information is crucial to ZEV introduction. Total funding is $480,000, including $240,000 being provided by the ARB.
Committee:
Technology, November 15, 1996, Recommended for Approval
Recommended Action:
Issue RFP #9697-22 to study advanced batteries in electric vehicles, for an amount not to exceed $480,000.
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
Background
In 1990, the ARB adopted a regulation requiring the seven largest vehicle manufacturers to introduce a specified percentage of light-duty passenger cars and trucks as zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) beginning in 1998. In March 1996, the ARB modified the ZEV regulation to incorporate a market-based approach which will advance the introduction of cleaner vehicles into the market place and allow additional time for development of longer-range batteries and EV infrastructure. Remaining in place is a requirement for large and intermediate vehicle manufacturers to produce and offer for sale ten percent of their light-duty fleets as ZEVs for the 2003 model year.
The ARB has also entered into a Technology Development Partnership consisting of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with each of the seven largest auto manufacturers for demonstration of advanced battery ZEVs in the near term. As a result of these MOAs, between 1,250 and 3,750 advanced battery ZEVs will be demonstrated in California through the year 2000. Three major manufacturers have announced plans to demonstrate advanced-battery ZEVs as early as spring 1997, many of which will be placed in Southern California.
The purpose of the Technology Development Partnership is to promote the development and demonstration of advanced battery technologies in real-world applications. Vehicle manufacturers have agreed to report information to ARB regarding ZEVs demonstrated in California, including major battery specifications, as well as allow ARB on-site review of activities related to their ZEV programs. The MOAs do not, however, require vehicle manufacturers to report specific information related to performance or customer use of these MOA ZEVs. An important implicit element of the Technology Development Partnership is to provide a mechanism for the ARB, the AQMD, and other ZEV stakeholders to evaluate not only the performance, reliability, safety, and life-cycle of advanced batteries in ZEVs, but other factors including infrastructure, market acceptance, and lifetime costs. Ongoing evaluation of each of these factors is essential for the future implementation of the ZEV program, as well as the AQMD’s ZEV technology assessments.
Because of these issues, a working group composed of staff from the ARB, Southern California Edison, California Energy Commission and the AQMD was assembled, and this group formulated the proposed RFP to study advanced EV batteries.
Proposal
An RFP is proposed to solicit the demonstration and study of advanced batteries for EVs. Five basic study tasks are proposed:
Task 1 - Vehicle Performance and Utility
Task 2 - Customer Acceptance
Task 3 - Operating and Ownership Costs
Task 4 - Charging Systems Impacts and Infrastructure Assessment
Task 5 - Lead-Acid Battery EV Comparisons
The contractor shall work with EV manufacturers, distributors and utilities to coordinate information gathering and accomplish these tasks. The purpose of Task 1 is to evaluate driving patterns, energy usage and charging patterns of EVs as influenced by the advanced battery. Task 2 studies customer impressions and satisfaction compared to similar gasoline vehicles. Task 3 deals with operating and ownership costs including energy, charging equipment, maintenance, and repair. Task 4 assesses the impact of advanced batteries on the charging system and utility infrastructure. Finally, Task 5 determines the extent to which advanced batteries provide additional customer value over lead-acid batteries. The final report for this study will present the findings in a manufacturer-neutral format.
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.
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
The total cost of this project will not exceed $480,000. AQMD funding will not exceed $240,000. The ARB has committed $240,000 to cosponsor this project. Electric utilities such as SCE and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power may join this study prior to contract initiation and contribute resources. There is sufficient funding in the FY 1996-97 Budget to fund this project.
Request for Proposals #9697-22, Use and Impacts of Advanced Batteries in Electric Vehicles