PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract with California Electric Transportation Coalition to Identify Public Charging Sites for Electric Vehicles.

SYNOPSIS:

The California Electric Transportation Coalition has proposed to identify prime public charging sites for EVs within the South Coast Air Basin. Such sites will be those most visible and useful to EV owners and also will promote and encourage EV ownership. These sites will also assist utilities in preparing the electricity infrastructure to support EVs. AQMD funding for this $87,000 project will be $40,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 28, 1997. Chair Leonard Paulitz and member Cody Cluff communicate their concurrence with the Executive Officer’s recommendation.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the California Electric Transportation Coalition to identify public charging sites for electric vehicles within the South Coast Air Basin, in an amount not to exceed $40,000.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMP calls for the accelerated introduction of zero-emission EVs as an air-quality attainment strategy. ARB regulations governing new-vehicle manufacturers require the production and sale of EVs in California. These regulations and other ARB agreements with manufacturers resulted in the recent introduction of the General Motor’s EV1. General Motors, Honda, Toyota and Ford are planning to introduce other EV models later this year.

EVs are quite different from conventional vehicles because of their limited travel range due to battery capacity. The infrastructure to charge and extend the range of such vehicles is very important. Existing research indicates that EV purchase considerations are largely based upon the prevalence of charging facilities away from home. Until recently, such facilities were not needed since EVs from mass-market manufacturers were not available. With the availability of the EV1 last December and other models in the near future, public charging facilities are now needed to service EVs and to encourage EV purchases.

As part of its "Community EV Corridors Program," the Mobile Source Emission Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) currently has identified and will support the installation of EV chargers at 135 sites throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. These sites have been identified and developed along basic freeway corridors in cooperation with local governments. However, this limited number of sites cannot support the large number of EVs needed to attain ambient air quality standards.

Proposal

The California Electric Transportation Coalition (Cal ETC) has proposed to identify prime public charging sites for EVs within the South Coast Air Basin. Such candidate sites will be those most visible and useful to EV owners and also will promote and encourage EV ownership. These sites will also assist utilities in preparing the electric power infrastructure to support EVs.

Cal ETC will determine the candidate charging sites through a series of mail surveys and focus-group dialogues. Southern California will be subdivided into seven separate market regions. In each market region, 2400 surveys will be mailed to potential respondents matching the target demographics of early EV consumers, or a total of 16,800 surveys. Incentives will be offered to induce participation to a total of 2,100 respondents. Fourteen focus groups will then be used to clarify written survey responses and to refine survey conclusions.

The proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved on October 11, 1996, as Project TT-1, "Assessment of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination." The major benefits of this project include expediting the acceptance and commercialization of new and advanced technologies with resulting emission benefits.

Sole-Source Justification

Section II, Section 3(C) of the Consultant Selection Policy and Procedure, identifies four provisions under which the Executive Officer may award a sole-source bid: (1) cost to prepare documents exceeds cost for consultant; (2) delay would result in the endangerment of public health; (3) services are only available from sole-source; and (4) other circumstances exist identifying sole-source as in the best interests of the AQMD. This request for sole-source award is made under provision (4). A sole-source contract with Cal ETC is in the best interest of the AQMD.

Cal ETC, a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation, was established in 1991 to promote the development and commercialization of electric transportation in California. Its members include utilities, EV component manufacturers, and advanced-battery developers, and it is associated on the national level with the Electric Transportation Coalition. Cal ETC acts as an advocate and resource for its members to promote EV market development, education, technology research, and standards development.

Cal ETC, in cooperation with General Motors, Southern California Edison, and Edison EV, has formulated a unique study to identify public charging sites throughout the South Coast Air Basin. When charging stations are installed, these sites will promote EV ownership and encourage EV usage.

Cal ETC has selected Consumer Insights, Incorporated, as a subcontractor to conduct this study. Consumer Insights has the most extensive experience of any firm with EV consumer research. It has managed the General Motor’s PreView Drive program for two years. In addition, Consumer Insights employs a focus-group moderator who is highly skilled in EV and EV infrastructure issues. This firm has also successfully conducted a similar study in the Sacramento market region which reduces the actual cost of this project by about 10%.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of AQMD funding for this project will not exceed $40,000. Composite co-funding of $47,000 will supplied by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, General Motors, Edison EV, and the California Energy Commission. The total project cost will be $87,000.

Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1996-1997 Budget.

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