PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract to Demonstrate Advanced EV Batteries

SYNOPSIS:

U.S. Electricar has proposed to develop and demonstrate improved EV performance through the use of available advanced batteries and high-rate charging. The objective is to improve EV range and performance. Fourteen electric S-10 pickup trucks will be equipped with one of four types of advanced batteries and will be charged using four different charging rates and algorithms. The total cost of this 16-month project is $2.98 million with AQMD cost-share not to exceed $250,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, September 26, 1997, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with U.S. Electricar to Demonstrate Advanced EV Batteries, for an amount not to exceed $250,000.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Acting Executive Officer

Background

The AQMP calls for the accelerated introduction of zero-emission EVs as an air quality attainment strategy. 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 ZEVs beginning in 1998. In March 1996, the ARB modified this 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 advanced batteries and EV infrastructure. From 1996 to 2000, these manufacturers will put into service between 1,250 and 3,750 EVs with advanced batteries. In 2003, all large- and intermediate-volume manufacturers need to offer 10% of their light-duty fleets as ZEVs, or about 250,000 EVs per year.

These ARB regulations and agreements with manufacturers have led to the introduction of the General Motors EV1, the Chevrolet S-10 electric pickup truck, and the Honda EV PLUS. Soon to be introduced are the Toyota RAV-4 EV and the Ford Electric Ranger pickup truck. Chrysler and Nissan will be introducing EVs over the next few years.

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.

While very-high-capacity batteries are some years away, there are currently available advanced batteries which are much improved over standard automotive lead-acid batteries. These include valve-regulated sealed lead acid (VRLA) batteries, quasi-bipolar sealed lead-acid (QBSLA) batteries, nickel-metal-hydride batteries, and zinc-bromine batteries. In addition, high-rate charging systems are being developed and, together with these available batteries, have the potential to substantially improve EV performance.

Proposal

U.S. Electricar has proposed to develop and demonstrate improved EV performance through the use of available advanced batteries and high-rate charging. The objective is to improve EV range and battery performance. Fourteen electric S-10 pickup trucks will be equipped as follows:

Four  (4) with GNB VRLA batteries
Four  (4) with Electrosource Horizon (QBSLA) batteries
Three (3) with Ovonics nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries
Three (3) with Powercell zinc-bromine batteries

These EVs will be field tested with on-board data acquisition systems for 12 months by various organizations, including the ARB and AQMD. Various levels of charging will be used including 6.6 kilowatts (kW) inductive and conductive charging, 20 kW, 100 kW, and 150 kW. These 14 EVs will be periodically tested either by the ARB in El Monte or at an EV test facility in Hawaii. The impact of a particular charging level and the way it is applied to the battery (the charging algorithm) on specific battery types will be assessed. The results from this project will be compared to baseline data previously developed with Hawker Genesis VRLA batteries.

This project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan for the Clean Fuels Program under Project 97M2-6, "Advanced Electric Vehicle Battery Testing and Demonstration."

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).

U.S. Electricar is highly experienced at building EVs and integrating battery systems into such vehicles. U.S. Electricar has partnered with four manufacturers of the most advanced EV batteries currently available to demonstrate their impact on EV performance. U.S. Electricar has secured the EV testing services of two organizations: the ARB in El Monte and the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project. This project is supported in large part by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as a development of "dual-use" technology.

The vehicle to be demonstrated at the AQMD will become the property of the AQMD. This electric S-10 pickup truck will be equipped with Ovonics NiMH batteries and should have a range of at least 100 miles. This vehicle is valued at $54,000.

For these reasons, it is in the best interest of the AQMD to award a sole-source contract to U.S. Electricar.

Resource Impacts

The total cost of this 16-month project is $2.98 million with AQMD cost-share not to exceed $250,000. The breakdown of the co-sponsors and support are as follows:

Sufficient funds are available in the approved Fiscal Year 1997-98 Budget.

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