South Coast Air Quality Management District

Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Development of Dual Inductive/Conductive Charger Bracket to Allow Reduction of EV Charging Infrastructure Costs

SYNOPSIS:

There are currently two different types of charging interfaces for electric vehicles: conductive and inductive, which increases the cost of installing public charging sites. This proposal is for development of an UL-approved bracket that would allow 2 charging stations to be mounted on a single pedestal and footing. In this project, specifications and drawings for the bracket will be developed, a purchase order based on competitive bidding will be placed for prototype brackets, and the prototype brackets will be reviewed by the charger manufacturers and submitted to UL for testing and recognition. Staff recommends AQMD’s participation in this contract with co-funding of $47,815. Total funding for this project is $95,694.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, December 1, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Clean Fuel Connection for the development of a inductive charger bracket to allow reduction of EV charging infrastructure costs in an amount not to exceed $47,815 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMP calls for the accelerated introduction of both light- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles as an air quality attainment strategy. In support of this, ARB regulations governing new-vehicle major manufacturers require the production of ZEVs for sale in California. These regulations and other ARB-manufacturer agreements resulted in the introduction in recent years of electric vehicles (EVs) by General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Ford, Daimler-Chrysler and Nissan, using different charging equipment. Two types of charging interfaces for electric vehicles: conductive (SAE-J1772) and inductive (SAE-J1773) have been installed at public charging sites to support the current vehicles. Support for both charging systems is similar, with no clear short-term victor in sight. This proposal will develop an UL-approved bracket that would allow two different charging stations to be mounted on a single pedestal and footing, which is expected to reduce new public charging installation costs.

Clean Fuel Connection, Inc. was formed in November 1999 by Jim Cahill and Enid Joffe, two former employees of Edison EV. As employees of Edison EV, Mr. Cahill and Ms. Jaffe were responsible for the installation of thousands of public and private charger installations in Southern California. Clean Fuel Connection is still working to install charging stations both independently and as an authorized sales agent of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), and is uniquely qualified to further reduce the cost of public installations by developing this bracket.

Underwriter’s Lab (UL) considers the installation guidelines of the charger manufacturer to be part of the UL listing of the charger. In order to avoid the "not invented here" syndrome which can occur when one manufacturer creates a product for use with a competitor’s product, Clean Fuel Connection proposes that this project must go forward under the leadership of a neutral third party. Since Clean Fuel Connection installs both conductive and inductive chargers and works with all manufacturers of EVs, CFCI is uniquely qualified to fill this role.

For this project, Clean Fuel Connection has received the support of EVI, Inc., the primary conductive charger manufacturer, and GMATV, the primary inductive charger manufacturer. Both firms will be lending their support to this project. Additional input will be requested from inductive charger manufacturer TAL and Southern California Edison.

Proposal

First, the contractor will examine the chargers to be supported by the bracket and develop a set of criteria to be met by the bracket. These criteria will be the basis of a bracket specification. The bracket materials, coating, structure, and design will be documented in drawings in AutoCAD format. This information will be reviewed by the charger manufacturers, GMATV, TAL, and EVI, and AQMD and revised as necessary for use by a bracket manufacturer.

Next, the contractor will use the specifications and drawings to develop a Request for quote to construct the prototype brackets. The RFQ will be sent to at least three manufacturers to obtain cost quotes and a purchase order for five brackets will be made to the winning manufacturer. Initial prototype brackets will be delivered one each to GMATV, TAL, EVI, Clean Fuel Connection, and SCE for review and approval.

Based on approved specifications and drawings, ten prototype brackets will be ordered and distributed one each to GMATV, TAL, EVI, Clean Fuel Connection and three each to SCE for field installation and testing and UL for testing and approval.

Success of this project will result in production of engineered drawings for manufacturing the bracket, production of functional and demonstrable prototypes, recognition of the bracket and incorporation of the bracket into installation guidelines by the charger manufacturers, and UL recognition of a multi-charger bracket design.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the March 2000 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 2000M5-3, "Development and Demonstration of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Technologies." The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels in southern California to achieve air quality standards. This project will further develop technology for multi-mode charging stations and is expected to reduce the cost of new public charging infrastructure.

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII.B.2. of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interests of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are B.2.d.(1): Projects involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.

Clean Fuel Connection has extensive experience in turnkey EV infrastructure installation and technical support and a long-term working relationship with the dominant charger manufacturers. Both GMATV and EVI will be providing in-kind contributions of engineering review and testing of the bracket.

Resource Impacts

The total cost for this project is approximately $96,000. The amount of AQMD funding shall not exceed $48,000.

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.

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