BOARD MEETING DATE: March 1, 2002
AGENDA NO. 6

Execute Agreement for Membership in Hybrid Electric Truck Operator's Forum

SYNOPSIS: 

The Hybrid Electric Truck Operator's Forum (HETOF) is an industry/government program to enable and accelerate the hybrid-electric, medium-and heavy-duty truck market. Primary goals of the HETOF include coordinating efforts in advancing hybrid-electric technology and increasing the fuel efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. CALSTART will work with the National Automotive Center, a research and development organization within the Department of the Army, to launch HETOF. This action is to execute an agreement with CALSTART to provide $25,000 from the Technology Advancement Professional and Special Services Account for cosponsoring the HETOF in Calendar Year 2002.

COMMITTEE: 

Technology, January 25, 2002, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement with CALSTART in an amount not to exceed $25,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31), to help launch the HETOF.
   
    
2. Authorize the AQMD to join the HETOF for Calendar Year 2002.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The HETOF is an industry/government effort to reduce criteria pollutants by accelerating the development and deployment of commercially viable heavy-duty hybrid-electric drivetrains utilizing conventional and alternative fuels. Additionally, the program will evaluate the properties of fuels and vehicle systems that could lead to even lower emissions after 2010 by addressing barriers and incentives necessary to expedite the commercialization of hybrid-electric trucks. The forum will consist of major truck manufacturers, hybrid drivetrain manufacturers, and truck fleet operators that generally operate on routes similar to the urban driving duty cycle. The HETOF will also attempt to include off-road heavy-duty vehicle operators that can benefit from hybrid-electric systems.

CALSTART is working with the National Automotive Center (NAC), a research and development organization within the Department of the Army, to launch the HETOF. NAC will provide $238,000 in funding, with total project funding of $263,000 for Fiscal Year 2001/2002. The HETOF will be managed by CALSTART. HETOF requested the AQMD’s participation and funding assistance. The AQMD funds will be used to assist local technology suppliers such as Capstone Turbine and Enova Systems, as well as local fleet operators such as Danone Waters, Southern California Edison, Waste Management, Vons, Ralphs, and Costco. Based on feedback from the pilot programs, the technology suppliers will be able to upgrade and refine existing technology, and provide more rugged products into the market that fleet operators could potentially purchase on a larger scale.

Proposal

Staff proposes that the Board authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement with CALSTART and provide funding of $25,000 to help launch the HETOF. Additionally, staff proposes that the Board authorize the AQMD to join the HETOF for calendar year 2002.

Benefits to the District

Membership in HETOF will allow the AQMD to monitor progress of the development of hybrid-electric heavy- and medium-duty trucks, as well as ensure involvement of local truck fleets in anticipated pilot studies. The expedited commercialization of hybrid-electric trucks could result in potential future reductions in NOx and PM from use of petroleum-based fuels.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds are available in the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31) for the proposed project.

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