Bill Would Make Half of All Cars Electric By 2030
July 23, 2010
Source: WSJ Online
Imagine every other car on the road emitting a muted turbine hum as
they glide past on battery power. That would be the scene in 20 years
under legislation the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
approved yesterday.
The bill approved by the committee would allocate about $3.9 billion
over 10 years toward building infrastructure for charging electric
vehicles, continuing their development and for incentives to encourage
consumers to buy battery-powered cars. The goal is to electrify half
the country’s cars and trucks by 2030, which could reduce demand for
oil in the U.S. by as much as one-third.
The legislation, which passed 19-4 in favor, was one of several
bills cleared by the committee that could become part of a larger
energy and climate bill. The committee also approved a bill that would
provide incentives for homeowners and businesses to install solar
energy systems.
Car makers such as Nissan, BMW and Chevrolet are preparing to
release new electric models and several others are planning to do so
over the next two years.
A 50% market penetration for electric cars in 20 years would be
a stark contrast to the 2% market share in 10 years that many industry
insiders are predicting.
June 26, 2010
Electric Vehicle Market to Stagnate without Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Growth
The growth of electric vehicle adoption may be stagnated by the lack
of an underlying transportation support system of electric vehicle
charging stations, switching stations for rechargeable batteries, and
an advanced electricity smart grid to monitor the ebb and flow of power
for vehicle consumption.
As global economies slowly recover, manufacturers have indicated
that electric vehicle infrastructure production will begin in earnest
in 2010, according to SBI Energy. Government grants created to
stimulate economic recovery, particularly in the U.S., will fuel growth
in the sector. Electric vehicle infrastructure production efforts
include manufacturing of the rechargeable batteries, drive trains and
charging stations required to operate the vehicles. Electric vehicle
production itself is on track for global sales exceeding 1 million
hybrids a year by 2013.
Europe, the current leader in electric vehicle infrastructure
manufacturing production, is expected to maintain its stronghold
through 2014. However, its global share will slip as North America and
Asia gain ground. According to the industry study Electric Vehicle (EV)
Infrastructure Manufacturing conducted by market research publisher SBI
Energy, the North American market will grow from $9 billion in 2009 to
$20 billion in 2014. Electric vehicle sales depend upon the support of
charging stations, batteries, and smart grid tie-in. Consumers will be
won over by reliability, safety, and system convenience. The onus is on
the cooperation of utilities to modify their established grids to adapt
to the electricity demands of electric vehicles and their users.
“Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Manufacturing” examines the
global electric vehicle market with forecasts through 2014 and provides
detailed information on the smart grid market, rechargeable batteries,
electric vehicle ownership and stimulus funds for infrastructure
development. Company profiles feature manufacturers competing in the
industry, trends and activities worldwide.
June 18, 2010
More Than 5 Million EV Charging Stations By 2015, Research Group Says
By Mike Stevens
WITH JUST ABOUT every volume-selling carmaker - and more than a few supercar and luxury manufacturers - getting set to offer all-electric vehicles in the near future, a universal infrastructure is vital.
So important is the electric car’s future in the new car market that, according to US consulting firm Pike Research, the number of recharge points for electric vehicles around the globe will surpass 5 million by the year 2015.
“While electric vehicles will be primarily charged at home, a strong funding push by governments will mean that more than half of all charge points will be public charging stations by 2015,” Industry analyst John Gartner said.
“Retailers will also install public access stations primarily as a marketing tool, and many companies will also offer workplace charging stations for their employees.”
Pike Research expects that China will lead the world in sheer numbers of charging stations, representing nearly half of the total market, thanks to strong government support for all-electric motoring.
The US is likely to be the second largest market for electric vehicles, and Pike estimates more than one million charging stations will be in place in the United States by 2015.
Pike Research believes that by 2015, efficient integration of the charging infrastructure will ensure minimal impact on the existing electricity grid of most cities, although neighbourhoods with high concentrations of EVs will need upgrades to minimise drag on the grid.
December 18, 2009
SAE International Standard to Define Electric-Vehicle Charging Coupler
Source: SAE International
WARRENDALE, Pa., June 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SAE International is finalizing a standard that will define an electric-vehicle charging system and coupler for widespread public use.
Standard J1772(TM), "SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler," spells out the general physical, electrical and performance requirements for the coupler, which consists of a connector and vehicle inlet. The purpose of the standard is to define a common electric-vehicle charging network, which will reduce costs and increase convenience for owners of electric vehicles.
"By standardizing, you're reducing costs and allowing everyone to use the same connector. All of the charging equipment you would pull up to in public would have identical connectors, so any vehicle could use one. It will be a consistent, reliable interface," said Gery Kissel, Chair of the SAE Hybrid J1772 Task Force, in an interview with SAE International's Automotive Engineering International magazine.
The coupler has passed testing by Underwriters Laboratories for safety and durability.
Standard J1772 was developed by the SAE Hybrid Standards Committee in cooperation with the Japanese Automotive Research Institute. The standard will go out for ballot to committee members in July.
SAE International is a global association of more than 121,000 engineers and related technical experts in the automotive, aerospace and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and standards development. SAE International's charitable arm is the SAE Foundation, which supports many programs, including A World In Motion(R) and the Collegiate Design Series.