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Vehicle Electrification

Background

ENE is working with state and local government, utilities, and the EV industry to institute state policies and programs that will accelerate the use of EV’s in the Northeast....
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Vehicle Electrification

There is huge environmental and economic opportunity in vehicle electrification.  ENE analysis shows that compared to the average car on the road in 2009 (a 20 MPG gasoline powered car) a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) charged on the New England electric power grid:

  • emits two-thirds less CO2 emissions per mile and
  • saves a consumer more than 400 gallons per year.

Unfortunately, there are several barriers to widespread use of EVs on our streets, including:

  • $5,000-$10,000 price premium on early generation EV’s expected to reach car dealerships in 2010
  • absence of consistent, simple, electric code standards so that owners can safely and affordably charge up overnight
  • absence of convenient places to recharge batteries at workplaces, parking garages, shopping centers, and rest stops
  • uncertainty about what business model will encourage businesses to install and maintain these charging stations and to sell and finance EVs and their expensive battery packs 

 

ENE’s Vehicle Electrification project is working to develop solutions to these market barriers while ensuring that the environment comes out on top. While federal tax credits lower the purchase price of new cars and grants are advancing battery technology and installation of “Smart Meters” (which are installed at each EV home to ensure that car charging won't strain the grid during peak demand), ENE is working with state and local government, utilities, and the EV industry to institute state policies and programs that will accelerate the use of EV’s in the Northeast.  Among ENE's objectives are:

  • get new charging infrastructure into place and make it easy for EV owners keep their vehicles charged up
  • institute financial incentives to make it more affordable to own an EV
  • institute utility tariffs that promote EV charging in ways to minimize strain on the grid and pollution from the electric generators that power the grid
  • ensure that standards and procurement policies internalize the full, lifecycle carbon cost of competing fuels.


It has been estimated that on the path to a more sustainable, low carbon future, the Northeast will put between 3 and 6 million new EVs and PHEVs on roads by 2020, increasing electricity demand in the region by 4-7%.  Working collaboratively with industry and regulators, the Northeast can build a new transportation system that is sustainable and clean.