Electric Vehicles: The Future Is Now

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But what are the challenges?

Written by Dennis Wamsted

Electric vehicles have the potential to affect, profoundly, both the automotive and the power industries.

"It is a new day in electric transportation," said moderator Bill Johnson, chairman, CEO, and president of Progress Energy, as he opened the 1:30 pm critical issue forum on Wednesday. Progress Energy operates six plug-in Toyota Priuses and has found them to be great public relations tools, according to Johnson. He also mentioned that Progress Energy and North Carolina State University had created the Advanced Transportation Energy Center in Raleigh, NC. This innovative research center focuses on developing a lighter, cheaper and more-efficient battery and advanced charging systems for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

Vehicle electrification has the ability to transform the automotive and utility industries, said Ted Craver, chairman, president, and CEO of Edison International. "The common bond in the battery," he continued. "It has always been the holy grail." In stressing the importance of developing a commercially and technically viable energy storage system, Craver said that $2.4 billion in federal stimulus funding had been allocated for battery development. He also highlighted the importance of demonstration projects that would help to drive scale for manufacturing purposes. In closing, Craver noted that challenges still remain, including load control, electric system reliability, and mobility charging.

With a service territory that includes more Toyota Priuses per thousand people than anywhere else in the country, Jim Piro, CEO and president of Portland General Electric, said his utility was actively engaged in facilitating vehicle electrification. PGE has already built 13 charging stations (at an average cost of $2,000 - $5,000 each) and 10 more are on the drawing board. Piro said that Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi had committed to work with the state, in partnership with PGE, toward the development of an electric vehicle charging network to promote the use of zero-emission vehicles. Piro also emphasized the importance of standards, consistent public policy (tax credits), and electricity pricing.

"We're very bullish on electrification," said Nancy Gioia, director of sustainable mobility technology and hybrid vehicle programs for Ford Motor Company. "Taking on this challenge is the right thing to do." She said that Ford expects to launch its first "all-electric" vehicle, the Transit Connect van, in 2010. An all-electric version of the Focus will follow in 2011. "Affordability will be key," Gioia said. She also said there is a direct correlation to fuel prices: The higher the price of gas, the more hybrid cars and trucks Ford sells. "Commercialization does require collaboration," Gioia said as she highlighted the importance of Ford's plug-in partnership with 11 utilities.

"We have to find other ways to power our cars and trucks," said Dave Barthmuss, group manager of environment and energy communications for General Motors' western region. GM's first extended-range electric vehicle, the Chevy Volt, will launch in 2010. "Assembly and development of batteries will be a core competency," Barthmuss said. Range anxiety will be alleviated by the Volt's gas-powered generator that provides electric power for those customers who wish to drive the car beyond its 40-mile battery range. In addition to structuring a profitable business model, GM is developing partnerships with key utility players. "We simply cannot do this alone," Barthmuss said. "We have to do everything that we can to help early adopters of this technology."