San Francisco Joins "Better Place" Electric Car Project
by Stacy Feldman - Nov 21st, 2008
The mass-market electric car could finally hit California's roads.
That's thanks to the mayors of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, who have declared their intention to transform the Bay Area -- and eventually California -- into the "Electric Vehicle Capital of the US" (video of the press conference here). To do so, they've signed up Palo Alto EV firm Better Place to deliver the charging infrastructure -- the first US deployment of the company’s technology.
The Better Place goal: 250,000 charging ports, 200 battery-exchange stations and a control center to service Bay Area electric car drivers. The cost: $1 billion. The time frame: permitting of the network will begin in January 2009 and construction in 2010. Commercial availability of the electric cars is targeted for 2012.
Better Place has already signed agreements to build charging networks in Israel, Denmark and Australia. Said the start-up of its latest client:
As the eighth largest economy in the world, and with a per-household vehicle ownership rate among the highest in the world (about 1.8 cars per household), California joins Israel, Denmark and Australia as world leaders in executing to this bold vision.
While few hard details have been given, it seems the plan is grand, and Better Place -- while a major player -- won't be its lone developer. From the mayors' press release:
The three Mayors said they welcomed Better Place's announcement and anticipate many other EV companies will focus on the Bay Area as a top-priority market.
To fast-track the effort, the mayors have come up with a nine-point strategy that will standardize local permitting, local tax incentives and local zoning for EVs and their charging outlets. Starting in December they will advance:
1. Expedited permitting and installation of electric vehicle charging outlets at homes, business, parking lots, and other buildings throughout the Bay Area
2. Incentives for employers to install EV charging systems in their workplace and provide similar incentives to parking facilities and other locations where EV charging stations can be installed
3. Harmonize local regulations and standards across the region that govern EV infrastructure to achieve regulatory consistency for EV companies as well as expanded range for EV consumers
4. Establish common government programs that promote the purchase of EVs
5. Link EV programs and infrastructure to regional transit and air quality programs
6. Establish programs for aggressive pooled-purchase orders for EVs in municipal, state government and private sector fleets and future commitment of purchasing preference for EV vehicles
7. Expedited permitting and approval for facilities that provide extended-range driving capability for EVs in the region through battery exchange locations or fast-charging
8. Identify and secure suitable standard (110V) electric outlets for charging low voltage EVs in every government building in 2009
9. Identify roll-out plan for placement of 220V EV charging equipment throughout each city including city parking lots and curbside parking.
Notably, the announcement has the support of Governor Schwarzenegger and the flavor of being a pilot program for the whole of California. From Better Place, in its press release:
The Bay Area will serve as the first region of California to make the switch from carbon-based transportation to sustainable mobility.
So: the state that provided the inspiration for the popular documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car, is finally getting serious about bringing the electric car to mass market, along with other cities and states. Oregon has just signed up Nissan and PGE to advance its electric car infrastructure. And Hawaii's in serious talks with Better Place.
Next up Detroit?
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This is a very good move by
This is a very good move by the Mayors of San Francisco - to be the Electric Vehicle Capital of the US. I wish that other US States will follow their example in promoting hybrids and EVs.
electric car are great
I see alot of comments about the benefits that an electric car with high performance auto parts brings for the environment. I think its important to note that these cars would cause alot of pollution. With the majority of our electricity coming from coal, these electric cars far from ecologically friendly.
EVs
In Britain there is a company which will convert your car into an EV for a low cost of £1,780 ! Perhaps this is the fastest way forward ?
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