Climate Action 2012-2013

THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
In Texas, the city of Austin is another leader in
establishing public charging for electric vehicles.
For example, the city’s public utility, Austin
Energy, has created the first charging station
network to be powered completely by renewable
energy through Austin Energy’s GreenChoice
programme. Considered to be the nation’s most
successful utility-sponsored and voluntary greenpricing
energy programme, this is the first of its
kind in the country. It provides subscribers with
a fixed charge instead of the regular fuel charge
for the term of their subscription, allowing them
to make a lasting contribution to Austin’s quality
of life. By using the GreenChoice programme,
customers have been able to support the growth
of renewable energy in Texas. The renewable
energy industry creates new jobs in the state
and produces new revenues for school districts.
In addition to GreenChoice, Austin Energy also
offers electric drive customers the opportunity to
take advantage of the company’s US$1,500 home
charging rebate.
Other cities across America are looking for
ways to become more EV-friendly. The Electric
Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) offers
these tips:
Partner with a local utility to offer rebates for
customers who use home charging systems
for their electric vehicle, or offer overall
reduced rates for customers who are charging
electric vehicles at home;
Offer a variety of consumer and business
incentives such as tax credits, access to
high-occupancy vehicle lanes, fast-tracking
permitting processes for installation of
charging stations or free parking benefits
to consumers who purchase and drive an
electric car (37 US states already offer a
number of these incentives);
Identify code changes for new construction
to make it easier to install public charging
stations; and
Provide education about maintaining
grid stability, including charging during
off-peak hours, using clean sources of
energy and advocating for renewable
sources. Consumers and public utilities
can visit EDTA’s educational website,
GoElectricDrive.com, for more information
on the electric car industry.
Community and city-level efforts are moving
the USA closer to national scale adoption. With
more than 20 electric drive models coming to
the US market by the end of 2014, consumers
“By using the GreenChoice
programme, customers have
been able to support the growth
of renewable energy in Texas.”
will have multiple options to meet their drivers’
driving needs. Local and regional initiatives like
the ones detailed here are also linking EV-friendly
communities. For example, the West Coast Green
Highway Initiative has installed public charging
stations every 40-60 miles along Interstate 5 from
British Columbia in Canada to Baja in California.
Communities across the USA are building the
templates for electrifying the national fleet.
Following their lead in using electricity in place
of oil will enhance energy security, expand
competitiveness and protect public health and
the environment.
“With more than 20 electric
drive models coming to the US
market by the end of 2014,
consumers will have multiple
options.”
Brian P. Wynne was appointed President of the
Electric Drive Transportation Association in 2004.
Wynne brings in-depth experience in transportation
and technology applications gained in leadership roles
in trade associations and public-private partnerships.
He previously served as Senior Vice President for
business and trade at the Intelligent Transportation
Society of America.
The Electric Drive Transportation Association
(EDTA) is the pre-eminent trade association
representing battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and
fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure.
EDTA conducts public policy advocacy, education,
industry networking, and international conferences.
EDTA’s membership includes vehicle and equipment
manufacturers, energy companies, technology developers,
component suppliers, government agencies and others.
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