GM Europe and Iberdola to Begin Study of Plug-in Infrastructure Requirements
11 December 2008
General Motors Europe and Iberdrola, a Spain-based global energy company, have signed an agreement to jointly perform a feasibility study which, ultimately, will analyze the technical requirements of a recharging infrastructure for the integrated marketing and viability of plug-in electric cars.
The main areas of the study, which will be carried out in Spain and the United Kingdom, are convenient and safe charging for consumers. GM and Iberdrola will analyze the requirements for the location of plug sockets in private homes and offices, and public or private parking, and for the installation of electricity meters.
In the framework of this study, both companies expect to develop specific actions to assess the optimum viability of electric cars. General Motors Europe and Iberdrola will analyze EREV (extended range electric vehicle) technology and the electrical network capacity and will specify the conditions for the electrical charge of vehicles.
Both companies foresee potentially evaluating possible agreements with the different European, national, regional and local governments to support the implementation of this initiative.
The duo said that the cooperation reflects the interest of both companies to encourage the development of electric vehicles, in particular extended-range electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt.
Both companies already work together in an international project related to plug-in electric vehicles, coordinated by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) with the participation of another 41 electrical companies from all over the world.
Iberdrola is present in more than 40 countries, with a capacity of more than 42,000 MW and around 27 million customers. At present, it is the main Spanish energy company, the second eolic company in the United States and the third in gas storage and the third distributor in United Kingdom, country where it is also one of the five reference marketing companies and holds the eolic leadership.
I'm not a GM fan (my last Big-3 vehicle was 20+ years ago) but PHEVs are one of the best solution for the next decade (2010-2020).
Many could even start with PHEV-20 (miles) and add one or two extra modular battery packs latter to upgrade to PHEV-40 and/or PHEV-60 when batteries' price come down from $1H/KWh to $300/KWh or less. Why buy a huge $16K/16KWh battery pack if you can manage with 50% less.
After 2020, extended range BEVs will become more competitive and we could progressively transition to them.
Big-3 bail outs should include strict accountable technology transition goals.
Posted by: HarveyD | 11 December 2008 at 08:02 AM
$1k/kWh has already been passed. There are 260Ah (about 0.85kWh) LiFePO4 cells availble on EBay for about 1/2 of that now. Doubtless a quantity order direct from the factory would drop that price substantially.
Posted by: rob | 11 December 2008 at 09:01 AM
rob:
You are correct on a (made in China single cell basis).
However, once packaged in a larger automotive rugged protected pack, the going price from non-Chinese sources is still close to $1K/KWh
Chinese manufacturers like BYD can apparently do it for about $300/KWh.
Mass production and worldwide competition will certainly bring the going price down to $300/KWh or less within 5-7 years. Performance, life duration and energy density, could also multiple 3 folds in about the same time frame. New technologies will even do better by 2020 and make BEVs practical and affordable.
Interesting times ahead (by 2015-20) for large automotive battery packs evolution.
Posted by: HarveyD | 11 December 2008 at 09:55 AM
GM is not the only American venture into plug-in technology. The more notables are:
Fisker (The Karma), Tesla, and Phoenix. The Karma is the most similar to the Volt in that it is an extended range vehicle, however it has range that exceeds the Volt, with with seating for four. The Phoenix was releasing trucks to fleet operations, the last time I checked on them....I actually rode in a passenger truck with four other 200lb+ adults. It is the only BEV I have been able to ride in, although I have ridden in several hydrogen vehicles that are near EVs. The production Karma will be in Detroit, with deliveries beginning late 2009. The Tesla was driven on the new TV show Leverage, earlier this week.
Posted by: ACAGal | 11 December 2008 at 12:02 PM
By "In Detroit" I meant the auto show, however, part of the work on Karma will be in Detroit/part in Finland.....major parts from Quantum, in Irvine CA
Posted by: ACAGal | 11 December 2008 at 12:04 PM
Obviously you can't pick winners in energy storage... but how many people really want to bet on Batteries and plugging in?
I thought the whole case for plug ins against hydrogen was that the infrastructure was 'already built'. Obviously not. Better Place is saying a billion for the Bay Area alone.
I'm very skeptical about first generation electric vehicles being requiring a long term infrastructure build out for cords and plugs.
I can't see that future going too far. The electric car of future will have to have integration of batteries, H2 fuel cells and capacitors. Think solid state exchange or home refuel (not recharge) is future. Even rapid charge--- doesn't matter. It's how the battery outputs electrons that is a problem.
So how do we proceed? Good question for bloggers...
Garry G
Editor
The Energy Roadmap.com
http://www.theenergyroadmap.com
Posted by: Garry G | 11 December 2008 at 01:27 PM
There needs to be someone to lobby for expensive connections so that they can make money off of the deal.
Electricity is not that expensive that it cannot be given away for a year or two. Ordinary plugs can be used. The grounding wire and ground fault interruptors are adequate for shock protection. Ordinary looking but micro-controller controlled plugs can test tens of thousand of times a second to see if there are any dangerous conditions. But just ordinary plugs can still work. The parking lot lights and road lights are an example of how cheap electricity is. A free plug here and there is all that is needed. Driving is such high risk that the risk of shocks is negligable. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 11 December 2008 at 07:06 PM
Doh! The first five years 2010-2015 will need absolutely ZERO infrastructure for PHEVs. Early adopters will cajole their employer to install a plug for them and or charge at home overnight. While the idea of fast charge is exciting once batteries are certified safe to do so - there is no need for knee-jerk infrastructure right now.
Since the e-REV will not need fast charge or battery swap the discussion of grid a smart grid is a bit premature. Most likely employers and a few indy alternative fuel outlets will handle the demand for PHEV charging over the first 10 years of operation. If sales of these vehicles follows a steep rise - there may be reason for a franchised entry from an energy company (utility or GM-type manufacturer).
But it is gratifying to see attention being paid to BEV futures - much more realistic than carbon futures.
Posted by: sulleny | 13 December 2008 at 02:46 PM
Early installation of charge points (especially fast-charge points) does serve a useful purpose: consciousness-raising.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 15 December 2008 at 06:22 AM