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RMI Launches Project Get Ready to Help Communities Prepare for Plug-ins

25 February 2009

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) launched Project Get Ready, an initiative that emerged from its Smart Garage Summit in October 2008 and that is intended to help communities prepare for plug-in vehicles including full battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and converted hybrid or internal combustion vehicles.

In addition to launching the project website, RMI provided a list of actions that communities must take “to be truly ready for the plug-in transition.“ For participating communities, RMI is suggesting a stretch target of 2% of registered vehicles by 2015.

Project Get Ready will collaborate with targeted communities that have started convening local players to develop and implement plug-in adoption plans, utilizing what RMI calls its “universally recognized convening power”, as well as technical analysis.

Community members in Portland, Oregon; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Raleigh, North Carolina soon expanding to the Triangle region have already agreed to work with RMI’s Project Get Ready.

Plug-in vehicles are a revolution for the consumer and will transform the way we move from place to place, and the way we think about using energy. But each community is unique—they have different commuting patterns, parking concerns, demographics, local businesses, and cultures. Instead of battling this diversity, Project Get Ready welcomes it, allowing communities to get ready in their own way. I think this approach will lead to a faster and better arrival for plug-in vehicles and I am thrilled to have Portland, Indianapolis, and Raleigh in the conversation. With this project, we can help get the nation to President Obama’s goal of 1 million plug-ins by 2015…and maybe even beat it.

—Laura Schewel, project manager

The Project Get Ready website offers a “menu” of suggested strategic actions that city and regional leaders can enact to be a plug-in pioneer, based on input from technical advisers and cities already engaged in implementing plug-ins. The website will also offer a database of all national (and some international) plug-in readiness activities.

RMI says that it plans to convene at least 20 cities as well as technical players regularly to discuss lessons learned and best practices, and to report these conversations on the website and materials. Some partner cities will have their own plans underway, others will be starting from the ground up.

RMI says that it will provide a benchmark that will allow cities/regions to “prove” that they are ready for mass adoption of PHEVs/EVs, and have taken meaningful steps to support this technology (this may take the form of a seal of approval or certification like the LEED system that gauges readiness).

The effort will also document the progress made by participant cities in order to help quantify future demand and make it more transparent to industry (how much, where, and what type of support to expect) for PHEVs/EVs.

Fuel Economy and GHG Emissions Standards Around the World
Barrier Action
Barrier: Not enough cars in the pipeline, OEMs need proof of future consumer demand
  1. Corporate/city/state fleets commit to buy a certain number of plug-ins (RFPs for major purchases or conversions).
  2. Stakeholder group provides a place for interested consumers/fleets to register early, and put cash down to reserve plug-ins (cash used for readiness where possible).
Barrier: How can we manage this as a multi-sector, city-wide project?
  1. Create collaborative stakeholder group within the community to help regulatory, commercial, and community interests align. Sign on to a clear regional plan. Plan should give equal consideration to conversions.
  2. Have one “champion” whose job it is to keep this group moving forward, who has authority.
Barrier: How can we bring down upfront costs for consumers?
  1. Work with banks and dealers to offer low-interest loans for plug-ins, based on projected lower operating costs from gas savings.
  2. Bundle all key incentives at vehicle point of purchase (home charger vouchers, rebates, etc.)
Barrier: Consumer hesitation at diving into a new paradigm for mobility
  1. Perks: access to HOV lanes, free tolls/downtown parking, reserved airport parking.
  2. Create consumer, city government, local business and utility education plans including test drives and “quick lease” options to individual and fleet consumers as well as high profile drivers.
  3. Reduced (or free) electricity rates for charging.
Barrier: Red tape around infrastructure installation
  1. Fast-track permitting for charging stations.
  2. Ensure new and reconstruction/renovation building codes support the operation of plug-ins.
Barrier: What if these cars exacerbate my peak load?
  1. Tie provisions of free home and public charge spots, as well as free or cheaper electricity, to either utility override power or “no charge” times.
Barrier: Who will pay for infrastructure?
  1. Local employers/retailers provide some charge stations at parking decks.
  2. Install public charge spots in high-traffic zones and parking areas, either with public money (via utility or gov’t for the first 2% of vehicles) or private money that uses the stations to market.
  3. Provide affordable and available—or free—Level 2 home-charger/driveway circuit installation.

Posted on 25 February 2009 in Infrastructure, Plug-ins, Policy | | Comments (0)

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