Thinking About Operating Plug-in Hybrids in Your Fleet?
Large fleets, particularly government operated, considering adopting advanced vehicle technologies, may benefit from a recent assessment.
The US has a goal for federal agencies to use plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) as they become available at a reasonable cost. PHEVs are vehicles that run on both gasoline and batteries charged by connecting a plug into an electric power source. This goal is on top of other requirements agencies must meet for conserving energy. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the (1) potential benefits of plug-ins, (2) factors affecting the availability of plug-ins, and (3) challenges to incorporating plug-ins into the federal fleet.
The GAO report recommends a need to coordinate multiple goal objectives to support PHEVs. These objectives include reducing dependency on petroleum, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, managing costs, and acquiring advanced technology vehicles.
In terms of benefits the GAO found PHEVs can substantially reduce transportation emissions but there is a complementary need to require a shift to low-carbon electricity generation. Nuclear, solar, wind and hydro generation pathways are suggested. In Canada, Manitoba, British Columbia and Quebec produce the majority of electricity from hydro resources. These jurisdictions offer the earliest and easiest opportunity to facilitate low-emission PHEVs in Canada.
The report comments that reduction on oil dependency from foreign countries may be replaced by dependence on imported lithium. The global reserve base of lithium is concentrated in Bolivia, Chile and China.
The GAO suggests that battery prices need to decline. They argue that for PHEVs to be cost effective there also needs to be a corresponding increase in gasoline prices.
Conversions kits are available. Installing these kits usually voids exiting warranties. They have not been crash tested and they constitute tampering of vehicle emission control systems. In addition there are challenges to battery manufacturing capacity and very limited recharging infrastructure.
Declining auto sales, eroding consumer confidence, and tight credit markets are identified as additional barriers to PHEV’s. Spikes in gasoline prices and cultural values towards vehicle style and image also influence purchase decisions. And there is a lot more to ponder.
An interesting observation in the GAO report is that by electrifying transportation the initiative may counter other existing federal policies to reduce electrical energy consumption for facilities. Finally the general lack of understanding and confusion about the range of issues calls for a managed and measured approach. This includes legislative changes and the development of guidelines designed to assist federal agencies procure PHEVs for the US federal fleet.
By Terry Zdan
The US has a goal for federal agencies to use plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) as they become available at a reasonable cost. PHEVs are vehicles that run on both gasoline and batteries charged by connecting a plug into an electric power source. This goal is on top of other requirements agencies must meet for conserving energy. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the (1) potential benefits of plug-ins, (2) factors affecting the availability of plug-ins, and (3) challenges to incorporating plug-ins into the federal fleet.
The GAO report recommends a need to coordinate multiple goal objectives to support PHEVs. These objectives include reducing dependency on petroleum, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, managing costs, and acquiring advanced technology vehicles.
In terms of benefits the GAO found PHEVs can substantially reduce transportation emissions but there is a complementary need to require a shift to low-carbon electricity generation. Nuclear, solar, wind and hydro generation pathways are suggested. In Canada, Manitoba, British Columbia and Quebec produce the majority of electricity from hydro resources. These jurisdictions offer the earliest and easiest opportunity to facilitate low-emission PHEVs in Canada.
The report comments that reduction on oil dependency from foreign countries may be replaced by dependence on imported lithium. The global reserve base of lithium is concentrated in Bolivia, Chile and China.
The GAO suggests that battery prices need to decline. They argue that for PHEVs to be cost effective there also needs to be a corresponding increase in gasoline prices.
Conversions kits are available. Installing these kits usually voids exiting warranties. They have not been crash tested and they constitute tampering of vehicle emission control systems. In addition there are challenges to battery manufacturing capacity and very limited recharging infrastructure.
Declining auto sales, eroding consumer confidence, and tight credit markets are identified as additional barriers to PHEV’s. Spikes in gasoline prices and cultural values towards vehicle style and image also influence purchase decisions. And there is a lot more to ponder.
An interesting observation in the GAO report is that by electrifying transportation the initiative may counter other existing federal policies to reduce electrical energy consumption for facilities. Finally the general lack of understanding and confusion about the range of issues calls for a managed and measured approach. This includes legislative changes and the development of guidelines designed to assist federal agencies procure PHEVs for the US federal fleet.
By Terry Zdan
Labels: electrcity, Lithium-ion, PHEV, Plug-in Hybrids
posted by The Centre for Sustainable Transportation at
2:15 PM
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