SOLAR TODAY - June 2011

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Access other “View from the States” topics: solartoday.org/states.

Chicago

Using $8.9 million fronted by private investors, the state government and the Clean Cities Grant, Chicago plans to install 280 new charging stations by the end of 2011. Seventy-three will be DC “quick chargers” that can recharge compatible EVs to 80 percent within a half-hour. Because the resale of electricity is prohibited by law, San Diego-based 350Green, the grant recipient, will offer monthly subscriptions with unlimited charging for roughly $50;to;$60.

•;$4,000;state;incentive;for;EV;purchase •;Nine;charging;stations;within;25;miles •;Initial;target;market;for;Ford

New York City

With;permitting;and;incentives,;New;York;City;is;still early on in planning relative to EV leaders on the West Coast. But it’s a ChargePoint America city (charge pointamerica.com), which means Coulomb Technologies has plans to install about 100 charging stations within the city limits.

In addition to the PHEV taxis already roaming city streets, Mayor Mike Bloomberg is calling for EVs to make;up;a;portion;of;New;York’s;13,000;yellow;cabs.

•;No;state/local;incentive;for;EV;purchase •;Five;charging;stations;within;25;miles •;Initial;target;market;for;Ford,;General;Motors

Houston

Houston’s not a typical candidate for an EV-ready city — it sprawls across 580 square miles (1,500 square kilometers) and has low fuel prices and low hybrid penetration. But strong leadership from the mayor’s office and favorable policies, such as streamlined permitting, have made it an attractive market for EV manufacturers. Houston has formed partnerships with ECOtality, Project Get Ready, Reliant Energy and others, and has secured a major EV-infrastructure invest-ment;from;NRG;Energy;( tinyurl.com/evgonetwork).

•;No;state/local;incentive;for;EV;purchase
•;15;charging;stations;within;25;miles
• Initial target market for Ford, General Motors,
Renault;Nissan
•;Project;Get;Ready;partner;city

Raleigh, N.C.

Raleigh, like Los Angeles, is considering incentives such as preferential parking or free charging for EV drivers.;From;just;seven;charging;stations;today,;it’s scheduled to build its EV infrastructure up to 30 chargers by September and several hundred by the end of the year. Raleigh has developed guidelines and flow charts for installations, and it aims to establish a 24-hour permitting process.

•;No;state/local;incentive;for;EV;purchase •;Seven;charging;stations;within;25;miles •;Initial;target;market;for;Ford •;Project;Get;Ready;partner;city

Orlando, Fla.

With DOE backing, Coulomb Technologies will deploy more than 300 charging stations at public locations around the Orlando metro area. EV drivers will be able to charge up at shopping centers, libraries, parks, a zoo, movie theaters and — you guessed it — Disney World.

The;Get;Ready;Central;Florida;Coalition;has been key to preparing the city for the current wave of EVs.

•;No;state/local;incentive;for;EV;purchase •;Three;charging;stations;within;25;miles •;Initial;target;market;for;Ford •;Project;Get;Ready;partner;city