eTec, a subsidiary of ECOtality,
Inc. (OTCBB: ETLY), is partnering with Nissan North America to deploy
up to 5,000 electric vehicles and establish charging infrastructure in five
key markets, including San Diego, to develop, implement and study
techniques for optimizing the effectiveness of charging infrastructure
supporting widespread electric vehicle deployment.
"By studying lessons learned from electric vehicle operations and the
infrastructure supporting these first 5,000 vehicles, the project will
enable the streamlined deployment of the next 5 million electric vehicles,"
said Don Karner, president of eTec. "The U.S. Department of Energy has
shown great foresight in funding a project that deploys the largest number
of vehicles and infrastructure to make America electric vehicle ready."
SDG&E's role will be to evaluate demand and energy impacts of electric
vehicles on the electric grid, potential electric vehicle rate structures,
smart grid interconnection requirements, distribution grid impacts of
electric vehicle charging demand and provide consumer education. Local
governments' roles will be to streamline the charger installation process,
identify locations for public charging infrastructure and to support
non-charging infrastructure, such as first responder training.
"Developing charging infrastructure is the critical link in making electric
vehicles commercially viable," said Debra L. Reed, president and chief
executive officer of San Diego Gas & Electric. "This funding award means
the San Diego region is one step closer to becoming 'plug-in ready' and a
national center for clean technology that will help achieve our nation's
goals of energy independence and reduced greenhouse-gas emissions. This
project will foster new jobs and opportunities in the region as we become a
pioneer launch for these advanced vehicles."
The proposed project will collect and analyze data characterizing vehicle
use and charging patterns in diverse topographies and climate conditions,
evaluate the effectiveness of charging infrastructure, and conduct trials
of various revenue systems for public charge infrastructure. By testing
and analyzing electric vehicle usage and charging patterns in a simulated
mature charging environment, this project will foster the expansion of
electric vehicle infrastructure that will eventually be available for
widespread electric vehicle use throughout the country. The project is
valued at approximately $199.6 million, as federal funding for the project
will be matched by project participants.
It is anticipated that more than 750 new jobs will be generated by the
proposed project by 2012. In supporting the market launch of the Nissan's
LEAF zero-emission electric vehicle, it is expected that more than 5,500
new positions will be in place by 2017 as a direct result of the project.
"Increasing the number of electric vehicles and charging stations fits
with the SANDAG overall energy strategy for the region," said Gary
Gallegos, SANDAG Executive Director. "The strategy calls for adding cleaner
fuels as well as cutting our dependence on foreign oil -- electric cars
will help us accomplish those goals."
"In support of ECOtality's commitment to enhancing America's energy
independence, the proposed project will accelerate the market acceptance of
electric transportation and support President Obama's goals for job
creation and electric vehicle deployment," said Jonathan Read, president
and chief executive officer, ECOtality. "We're thrilled to enter the San
Diego market and thank SDG&E, the San Diego Association of Governments, San
Diego Clean Fuels Coalition, San Diego Miramar College, University of
California-San Diego, and the Center for Sustainable Energy for their
support and partnership in the proposal submitted to the U.S. Department of
Energy."
Dependent upon contract negotiations, up to 1,000 Nissan electric vehicles
will be deployed in San Diego and charging infrastructure will be installed
at residential, commercial and public locations. Markets in four other
states will each receive up to 1,000 vehicles. Those states include
Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Tennessee. Markets were evaluated and
chosen based on favorable regulatory environment, strong market
demographics, climate differentials, topographies, and transportation
patterns.
Once eligible consumers join the pilot project, eTec residential charging
equipment will be installed at the consumer's home at no cost to the
resident. It is estimated that each Nissan electric vehicle will save as
much as 436 gallons of gasoline per year compared with a standard internal
combustion engine sedan. For the entire fleet of 5,000 Nissan electric
vehicles that will be deployed, the fuel savings are calculated to be as
high as 2,180,000 gallons of gasoline (51,900 barrels) per year.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy
service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and
more than 840,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange
counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles. Exceptional
customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region's
quality of life. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500
energy services holding company based in San Diego.
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is the San Diego region's
primary public planning, transportation, and research agency, providing the
public forum for regional policy decisions about growth, transportation
planning and construction, environmental management, housing, open space,
energy, public safety, and binational topics. SANDAG is governed by a Board
of Directors composed of mayors, council members, and supervisors from each
of the region's 18 cities and the county government.
Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec), a subsidiary of
ECOtality (OTCBB: ETLY), is a recognized leader in the research,
development and testing of advanced transportation and energy systems.
With over two decades of electric transportation experience, eTec has been
involved in every electric vehicle initiative in North America since the
1990's. Utilizing its patented industry-leading charging algorithm, eTec
operates the Minit-Charger line of battery fast-charge systems for on-road
electric vehicle, transit, material handling and airport ground support
applications. For more information, please visit www.etecevs.com or
www.minit-charger.com.
Editor's Note: More detailed information about this announcement, including
FAQs, is available at www.ecotality.com. Broadcasters: video and audio
interviews are available for download at www.ecotality.com.
Media Contacts:
Denise King
San Diego Gas & Electric
(877) 866-2066 www.sdge.com
