DEARBORN, Mich. - While Ford is gearing up to launch the new Focus Electric later this year and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid in 2012, cities around the country also are preparing for the arrival of new electric vehicles. Some of the key actions Ford has identified in working with cities and utility partners include:
- Utility rate structure that encourages "off-peak" or nighttime EV charging to minimize demand on the existing electric grid
- Streamlined permitting and inspection process to support customer and commercial EV infrastructure installation
- Integrated advisory committees that include participation from electric utilities, vehicle manufacturers and dealers, municipalities, EV customers and local coalitions
- Urban planning approach to optimize public/commercial EV charge locations
- Infrastructure incentives to offset a portion of customer costs for hardware/installation
"As more and more electric vehicles come to market, it??s incredibly important that cities develop action plans including infrastructure development and permitting solutions to ensure these vehicles are a viable solution for citizens," said Mike Tinskey, Ford??s manager of vehicle electrification and infrastructure.
Ford is working with a growing list of metropolitan areas that are stepping up their EV preparations and infrastructure, including:
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Atlanta |
Hartford, Conn. |
Raleigh, N.C |
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Austin, Texas |
Honolulu |
Richmond, Va. |
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Baltimore |
Houston |
Sacramento, Calif. |
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Boston |
Indianapolis |
San Diego |
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Charlotte, N.C. |
Los Angeles |
San Francisco Bay Area |
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Chicago |
New York |
Seattle |
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Dallas |
Orlando, Fla. |
Washington, D.C. |
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Denver |
Phoenix |
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Detroit |
Portland, Ore. |
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"The key for local utilities is to offer incentives so EV customers are encouraged to charge during the nighttime hours when plenty of capacity is available," said Tinskey. "Additionally, at a local level, we are encouraged many cities are taking an urban planning approach to public charge station locations, which will result in locations that are used more often and an efficient use of investment dollars."
Ford is also encouraged by specialized approaches some cities are taking to support electric vehicles. For example, Boston, New York City and Philadelphia are looking into opportunities to promote travel between the cities by electric vehicle. Additionally, each city is hiring an electric vehicle policy coordinator to help improve efficiency of the permitting processes.