Nissan, Pima Association of Governments and ECOtality to Partner on EVs and EV Charging Infrastructure for Tucson Area
06 March 2009
Nissan; the Pima Association of Governments (PAG), which represents the Tucson, Arizona region; and ECOtality are forming a partnership to promote the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the area.
Nissan will introduce EVs in the United States in 2010 and will mass market EVs globally two years later. In conjunction with the anticipated 2010 launch of Nissan’s zero-emission electric vehicle, ECOtality will initiate its EV Micro-Climate program in the Tucson region to promote sensible policies, intelligent deployment of charge infrastructure, and strong public awareness to encourage consumer adoption of grid-connected electric vehicles.
| “Through physical infrastructure deployments and streamlined installation processes, the Tucson region will be an attractive launch market not just for Nissan’s electric vehicle, but all grid-connected vehicles.” —Colleen Crowninshield, manager of PAG’s Clean Cities Program |
The EV Micro-Climate program, launched in January, is an integrated turn-key program that advances select areas with the needed infrastructure to support the adoption of electric transportation. (Earlier post.)
The new partnership supports the PAG Clean Cities Program, whose efforts in developing a regional EV Micro-Climate Working Group will bring together regional stakeholders to streamline the establishment of charging infrastructure to support grid-connected vehicles in the Tucson area.
In conjunction with these efforts, Nissan has committed to make available a supply of electric vehicles to the region’s public and private fleets in 2010, the year Nissan’s electric vehicle will be ready for the commercial market.
While the implementation of public charge infrastructure is planned to support the launch of Nissan’s zero-emission vehicle, public charging stations in the Tucson region will meet all EV charge system standards (including the SAE J1772 Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler Specifications) to be universally compatible with new grid-connected vehicles of other major automakers.
Working with relevant stakeholders, from policymakers to utilities, ECOtality will utilize our extensive EV installation history to ensure the implementation of charging infrastructure is done properly and efficiently, while minimizing the cost to public and private sector participants.
—Jonathan Read, president and CEO, ECOtality
Earlier this week, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) contracted Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec), a wholly owned subsidiary of ECOtality, Inc., to develop electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure guidelines for the planning, design and installation of charging infrastructure for plug-in electric vehicles. (Earlier post.)
In 2007, ECOtality acquired Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec). eTec developed and holds exclusive patent rights to the eTec SuperCharge—a smart fast-charging system—and designed, manufactured and installed public, commercial and residential recharging systems for the GM EV-1, Chrysler EPIC, and Ford Ranger electric vehicle programs.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance has begun ZEV initiatives in Israel, Denmark, Portugal, the Principality of Monaco, Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama city (Japan), French electric utility company EDF, private car hire service “greentomatocars” (UK) and with zero-emission transport system company “elektromotive” (UK). In the United States, the Alliance also has agreed to ZEV partnerships in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, and Sonoma County, Calif., to explore ways to promote zero-emission mobility and the development of an electric-vehicle infrastructure.
In the early 90s, the Silicon Valley area had recharging stations for EV1s and other EVs of that time. It was a matter of pride when an owner had their vehicles parked and charging while they were inside shopping or dining.
There is no reason that this would not work for urban and suburban drivers. I would like to have an EV for use around town in the suburbs. It would help clean the air and help reduce imported oil. A little bit of progress from one user multiplies with millions of users until you have real measurable progress through out the nation.
Posted by: SJC | 07 March 2009 at 01:12 PM
This would be a very exciting development in my sometimes backward-thinking community of Tucson. The very fact that Tucson is not a classic environment-loving community like a San Francisco or a Portland makes it a much more realistic test of the attitudes of the sometimes backward-thinking community we call the United States of America. Tucson also seems to be an excellent test market for EVs and charging infrastructure, given the warm winters and manageable size. Strategic placement of charging stations could make this a big success! One thing that could really drive early adoption would be heavily involving Raytheon in the plans. With a very large, very well-paid workforce at somewhat out-of-the-way locations, Raytheon could be an excellent testbed for the viability of EVs as vehicles for a long daily commute. EVs could become very popular among Raytheon employees if there are a large number of convenient charging stations at the various work sites. Sign me up!
Posted by: Martin Bungle | 10 March 2009 at 02:30 PM
I would like to see ZIP EV cars with inductive charging pads under the car. Just pull up until the light goes on and the wireless net charges your account for kw hours delivered. No plugging anything in. I have found that if you want a lot of people to use something on a regular basis, make it easy and inexpensive to use.
Posted by: SJC | 11 March 2009 at 01:39 PM