Texas preparing for electric cars with assistance from Ford

Spectre

The Deported
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
36,832
Location
Dallas, Texas
Car(s)
00 4Runner | 02 919 | 87 XJ6 | 86 CB700SC
These news items are a bit old, but I'm a tad surprised that nobody else has posted this yet.

The big problems with battery electric cars are range and charging. The former can be somewhat mitigated by use in a city adapted with charging stations. However, the big challenge for that has been building an infrastructure that can support it; a lesser challenge has been coming up with a standardized charging station format. Looks like Ford and Texas are going to solve those problems.

First, AutoBlog on the efforts in South and Central Texas.

Like it did in the Northwest last month, Ford is getting another area of the country ready for electric vehicles. In this case, it's two cities in Texas ? Austin and Houston ? where Ford is going to do a lot of consumer outreach and education, not only deploying electric vehicle charging stations. Ford's electric vehicle line-up for the next two years includes the Transit Connect, the Focus EV in 2011, two third-generation lithium-ion battery hybrids (2012) and a plug-in hybrid (2012).

In Houston, Ford will work with CenterPoint Energy on the programs, which includes:

developing strategies to minimize the emissions and distribution impacts of charging electric vehicles by using statewide system renewable energy resources and more efficient use of household electricity.

That's smart ? not sure exactly what it means, but it's smart.

Meanwhile, in Austin (pictured), Ford's partner will be Austin Energy, the utility behind the now-defunct Plug-in Partners. As in Houston, clearing regulatory hurdles for installing electric vehicle chargers is high on the to-do list. By the end of 2010, Austin Energy will offer "a home charging station and other benefits to vehicle owners in its service territory for a small monthly subscription fee." Installing public chargers is also on the agenda.


PRESS RELEASES

FORD AND CENTERPOINT ENERGY TEAM UP TO PREPARE HOUSTON AREA FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

* Ford and CenterPoint Energy will work together to develop consumer outreach and education programs on electric vehicles as well as share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical infrastructure can support the necessary demand.
* The Ford and CenterPoint Energy collaboration also includes developing strategies to minimize the emissions and distribution impacts of charging electric vehicles by using statewide system renewable energy resources and more efficient use of household electricity. This will be achieved by leveraging and showcasing CenterPoint Energy's smart meter and intelligent grid deployment coupled with Ford's smart charging solutions.
* Over the next two years, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, the Ford Focus Electric passenger car, two third generation lithium-ion battery hybrids (2012) and a plug-in hybrid (2012).
* Ford is working with utilities across the country to educate consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles and what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new technology. Houston is the third stop on the "Charging Into the Future Tour ? Ford Electric Vehicle Tour."

HOUSTON: Sept. 14, 2010 ? Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s (NYSE: CNP), electric transmission and distribution subsidiary today announced a collaboration to help prepare the Houston area for the operation of electric vehicles. Ford and CenterPoint Energy will work together to develop consumer outreach and education programs on electric vehicles as well as share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical infrastructure can support the necessary demand.

"Ford has a an aggressive plan to bring five new electrified vehicles to market over the next two years including the Transit Connect Electric later this year and the Focus battery electric in late 2011," said Chris Pick, Global Electrification Business Planning Manager, Ford Motor Company. "There is an incredible excitement for electric vehicles in the Houston area. To support the roll out and acceptance of these vehicles in Houston and across the country, it is crucial to work with local utilities to make sure the necessary electric infrastructure is ready."

"Together we will develop strategies to ensure the emissions and distribution impacts of charging electric vehicles will be minimized by encouraging both more efficient use of household electricity and plugging in vehicles at times when renewable energy resources are more likely to be the power source," said Charles Flynn, director of Energy Efficiency Programs for CenterPoint Energy. "Long term, we hope to leverage and showcase CenterPoint Energy's smart meter and intelligent grid deployment coupled with Ford's smart charging solutions."?

Ford and CenterPoint Energy also plan to work with state and local officials around permitting and regulations to support electric vehicle infrastructure. An easy charging station permitting process is considered one of the keys to electric vehicle acceptance in the Houston area, Texas and across the country.

The collaboration between Ford and CenterPoint Energy was announced during Ford's "Charging Into the Future Tour." The 14-city tour, which kicked off at Portland State University in Portland, Ore. last month, promotes Ford's electric vehicle strategy and educates consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles and what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new technology.

Over the next two years, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, the Ford Focus Electric passenger car, two third generation lithium-ion battery hybrids (2012) and a plug-in hybrid (2012). These vehicles will achieve breakthrough efficiency; some, like the pure battery electric Ford Transit Connect Electric and Ford Focus Electric, will use no gasoline at all.

Electrification is an important piece of Ford's overall product sustainability strategy that includes a range of fuel efficient and alternative fuel technologies including EcoBoost engines, six speed transmissions, power assisted steering, aerodynamic improvements and light weighting materials. Ford's electrification strategy also leverages the most fuel-efficient powertrains, the most technically competent hybrids and our global vehicle platforms in order to develop affordable choices for consumers.

About Ford Motor Company: Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

About CenterPoint Energy:CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines, and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Assets total over $19 billion. With about 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years. For more information, visit www.CenterPointEnergy.com.


FORD AND AUSTIN ENERGY TEAM UP TO PREPARE AUSTIN AREA FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

* Ford and Austin Energy will work together to develop consumer outreach and education programs on electric vehicles as well as share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical grid can support the necessary demand.
* Ford and Austin Energy also plan to work with state and local officials around permitting and regulations to support electric vehicle infrastructure. An easy charging station permitting process is considered one of the keys to electric vehicle acceptance in the Austin area, Texas and across the country.
* Over the next two years, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, the Ford Focus Electric passenger car, two third generation lithium-ion battery hybrids (2012) and a plug-in hybrid (2012).
* Ford is working with utilities across the country to educate consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles and what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new technology.

AUSTIN, TX: Sept. 14, 2010 ? Ford Motor Company and Austin Energy today announced a collaboration to help prepare the Austin area for the operation of electric vehicles. Ford and Austin Energy will work together to develop consumer outreach and education programs on electric vehicles as well as share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical grid can support the necessary demand.

"Ford has a plan to bring five new electrified vehicles to market over the next two years to provide a variety of automobile options to the meet the wide range of driving needs consumers have and demand," said Chris Pick, Manager of Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure, Ford Motor Company. "There is clearly an excitement for electric vehicles in the Austin area. To support the roll out and acceptance of these vehicles in Austin and across the country, it is crucial to work with local utilities, like Austin Energy, to make sure the necessary infrastructure and demand on the grid are ready."

Ford and Austin Energy also plan to work with state and local officials around permitting and regulations to support electric vehicle infrastructure. An easy charging station permitting process is considered one of the keys to electric vehicle acceptance in the Austin area, Texas and across the country.

"Austin Energy is working aggressively to have a pilot program in place by the end of the this year where the utility will provide a home charging station and other benefits to vehicle owners in it's service territory for a small monthly subscription fee" said Austan Librach, Director, Emerging Transportation Technologies for Austin Energy.

The utility has set up five internal staff efforts to get the City ready for Plug-In electric vehicles. First, there is a group working to establish a grid of public charging stations throughout the area so that people will be able to top off their batteries conveniently. A second effort is geared to updating Austin's building codes and adjusting the permitting process so that vehicle owners will be able to work with the city to have a charging station placed in their garage with no more than a two-day turn-around. In addition, Austin Energy is working nationally on the vehicle communication software to help the utility/customer schedule the best time for charging and has several other groups considering the development of business models, marketing and outreach. Overall, the utility has created a transportation roadmap and timeline to be ready by 2012 for plug-in electric vehicles when they show up at dealer's showrooms in the Austin region.

The collaboration between Ford and Austin Energy is part of a nationwide outreach by the automobile manufacturer to educate consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles and what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new technology.

Over the next two years, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, the Ford Focus Electric passenger car, two third generation lithium-ion battery hybrids (2012) and a plug-in hybrid (2012).

These vehicles will achieve breakthrough efficiency; some, like the pure battery electric vehicles Ford Transit Connect Electric and Ford Focus Electric, will use no gasoline at all.

Electrification is an important piece of Ford's overall product sustainability strategy that includes a range of fuel efficient and alternative fuel technologies including EcoBoost engines, six speed transmissions, power assisted steering, aerodynamic improvements and light weighting materials. Ford's electrification strategy also leverages the most fuel-efficient powertrains, the most technically competent hybrids and our global vehicle platforms in order to develop affordable choices for consumers.

About Ford Motor Company: Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

About Austin Energy: Austin Energy is the 9th largest community-owned electric utility in the country with more than 400,000 customers serving a population of more than 900,000 in the City of Austin, Travis County and parts of Williamson County. Austin Energy has about 3000 megawatts of generation and has led the nation the last eight years in a row for sales of renewable energy by a utility-sponsored program. The Utility created the Plug-in Partners National Campaign and has been a leader in the promotion of electric vehicles.

And then the Ford press release for here in North Texas.

FORD AND ONCOR TEAM UP TO PREPARE NORTH TEXAS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

* Ford and Oncor will work together to develop consumer outreach and education programs on electric vehicles as well as share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical grid can support customers? needs.
* Cooperation between Ford and Oncor also includes working with state and local officials on the most efficient ways to bring EVs to north Texas.
* Over the next two years, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, the Ford Focus Electric passenger car, two third generation lithium-ion battery hybrids (2012) and a plug-in hybrid (2012).
* Ford is working with utilities across the country to educate consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles and what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new technology. Dallas is the fourth stop on Ford?s ?Charging Into the Future Tour.?

DALLAS: Sept. 16, 2010 ? Ford Motor Company and Oncor today announced they are coordinating efforts to help prepare North Texas for the operation of electric vehicles. Ford and Oncor will work together to develop consumer outreach and education programs on electric vehicles as well as share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical grid can support the necessary demand.

?Over the next two years, Ford plans on bringing five new electrified vehicles to market including the Transit Connect Electric later this year and the Focus battery electric in late 2011,? said Nancy Gioia, Global Director of Electrification, Ford Motor Company. ?We know there is an incredible excitement for electric vehicles in the North Texas area and across the country. To support the roll out and acceptance of these vehicles, it is crucial to work with local utilities, like Oncor, to make sure the necessary infrastructure is ready.?

Cooperation between Ford and Oncor also involves working with the state and local governments on the most efficient ways to bring EVs to north Texas. Oncor has already installed more than a million of its 3.4 million smart meters, providing information to help customers charge vehicles when rates are lowest. Oncor will also build about 850 miles of new transmission lines from Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) in West Texas to the rest of the state by 2013, enabling electric vehicles to be powered from clean, renewable domestic sources.

?Oncor?s investment in new infrastructure from smart meters to CREZ lines makes Texas the best place in the world for plug-in electric cars,? said Bob Shapard, Chief Executive Officer of Oncor. ?Our preparation now will help curb drivers? emissions, improving air quality, and will reduce the need for power plants to charge these vehicles.?

The collaboration between Ford and Oncor was announced during Ford?s ?Charging Into the Future Electric Vehicle Tour.? The 14-city tour, which kicked off at Portland State University in Portland, Ore. last month, promotes Ford?s electric vehicle strategy and educates consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles and what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new technology.

The Dallas event also ties into the region?s Electric Vehicles North Texas Initiative led by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The initiative was developed to coordinate collaboration with utility companies, regional governments, school districts, transit authorities and local businesses in an effort to develop a plan that prepares North Texas for the transition to plug-in electric vehicles.

Over the next two years, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, the Ford Focus Electric passenger car, two third generation lithium-ion battery hybrids (2012) and a plug-in hybrid (2012).

The Dallas event also ties into the region?s Electric Vehicles North Texas Initiative led by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The initiative was developed to coordinate collaboration with utility companies, regional governments, school districts, transit authorities and local businesses in an effort to develop a plan that prepares North Texas for the transition to plug-in electric vehicles.

These vehicles will achieve breakthrough efficiency; some, like the pure battery electric vehicles Ford Transit Connect Electric and Ford Focus Electric, will use no gasoline at all.

Electrification is an important piece of Ford?s overall product sustainability strategy that includes a range of fuel efficient and alternative fuel technologies including EcoBoost engines, six speed transmissions, power assisted steering, aerodynamic improvements and light weighting materials. Ford?s electrification strategy also leverages the most fuel-efficient powertrains, the most technically competent hybrids and our global vehicle platforms in order to develop affordable choices for consumers.

About Ford Motor Company: Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company?s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford?s products, please visit www.ford.com.

About Oncor: Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (?Oncor?) is a regulated electricity distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, delivering power to more than 3 million homes and businesses and operating approximately 117,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas. While Oncor is owned by a limited number of investors (including majority owner, Energy Future Holdings Corp.), Oncor is managed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of a majority of independent directors.

I haven't seen any articles about this being tried on this scale anywhere else - this should help resolve some of the issues with BEVs. It will allow an infrastructure to be built which will allow the deployment of truly rapid chargers and take the additional load of same, which doesn't currently exist anywhere. Ford's prior initiative in the Northwest was basically just the cities of Portland and Seattle.

For you Europeans, this Texas program is akin to prepping the entire countries of France and Portugal for BEVs, something that isn't happening right now. This is a huge market. And yes, Texas is continuing to build all kinds of generation with an eye to future needs.

Hope the BEV guys like whatever charging standard Ford comes up with, because with the numbers that are going to be produced for this, it's likely to become the world standard. :D

It also, incidentally, also sets the stage for home hydrogen generation stations as the power feeds for electric battery chargers can also serve hydrocracking stations.
 
Last edited:
It also, incidentally, also sets the stage for home hydrogen generation stations as the power feeds for electric battery chargers can also serve hydrocracking stations.

Tangential point, but electrolysis of water != hydrocracking. Unless you mean to say that they plan to use the electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, and then feed that hydrogen to a hydrocracker. :p
 
Tangential point, but electrolysis of water != hydrocracking. Unless you mean to say that they plan to use the electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, and then feed that hydrogen to a hydrocracker. :p

I know it's technically incorrect, but it's a term running around as a short form of "hydrogen cracker".
 
I don't trust anything that Oncor has their hands in...
 
Top