An Introduction to NEVs

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Carolina Blue Skies ProjectA Clean Cities Recovery Act Project

of the U.S. Department of EnergyProject LeadsTriangle Clean Cities CoalitionTriangle J Council of Governments

Project Partners-Triangle Clean Cities-North Carolina Solar Center-Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition-Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition-Palmetto State Clean Fuel Coalition

Project funding$31,513,885-Clean Cities: $12 million-Matching Funds: $19.5 million

Vehicles-26 neighborhood electric vehicles ( NEVs)-43 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles-66 hybrid electric vehicles-357 propane vehicles

Infrastructure-6 propane fueling stations-11 CNG fueling stations-15 biodiesel fueling stations-21 E85 fueling stations-112 electric vehicle charging stations

Triangle Clean Cities Coalition

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What is an NEV?

• A Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) is a street-legal, battery-powered electric vehicle .

• Limited to roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph (60 km/h) or less. • Runs at top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) since it is defined within a category known

as “low-speed vehicles”• Well-suited for use in small communities and commercial complexes, and on

campuses where getting from one point to another does not require highway access.

• Generally: Low speed vehicles may be licensed for street use if they have all required safety equipment (windshield with wiper, lights, horn, seatbelts). They do not have all the crash safety equipment of conventional vehicles.

• They are easy to operate- much like other cars and trucks. They are scaled down versions of conventional vehicles

Vantage Crew Cab Truck

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Advantages of an NEV• Zero tail pipe emissions• Affordable transportation• Supports local businesses, need to shop locally• Saves money (1-3 cents a mile to operate,

depending on the price of electricity per kilowatt-hour in your area)

• Very low-maintenance • Small and maneuverable and may offer better access to

worksite than a large vehicle• Inexpensive insurance (about half the cost for gasoline cars)

The Zebra sedan

NEVs Can Be Used For

• Landscape maintenance• Mail service • Maintenance • Parking enforcement• Shuttling passengers/visitors• Security/law enforcement

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Star Passenger Bus

Current Entities Successfully Using NEVs

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• UNC-Charlotte (97); Chapel Hill (19); Greensboro(30); Asheville (13) ; Wilmington (1)

• Cape Fear Community College (3)• East Carolina University (8)• Fayetteville State University (15)• NC A & T State University(3)• City of Asheville: Parking Enforcement (3);

Central Business District Police (3); Public Works crews (1); Administration Mail Courier (1).

• South Carolina Bureau of Protective Services (2)• NC Departments of: Agriculture & Consumer Services (4); Environment &

Natural Resources (2); Health & Human Services (1); Transportation (1) • Great Smoky Mountains National Park (2)

A CT&T E-zone. It will be manufactured in Spartanburg, SC. Currently used by Bureau of Protective Services in Columbia, SC.

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There are Several Top-Selling NEVs• Columbia

ParCar• eRide• GEM• Miles • Star• Vantage• ZAP• Zenn

eRideGem

Columbia ParCar

NEVs come in many shapes, styles, and configurations

Zenn

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Battery tips- Lead Acid• Most NEV’s use batteries that look much like your car

battery- they are a bit different.• Realize NEW batteries may take about 12 to 15

recharges before they hold a full charge.• Lead acid batteries have no recharge memory meaning

you do not have to be concerned as to how often and when you recharge.

• It is best for battery life not to discharge fully though- keeping 30% reserve

is a good practice.

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Batteries Need Understanding

•Very high and very low temperatures may make your NEV seem sluggish. As temperature comes back to normal so will performance.

•Charge in a well ventilated area away from sparks or flame.

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LOW Maintenance Does Not Mean NO Maintenance

• Batteries need checking now and then• Standard batteries should be topped up with distilled water• Some manufactures offer a system to help- for example

www.trojanbattery.com/flash/Hydrolink/lowres.html

• “Maintenance-free” batteries should be examined for damage and corrosion

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Regular Maintenance• Tire pressure can seriously affect range of an EV-

check them regularly• Remember a tagged vehicle is subject to annual

state inspection• Always use the parking brake- the transmission will

not hold on a hill• Turn it off when you get out- since there is no noise it

is easy to forget! Also turn off accessories• Plug in when opportunity arises

Simple Controlsa GEM Dashboard

Multi-function stalk (turn signals, wiper, horn

Handbrake, parking brake

Instrument cluster

Light switch, behind wheel

FAN- Hi, off, Low switch

Brake pedal accelerator12

GEM’s Dash Controls

Wheel Lock, Start switch

Behind this panel are the fuse box and a master disconnect switch

Remember log your mileage

Defroster switch

“gear" selectionTrip miles reset

The Driver’s seat is adjustable

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Starting Off• Unplug it first!• When you put the key in, turn the switch. You’ll discover-

nothing much happens.• The lit instrument cluster may be the only clue the vehicle

is ON.• Release the parking brake, select a gear, push the

accelerator and GO.• The steering is not power assisted- being in motion makes

it easier to turn the steering wheel. • You will use the brake, but notice how lifting off the

accelerator noticeably slows the car.

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Rules of the Road ApplyDriving Tips

• Remember, it may look odd but it is a licensed vehicle: wear your seatbelt, have your license, obey the rules

• Claim your space in traffic, it is a small car• Stay off roads with limits over 35mph. An NEV top

speed is about 25mph.• Be aware: pedestrians may not hear you• Be sure to check with your local municipalities for

any potential restrictions before purchasing an NEV.

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Gear Selections

• Some NEV’s like Vantage and e-Ride simply have forward or reverse.

• Others such as Mega and GEM have a "high" and "low" range. Some brands have multiple gears to accommodate loads and hills.

• Gear selection in an EV is silent and simple. Usually reverse has an audible warning.

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Things You’ll Adjust to

• Controls may seem simple and one switch may share functions. i.e. GEM horn is on the turn signal stalk along with the wiper control. Read the owner’s manual!

• Steering and brakes may be manual, not power• Silent operation will startle people- be aware when

approaching pedestrians or cyclists• Plug in for the next time and make sure you have

turned it off

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Tips to Extend Driving RangeHow far can you go? It all depends….

• GEM is rated to go 30 to 35 miles between charging. Some go 50 to 60 miles. Plan ahead and don’t drain the battery dead.

• Operating accessories (lights, fan, defroster) will draw current and reduce range.

• Going fast will draw current faster, reducing range- be smooth, you’ll go further. You don’t always need to go 25 mph.

• Keep an eye on the green bars indicating “charge left”.

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NEVs Can Attract Attention

• It has a 7 hp DC motor, front wheel drive,

with 6 - 12 volt maintenance free batteries (under the back seat) so, it is a 72 volt system

• It can be used in the rain• It charges on 110v (household) current and

may take 8 hours to fully charge• NEV’s can usually cover a work day’s travel

requirements (at least 30 miles), and some go further

Drivers should be prepared to educate the curious. Answers to sample FAQs about the NC Solar Center GEMe4:

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NEVs in the U.S.-Leading the Way

• NEVs are excellent choices for compact community driving and offer real value as an alternative to a full size gasoline vehicle.

• NEVs (and drivers) are also ambassadors to the coming fleet of full size EVs soon to be offered in the U.S.

• Every major manufacturer will be introducing plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) over the next 1-3 years. Applications range from passenger vehicles to medium duty commercial vehicles.

Plug in Hybrid or Extended Range EV ALL ELECTRIC

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Ford Escape PHEV VW Golf TwinDrive

Toyota FT-EV

Mini-EChrysler/Fiat EV Subaru R1eBMW Concept

Hyundai Blue-Will Volvo C30 Kia Ray Mercedes BlueCell Tesla Model S

GM PHEV Chevrolet Volt

Cadillac Converj BYD 3DFM

Toyota Prius

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Fisker Karma

Mitsubishi iMIEV

Ford Transit Connect

Nissan Leaf

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?Tesla

Smart ED

Ford Focus

Slide; Progress Energy ; Mike Waters

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Automaker Plug-in Plans

Slide compliments of Duke and Progress Energy22

PEV forecast from 2007 EPRI-NRDC study

PEV Adoption Forecasts

Notes:1. Includes hybrid vehicles

Obama Administration has set a goal of achieving 1 million PEVs on the road in five years

PEV Charging

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•Commercial EV charging stations for J1772 plugs will expand significantly over the next fuel years. EV’s will also come equipped with a trickle charger and standard plug to take advantage of ‘opportunistic’ charging at a slower rate•A standard for 120v and 240v vehicle charging has been set by SAE. J 1772 connector will be common among EV’s in North America and Japan. It has 5 pins: 2 for AC power in, Ground , Proximity detection (car is connected and has not moved), control (for future communication needs) • To reduce “ range anxiety” for EVs public charging infrastructure is being installed on work , shopping centers, city parking lots and garages, airports, hotels, government offices, and other businesses.

PEV Charging• Level 1 charging uses a common 120-volt, single-phase

outlet for a three-prong grounded connector with ground-fault circuit interrupt and requires 8 to 20hours to fully charge a vehicle, depending on the EV and battery type. Advantage of Level 1 charging equipment is that it eliminates the need for upgrades to the current electrical service.

• Level 2 charging requires 4 to 8 hours, depending on the EV, battery type, and capacity. Electrical specifications include:- 208-240 volts ac single-phase maximum nominal supply

- 32 amps maximum continuous current with 40 amps branch circuit protection

• Level 3 charging still in development, requires high voltage to replenish EV batteries in <30 min

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NCSU Level 2 charger- J1722 plug on left; 110 volt outlet on right

www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/electric_charging_equipment.html#level2

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Future Option: Rapid Charging

• Commercial PEV refill fast as pumping gas?

A design has not been standardized but there is hope for charging batteries rapidly at EV service ‘pumps’

Nissan LEAF ‘SL’ model includes a rapid charge connection next to the 240v

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Regional Resources• Clean Cities Coalitions

– Triangle Clean Cities Coalition www.trianglecleancities.org – Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition (Charlotte) www.4cleanfuels.com – Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition (Asheville) www.landofsky.org– Palmetto State Clean Cities www.palmettocleanfuels.org/

• North Carolina Solar Center www.cleantransportation.org• Advanced Energy- NC Get Ready

www.advancedenergy.org/transportation/programs_and_initiatives/nc_getready.php

• Plug In Carolina - www.plugincarolina.org/new_home