Universities, colleges, and municipalities

Universities, colleges, and municipalities

As the major urban centers of the state, municipalities such as Louisville and Lexington are also likely potential first adopters. Regional planning will be impacted by recent efforts stemming from the identification of the Lexington-Louisville corridor as a potential super-region by the Brookings Institute and the Bluegrass Economic Advancement Movement (BEAM). The mayors of Lexington and Louisville are involved in ongoing discussions regarding developing this “super-region”.

Louisville’s public transportation office, Transit Authority of River City, has received a major FTA grant for five fully electric buses and charging stations.

EV Readiness Assessment

Vehicle Availability

In September, 2012, the Transit Authority of River City (TARC), announced funding awarded to them by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the purchase of five plug in electric transit buses and recharging equipment. Delivery of these buses is anticipated in late 2013. These buses will replace aging trolleys on downtown routes.

To reduce barriers to EV availability in Kentucky, policy incentives and ready buyers need to be available where vehicle manufactures already have market share and manufacturing capacity. Building infrastructure alone will not be enough to stimulate the industry as Kentucky is not currently a target for EV distribution. Permitting and siting criteria must be established before installation and vehicle availability can proliferate.

Kentucky needs to work towards becoming a strategically important region for the rollout of EVs. The automotive industry is an important part of the state’s economy, with over $2 billion in investment since 2004 and employing over 64,000 people statewide.³

Incentives

Possible incentives include:

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  EV Specific Electricity Rates
  
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  State Tax Credit for purchase of EV or PHEV ($3,000-$6,000)
  
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  State tax credit for conversion of hybrid to PHEV
  
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  Tax credit or rebate for purchase of EVSE
  
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  Waive registration fee
  
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  HOV access and parking incentives (reduced rates or preferred parking)
  
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  Inspection exemption for installation of EVSE
  
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  Work with banks and dealers to offer low-interest loans for plug-ins, based on projected lower operating costs from gas savings
  
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  Bundle all incentives at vehicle point of purchase
  
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  EV-only parking at charging stations
  
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  Incentives that recognize early adopters as typically those who prefer low ongoing fuel costs despite higher upfront costs.
  

A smart grid would provide additional efficiency benefits by taking advantage of off peak charging rates and feeding unused power back into the grid during on peak hours.

A renewable portfolio standard would stimulate renewable energy as a feed source for electric vehicles leading to additional environmental benefits from the use of electric vehicles.

Low electricity rates

Job Creation

Infrastructure

Residential Charging

Vehicle and charging station manufacturers are partnering with direct to consumer resources such as Best Buy to facilitate the installation of home charging infrastructure. These efforts would be integrated into a robust strategic EV implementation plan for Kentucky.

Public Charging Stations

Currently there are no public charging points in Kentucky, and strategic planning will likely focus on public charging as secondary to residential and workplace charging. There is currently no available research on the best locations for public charging stations. Commuting studies on Kentucky’s largest urban areas will be requested from the Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA), to include Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfort.

Other Charging Infrastructure

Workplace charging stations for private and fleet vehicles will likely first be piloted by early adopters. Strategic EV planning will engage potential early adopter stakeholders.

Businesses offering charging stations to customers are also likely to be piloted by early adopters and will be incorporated into stakeholder engagement during strategic EV planning.

Environmental considerations

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  Support from the local environmental community will require addressing coal as the fuel source for Kentucky’s electricity.
  
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  Environmental pros and cons of coal powered electricity for vehicles versus traditional gasoline and diesel fuel.
  

Economic considerations

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  Cost savings between electricity versus traditional gasoline.
  
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  Economic impacts of fuel switching from gasoline to electricity.
  
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  Benefits of the diversification of fuel sources in Kentucky’s transportation sector.
  

Stakeholder considerations

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  Education of internal industry stakeholders.
  
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  Education of external public stakeholders.
  

7. Permitting Process Analysis

A universal permitting code will be needed for residential and commercial charging stations. A national standard could be adopted in Kentucky.

Additional information on permitting awareness and rapid growth positioning will be gleaned from KCFC’s collaboration with other Clean Cities organizations focusing on major plug in electric projects.

8. Analysis of Public Information and Education Needs

Public education

In addition, education would depend upon a review of early adopters’ efforts, such as government and educational institutions, as well as utilities, rural electric collaboratives, and corporations with existing sustainability strategies. Education would include maintenance, safety, battery replacement, among other issues.

First responder training will primarily be provided by the companies that supply the equipment, vehicles and charging. This will include outreach education in the form of general marketing as well as direct hands-on education of first responders and others. Strategic EV planning would engage first responders as stakeholders in implementation efforts.

Education efforts by KCFC

In addition, the learning curve associated with plug-in electric vehicles is supported by growing hybrid electric vehicles across the state, including attention brought by KCFC’s collaborative effort to procure hybrid electric school buses across the state, now numbering over 125 with 34 more on order and saving each district an average of 600 gallons of fuel per year.

In the fall of 2012 Bob Hook Chevrolet in Louisville provided KCFC with a Nissan Volt to use as a rolling educational tool all over the state.

KCFC developed the first industry level electric vehicle workshop in the state. The successful October 21, 2011 event, “Electric Vehicles: Is Kentucky Ready to Run?” included emerging leaders from the electric vehicle and infrastructure manufacturing industry as well as economic, policy, and electricity grid experts.

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  Connectivity – KCFC successfully provided connectivity across the electric vehicle industry in Kentucky and key relationships were established.
  
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  Resource Development -- Overall, attendees were excited and positive about the potential for EVs in Kentucky and ready to collaborate about next steps.
  
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  Strong foundation -- Kentucky has a strong foundation of vehicle and battery manufacturing and research. Kentucky also has the advantage of very low electricity rates.
  
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  Vehicle availability – Kentucky is positioned last, as a phase 4 rollout state. Though specific Kentucky availability is not yet known, electric vehicles will be more widely available in 2012.
  
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  Infrastructure -- Stakeholders should communicate needs to charging station developers.
  
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  Residential charging -- Agreement that infrastructure development should focus first on residential charging, then workplace, and lastly public charging stations.
  
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  Utility engagement – Utility companies want to be engaged with automakers and dealerships to proactively prevent any grid problems from EVs hitting the road.
  

Other educational opportunities include KCFC’s fleet recognition program, Green Fleets of the Bluegrass,⁵ which provides analysis and annual ratings of participating fleet efforts across the state.

9. Key Contacts/Personnel