Heavy Hitters Form Coalition and Roadmap to Promote EVs

A group of industry heavyweights have formed the Electrification Coalition to promote mass deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) to counter the economic, environmental and national security vulnerabilities associated with the country's continued dependence on foreign oil.

The coalition includes leaders from more than a dozen major players, including Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, FedEX Corporation President and CEO Frederick W. Smith, and NRG Energy President and CEO David W. Crane.

The non-partisan, non-profit group's first step was the launch today of the Electrification Roadmap, which outlines the dangers inherent in continued dependence on foreign oil, explains the benefits of electrification, the obstacles facing large-scale adoption of electric vehicles—and proposes specific policies to effectively meet those challenges.

PRTM, a global management consulting company, provided the market analysis and technical data for the Roadmap, which includes detailed projections of vehicle costs.

A key assertion of the Roadmap is that 75% of light-duty vehicle miles driven in the United States should be electric miles by 2040. With that goal achieved, oil consumption by the light-duty fleet could be reduced by over 75% and crude oil imports could effectively be zero.

Essentially, that means 250 million EVs will need to be on the road within the next 30 years, compared to the 1.3 million in service now, according to a Reuters news report.

"The first electric vehicles will be delivered in 12 months. The widespread acceptance of zero emission cars will require more than the efforts automakers can provide on their own," said Nissan's Ghosn. "Public and private collaboration will be the key to mainstream acceptance."

FedEx CEO Smith agreed. "It is time for business leaders and policymakers alike to step up. Our unrelenting dependence on oil  has threatened our nation for too long. Up to now, electrification seemed like a pipe dream. But we are offering a realistic, practical, achievable plan to build a transportation system that will enhance our national security, propel economic growth, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions."

The reduction of those greenhouse gas emissions from widespread adoption of EVs and Smart Grid technologies for clean power could help mitigate global warming.

The Roadmap calls for the development of electrification "ecosystems," which are defined as geographic areas where all components of an electrified transportation system are in place. The report says the creation of the ecosystems would be the first step in taking vehicle electrification into a dominant mainstream concept.

Other elements of the Roadmap include specific policies for batteries and vehicles, charging infrastructure, electric power sector interface and consumer acceptance.

"It is absolutely crucial that all of the key elements of an electrified transportation system are introduced in a highly coordinated fashion and in a way that is effective, affordable, and appealing to actual American consumers, NRG Energy's Crane commented.

   Quick Take: This may be the issue that gets consumers onboard the Smart Grid bandwagon. They get high gas prices; they get dependence on foreign oil ... and they can't get EVs on a large scale without a smarter grid.

   Electrification Coalition press release

   Smart Grid Electric Transportation Channel

   V2G a Smart Grid Blessing or Curse?