PROPOSAL:
Execute Contract to Cosponsor Study for Commercialization of Advanced
Hybrid Electric Vehicles
SYNOPSIS:
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) assembled a working group
that compared the impacts and benefits of various hybrid electric vehicle
options for light and medium-duty vehicles. Technology developments in the
areas of fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles with vehicle-to-grid power capability and other advancements have
enhanced the paths to commercialization. The total cost of this project to
evaluate the paths to commercialization of advanced hybrid electric
vehicles is $1,300,000. The AQMD’s contribution shall not exceed $250,000,
with contributions of $250,000 from CARB, $150,000 from Department of
Transportation, and $650,000 from EPRI and its members. Clean Fuel funds
are available in the Technology Advancement Plan updated March 2002 in
category M5-4.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, January 25, 2002, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Electric Power
Research Institute (EPRI) for the evaluation of paths to commercialization
of advanced hybrid electric vehicles in an amount not to exceed $250,000
from the Clean Fuels Fund, contingent on CARB co-funding.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
Commercially available hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have a small
internal combustion engine with an electric drivetrain and an electric
generator onboard to charge the batteries. This enables energy efficient
strategies such as regenerative braking to improve gasoline fuel economy.
The variety of commercially available gasoline-fueled HEVs is expected to
grow over the next few years. The manner in which the various vehicle
components are sized, packaged, fueled, and controlled substantially impacts
the air quality benefits they are likely to provide.
AQMD provided $250,000 to share the cost of over $1.2 million for a
project entitled "Comparing the Benefits and Impacts of Hybrid Electric
Vehicle Options" with input from the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Working Group (HEVWG)
assembled by EPRI. Preliminary evaluation of various HEV architectures was
narrowed to collect and analyze data needed to compare two parallel
"plug-in" HEV designs with 20 miles and 60 miles of all electric range with
a gasoline-fueled HEV design and a gasoline-fueled conventional vehicle. As
analyzed, "plug-in" HEVs would plug in at night to recharge when presumably
electricity is cheaper and excess energy is available. For short trips, the
vehicle would run on battery power alone, producing zero tailpipe emissions.
The engine would be used to complete longer trips and would be refueled with
gasoline. The final report focusing on a mid-size vehicle platform was
published in June 2001 and includes evaluation of the following areas: 1)
HEV architecture, performance, modeling; and impacts; 2) costs; 3) customer
preference; and 4) commercialization issues. In addition to several
technical findings, this study showed that a majority of people would prefer
plugging in a vehicle when parked to refueling of a conventional vehicle,
especially when they understand the benefits in fuel economy savings, energy
diversity, quieter operation and air quality improvement. AQMD added $50,000
to share the cost of completing an addendum using the same methodology for a
small car and SUV platform.
Proposal
Through the previous analysis using General Motors vehicle platforms for
base comparisons, the HEVWG has identified several areas where more
information is needed including realistic driving cycles for evaluation of
efficiency and emissions, optimal HEV architectures and component choices,
refined cost projections for mass-production, and optimal HEV operating
strategies for minimization of battery life cycle costs. Modeling input
regarding Ford and/or other major vehicle platforms will be added.
In addition, continuing technology developments (including the potential
value of different degrees of hybridization in fuel cell powered vehicles,
the potential value of vehicles with vehicle-to-grid connection capability
as sources of distributed power services, and other advanced vehicle
technologies) increase the long-term growth opportunities for HEVs.
Information exchange and collaboration with related efforts such as the
German "BMWi" fuel cell vehicle design/optimization and market assessment
project, which includes representatives of the German Federal Government,
Daimler Chrysler, Ford, Opel/GM and Volkswagen, may add mutually beneficial
results.
The scope of work for this proposal includes: 1) Technical-economic
assessment and optimization; 2) Market assessment and strategy development;
3) Analysis of long term opportunities, and 4) A business case analysis that
will enable a technology demonstration and benefits validation.
The original HEVWG will continue essentially unchanged except a different
mix of automotive manufacturers may participate and key energy storage
developers may be added. AQMD staff recognizes the critical importance of
having the involvement of automotive manufacturers in this effort and will
require the creation of a core vehicle manufacturer advisory group with a
representative from each major auto maker as a task of this project.
Subcontractors appropriate to the tasks will include the national
laboratories, University of California Davis, and the Southern California
Edison Electric Vehicle Center.
Benefits to AQMD
Successful completion of this project will result in a business case
analysis that will enable a technology demonstration and help expedite the
introduction of additional near-zero emitting vehicles in the South Coast
Basin. Sufficient funding for the proposed amendment is included in the
March 2002 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 2000M5-4,
"Evaluation and Demonstration of Light and Medium-Duty Hybrid Electric
Vehicles and Systems."
Sole Source Justification
Section VIII.B.2. of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four
major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This
request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: Other
circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer
require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD. Specifically, these
circumstances are B.2.d.(1): Project involving cost sharing by multiple
sponsors.
EPRI was founded in 1973 as a non-profit energy research consortium, and
manages a far-reaching program of scientific research, technology
development, and product implementation.
EPRI arranged cost sharing for this project in an amount of $1,050,000,
and has a long history of managing and supporting similar projects involving
development and commercialization of new technologies. The working group
brought together by EPRI for this project has significant experience in
vehicle development, modeling, assessment of test cycles, evaluation of
emissions and performance, and commercialization of new technologies. The
participants of the working group are comprised of private and public
stakeholders including automotive manufacturers and/or Tier 1 suppliers,
Department of Energy through their Argonne National Laboratory (ANL),
University of California, Davis, New York Power Authority, Southern
California Edison, Southern Company, EPRI, Department of Transportation,
CARB, and AQMD. Each entity brings a wealth of knowledge and experience
directly related to the development, assessment, and commercialization of
HEVs both from regulatory and commercialization standpoints. In addition,
the AQMD’s contribution to this project is leveraged in a ratio of better
than 1 to 4.
Resource Impacts
The total cost for this project is approximately $1,300,000. The amount
of AQMD funding shall not exceed $250,000.
Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as
a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels
Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections
40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms
to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the
utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary
advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are
restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities
related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels
Program.
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