April 7, 2006
The South Coast Air Quality Management District today approved a plan to
expand its development and demonstration of plug-in hybrid vehicles, a
technology capable of producing 100 mpg cars.
“Today’s hybrids improve fuel economy and reduce global warming
emissions,” said Ron Loveridge, Governing Board Member of the South Coast
Air Quality Management District. “Tomorrow’s plug-in hybrids take the
technology to the next level by producing zero emissions for the majority of
commuting trips.”
AQMD’s Governing Board today adopted a plan to expand its existing
plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) program by increasing its efforts on
technology development and establishing an outreach plan to help accelerate
the commercial viability of the technology.
A plug-in hybrid vehicle is similar to hybrids currently on the market
such as the Toyota Prius, but the plug-in technology has a larger battery
and is plugged in overnight to recharge. Plug-in vehicles typically travel
for 20 to 30 miles on battery power alone with zero emissions. A typical
PHEV sedan could get 100 miles per gallon.
The plan includes both a technical and outreach component.
Battery technology issues, including durability, cost and safety need to
be addressed if PHEVs are to become commercially viable. Under the plan
adopted today, AQMD will establish a working group with key partners,
including auto manufacturers and technical advisors, to assist the AQMD in
developing a PHEV technical plan to address batteries and infrastructure,
early demonstration of PHEV models and deployment strategies.
The expansion of the program will also include outreach to local
governments, environmental and community groups and others to educate them
on the benefits of PHEV technology and suggest ways they may incorporate the
vehicles into their fleets.
In addition, AQMD will assist the Plug-in Partners National Campaign by
showcasing early demonstration vehicles. The program, initiated by Austin
Energy, the electric utility in Austin, Texas, seeks to secure early orders
of demonstration PHEVs in the 50 largest U.S. cities.
AQMD has supported plug-in hybrid vehicles since 2000 through funding for
a market study on the technology, and development and demonstration of
numerous plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Currently, AQMD has two projects
underway: to demonstrate seven DaimlerChrysler PHEV Sprinter delivery vans,
and five Toyota Priuses converted to PHEVs.
The PHEV program is one of a variety of programs funded by the AQMD to
demonstrate the viability of new, lower-emission vehicle technologies,
including fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen internal-combustion engines,
low-emission heavy-duty engines and other projects.
In other action today, the Board:
- Awarded $500,000 to Waste Management - USA Waste of California to
increase the liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage capacity at a fueling
facility in Long Beach and construct one LNG production facility in
Livermore that will use renewable fuels from landfill gas to produce LNG.
About 90 percent of the LNG produced at the Livermore facility will be
used to fuel refuse trucks operating in the Southland. Recent breakdowns
of out-of-state natural gas plants have resulted in short-term supply
shortages of LNG for the Southland. Secure and uninterrupted fuel
supplies are necessary to support the growing network of LNG vehicles and
fueling stations;
- Set a public hearing for May 5 to amend Rule 1195 – Clean On-Road
School Buses – to extend the sunset date to allow the purchase of
diesel-powered school buses when the necessary refueling infrastructure is
not within five miles of the school bus fleet, and incentive funding of
$8,000 per school bus is not available to fund the construction of an
alternative fuel refueling station; and
- Set public hearings for May 5 to amend Rule 1186.1 – Less-Polluting
Sweepers and Rule 1196 – Clean On-Road Heavy-Duty Public Fleet Vehicles –
to extend the sunset dates to allow fleet operators to request an
exemption from the rules when the necessary refueling infrastructure is
not within five miles of the vehicle storage and maintenance yard.
Additionally, Rule 1186.1 will extend the sunset date for fleet operators
to request a rule exemption when no alternative-fueled vehicle exists for
certain street sweeping applications.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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