Introduction to Alternative Vehicle Fueling Infrastructure and Permitting Steph Carver, GPCOG Senior Planner Steve Linnell, GPCOG Director of Transportation and Energy Planning, and Maine Clean Communities Coordinator
Alternative Fuel Trends -Around the World BMW, Nissan, Renault and VW have partnered in the United Kingdom and Ireland to create an EV charging network throughout Europe. China currently has 70,000 EVs on its roads. Nevada has a parking program that allows alternative fuel vehicles to park for free in municipal lots. Chicago offers ½% bid incentive to companies that have 50% or more of their fleet as alternative fuel vehicles, and creates a grant fund aimed at owners for installation of EV charging units. There are more than 10,160 alternative fueling stations across the United States. (Dept. of Energy)
Alternative Fuel Vehicles- What's happening in Maine? Maine has one of the highest per capita CO2 emissions in New England (50% from transportation). Alternative Fueling Stations already in Maine: Biodiesel (B20 and above): 3 Natural Gas: 2 (Bangor and Portland) Electric (Public): 35 Propane Autogas: 11
Discussion: 3 Types of Alternative Vehicles Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Propane (Autogas) Electric Vehicles
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Stored on board the vehicle at 3600 PSI Domestically Produced More economical, efficient, abundant, and generally safer than conventional fuels. Burns cleaner than other fuels.
CNG Vehicles High mileage, low mpg vehicles are best candidates Fleet vehicles such as waste and transit. 12-15% of public transit buses run on CNG. About 18 of METRO s 32 buses are fueled by CNG. Available models: trucks, vans, buses (Honda Civic, Chevy Savana Van, Ford F-series pick-ups). Qualified Vehicle Modifiers (QVM) for gaseous fuel ready vehicles.
CNG Fueling Stations- 2 types Fast-fill vs. Time-fill CNG Fueling Stations: o Portland (for city vehicles only) o Bangor(Not open to the public) o Westbrook (permitted). o Several other stations in planning/permitting phase. Next nearest public station is Nashua, N.H.
Propane Autogas/Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Home heating, vehicle fuel, recreational use 3rd behind gasoline and diesel as an engine fuel. More than 270,000 propane vehicles on the road today (U.S.) 10 million worldwide (Source: Propane Education and Research Council) Commonly fuels fleet vehicles - relatively low costs and widespread fueling infrastructure. Odor is added to the gas for safety to detect leaks. 60 % less carbon monoxide, 20 % less nitrogen, and up to 24 % less greenhouse gas emissions. 90% of the propane supply is produced domestically.
Permitting Alternative Fuel Facilities Federal/State Permitting o take significant time (MaineDEP, USDOT, NFPA). Local Permitting o Involves CEO/Planning Board. o May trigger site plan review depending on the scale of the project. o facilities often permitted as service stations. Education o Public and municipal officials should be brought in early and educated about alternative fuels.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) 500,000 EVs have been sold nationwide. Variety of federal and state tax incentives across the country(not in Maine). Environmental Impact- In 2013, over half of Maine's net electricity generation came from renewable sources, with about 29% from hydro, 25% from wood, and 7% from wind.
Electric Vehicles 101 Types: Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs):gas engine + electric motor (never plugged in). Ex. Prius. Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV): gas engine + electric motor (plugged in). Ex. Chevy Volt. Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV): Electric Motor + battery and no gas(plugged-in). Ex. Nissan Leaf.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Level 1-120 volts (uses standard home outlet) 8-10 hours for a full charge. Level 2-240 Volt (same voltage as your dryer or stove) 4-8 hours. DC Fast Charging (must be full EV)- 480 Volts, about 20-30 minutes to charge. Some company's offer free charging stations (Tesla, BMW). Several public charging stations are free to use (South Portland).
Permitting EV Infrastructure Levels 1 or 2 usually require a certified electrician and an electric permit. If you need to install a new circuit or new electric meter or upgrade your electrical panel for either a Level 1 or Level 2 charger, you ll need a permit and an electrical inspection. D.C. Fast Charging are usually permitted for commercial or municipal sites. May be part of a new site plan, or require a minor adjustment to approved site plan requiring only staff review. If it is added to an existing site it requires a simple electric permit, possible excavation permit.
EV Charging Stations- Municipalities Defining EV charging infrastructure as a permissible use: First step on which to build future regulations. Allows municipalities to shape the deployment of units within the larger context of land use. Incentivizing zoning: exchange of development bonuses for the inclusion of this infrastructure (pre-wiring of infrastructure in new development) is a potential strategy to increase EV infrastructure deployment. Streamlining permitting: insuring that existing codes do not inhibit the ability to install more EV units to keep pace with demand.
Local Permitting- Actions Update planning and zoning districts to incorporate EV infrastructure standards for public use, in residential construction, and in new commercial. Encourage incorporation of electric transportation in municipal multi-modal transportation planning efforts.(comp Plans, Master Plans) Training for municipal staff to encourage projects that incorporate EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) and establish an expedited design review process for development and construction projects incorporating EVSE.
EV Model Ordinance Language- Examples Auburn Hills, MI- Michigan's first city ordinance related to EVs. Encourages property owners to plan for and install EV charging stations to support future market demand. Methuen, MA- ordinance passed permitting the City to charge a per session fee, adopted an amendment that specifies levels 1 and 2 charging stations as a permissible use in single-family and multifamily zones, and as an accessory use to parking facilities in all areas. Also, DC fast charge is now permitted as a principal use in commercial or industrial zones or as a conditional use in general. Atlanta, GA- Design standards, definitions, specifies in which district infrastructure is allowed, and offers incentives. Los Angeles, CA- Amended zoning code to require that all new residential construction and a minimum of 5% of parking spaces at new multi-family dwellings and commercial properties be "PEV ready,"
Resources Maine Clean Communities Website: http://www.gpcog.org/energy/maine-clean-communities Dept. of Energy, Alternative Fuel Data Center: http://www.afdc.energy.gov