Frito-Lay, a PepsiCo subsidiary, recently announced plans to add more than 176 all-electric trucks to its delivery fleet over the next year and a half. Already five all-electric trucks have been deployed for the company’s New York routes this month, with plans to implement a total of 21 all-electric trucks by the end of the year.
They plan to add another 155 all-electric trucks by the end of 2011. The company already has six EVs operating in its Canada fleet which are made by Smith Electric Vehicles. They get up to 100 miles on a single charge, and, like any electric vehicle, are virtually silent.
Frito-Lay launched its first EV trucks in the New York metropolitan area in part because it was given a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Frito-Lay estimates that once all 176+ Electric Vehicles (EVs) are implemented, it will save the company in excess of 500,000 gallons of fuel a year. ”With the seventh-largest privately owned fleet in the U.S., Frito-Lay has set a goal of becoming the most fuel-efficient fleet in the country,” the company said in their recent press release. Smith Electric is currently working with other companies to fulfill similar EV delivery truck plans.
Electric Vehicles (EV) are not quite widespread yet, however that hasn’t stopped Portland from becoming the first North American city to establish a public-use rapid-charging station for EVs.
The EV charging station, manufactured by Takasago, a subsidiary of Japanese network technology firm NEC, was recently unveiled by Portland General Electric. Their station can charge an electric vehicle’s battery to 80% capacity within 20 to 30 minutes as it is powered by lithium-ion batteries. Other comparable charging stations around the world often require a 110-volt station 8 to 12 hours to fully charge, while a 220-volt station can take 4 to 8 hours.
Oregon is one of five states in a federal pilot project developing infrastructure for electric cars. The station was showcased while charging the Nissan Leaf, an all-electric model the Japanese automaker will release in December. The Leaf gets 100 miles per charge and Nissan estimates it will cost about $25,000 after a federal tax credit. For more information see Takasago’ website.
Uncle Sam’s about to Pay You $10K to Kick the Oil Habit
As oil continues to flow into the Gulf, it is becoming increasingly clear that this environmental disaster will be a major sticking point for voters come the elections in November.
Hence why we’re now seeing new House and Senate bills that, if passed, will increase incentives for electric vehicles. Albeit, the timing is suspect, but if this helps bolster support for electric vehicles and makes us some money in the process then why not!
The House legislation offers $800 million to five designated regions with the intention of getting 700,000 electric cars on the road within six years. The Senate legislation would pony up to $10,000 tax credits for electric car buyers in 15 metropolitan areas.
The legislation also bumps up the tax credit for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations from 30% to 50% of the equipment purchasing cost; it also extends the credit out to 2017.
Certainly this is great news for those major automakers that will soon be debuting their new electric offerings, including Nissan which has already had about 20,000 drivers pony up their reservation fees to be among the first to own the company’s all-electric LEAF. We are also thrilled to report that these vehicles are being built by U.S. workers in Tennessee.
Tesla Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation Intend to Work Jointly on EV Development, TMC to Invest in Tesla
TESLA MOTORS, INC. (Tesla) and TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) recently announced that they intend to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support.
The two companies intend to form a specialist team to further those efforts. TMC has agreed to purchase $50 million of Tesla’s common stock issued in a private placement to close immediately subsequent to the closing of Tesla’s currently planned initial public offering.
“I’ve felt an infinite possibility about Tesla’s technology and its dedication to monozukuri (Toyota’s approach to manufacturing),” said TMC President Akio Toyoda.” he went on to say, ”Decades ago, Toyota was also born as a venture business. By partnering with Tesla, my hope is that all Toyota employees will recall that ‘venture business spirit,’ and take on the challenges of the future.”
“Toyota is a company founded on innovation, quality, and commitment to sustainable mobility. It is an honor and a powerful endorsement of our technology that Toyota would choose to invest in and partner with Tesla,” said Tesla CEO and cofounder Elon Musk. “We look forward to learning and benefiting from Toyota’s legendary engineering, manufacturing, and production expertise.”
TMC introduced the first-generation Prius hybrid vehicle in 1997, and produced approximately 2.5 million hybrids in the twelve years since. Late last year, TMC started lease of Prius Plug-in Hybrids, which can be charged using an external power source such as a household electric outlet. The company also plans to introduce EVs into the market by 2012.
Tesla’s goal is to produce increasingly affordable electric cars to mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs. Palo Alto, CA-based Tesla has delivered more than 1000 Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and Asia. Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components. It is currently the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production. The Tesla Roadster accelerates faster than most sports cars yet produces no emissions. Tesla service rangers currently make house calls to service its Roadsters.
They represent the first step in the evolutionary change to Electric Vehicles to become main stream in the USA and abroad. ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations are manufactured by Coulomb Technologies and have the most advanced, feature-rich networked charging station capabilities available in the world. Combined with their ChargePoint Network Operating System (CPNOS), the ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations are the complete solution for a smart charging infrastructure for plug-in electric vehicles with their ChargePoint Network.
ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations perform bi-directional energy metering via an embedded utility-grade electronic meter. The ability to precisely measure and report electricity use enables a sustainable, flexible business model that meets the needs of drivers, corporations, fleet operators, utility companies and municipalities. It has multiple flexible driver payment methods like “free” charging, pay-per-use, by subscription, and by kWh (where allowed).
Electric Vehicles (EV) are not quite widespread yet, however that hasn’t stopped Portland from becoming the first North American city to establish a public-use rapid-charging station for EVs.