Fleets & Fuels November 2011 by Fetzer Group

November 28, 2011 ‘Green for Free’

Volume XVIII, Number 23

Fleets to Be Able to Field Battery Electrics for the Price of Diesels Under New Daimler-Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp Initiative Daimler’s Freightliner Customer Chassis Corp and drivetrain supplier Enova Systems (AIM:ENVS) have kicked off a “Green for Free” program allowing fleets to procure all-electric vehicle walk-in vans for the walk-away price of a diesel-powered commercial vehicle – and pay for the batterycostly vehicles out of their reduced operating expenses.

SoCal Gas Steps It Up in NGVs... Page 3

Their goal is 3,000 battery electric vehicles in two years, starting in late 2012. “FCCC and Enova recognize that the Green For Free program is necessary in order to make all-electric vehicles more affordable, and therefore more accessible, to fleets,” FCCC president Bob Harbin said in a release.

CAP for Bestway Caterpillars... Page 3

New Enova Drive, Lithium Supplier(s) TBD “We want to help those fleets interested in reducing their energy consumption and environmental impact by enabling them to purchase more alternative-fuel vehicles at FCCC’s MT-45 will be one time because of the reduced upfront costs.” outfitted as appropriate Green for Free is “the first program that will eliminate the with Enova battery drives overall incremental costs associated with buying and operating an all-electric vehicle,” the two companies say. Payback will take far less time than the vehicles’ anticipated service lives of at least six and possibly 15 years, executives said November 16. “The lease is developed around the customer’s operating parameters” – which FCCC sales and marketing director Jonathan Randall noted are well understood by operators. Custom hardware too: “We are basing the battery system on the duty cycle,” said Enova president Mike Staran. Enova’s new Omni drivetrain for the FCCC vans more on page 2

All-Electric Honda Fit EV Lithium batteries by Toshiba for new EV to be offered for lease in parts of California and Oregon in summer 2012 Page 2 and six East Coast markets in 2013.

300 Smart EVs for San Diego

Daimler has launched its Car2Go program in San Diego with 300 battery electric Smart Fortwo cars. 500 gasoline Smarts for Car2Go in Vienna. Page 7

CEC Gaseous Fuels This Week

The California Energy Commission will hold a workshop Wednesday on its natural gas and propane vehicle buydown programs for 2012. Page 8

upfit by Landi Renzo

CNG for Calgary Transit Buses... Page 3 Alliance AutoGas Powers Police... Page 4 Roush Propane for Go Riteway... Page 4 Propel Biofuels for Econation... Page 4 Coda Production, Pact with GE... Page 5 Toyota Details the Prius c... Page 5 ‘The American Fuel Cell Bus...’ Page 5 NHTSA Looks Into Volt Lithium... Page 6 NAT GAS Act Gets a Pay-For... Page 9

Smith Electric Vehicles

Its customers range from Coke to Celtic Linen to the Marine Corps. Now Smith Electric Vehicles is quietly trumpeting key driveline and supply chain improvements as it readies a $125 million IPO and prepares to build battery vehicles in New York City. Pages 9-10

Fleets & Fuels

Electric Vehicles

Honda’s Fit EV Battery Electric

FCCC-Enova Purchase Plan (continued)

features smaller and more efficient componentry and a range of lithium ion battery pack options. Battery suppliers have bid for the work and more than one may be chosen, Staran said. Production is to begin in the third quarter of 2012. Staran said that business case scenarios painstakingly developed with FCCC predict “a clear payback and even more than a payback to the customer in the outlying years.” Customers needing less range can opt for less battery and their terms will be adjusted accordingly. Customers will also have the option of buying their vans outright but leasing the batteries. Retrofits will be available too.

Calstart

‘The Customer Will Absolutely Save Money’ “This business model has the potential to stimulate tremendous and rapid growth, helping achieve economies of scale through cost reduction, resulting in an excellent value proposition for the commercial fleet operator,” Staran said in the firms’ announcement. “The customer will absolutely save money over the long-term,” FCCC’s Randall told reporters. FCCC and Enova said they “plan to deploy a total of 3,000 alternative-fuel vehicles within a two-year time frame beginning no later than the third quarter 2012 as a result of the Green for Free program.” They said they have developed an integration method for both new and retrofit applications. FCCC’s all-electric offering is based on the durable MT-45 chassis with GVWR of 14,000 to 19,500 lbs. FCCC said it “maintains a dominant market share in the WIV chassis market, which it expects to continue to expand.” FCCC, Jonathan Randall, 864-206-8631; mobile 864-838-3729; jonathan.randall@daimler.com www.freightlinerchassis.com Enova Systems, president Mike Staran, 310-527-2800; mstaran@enovasystems.com; www.enovasystems.com

Battery electric Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp walk-in van with body by Morgan Olson and drive by Enova Systems at the HTUF 2011 ride-and-drive in Baltimore – vehicle was unveiled at HTUF 2010 in Dearborn, Mich.

More EVs and Hybrids on Pages 5-10

November 28, 2011

Honda unveiled the 2013 model year Fit EV battery electric vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16. The car is to be offered for lease in select California and Oregon markets next summer, expanding to six East Coast markets in early 2013. The Fit EV’s MSRP is $36,625 with an estimated lease price of $399 per month. The car will be powered by a 20 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery by Toshiba and a 92-kilowatt coaxial motor. The high density motor is derived from the FCX Clarity fuel cell car. 76 Miles, Conservatively “The Fit EV is the next critical step in Honda’s portfolio approach to alternative fueled vehicles,” American Honda executive sales VP John Mendel said in a release. “There is no other automaker on the planet whose spirit is more deeply invested in the effort to realize a cleaner, more energy-efficient and ultimately more sustainable transportation future than Honda,” Mendel said. Honda offers gasoline-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell-electric and natural gas-powered models. Honda will test the Fit EV with the City of Torrance, California Google, and Stanford University. “We are delivering the vehicles in January,” says EV sales and marketing manager Robert Langford. Honda cites single-charge Fit EV range of 123 miles according to U.S. EPA city cycle test methods, and said it anticipates a combined city/highway 76 miles on the new Fuel Economy labels. The Fit EV will have a 6.6-kilowatt onboard 32-amp charger for convenience. The car will be charge in as little as three hours on 240 volts. Honda is lining up a preferred EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) charging supplier. Honda, Robert Langford, 310-783-2376; robert_langford@ahm.honda.com; automobiles.honda.com More Honda Fit EV Info at F&F Live

EnerSys Invests in Gaia Lithium EnerSys is investing in one its key suppliers, in Germany, to guarantee a source of lithium battery cells for large-format batteries for space, naval, marine, renewable energy and specialty high power applications. EnerSys is taking a majority interest in a joint venture called EAS Germany GmbH in cooperation with Gaia Akkumulatorenwerke GmbH, which is itself a wholly owned subsidiary of Lithium Technology Corporation. “The joint venture will include LTC’s contribution of certain intellectual property, and its lithium-ion manufacturing capability located in Nordhausen,” EnerSys says. It “will also provide certain products to LTC for their customers in the transportation sector,” states a release. The deal “helps LTC stay in the game and for us the source of cells is ensured,” says Enersys VP Sanjay Deshpande.

EnerSys, VP Sanjay Deshpande, 610-208-1815; sanjay.deshpande@enersys.com; www.enersys.com LTC (Virginia), Tim Ryder, 571-207-9055; tim.ryder@lithiumtech.com; www.gaia-akku.com

Fleets & Fuels

Natural Gas Vehicles

More SoCal Gas Trucks, and Fueling

Sempra’s Southern California Gas said last week that it would add approximately 1,000 more natural gas vehicles to its fleet over the next five years, effectively doubling its NGV count. The utility has also taken steps to make it easier for retailers in its service area to provide compressed natural gas fuel, and for interested parties to secure training. The new natural gas trucks are part of a green fleet replacement program “that will have residential energy service technicians driving the message that natural gas is the fuel of choice for the road.” SoCal Gas will buy vehicles from OEMs and from local Southern California companies. ‘Compression Tariff’ Proposed Torrance, Calif.-based Landi Renzo USA has delivered the first of 50 custom-built 2011 Chevrolet Silverado trucks with Baytech dedicated-CNG systems. Royal Truck Body and Wondries Fleet were project participants. SoCal Gas applied earlier this month to the California Public Utilities Commission for a “compression tariff” allowing it to supply high-pressure gas, thus reducing capital costs for retailers and operators including cashstrapped municipalities and school districts. “SoCal Gas will design, procure, construct, own, operate, and maintain on customer premises, equipment associated with the compression of natural gas in order to meet customer-specified pressure requirements,” the application states. Customers would pay for the equipment, on a negotiated case-by-case basis, out of fuel cost savings. The utility has also begun a new no-cost NGV technician training program with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Community Colleges,

Calgary Transit Seeks CNG Partners Alberta’s Calgary Transit is looking for partners to help establish a compressed natural gas fueling infrastructure as it begins the transition to CNG for a fleet of about 1,000 vehicles. An expression of interest is to be floated this week, says fleet manager Russell Davies. He told F&F that an RFP for CNG buses is likely for the second quarter of 2012. The Calgary City Council has approved a plan to purchase up to 200 CNG transit buses, the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance reports. The decision represents a turning point for natural gas as a fuel for transit buses in Canada, CNGVA says, as Canadian CNG transit experience has hitherto involved older engine technology. Calgary Transit estimates that new CNG buses will reduce fuel costs by $11,000 bus per year. The CNG bus purchase plan comes at a time when both fleet and facilities are in need of refurbishment.

Calgary Transit, Russell Davies, 403-537-3101; russell.davies@calgary.ca; www.calgarytransit.com CNGVA, president Alicia Milner, 613-564-0181; alicia.milner@cngva.org; www.cngva.org

November 28, 2011

which will offer 13 individual classes in collaboration with the schools’ Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Centers. SoCal Gas said too that it plans to expand all of its 13 One of the first 50 NGVs by Landi Renzo for SoCal Gas company-owned public access CNG stations “over the next few years.” To save time and construction costs, the company is testing a compact modular “Microbox” system from Argentina’s Galileo at its Riverside CNG station (F&F, October 31). DME from Methane Too In related news, SoCal Gas is working with San Diegobased Oberon Fuels to produce dimethyl ether, a clean synthetic substitute for diesel and propane, from natural gas. They are starting with modular, skid-mounted units to produce 3,000 to 6,000 gallons of DME per day. SoCal Gas, VP Hal Snyder, 213-244-5700; hsnyder@semprautilities.com SoCal Gas (fleet), Carmen Herrera, 213-244-5238; cherrera@semprautilities.com; www.socalgas.com Landi Renzo USA, VP John Sledge, 714-376-8143; jsledge@landiusa.com; www.landiusa.com Wondries Fleet, Clarke Cooper, 626-457-5590; clarkecooper@wondries.com; www.wondries.com Royal Truck Body, president Dudley De Zonia, 800-834-7692; dudleyd@royaltruckbody.com; www.royaltruckbody.com ATTE (training), Peter Davis, 619-473-0090; pdavis@cccewd.net; www.attecolleges.org Oberon Fuels (DME), CEO Neil Senturia, 858-754-3201; neil@oberonfuels.com; www.oberonfuels.com

Clean Air Power for Bestway Express

Clean Air Power (London AIM:CAP), citing a “recent legislation change” allowing sale of its Dual-Fuel brand methane-diesel upfits in the U.S., reports an order for 16 truck re-powers from Indiana’s Bestway Express. “We are delighted to be able to re-enter the U.S. market which historically has been the most successful for Clean Air Power,” CEO John Pettitt said in a release. CAP’s dual fuel system will be installed on 410-horsepower Caterpillar C12 engines, CAP says. Trucks to be retrofitted include Freightliner, International and Kenworth models, says Bestway fleet director Will McCormick. Clean Air Power (U.S.), Kevin Campbell, 909-393-7933; kcampbell@cleanairpower.com; www.cleanairpower.com Bestway Express, Will McCormick, 812-885-2160 or 812-882-6448; fax 812-885-2327; will.mccormick@bestwayexpress.com; bestwayexpress.com

Indiana’s Bestway Express has tapped Clean Air Power for conversion of 16 Freightliner, International and Kenworth trucks to dual fuel operation

Propane Autogas

Fleets & Fuels

November 28, 2011

Roush Propane for Go Riteway

Propane Pares Police Fuel Bills

Law enforcement fleets in the southeast United States are saving “tens of thousands of dollars annually” in fuel and reduced maintenance by running their cars on propane, says Alliance AutoGas, citing half a dozen examples. “The Vestavia Hills, Ala., Police Department recently discovered that converting 14 cruisers to autogas was the most cost-effective, efficient way to go green,” states a release. “They enlisted Alliance AutoGas to outfit their Ford Crown Victorias with bi-fuel systems and install an onsite autogas station to give officers easy fueling access.” “Converting to autogas is simply the most viable solution for law enforcement looking to save money and drive clean, without sacrificing vehicle performance,” Alliance AutoGas president Stuart Weidie says in the November 16 announcement. “Not only is autogas about $1.25 per gallon cheaper than gasoline but vehicle conversions and fueling stations are more affordable compared to other alternative fuels.” • The Jackson County, Ga., Sheriff’s Office outside Atlanta is saving between $110,000 and 145,000 per year after converting 60 squad cars to autogas; • the Raleigh, N.C., Police Department has converted 10 patrol cars, yielding an estimated annual savings of at least $30,000 on fuel; • the Iredell County, N.C., Sheriff’s Office has converted 13 cruisers to autogas by combining grant funds with confiscated assets from drug busts; • the Augusta County, Va., Sheriff’s Office expects to cut fuels costs by $15,000 per year with eight cruisers running on autogas; and • the West Point, Miss., Police Department has converted eight fleet vehicles, and expects clean-burning autogas engines to last longer than conventional gasoline engines, with estimated savings of $26,000 annually.

Alliance AutoGas claims the nation’s only complete program to help fleets shift to autogas, providing vehicle conversions, installing on-site autogas stations, supplying fuel, and ensuring fleets have ongoing training and technical support. Alliance AutoGas, David Finder, 828-251-0027; dmfinder@allianceautogas.com; www.allianceautogas.com

Police in Raleigh are saving money with propane, says Alliance AutoGas.

Go Riteway is adding 21 Roush CleanTech Ford E-350 vans fueled by propane autogas ground transport at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport. The propane vans are to count for some 40% of the Go Riteway fleet. The project includes onsite propane autogas fueling, funded by a DoE-ARRA grant. “Reputation, expertise and performance are why we chose to partner” with Roush, Go Riteway chief Ron Bast says in a Roush release. “Roush CleanTech propane autogas vehicles immediately deliver on the need for a clean-burning alternative to gasoline and diesel, while helping to wean our country from foreign sources of energy,” said Roush CleanTech sales VP Todd Mouw. Go Riteway info, Catherine Quabius, 262-677-3282, ext 122; catherine.quabius@goriteway.com; www.goriteway.com Roush, VP Todd Mouw, 734-466-6522; mobile 248-770-4557; todd.mouw@roush.com; www.roushcleantech.com

Biofuels

Propel Biofuels for Econation

“We refuse to use just regular gas for anything,” says Ben Bloch of Econation. His firm has hybrid and compressed natural gas-fueled vehicles for its premium ground transportation services, and, he told F&F, has only reluctantly gotten into E85-ethanol flex-fuel vehicles. Now Econation is happier about flexxies behind a new partnership for Los Angeles-area fueling with Propel Biofuels. Propel is quickly building a network of E85 and biodiesel outlets at brand-name gasoline stations. Econation has signed on for Propel’s CleanDrive tracking program too. ‘American Fuel They Were Designed For’ “Travelers appreciate being able to do something better for the environment while still experiencing the comfort, luxury and affordability they associate with a leading transportation company,” Bloch says in a Propel release. “We view this new partnership with Propel in the same light. We’re able to fuel our Flex Fuel vehicles with the sustainable, American product they were designed for.” Propel operates “Clean Fuel Point” stations throughout California and Washington State with more than 200 sites planned for new and existing markets over the next two years. In addition to Los Angeles, Econation offers ground transport in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Washington and Toronto, as well as in Paris and London. San Francisco is likely next for Propel Biofuels as an Econation E85 supplier, Bloch says. Propel Fuels, Jake Millan, 206-409-5606; jake@propelfuels.com; www.propelfuels.com Econation, Ben Bloch, 310-312-0820, ext 8; ben@econation.com; www.econation.com

Hybrid & Electric Drive

Fleets & Fuels

Toyota Releases Prius c Details

Coda Starts Production, UQM & GE Benefit

Coda Automotive, which just opened its world headquarters in Los Angeles, has commenced production of its battery-electric sedan – for which it claims an industryleading, ten-year battery warranty – and has signed with GE for WattStation brand chargers. The Coda car has a starting U.S. base price of $39,900, before incentives. The Coda sedan has 33.8-kilowatt lithium ion battery pack developed with Chinese partner Tianjin Lishen (battery packs are offered by Coda Energy). Citing “robust technology, durable battery chemistry and Active Thermal Management system,” the Coda battery warranty is 10 years and 100,000 miles. Coda claims “the longest range of any all-electric vehicle” – 150 miles on a charge. The pact with GE allows WattStation EV chargers and Coda cars to be purchased at the same retail outlets. WattStation The car has a 100-kilowatt PowerPhase Pro brand driveline from UQM Technologies (AMEX:UQM). “Coda has stated that it hopes to sell between 10,000 and 14,000 vehicles in the first year following introduction of the vehicle,” UQM said in its most recent earnings report. UQM said it started serial production of the drive, and that Coda has agreed to a surcharge to cover costs related to rare-earth permanent magnet motor materials from China. Coda, fleet sales VP Brian Patnoe, 310-260-4532; bpatnoe@codaautomotive.com; www.codaautomotive.com GE, David Wang, 714-319-1121; david.p.wang@ge.com; www.geindustrial.com UQM, Andrew Roberts, 303-682-4937; mobile 303-641-0700; aroberts@uqm.com or sales@uqm.com; www.uqm.com

The American Fuel Cell Bus

November 28, 2011

BAE Systems has delivered a hydrogen-fueled ElDorado National bus with HybriDrive electric propulsion system and Ballard fuel cell stack to SunLine Transit in Thousand Palms, Calif. BAE served as the prime integrator in an effort supported by the Federal Transit Administration, Calstart, the California Air Resource Board, and California South Coast Air Quality Management District. The “American Fuel Cell Bus” will demonstrate and expand the deployment of technology that “eliminates tailpipe emissions and can reduce dependence on diesel fuel and compressed natural gas,” says a BAE release. It “is the closest to a commercially available fuel cell bus that has been developed so far,” SunLine GM C. Mikel Oglesby says in the announcement. Like the Daimler Orion “compound hybrid” with BAE drive including a 6.7-liter diesel and Hydrogenics fuel cell deployed with Muni in San Francisco (F&F, Sept. 26), the SunLine vehicle is part of FTA’s National Fuel Cell Bus Program. Both vehicles have batteries from A123.

Toyota is adding the sub-compact Prius c as the fourth Prius family member for 2012, using a smaller four-cylinder engine (1.5-liter as compared with 1.8-liter) and shorter wheelbase to achieve “expected class-leading fuel economy better than 50 mpg in the city, which is the highest city mpg of any non-plug-in vehicle.” The Prius c joins the automaker’s iconic Prius sedan, the lithium battery Prius Plug-In, and the larger new SUV-challenging Prius v. The Prius c is “positioned as an entry into the Prius Family appealing to youthful shoppers seeking fuel efficiency, technology, and spirited driving dynamics in the subcompact segment… available at a more accessible price.” Hands-free Bluetooth telephone connectivity, steeringwheel audio controls, and nine airbags will be standard. The Prius c will debut at NAIAS, the North American International Auto Show, running January 9-22 in Detroit. It will be available for sale in spring 2012. Toyota is also preparing two battery electric models: a new Rav4-EV to be built in league with Tesla, and a Scion iQ EV for demonstrations only (F&F, August 15). Toyota, Ed La Rocque, 310-468-4139; fax 310-381-5944; ed_la_rocque@toyota.com; www.toyota.com

The SunLine bus has 5,000-psi Type III hydrogen fuel tanks from Canada’s Dynetek. The Muni bus has 5,000-psi Type III hydrogen fuel tanks from Worthington, the former SCI. The FTA program will see fuel cell vehicles deployed in Chicago, Birmingham, Ala., and Columbus, Ohio next year, as well as a lightweight 35-foot Proterra bus with Ballard stack to be tested in Columbia, S.C. and in Washington, D.C. BAE, Bob Devine, 607-770-3276; robert.w.devine@baesystems.com; www.hybridrive.com Ballard, Jeff Grant, 604-315-5965, jeff.grant@ballard.com; www.ballard.com Calstart, Fred Silver, 626-744-5687; fsilver@calstart.org; www.calstart.org FTA, Christina Gikakis, 202-366-2637; christina.gikakis@fta.dot.gov; www.nrel.gov FTA, Walter Kulyk, 202-366-4995; walter.kulyk@dot.gov

Calstart

Hybrid & Electric Drive

Fleets & Fuels

‘The Volt is Safe’

Federal investigation of a lithium ion battery fire following a crash test of GM’s Chevrolet Volt is a “formal, procedural step” that was expected by the manufacturer, GM said Friday. Earlier on Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it would open a safety defect investigation to assess the risk of fire in Chevy Volts that have been involved in a serious crash. Lithium ion battery cells for the Chevy Volt are supplied by Korea’s LG Chem. GM said in August, well after the initial fire that prompted the NHTSA scrutiny, that it would expand its ties with LG to joint design of new electric vehicles for world markets. GM promotes its Volt as a range-extended electric car Chevy Volt is launched at Auto with a small gasoline engine. Guangzhou 2011 by Shanghai GM The car is most often categopresident Ye Yongming, SAIC Motor rized as a plug-in hybrid president Chen Hong, GM China Group president and managing electric vehicle, or PHEV. This past May, NHTSA director Kevin Wale, and Shanghai GM executive VP Joseph Liu. explained Friday, the agency crashed a Chevy Volt in an NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) test “designed to measure the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants from injury in a side collision. “During that test, the vehicle’s battery was damaged and the coolant line was ruptured. “When a fire involving the test vehicle occurred more than three weeks after it was crashed, the agency concluded that the damage to the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery during the crash test led to the fire (emphasis added). Since that fire incident, NHTSA has taken a number of steps to gather

Conventional Fuels Can Be Efficient Too

Why go to the trouble of handling new fuels or fooling with volatile batteries when better engines can slash the use of cheaper and fully understood conventional fuels? That’s the question being asked by California’s Achates Power, which sees an internal combustion “renaissance” for the two-stroke diesel. Achates claims cylinders and pistons that improve combustion efficiency, turning the proven “two-stroke opposed-piston engines of the past into the clean and efficient engines of the future.” More fundamentally efficient engines will further the effectiveness of a whole class of emerging biofuels, Achates argues. The San Diego-based company says that in China and India, diesel represents two-thirds of the fuel used for road transportation, and that half of Europe’s cars are diesels. In the U.S., 25% of the fuel used by cars, trucks and buses is diesel.

Achates info, Kendra DeWitt, 858-535-9920, ext 231; dewitt@achatespower.com; www.achatespower.com

November 28, 2011

additional information about the potential for fire in electric vehicles involved in a crash, including working with the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense – in close coordination with experts from General Motors – to complete rigorous tests of the Volt’s lithium-ion batteries.” The work has included tests to intentionally damage the battery compartment and rupture the vehicle’s coolant line – and fires have ensued. “NHTSA is therefore opening a safety defect investigation of Chevy Volts, which could experience a battery-related fire following a crash. “Chevy Volt owners whose vehicles have not been in a serious crash do not have reason for concern.” ‘No Comparable Incidents in the Field’ It is too soon to tell whether the investigation will lead to a recall of vehicles or parts, NHTSA says. “The Volt is safe and does not present undue risk as part of normal operation or immediately after a severe crash,” GM chief engineer for electric vehicles Jim Federico said in release following NHTSA’s investigation announcement. “GM and the agency’s focus and research continues to be on battery performance, handling, storage and disposal after a crash or other significant event, like a fire, to better serve first and secondary responders. “There have been no reports of comparable General Motors Japan is displaying incidents in the field,” the EN-V concept vehicle as a Chevy Federico said. at the Tokyo Motor Show from Separately, GM said that November 30. The car was unveiled in Shanghai last year and is now the Volt will go on sale at 13 being promoted under the Chevrolet Shanghai GM Chevrolet badge, GM’s largest global brand. dealerships in eight Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Foshan. It will be priced at 498,000 Chinese yuan – about $75,500 U.S. GM (Washington), Greg Martin, 202-775-5008; greg.a.martin@gm.com; www.gm-volt.com NHTSA info, Lynda Tran, 202-366-9550; lynda.tran@dot.gov; www.nhtsa.gov

Routine crash-testing has led to concerns about the fire safety of lithium batteries

Fleets & Fuels

Electric Vehicles

300! Car2go Battery Smarts in San Diego

Daimler’s Car2go car-sharing subsidiary continues to gather momentum, fielding 300 battery electric MercedesBenz Smart Fortwo cars in San Diego, just after doing so in Amsterdam. Ecotality is the San Diego charging partner. Car2go operates in Austin and Vancouver, and in Hamburg and Ulm, Germany. New is Vienna, where Car2go is placing 500 gasoline Smarts. In Austin, Car2go headquarters, “a handful” of battery cars will be added to the fleet of some 300 gasoline Smart vehicles, Car2go president Nick Cole told F&F. The overall program will grow “exponentially” in 2012, Cole says. Unlike traditional car-sharing programs or car rentals, Car2go is not station-based. Vehicles can be accessed on-demand or reserved in Ecotality for charging advance. They can be returned to any legal parking space in the service area. It is “a free-floating network of vehicles that is truly available on-demand for point-to-point trips,” the company says. ‘Walkable Urban Lifestyles’ “Car2go has set a new milestone in terms of flexible and tailor-made individual mobility,” Daimler R&D executive Thomas Weber says in a November 18 release. “Car2go’s investment here is another major step toward making San Diego the nation’s electric-vehicle capital,” said Mayor Jerry Sanders. “This car-sharing program gives San Diegans a clean transportation option and complements

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November 28, 2011

walkable lifestyles in our city’s urban communities.” “We have designed Car2go to be convenient and flexible, to meet the demands of everyday life, and to fit the lifestyle of our members,” said Cole. “It is as easy as having access to your own vehicle, and in some cases, like in densely populated downtown areas such as San Diego, it can actually be easier. Car2go fills the gap between where you are and where you want to be.” As in Amsterdam (F&F, October 31), the San Diego eSmarts are second-generation or “ED2” battery cars, with drivetrains by the UK’s Zytek and battery packs from Tesla Motors. Next year’s ED3 vehicles will see the introduction of a 17.6 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack from Deutsche Accumotive, a joint venture with Evonik; and a 55-kilowatt electric motor from Daimler’s EM-motive joint venture with Bosch. New Drive to Be Better and Cheaper The new battery Smart Fortwo is expected to be available for about $28,000 as compared with a nominal $46,000 for the current ED2 cars. Singe-charge range is expected to improve to better than 100 miles, even on hot days with air conditioning in use. Daimler said this past summer (F&F, August 29) that the third-generation battery car will be available from spring 2012 in more than 30 countries: “In total a fivefigure number of vehicles will roll off the production line in Hambach, France,” the manufacturer said. Car2go, president Nick Cole, 512-428-6233; nicholas.cole@daimler.com; www.car2go.com Mercedes-Benz Smart (for Southwest U.S.), Abe Samari, 602-245-0103; abe.samari@daimler.com; smartusa.com Ecotality San Diego, Steve Dickson, 858-947-8882; sdickson@ecotality.com; www.ecotality.com Mercedes-Benz of San Diego, Lorenzo Balseiro, 858-430-2388 or 858-430-2301; lbalseiro@penskeautomotive.com; www.smartcentersandiego.com Tesla, Kurt Kelty, 650-413-4000; kurt@teslamotors.com; www.teslamotors.com Zytek, Steve Tremble, +44-1543-412789; steve.tremble@zytek.co.uk; www.zytekautomotive.co.uk

PHEVs & EVs in Novi This Week November 30-December 1, PHEV/EV Technology for Fleets conference at the Hotel Baronette in Novi, Mich. Organized by Electric Vehicle Update. EV Update, Ruthana Foulkes, U.S. toll-free 800-814-3459, ext 7151 or (London) +44-207-375-7151; rfoulkes@evupdate.com; www.evupdate.com

The Battery Show in Novi Next Year November 13-15, The Battery Show 2012, repeating at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich. Will include Charging Infrastructure Expo 2012, a new event. Organized by the UK’s Smarter Shows. Smarter Shows, Adam Moore or Steve Bryan, +44-1306-743811; steve.bryan@smartershows.com; www.thebatteryshow.com

Fleets & Fuels

Events

Global NGV Infrastructure Tomorrow

CEC Gaseous Fuels Wednesday

California Energy Commission staff will hold a workshop on the agency’s Buy-Down Incentives for Natural Gas and Propane Vehicles programs at its Sacramento headquarters this Wednesday, November 30. Public input will help the agency prepare a new Program Opportunity Notice for some $16 million to buy-down the high initial price of new on- road light-, medium-, and heavy-duty natural gas and propane vehicles. The workshop will be webcast, and comments may be submitted in writing until December 5. ARFVT Meeting Postponed CEC has postponed a planned November 29 meeting to take public and industry input to help hone the Benefits Report for the ARFVT Program section of a developing Integrated Energy Policy Report. ARFVT accounts for lion’s share of approximately $100 million per year in CEC backing of such alternative fuels as electricity, ethanol, renewable diesel, natural gas, hydrogen, and biomethane (F&F, November 14). CEC (NGVs and propane), Debbie Jones, 916-654-4631; djones@energy.state.ca.us; www.energy.ca.gov CEC (ARFVT), Charles Smith, 916-654-4470; csmith@energy.state.ca.us; www.energy.ca.gov

Infrastructure in Brussels Next Week

December 7-8, Chickens & Eggs NGV conference: Opportunities, Challenges & Strategies Building the Infrastructure for Natural Gas Vehicles. Critical Issues Workshop organized by Clean Fuels Consulting. Sponsors include Dynetek, IMW-Clean Energy, and Atlas Copco. Le Chatelain Hotel in Brussels, Belgium. CFC, Jeff Seisler, +32-2-647-3218; jseisler@cleanfuelsconsulting.org; chickensandeggs.eu

Biomethane in Baltimore in January

January 17-19, 15th Annual LMOP Annual Conference and Project Expo, organized by the Landfill Methane Outreach Program of the U.S. EPA. Hilton Baltimore in Maryland. EPA/LMOP, Rachel Goldstein, 202-343-9391; goldstein.rachel@epa.gov; www.epa.gov/lmop

EV Charging in London

November 28, 2011

London Business Conferences is hosting EV Charging Infrastructure & Grid Integration 2012, the second annual global multi-stakeholder summit at the Thistle Marble Arch Hotel in London January 18-19. Investing in a Commercially Viable EV Charging Infrastructure is the meeting theme. LBC, Jake McNulty, +44-207-033-4994 or +44-207-033-4970; fax +44-207-749-0704; jake@london-business-conferences.co.uk; www.ev-charging-infrastructure-2012.com

How Will Upcoming ISO NGV Fueling Station Standards Affect You? That’s the theme of for the Natural Gas Vehicles Industry Workshop and Forum hosted by NGV Global and IMW-Clean Energy Fuels. The gathering will be held tomorrow, November 29 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, B.C. “As fueling stations are a critical link in the fuel to vehicle chain, NGV Global and the ISO PC 252 team are striving to make the new standards as comprehensive and harmonized as possible,” says NGV Global executive director Brett Jarman. NGV Global, executive director Brett Jarman, +61-2-6608-0011; fax +64-9-520-3122; bjarman@iangv.org; www.ngvglobal.com

Czech NGV 2012 in February

Ceský Plynárenský Svaz – the Czech Gas Association – is hosting Czech NGV 2012, the fifth edition of the Prospects for the Development and Use of CNG in Transport annual international conference, at the U Hajku Conference Center in Prague February 20-21. Czech Gas Association, Pavel Novak, +420-222-522-900; mobile +420-731-502-093; fax +420-222-518-811; novak@cgoa.cz; www.cgoa.cz

Work Truck – Green Truck in March

The National Truck Equipment Association and Calstart will try to top 2011’s record numbers as the NTEA Work Truck Show and preceding Green Truck Summit return to Indianapolis in March. NTEA is promising 500,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than 550 exhibitors for WTS-12, to be held March 6-8. The and the 48th Annual NTEA Convention gets underway March 5. The NTEA-Calstart Green Truck Summit will be held March 5-6. Calstart’s CalHEAT in February F&F ShowTimes will help bring green truck conference and exhibitor news to the wider WTS-12 audience. Calstart has slated February 22 for its 2012 CalHEAT Annual Forum – Hilton Hotel in Stockton, Calif. NTEA, Sheree Campbell, 248-489-7090 or toll-free 800-441-6832; fax 248-489-8590; sheree@ntea.com or Kathy Swartzentrover, 248-489-7090, ext 108; kathy@ntea.com; www.ntea.com Calstart-Green Truck Summit, Debbie DuBose or Susan Romeo, 626-744-5600; ddubose@calstart.org or sromeo@calstart.org; www.calstart.org Fleets & Fuels ShowTimes, Nancy O’Brien, 530-241-3534; nancyobrien@fleetsandfuels.com; ctnpublishing.com

Meetings!!

Click here for instant access to a complete listing of upcoming meetings and conferences courtesy Fleets & Fuels

Government

Fleets & Fuels

New NAT GAS Act – ‘It’s Got a Pay-For’

A new bipartisan version of the NAT GAS Act in the U.S. Senate lacks the 50¢ per gallon excise tax credit cherished by the natural gas vehicles industry – it in fact imposes new levies on CNG and LNG. But the money would reimburse the government for other incentives, making the measure revenue-neutral and giving it a better chance of enactment, says NGVAmerica. “It’s got a pay-for,” association president Rich Kolodziej explains. “What they’re doing is advancing the industry some money and then getting paid back for achieving what is good public policy.” Under the new S. 1863, NGVs users would pay back the federal Treasury for the cost of vehicle and infrastructure incentives via a surcharge on the fuel for their vehicles. “That’s huge,” Kolodziej told F&F just prior to the Thanksgiving break. The surcharge would ramp up by steps over a 10-year period, from zero in the first two years to 12.5¢ per gallon in the last two years. It would then expire – leaving NGVAmerica says, an industry where economies of scale have served to make NGVs cost-competitive. NGVAmerica terms it “a bold approach” with “a much better chance of getting Congressional approval.” NGVAmerica, Paul Kerkhoven, 202-824-7363; pkerkhoven@ngvamerica.org; www.ngvamerica.org

EPA Taking Mileage Comments

The Obama Administration has formally proposed its fuel economy rules for 2017-2025 passenger cars and light trucks, affording industry a chance to comment and perhaps secure benefits in the final regulation. Gaseous fuel advocates, for example, now have a chance to tell the EPA that the credits proposed for electric vehicles should apply to propane and natural gas. According to EPA and DoT, “When combined with other historic steps this administration has taken to increase energy efficiency, this proposal will save Americans over $1.7 trillion at the pump, nearly $8,000 per vehicle by 2025. These combined actions also will reduce America’s dependence on oil by an estimated 12 billion barrels, and, by 2025, reduce oil consumption by 2.2 million barrels per day.” Written comments may be submitted for 60 days and public hearings have been slated for January 17 in Detroit, January 19 in Philadelphia, and Jan. 24 in San Francisco. EPA info, Lynda Tran, 202-366-9550; lynda.tran@dot.gov; www.epa.gov

Strategies

November 28, 2011

Smith Electric Vehicles New Drivetrain Components Said ‘Critical,’ Public Offering & Expansion to New York Too Smith Electric Vehicles, born in the UK and now headquartered in Kansas City, has developed new driveline, battery pack and data systems for its battery electric vehicles to resolve supply chain, cost, quality and customer satisfaction issues. The company wants a piece of a medium duty commercial truck sector it says may be worth $40 billion worldwide through 2016. Smith, which notched sales of $23.8 million in 2010 and $31.9 million for the first six months of this year (with 18month net loss of $51.6 million) has just announced plans to build EVs in the Bronx with New York City and State support, and it has moved to go public – seeking to raise as much as $125 million. UK’s MagTec for the Newton “We believe that the transition to our Smith Drive and Smith Power systems is critical to reducing the cost of our commercial electric vehicles to a level that, even without the benefit of government subsidies and incentives, is competitive with or a slight premium to the cost of dieselfueled vehicles with comparable GVWs,” says the company’s SEC registration statement. Smith R&D outlays increased 136% in 2010, to $2.6 million, for improved drivetrain, batteries, and telemetry for Smith vehicles. Smith has three dozen fulltime employees doing R&D, design and engineering work. Among Smith’s new suppliers are Britain’s Magnetic Systems Technology (MagTec) for permanent magnet traction motor, gearbox and power controller for the Newton (Smith also names Enova Systems as a component supplier). A ten-year licensing pact with MagTec was signed this month. Smith names A123 as its lithium battery supplier since June of this year, having previously bought solely from Valence Technology. Smith says too that its new Smith Power designs are chemistry-flexible, and that it intends to further reduce costs by producing its own packs in-house. Customers may buy different sized batteries according to more on page 10

$112 Million from the FTA

U.S. DoT Secretary Ray LaHood announced last week that 46 innovative transit projects will share $112 million in funding from the Federal Transit Administration. “These grants will put thousands of Americans back to work building sustainable, energy-efficient transit vehicles and facilities across the country,” LaHood said. Complete list (direct PDF link)

Several thousand battery electric milk floats delivered by Smith’s predecessor company in Britain give bragging rights to decades of commercial electric vehicle experience. But they entail major aftermarket responsibility: Smith maintains four service facilities in the UK and most of some 280 employees are there.

Strategies

Fleets & Fuels

Smith Electric Vehicles (continued)

their range needs. Battery management is by Impact Clean Power Technology SA (CPTS) of Poland. Smith gets chargers for the Newton from Italy’s EDN Group. It has lined up Sensor-Technik UK for the hardware enabling Smith Link vehicle data tracking features. Smith confirmed November 15 that it will manufacture vehicles in the Bronx, in addition to Kansas City, with New York City Economic Development Corp assistance. “A package of city and state incentives of approximately $11 million will augment Smith’s private investment,” Smith says – approximately $5.2 million to renovate and equip the Bronx facility with nearly $6 million more over a ten-year period. Smith will also be able to take advantage of new New York purchase incentives of up to $20,000 per battery truck. As many as 100 new jobs will be created, with first output expected in the second half of 2012.

Calstart

Tough Numbers... Smith sold 320 vehicles during the twelve months ended September 30, and reports “written indications of interest” for some 2,220 through 2015. “Demand for our vehicles is growing,” Smith says, “as customers recognize their economic benefits” – particularly long-term cost advantages. “Additionally,” Smith says, “in the near term we believe that governmental and popular support for Smith brought several of its companies that purchase environNewton vehicles to a rainy mentally friendly transportation will HTUF 2011 in Baltimore accelerate demand.”

Smith Electric Vehicles at a glance

November 28, 2011

But Smith’s registration document contains language that’s sobering even by the grimmest IPO boilerplate standards: “We have never been profitable and as of June 30, 2011 have an accumulated deficit of $74.2 million,” the document states. “We have had net losses in each quarter since our inception.” “We anticipate that we will continue to have negative cash flow for the foreseeable future as we make significant capital expenditures to open sales, service and assembly facilities and incur increased [R&D], sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses.” ...But Big Buyers See a Fundamental EV Advantage The plus side? An overwhelming trend toward cleaner and more efficient commercial vehicles. “Our customers have the commitment and resources to support and sustain the development of the commercial electric vehicle industry,” Smith notes. Think Coke, Frito-Lay, and Staples. “Our primary customers are industry-leading companies and government entities that operate substantial, depot-based, medium-duty commercial vehicle fleets in the food and beverage, utility, telecommunications, retail, grocery, parcel and postal delivery, bus, logistics, short haul, facilities management, airport operations and military and government sectors. “We believe electric vehicles are ideally suited for the cost-conscious commercial vehicles market,” Smith says. “Our vehicles have a lower cost per mile than a diesel fuel and require less maintenance due to the Smith Newton has recently fewer number of moving parts in an been offered for school buses. More variants are planned. electric powertrain.”

Key Contacts at Smith EVs

Headquarters: Kansas City, Missouri European HQ: Washington, Tyne and Wear, UK Employees: Approximately 280, with upwards of 200 ex-U.S. (Smith operates four UK service facilities) Products: Edison (Europe) and Newton battery electric trucks ranging from light to medium duty with GVWs as high as 26,400 pounds (with a planned increase to 33,000 pounds). Key Customers: Coca-Cola, Celtic Linen, DHL, Duane Reade, FedEx, Frito-Lay, Kansas City Power & Light, Sainsburyʼs, Staples, U.S. Army, Marine Corps and Navy Key Suppliers: A123, Avia Ashok Leyland (Czech Republic, for Newton chassis), Brusa Elektronik (Switzerland), EDN (Italy), Enova Systems, Impact CPTS (Poland), Sensor-Technik UK, Ford (Transit vans for Edison), MagTec (UK), Valence Sales and Earnings: Revenues of $23.8 million in 2010 and $31.9 million for the first six months of this year (with an 18month net loss of $51.6 million). Smith Electric Vehicles traces its roots to Great Britain in the 1920s. It was established in the U.S. as a subsidiary of the UK’s Tanfield in 2009 and early this year announced control of the UK business. Smith Electric Vehicles filed an S-1 registration statement for an Initial Public Offering on November 10.

Bryan Hansel, chairman, president and CEO Paul Geist, CFO / Robin Mackie, CTO Geoff Allison, Smith Europe managing director Kevin Neale, VP human resources Ms Jesse Shroyer, government affairs & incentives manager; jesse.shroyer@smithelectric.com Scott Carson, U.S. national sales director, 816-464-0508; mobile 816-284-8442; scott.carson@smithelectric.com Mr Britt Rothman, Europe sales, mobile +44-788-538-9955 or +44-191-419-0139; britt.rothman@smithelectric.com Angela Strand, chief marketing officer; angela.strand@smithelectric.com Dawn Stombaugh, administration, dawn.stombaugh@smithelectric.com Smith Electric Vehicles Corp 12200 NW Ambassador Drive, Suite 326 Kansas City, MO 64163

816-464-0508; fax 816-464-0510 www.smithelectric.com