ELECTRIC VEHICLES: THE PORTLAND WAY

by Max Bennett

AT A GLANCE: PORTLAND’S STRATEGY

  1. to facilitate the changeover to electric vehicles by updating and adopting policies for Portland EVs

a) permit electrical streamlining
b) providing limited right-of-way usage for EV charging
c) adopting standards for enforcing parking and consistent signage
d) biking or walking for 3-mile trips or less and educating people about using transit, therefore reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled
e) continuous best-practices research regarding the development of EV-friendly policies and regulations

  1. to promote EV tax incentives at the federal and state level for Portland businesses and residents
  2. to create a new garage-free program for EVs
  3. to support regional job growth within the clean-tech cluster by developing economic development initiatives and strategic relationships
  4. to design the most viable metropolitan fleets in the U.S.
  5. to facilitate the adoption of EVs and plug-in hybrid technology by teaming up with the freight community
  6. to ensure that access to EV technology is affordable by working with transit agencies and carshare companies
  7. to look for new partnerships that explore progressive technologies, promote adoption of EVs, and support the deployment of EV infrastructure by fostering existing private and public relationships

INTRODUCTION

As part of a regionally coordinated effort to integrate electric vehicles and promote them into our transportation system to capitalize on local economic development opportunities from this growing industry, the main objective of this document is to outline and identify the strategies, policies, and programs being embraced by the City of Portland.

With representatives from CityFleet and the Bureau of Development Services, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, the Portland Development Commission, and Mayor Sam Adams’ Office, this strategy has been developed by an inter-bureau team that meets on a regular basis.

Because these technologies have the potential to reduce carbon emissions that are transportation-related in nature, Portland embraces new innovations and approaches in the electrification of our transportation system. One of several important strategies that will help us achieve our complementary goals of reducing vehicle miles traveled, reducing local air pollution, and increasing share trips by transit, walking, and biking is through the thoughtful promotion and use of EVs such as the Audi e-tron.

In 2009, Portland committed itself to deliver a transportation system that supported the goal of reducing local greenhouse gas emissions by implementing a Climate Action Plan. The Climate Action plan recommends actions to achieve goals aimed at reducing fossil-fuel based carbon emissions used to power our vehicles by establishing goals and proposing actions to achieve these goals, which are specifically relevant to EVs.

About 13 percent of all miles traveled by non-commercial vehicles in Portland will need to be EVs by the year 2030 in order to achieve these goals. Based on average vehicle miles traveled, this translates into roughly as many as 50,000 EVs in the Portland metro area alone. Audi e tron prices should be a little more reasonable by 2030 as well.

GOALS FOR CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

Reducing carbon emissions:

• by 40 percent from 1990 levels in 2030
• by 80 percent from 1990 levels in 2050

Reducing transportation-related carbon emissions:

• by 10 percent from 1990 levels (as of 2015)
• by 25 percent from 1990 levels in 2020
• by 30 percent from 1990 levels in 2030
• by 30 percent from 2008 levels in 2030

Additional goals include:

• increasing average fuel efficiency to 40 miles per gallon by 2030 for passenger vehicles
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions for transportation fuels by 20 percent in 2030
• hastening the installation of a network of EV chargers to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (as of 2012)

More information about the Climate Action Plan is available at:
www.portlandclimateaction.org

EVs never admit pollutants from their tailpipes, which provide substantial benefits to local air quality. Pollutants that are emitted from natural gas electrical power plants and goal, as well as other upstream operations, need to be accounted for.

According to a study from the Argonne National Laboratory, where emissions are often concentrated and do the most harm to the health of humans, EVs substantially reduce the emissions that cause adverse health issues in urban areas. EVs reduce lifecycle greenhouse gasses by 19 percent compared to a vehicle powered by gas. Even though the electricity that’s used in Portland is generated largely by fossil fuels, EVs nearly eliminate the use of petroleum and reduce fossil fuel usage by 28 percent, as referenced by a recent Audi e tron review.

Encouraging the deployment of private and public charging stations powered by renewable electricity for vehicles such as the Audi e tron or Audi e tron SUV will further reduce upstream greenhouse gas emissions associated with EVs.

BENEFITS OF EVs

Switching to electric vehicles from traditional combustion engines in urban areas will:

• keep money in the local economy by saving millions of gallons of gas
• help to reduce particle matter (PM10) by 31%
• help to reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) by 69%
• help to reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) by 75%
• help to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) by 100%

PORTLAND EV STRATEGY

  1. Update and adopt policies to assist in the transition of the use of EVs in Portland

a. Streamlining electrical permitting.

Portland has streamlined the process of electrical permitting for the installation of charging stations by following the minor label program. Including EV charging stations such as audi EV chargers in the minor label program will allow more economical distribution of home charging stations by electrical contractors. Only one out of ten installations will require inspections within the designated guidelines. In September 2010, Portland launched a website to assist customers with the permitting process, thus allowing quick inspections 2 days after installation.

b. Providing limited use right-of-way EV charging for batteries like the audi e tron battery.

The Bureau of Transportation adopted Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in the Public Right-of-Way policy in July 2010. This policy is geared toward improving the process of deploying charging stations that are available to the public. The policy initially allowed private utilities and entities to place 50 charging stations in Portland’s Right-of-Way. The intent of the policy is to provide a venue that manufacturers can use to leverage public-private partnerships and demonstrate innovations in which a provider allows other activities to occur on the same site such as public art, lighting, wireless internet, and renewable power generation.

c. Adopting standards for parking enforcement and consistent signage.

Identifying charging stations for cars like the Audi e tron and Audi e tron SUV will provide for a smooth transition to EVs as well as educate the public about how they work. Both in right-of-way and on private property, Portland has implemented signage standards for identifying EV charging stations that are consistent with regional and state procedures. It’s also better to allow all-day parking in the right-of-way instead of enforcing posted parking hours. If parking hours are enforced, EV charging stations will experience significant turnover. Making these charging stations available all day will support the adjacent businesses, which is a win-win for everyone.

  1. Here are some of the following tax credits available for Portlanders:

a. Tax credits for residents

  • Receive up to $1,500 in Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credits (RETC) and up to $7,500 in Federal tax credits for the purchase of an EV
  • Receive up to $750 in Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credits (RETC) and $2,000 in Federal tax credits for each charging station that’s built
  • Receive up to 35% of the cost between an EV in Oregon Business Energy Tax Credits (BETC) and an internal combustion vehicle and up to $7,500 in Federal tax credits
  • Receive up to 35% of eligible costs in Oregon Business Energy Tax Credits (BETC) and up to 50%, or a maximum of $50,000, of the installation costs in Federal tax credits

In August 2010, the city launched www.chargeportland.com with links to resources on EVs, online permitting for charging stations, and information on city policies.

Numerous outreach efforts including the Climate Action Now! Campaign have educated residents about the important role that charging EVs with renewable electricity has with regards to reducing pollutants and carbon emissions emitted from electrical power plants as well as other upstream operations. Portland has helped the public understand the impacts that charging times have on public health and the environment due to the electricity sources during peak times of usage.

People who purchase EVs represent a good audience for educational material on energy efficiency-related initiatives like Solarize Portland and Clean Energy works. Portland also provides information on other sustainability programs for potential EV purchasers.

  1. Creating programs in garage-free homes that will serve EVs

Most users of EVs will charge their cars at home every night. Unfortunately, a majority of the condominiums, apartments, and homes in Portland don’t have an adequate amount of off-street parking required to install a home charging unit. Portland feels that every resident should have access to EV benefits, should they want them.

Portland has been exploring a partnership with Zipcar, the country’s largest carshare organization to provide reliable and fast charging for all its residents. Zipcar members who own an EV could use their reservation technology to secure a spot at a fast charger in several different central locations in city-owned garages. This one-of-a-kind partnership that will allow owners of EVs to charge their car at a time that’s convenient for them in less than thirty minutes.

In addition, Portland is continuing to explore partnerships to market and retrofit parking spaces that are underutilized throughout the city to serve residents who don’t live within close proximity to a garage in the city. Providing residents with the resources to use some of these parking lots to charge their vehicles gives residents an exclusive opportunity to use something that would be vacant otherwise. This project plans to focus on marketing empty parking lots within walking distance of mixed-use projects which will allow residents to bike or walk easily from home to the charging stations.

  1. Pursue economic development initiatives and develop strategic relationships within the clean-tech cluster to support regional job growth

EVs provide excellent benefits in terms of reduced operating costs and improved air quality for residents. There are even opportunities for creating jobs in the EV sector for clean-tech professionals, manufacturers, electricians, and skilled workers.

The Portland Development Commission (PDC) identified emerging clusters of EV-related companies in Portland and Oregon to foster job growth consistent with the city’s Economic Development Strategy. The PDC is working with Business Oregon to grow the companies, support the businesses, and create jobs in turn.

In 2010, Oregon has over 40 companies working actively on technologies for vehicle efficiency and transportation electrification.

The PDC is currently developing a program in the urban renewal district after Federal and State credits to cover “last mile” costs of installing charging stations for EVs. The program will provide bridge loans to businesses who want to install charging stations for EVs in conjunction with lending partners. In addition, the program is primarily focused on businesses searching for customer and workplace charging that can also be used for fleet charging. It seeks to complement the EV project that plans to install more charging units in the region.

  1. Crafting the most sustainable municipal fleet in the nation

Roughly 2,800 vehicles make up Portland’s fleet. The staff of CityFleet purchase, maintain, and repair a diverse fleet ranging from construction equipment and hybrid vehicles to dump trucks and patrol cars. The role EVs play is significant in helping Portland to achieve sustainability goals that will control costs, reduce environmental impacts, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and improve air quality locally.

Portland has put together a comprehensive Green Fleet plan for vehicles which includes:

a. Partnering with all neighboring counties and cities to purchase 10 Nissan LEAFs and Audi e tron charging stations.

b. Having CityFleet recommend the purchase of EVs and other technologies by performing analyses on all pieces of equipment on every vehicle to figure out the right balance between economics, emissions, fuel consumption, fuel type, and functionality.

c. By the year 2030, having 30% of the city’s fleet become EVs.

  1. Teaming up with the freight community to necessitate the adoption of plug-in hybrid technology and EVs in the trucking industry

Portland is working with regional freight partners to formulate a strategy for freight aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The cornerstone of this ambitious plan is to adopt EV technology. Portland will continue to work with its partners to come up with recommendations for the plan that will support EV adoption.

  1. Working with transit authorities and carshare companies to offer affordable access to EV technology

A major challenge in achieving carbon reduction goals is increasing turn-over of the region’s vehicles to cleaner technologies such as hybrids and EVs. The fastest and most cost-effective way to fully benefit from EV technology is through policies which support car-sharing companies such as U-Carshare and Zipcar. Both of these companies give their members complete access to some of the best, most fuel-efficient vehicles available.

Portland will work with carshare corporations to identify spaces that have charging station potential while continuing to provide parking in the right-of-way.

Likewise, TriMet and Portland are continuing to pursue opportunities that will influence major capital projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while supporting the transition to EVs. Portland is currently planning to have another major light rail project in Milwaukie and is exploring the costs and benefits of providing infrastructure for EVs including parking spaces, charging stations, electricity, and conduit) with Portland in park-and-ride lots within the city limits that support a transit system. Both parties are discussing the idea of having mobility centers in major transit stations where users can access tools such as bike-sharing bikes, car sharing vehicles, and access to EV charging.

  1. Look for new partnerships while maintain existing private and public relationships

Portland will collaborate and actively seek to partner with Ecotality North America and other private universities, utilities, and entities to support the deployment of infrastructure and the adoption of EVs. To ensure a seamless EV experience within Portland, the city will work with other local jurisdictions. Portland is also currently working with local utilities, Portland State University, and the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium (OTREC) to explore the best practices for making EVs a priority in the transportation system. Portland will partner with institutional, utility education, and private industry partners on an education center focused on EV and energy efficiency.

Portland also plans to work with institutions such as Portland State University to explore its innovative infrastructure within the main part of the city.