Archive for category: Fuels

It’s Tax Time! Understanding Alternative Fuel and Infrastructure Tax Credits

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A photo of tax forms, a pen, and a calculator.

Recent federal tax incentive extensions and changes impact alternative fuel and infrastructure tax credits.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (H.R. 2029) retroactively extended several tax credits, including theAlternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit. It also included updates to the calculation method for Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit amounts, specifically for propane and liquefied natural gas(LNG). Below we discuss three frequently asked questions about these credits.

How have the Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit amounts changed for propane and LNG in 2016 and beyond?

The Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit applies to alternative fuel sold or used to operate a motor vehicle. Previously, the excise tax credit amount for propane and LNG was based on a volumetric basis ($0.50 per gallon). For fuel sold or used starting January 1, 2016, however, the excise tax credit amount for propane and LNG is based on an energy equivalent basis. This means the credit for propane is now measured per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) and LNG is measured per diesel gallon equivalent (DGE). Specifically, the updated Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 8849, Schedule 3 defines 2016 tax credit rates for propane and LNG as follows:

  • Propane: One GGE is equal to 5.75 pounds (lbs.) or 1.353 gallons of propane.
  • LNG: One DGE is equal to 6.06 lbs. or 1.71 gallons of LNG.

What does this mean for propane and natural gas retailers and fleets? In short, the tax credit for the same amount of fuel is now less:

  • The propane tax credit was previously $0.50 per gallon and is now $0.50 per GGE (1.353 gallons of propane), which equates to $0.37 per gallon.
  • The LNG tax credit was previously $0.50 per gallon and is now $0.50 per DGE (1.71 gallons of LNG), which equates to$0.29 per gallon.

The tax credit amount for compressed natural gas (CNG) is still based on the GGE, where one GGE is equal to 121 cubic feet.

Natural Gas Vehicles for America (NGVAmerica) provides additional information on federal tax incentives for LNG and CNG, and highlights the impacts of the recent tax credit changes in the article, New Year Rings in Changes for CNG and LNG in 2016. The National Propane Gas Association explains the excise tax equalization for propane.

So, you said the Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit was retroactively extended. Does that mean I can claim it for fuels sold or used in 2015?

Yes! Both the federal Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit and Biodiesel Mixture Excise Tax Credit were extended to cover 2015, meaning that propane, CNG, LNG, hydrogen, and biodiesel sold or used in 2015 are eligible for the federal tax credit. To file for the tax credit, registered claimants must submit a single one-time 2015 claim with IRS Form 8849, as well as the accompanying Schedule 3. The deadline to submit a claim for fuels sold or used in 2015 is August 8, 2016.

Please note that the tax credit amount for propane and LNG sold or used in 2015 is based on the previous, volumetric rate of $0.50 per gallon.

For additional information on claiming the tax credit for fuels sold or used in 2015, please see IRS Notice 2016-05.

Are tax-exempt entities eligible for the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit?

While a tax-exempt entity, such as a school or state government fleet, may not be eligible to claim the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit directly, the entity selling the fueling infrastructure to the tax-exempt entity can claim the credit and pass the “discount” along to the fleet. According to Title 26 of the United States Code, Section 30C(e)(3), the entity selling the fueling equipment to the tax-exempt entity can be treated as the taxpayer and claim the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit, but only if the seller discloses the amount of the credit allowable to the tax-exempt purchaser in writing. In practice, this means the tax-exempt fleet would have the opportunity to use this information to request a discount. However, the infrastructure seller is not required to pass along any savings associated with the tax credit.

For more information on how tax-exempt entities may be eligible for the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit, please see the IRS Instructions for Form 8911.

Please note that the Technical Response Service recommends consulting a qualified tax professional or the IRS before making any tax-related decisions.

Understanding How and Where Plug-In Electric Vehicle Drivers Charge Up

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Understanding How and Where Plug-In Electric Vehicle Drivers Charge Up

Photo of a car being recharged in a wooded area.

New research findings dispute the belief that the growth of the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market requires a large network of public charging stations.

Locating places to recharge is one of the most commonly cited barriers to PEVs. With gas stations seemingly on every corner, it seems logical to conclude that a similarly expansive network of public charging stations is needed for wide-spread adoption of PEVs. However, a new study supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), published in the reportPlugged In: How Americans Charge Their Electric Vehicles, shows that while public charging is helpful, it is far less important and much more rarely used than residential and workplace charging.

To increase understanding of how many and where charging stations need to be installed, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) recently analyzed three years of data collected from 8,300 PEVs; nearly 17,000 residential, commercial, and public AC Level 2 charging stations; and more than 100 DC fast charging stations. The project area covered 22 regions across the United States, constituting the largest PEV infrastructure demonstration in the world.

Below are a few of the most relevant findings from the new research report.

  • Fueling up at home—which is not an option with conventional vehicles—is very important to PEV drivers. About half of drivers did less than 5% of their charging away from home.
  • Workplace charging proved to be an effective way to increase all-electric range. Many drivers performed the majority of away-from-home charging at their workplaces.
  • Public charging stations are most useful when installed at locations where cars are parked for a long time, such as shopping malls, commuter parking lots, and airports.
  • Timing of home charging can be flexible and economical, especially with the “depart-by-time” scheduling function available on many vehicles and chargers.
  • While charging station costs vary by area, Level 2 stations averaged $1,354 for homes, $2,223 for workplaces, $3,108 for public locations, and $22,626 for DC fast charging.

INL and DOE plan to share the study’s results with a number of stakeholders to inform national policy recommendations, state infrastructure planning, regional electric utility planning, and vehicle regulation.

To learn more, read the full blog post.

EVSE Rebate Program Launched

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Join Clean Cities to Help the Yellowstone-Teton Region Plug-In                         

Local non-profit offering $5,000 rebates for electric vehicle charging stations

Contact:

Alicia Cox
Executive Director
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities

810.955.5811 · alicia@ytcleanenergy.org

 

Jackson, Wyoming | January 13, 2016 – Local businesses now have a unique financial opportunity to help develop the necessary infrastructure to electrify our region’s vehicle transportation. Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities (YTCC) is offering $5,000 rebates through two different programs for the installation of publicly available electric vehicle charging stations. Businesses and municipalities in the gateway communities of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks qualify. Applications are available at ytcleancities.org.

Just five years ago, only a few hundred EVs were sold each month, nationally. Now, EV sales are roughly 10,000 per month and are expected to continue to grow as charging infrastructure expands and drivers become better informed about the benefits of going electric. With zero tailpipe emissions, significantly better efficiency, and fewer parts requiring maintenance, EVs have proven to be reliable and cost-effective vehicles.

Businesses are beginning to see the benefits of providing their customers with the opportunity to charge while they shop. Hosting a station increases customer traffic, as many EV drivers will shop at certain locations specifically for its charging access, and it increases shopping time, with customers spending their charging time in the store.

In 2013 YTCC partnered with the Town of Jackson and Energy Conservation Works to install four charging stations in the Town of Jackson. In addition, YTCC recently partnered with Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and secured funding to install charging stations throughout both parks in the spring and summer of this year. “With the Town of Jackson and the National Parks leading the way with charging opportunities, the charging stations installed through this rebate opportunity will help complete the regional infrastructure necessary to allow plug-in electric vehicles to move throughout the Greater Yellowstone Region on electric,” Alicia Cox, Executive Director, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities. These $5,000 rebates significantly reduce the costs of installation and allows local businesses the opportunity to take advantage of the many associated benefits of offering charging to customers.

To learn more about this program please join YTCC’s webinar on Thursday, January 21st at 11:00am or attend a ‘lunch and learn’ at the Jackson Whole Grocer’s community room on Thursday, January 28th from 11:30am-12:30pm. Please visit YTCC’s website at ytcleancities.org for webinar login and details.

YTCC is a non-profit based in Jackson with a mission to advance the nation’s environmental, economic, and energy security by supporting local actions to reduce petroleum use in transportation. Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities is the sole regional designee of the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program. The rebates are funded by two grants through the Teton Conservation District and the Environmental Protection Agency. Each program has separate requirements, so inquire with Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities to learn which program works for you.

Renewable Natural Gas: Repurposing Waste to Fuel Vehicles

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Photo of a garbage hauler in a dump.What is renewable natural gas and how can it be used to fuel vehicles?

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is pipeline-quality natural gas made by collecting and purifying biogas, the methane produced from decomposing organic matter. Biogas can be collected from sources such as landfills, livestock operations, wastewater treatment plants, food manufacturing and wholesalers, supermarkets, restaurants, and hospitals. Once purified to remove contaminants and increase its heat content, the gas is called RNG and is a “drop-in” fuel that can be transported with conventional natural gas in pipelines, dispensed at the same fueling stations, stored in the same storage tanks, and used in natural gas vehicles without any engine modifications.

Despite its advantages, there are only 60 operational RNG production facilities in the United States. Many more use the biogas to generate electricity. This is due to federal and state programs, such as the federal Investment Tax Credit and state renewable portfolio standards, which incentivize the use of biogas for power generation rather than for vehicle fuel.

Production

The purification process for biogas is called conditioning or upgrading, and it involves removing water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and various contaminants and trace elements. From there, RNG can be compressed to make renewable compressed natural gas (R-CNG) or super-cooled to make renewable liquefied natural gas (R-LNG).

RNG is produced from feedstocks that come from a wide range of industrial sectors, many of which already collect and process biomass as part of their daily operations:

    • Landfills: Landfill gas (LFG) is collected from decomposing waste in landfills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), landfills are the third largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States. Landfills account for 70% of the operational RNG projects in the United States. One of the largest LFG-to-vehicle fuel projects is Waste Management’s Altamont Landfill near Livermore, California. This project produces up to 13,000 gallons of R-LNG each day to fuel 300 refuse trucks.

Livestock Operations: Animal manure can be collected and taken to an anaerobic digester for RNG production. A few farms across the country have started to use biogas to produce RNG vehicle fuel, including Hilarides Dairy in California and Fair Oaks Dairy in Indiana.

Wastewater Treatment Plants: Approximately 9% of the more than 16,000 wastewater treatment plants in the United States use anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. The Janesville Wastewater Treatment Plant in Wisconsin is an example of a plant that uses biogas to produce RNG for use in vehicles.

Other Biomass Sources: RNG can also be produced from lignocellulosic material, such as crop residues and dedicated energy crops, through thermochemical conversion, co-digestion, and dry fermentation. These technologies are being used in Europe, but have limited applications in the United States. RNG also can be produced from food waste, either alone or in conjunction with biosolids from livestock operations or wastewater treatment plants. CleanWorld Partners’ Sacramento BioDigester and quasar’s Central Ohio BioEnergy project convert food waste to RNG for vehicle fueling.

RFS2 Compliance

RNG qualifies as a cellulosic biofuel under the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) program. In fact, RNG accounted for more than 50 million renewable identification numbers (RINs) in 2014 – 98% of all cellulosic biofuel RINs. According to organizations that track biofuels market data, cellulosic biofuel RINs were valued at $0.70– 0.85 per diesel gallon equivalent in 2014;this value is expected to increase in the future.

Other Benefits

Like conventional natural gas, RNG can be produced domestically and can displace the petroleum currently being imported for transportation use. However, RNG offers some additional benefits. RNG has practically a net zero carbon impact. On a lifecycle basis, RNG accounts for fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than most currently available motor fuels. RNG can reduce GHG emissions by 95% compared to conventional gasoline and diesel fuel. This is partially because capturing biogas from landfills and livestock operations can reduce GHG emissions by preventing methane releases that were occurring into the atmosphere. Additionally, RNG produced through anaerobic digestion eliminates odors and results in nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer as a by-product. Also, biogas feedstocks are plentiful, so RNG could make use of the 450 million pounds of municipal solid waste dumped in landfills, 160 billion pounds of food waste generated, or the 500 million tons of animal waste produced each year.

Barriers

Like conventional natural gas, the main barriers to RNG are lack of vehicle availability and fueling infrastructure, though efforts are underway to address both of these obstacles. However, RNG production costs exceed those for conventional natural gas, especially for small-scale operations. Small-scale RNG production can cost around $5.50–$9per million British thermal units compared to $4.50 for conventional natural gas. Additional financing and incentive opportunities, as well as state renewable portfolio standards that encourage the investment in biogas for vehicle fuel production, may spur additional production.

More Information

For more information on RNG, please see the following additional resources:

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Workplace Charging Challenge

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Workplace Charging Challenge!

In January 2013, the Department of Energy launched the Workplace Charging Challenge as part of its EV Everywhere Grand Challenge. Electric Vehicles (EVs) represent a great opportunity to vastly reduce petroleum usage in the transportation sector, and the DOE has set a goal for the US to be the first country to produce EVs that are as affordable as standard gas-powered vehicles by 2022. As one measure to meet that goal, they’ve started the Workplace Charging Challenge, an initiative aimed at employers to provide electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) – charging stations – at their businesses for employee use.

One of the biggest barriers to entry of the market for EVs is the relative scarcity of stations where drivers can recharge their battery, resulting in range anxiety – the idea that you may not have enough battery charge to make it to work, the store, school, etc., and home again. As such, the charging infrastructure needs to be in place for EVs to be adopted on a larger scale. But charging your car’s battery is not exactly like filling up the tank. Depending on the level of charge and the battery, charging stations take from two to twenty hours to recharge a car’s battery. This makes overnight at-home charging ideal, but in order to double someone’s potential all-electric commuting range, or simply give them the flexibility to run some errands on the way home from work, workplace charging stations are a key piece of the infrastructure needed. The typical car spends anywhere from six to eight hours parked at work on weekdays, making workplace charging a prime opportunity to expand EV charging networks.

So why would employers want to take on the challenge of providing charging stations for their employees, especially if they don’t have many (or any) employees who own EVs?

First of all, infrastructure comes first, so just by virtue of providing the EVSE many employers have seen an increase in EV adoption among their employees. According to a DOE survey, “employees of Challenge partners are six times more likely to drive an EV than the average worker.” Zappos, a shoe and apparel company, installed four level 2 chargers when zero employees owned EVs, and within a year five people had bought EVs. The program clearly demonstrates that the ability to charge your car at work spurs EV adoption.

There are also direct, though usually non-monetary, benefits for employers. Of course employers could charge for the electricity used, but most have provided the electricity for free and been very satisfied (recent partner feedback data indicate that employees are roughly just as likely to utilize workplace charging, whether the employer provides it free or not). The ability to charge your car at work is a great amenity, and when firms are hiring and competing for the best applicants for jobs, EVSE stations have been a major factor in many prospective employees’ decisions to work with a company. It not only helps with recruitment, but also employee retention. Satisfied employees tend to stay at their jobs longer, and anyone who’s worked in HR or management will immediately recognize the financial benefits of reduced turnover.

Beyond just the image to employees and potential hires, workplace charging presents a public image of the company as a cutting edge leader, furthering their environmental commitments and sustainability goals, and can be counted toward LEED points. The benefits for the employees, the firm, and society in general are numerous, and most importantly further the trend toward cleaner, more sustainable transportation.

What are the benefits of becoming a Partner in the Challenge?

In addition to the benefits of having installed EV charging for your employees, joining the Challenge gives employers access to:

  • Informational resources and technical assistance
  • Access to a sharing network of partners and their best practices
  • Peer-to-peer exchange at workplace charging events
  • Support from Challenge ambassador organizations
  • Public recognition of successes

So where are we with the Workplace Charging Challenge?

The goal is to have 500 Challenge partners by 2018, and to date we are more than halfway there with over 260 partners. The DOE just recently released a mid-program update here, if you want to learn more. Partner organizations range widely from tech companies and manufacturers to utilities and universities.

Closer to home, we have been able to identify several firms in the region who are already taking steps toward providing charging for their employees, and we look forward to partnering with them and giving recognition for their work. Just as important, we are working with several others who are interested in the benefits of workplace charging and want to work with us to start the process of installing EVSE and getting EVs everywhere!

Biodiesel FAQs

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Biodiesel FAQs Blog
As the regional designee of the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program, the Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities aims to reduce petroleum consumption within the local transportation sector by promoting a host of alternative fuels, including electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, propane, and biodiesel. While each alt fuel has its own place in our ultimate, petroleum-free fuel mix, selecting the most appropriate fuel can be a daunting task. One easy place to start, however, is with diesel vehicles. Blends of up to 20% biodiesel, called B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% conventional diesel), can be used as drop-in fuels in most diesel vehicles without modification, making this locally-available renewable fuel easy to incorporate into personal, commercial, or municipal diesel vehicles.

What Is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable substitute for petroleum diesel that operates in compression-ignition engines. It burns more cleanly than conventional diesel and can be produced domestically from vegetable oils, animal tallow, and restaurants’ used fry oil, which helps to expand markets for the country’s farmers.biodiesel in green barrels

What Are the Advantages to Biodiesel?
Biodiesel has a variety of benefits over conventional diesel; it is renewable, domestically produced, safer, and has fewer pollutants and GHG emissions.

Energy Security
Because biodiesel is derived from vegetable oil, animal tallow, or waste fry oil, it can be produced domestically, offsetting oil imports from politically unstable countries.

Market Security
Petroleum markets have a significant amount of volatility, making diesel prices unpredictable. Biodiesel mixes help to balance diesel prices, making them more reliable.

Air Quality Improvements
Biodiesel emissions meet the same standards as petroleum diesel. With exhaust aftertreatment, often selective catalytic reduction, NOx emissions are reduced to extremely low levels, comparable to conventional fuels.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Because biodiesel is renewably produced from plant or animal sources, it releases fewer greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum, or fossil, diesel. In fact, operating a vehicle on pure biodiesel, B100, reduces emissions by 75%, while B20 still reduces emissions by a significant 15%.

Safety
Biodiesel is nontoxic and biodegradable. It has a higher flashpoint than conventional diesel, which makes it safer to handle, store, and transport.

For more information on the benefits of biodiesel, please visit the AFDC.

Can My Vehicle Run on Biodiesel?
Most major diesel engine manufacturers have formally endorsed the use biodiesel up to B20 by writing its compliance into their equipment warranties. An extensive list of diesel vehicles warrantied at different blend levels can be found here. Additionally, blends of up to 5% biodiesel (B5) meet the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Material) standards for diesel fuel and don’t require any special considerations.Biodiesel_Mercedes
Copy of PakkanenHow Does Biodiesel Perform? Even in the Cold?
In diesel engines, biodiesel blends operate nearly identically to petroleum diesel. Blends of biodiesel as low as 1% even help to improve fuel lubricity, reducing wear and tear on the engine. With regard to horsepower, torque, and mileage, B20 achieves similar levels to those of diesel. Even in freezing temperatures, biodiesel blends can be used as long as they have been treated with the appropriate additives by their manufacturer. For more information about biodiesel in freezing temperatures, check out the Cold Weather Guide from Biodiesel®.

Where Can I Find Biodiesel & How Much Does It Cost?
Biodiesel is publicly available in Jackson at Pump #5 of the Shell station on Broadway. Generally, they offer B20 from mid-April to mid-September and B10 in the colder months. They supply BQ9000, the highest quality biodiesel available, and despite a 5 year Rocky Mountain average price 20¢/DGE higher than those of conventional diesel(Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report), Shell’s B20 prices are  currently equal to that of conventional diesel . For real time availability of biodiesel throughout the country, check the AFDC Station Locator .

BD_Map

Are There Potential Complications?
Unlike conventional diesel, biodiesel is a strong solvent and acts as a cleaning agent. As such, it may dissolve and dislodge any petroleum deposits that have accumulated from conventional diesel use and flush this residual diesel gunk into fuel filters. Therefore, filters should be checked often during the transition period to biodiesel and replaced when necessary. Because this maintenance can be relatively labor and and time intensive, it is not recommended to switch back and forth between biodiesel blends and 100% conventional diesel.

Who Else Is Using Biodiesel?

  • EcoTour Adventures fuels all vehicles with Shell’s biodiesel
  • JHMR fuels all Snow Cat groomers with B10
  • Idaho National Lab fuels almost 100 transit buses with B20 year round

Electric Vehicle FAQs

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There are many alternative fuel options available, and choosing the most appropriate for your lifestyle can be a challenge. However, electric drive vehicle (EDV) technologically is becoming more reliable, practical, and convenient, and as a result their adoption rate is growing fast. Particularly in areas with relatively clean, very cheap power generation, such as YTCEC’s region, EDVs are enormously effective in reducing petroleum consumption, harmful emissions, and fuel costs. But EDVs come in a variety of configurations, and determining which best fits your needs can make your head spin. The following FAQs and answers should help you sort through this challenge and lead you to the best EDV for your needs.

What Is the Difference Between the Various EDVs?

        HEVs
[ezcol_1fifth]icon_basics_hybrid[/ezcol_1fifth] [ezcol_4fifth_end]Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have conventional engines and are only fueled using conventional gasoline or diesel. The efficiency of these vehicles is improved by a regenerative braking system that charges a battery to power an electric motor that assists the drive train.[/ezcol_4fifth_end]

      PHEVs
[ezcol_1fifth]icon_basics_plugin[/ezcol_1fifth] [ezcol_4fifth_end]Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are fueled with conventional gasoline or diesel, and as the name implies, with electricity. PHEVS also have regenerative braking to maximize their efficiencies, but plugging into the grid helps to displace even more petroleum use by utilizing increasingly clean electricity.[/ezcol_4fifth_end]

       EVs
[ezcol_1fifth]icon_basics_electric[/ezcol_1fifth] [ezcol_4fifth_end]Electric vehicles (EVs) have no internal combustion engine, use no petroleum fuel, and operate entirely on electricity. As such, the range of these vehicles is limited to the amount of energy stored in their batteries. However, if the electricity it utilizes is renewably derived there are effectively no emissions.[/ezcol_4fifth_end]

What Are the Environmental Advantages of Electric Vehicles?
Too often, it is assumed that shifting from gasoline to electricity will simply transfer emissions from the car’s tailpipe to the power plant’s smoke stack. However, there are in fact, no grids in the US where electrically fueled vehicles are dirtier than gas or diesel. In addition to this head start, grids will continue to become cleaner as states reach their renewable portfolio standards. Even today, the majority of the electricity consumed in our region is produced from hydropower making our grid-powered vehicles significantly cleaner than petroleum in both criteria pollutants like SOX and NOX, as well as the primary greenhouse gas, CO2.GridMix Such a renewable heavy grid mix helps to generate electricity with 30% fewer carbon emissions than the nation’s average. One can see that this clean grid mix further reduces CO2e emissions from EVs and PHEVs relative to conventional vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and even plug-in vehicles powered by the nation’s average grid mix.EVandGASHow Far Can I Drive?
Because HEVs and PHEVs operate on conventional fuel and have the typical range of a conventional vehicle, there are few operating concerns for these vehicles. However, EVs do not have a fuel tank and cannot gas up at the nearest station. Today, EVs have ranges from 62 to 208 miles on a full charge, and luckily, 95% of trips taken by rural Americans are under 50 miles, offering enormous functionality of an EV, especially in households with more than one vehicle.

Electric Vehicle Make and Range According to the AFDC Buyer’s Guide 2015[ezcol_1third]BMW i3 – 81 mi             Chevy Spark – 82 mi          Fiat 500e – 87 mi[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]Ford Focus – 76 mi          Honda Fit – 82 mi                 Kia Soul – 93 mi[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]Nissan Leaf – 84 mi Volkswagen eGolf – 87 mi Testla Model S – 208 mi[/ezcol_1third_end]

How Long Will it Take to Charge?
To fully charge EVs and PHEVs, they must be connected to a source of electricity. The options available are categorized at three different levels, based on their charge capacity.

  • The first, Level 1 is the slowest option and operates on alternating current (AC). Any standard 120V household outlet will suffice, and the vehicle will earn 2 to 5 miles for every 1 hour charging.
  • Level 2 charges run at 240V AC, which can be installed at your home and are increasingly common at workplaces and public and private parking areas. At 10 to 20 miles per hour of charging, 8 hours will generally fully recharge the electric vehicles currently available. This can be accomplished at the office during the workday or overnight at home.
  • Level 3 fast chargers are by far the most expensive, but operating at 480V of direct current, they can provide 60 to 80 miles of range in only 20 minutes of charging – just enough to grab a coffee and a bite.

Where Can I Charge?
In addition to any Level 1, standard 120V plug, EVs can charge at any of the regional, Level 2 charging infrastructure. This network is growing, and the connectivity is improving, easing range anxiety. Additionally, more charging infrastructure helps to increase the number of miles PHEVs can operate on clean electricity. The map below shows the current charging stations (white pins) as well as the predicted locations of six planned stations (yellow pins) throughout the three states in which YTCEC operates, ID, MT, and WY.
EV Charging ID MT WYTo find real-time details for each station, such as the charging station level and the exact location, please visit the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuel Station Locator.

What Will Extreme Temperatures Do To a Vehicle’s Electric Range?
The Greater Yellowstone Region experiences extreme annual temperature fluctuations. Such highs and lows do have an impact on battery capacity and thus, vehicle ranges.  In an analysis by Idaho National Laboratory, three EVs were tested at a cold, mild, and hot temperature all while maintaining 72°F inside the car. Cold temperatures reduced range by about half, depending on the vehicle, and hot temperatures had a lesser, but still significant reduction on range.EV_City_Range_INL_ShirkHowever, much of this loss is due to maintaining a comfortable climate inside the cab. And while locals can deal with a little heat and even more cold, there are certain steps you can take to create a comfortable driving climate and ensure your heater or AC doesn’t drain your battery. First, park your vehicle in a garage to avoid it from getting too hot or too cold. Second, preheat or precool while you are still plugged in. Many EVs are integrated with apps that will allow you to do this remotely, and it ensures your battery stays charged while your vehicle gets to a comfortable temperature. Finally, when heating, use seat heaters as they are more efficient than space heating.

January Question of the Month

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Question of the Month: How can I search for, update, and add new alternative fueling station information using the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) Station Locator?

Answer: The Alternative Fueling Station Locator (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/locator/stations/) is the most used tool on the AFDC and was recently improved to include new options that may change the way users search for and update station information. You can now filter search results by several fuel-specific fields, such as connector type for electric vehicle charging and fill pressure for natural gas fueling. Read on for more details and information on how to update an existing station or add a new station to the Station Locator.

Searching for Alternative Fueling Stations

Previously, Station Locator users could select “more search options” to look for stations with a certain status/access type (e.g., existing, planned, or private), owner type, payment methods, and electric charger types (e.g., Level 2, DC fast charge). The Station Locator now allows users to search filter by fuel-specific fields corresponding to each alternative fuel. First, select a specific fuel type from the “All Fuels” drop-down menu, and then click on “more search options” to choose from the following filters:

  • Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

o   Fill type – the type of dispensing capability available at the station (e.g., fast-fill, time-fill)

o   Vehicle accessibility – the maximum vehicle size that can physically access the CNG fueling station (e.g., light-, medium-, heavy-duty vehicles)

o   Fill pressure – the pounds per square inch (PSI) pressure available at the station (e.g., 2400, 3000, 3600)

  • Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)

o   Charger type – the type of electric chargers available at the station (e.g., Level 1, Level 2, DC Fast, Legacy chargers)

o   Connectors and outlets – the type of outlets (e.g., NEMA 14-50, NEMA 5-15, NEMA 5-20) and connectors  (e.g., J1772, CHAdeMO, J1772 Combo, Tesla) available for charging

o   Networks – the name of the EVSE network

  • Ethanol (E85)

o   Mid-level blend availability – stations that provide mid-level ethanol blends, such as E30

  • Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

o   Vehicle accessibility – the maximum vehicle size that can physically access the LNG fueling station (e.g., light-, medium-, heavy-duty vehicles)

  • Propane (LPG)

o   Vehicle-specific service – stations that cater to propane vehicles by offering a vehicle fuel-specific price and accept credit cards

Updating Station Information

Once you have located a station of interest, click on the station pinpoint on the map and select “More details” for even more information about the station. If you would like to report updates to the station, such as additional fuel types available, click on “Report a change” in the top right corner of the station details page. Users will receive an email confirmation after reporting updates, and the submission goes directly to the Clean Cities Technical Response Service (TRS) for review and verification. Anyone reporting an update should expect the TRS to contact you or a station point of contact before the changes will appear on the Station Locator.

Adding New Fueling Stations

If you have searched the Station Locator, including private and planned stations, and would like to report one that is not listed, use the New Station Submission form (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/locator/stations/places/new). You can navigate to this form by clicking “Submit New Station” in the top right corner of the Station Locator map. Please provide as much detail as possible in the submission form, and use the “Comments” section as needed to include additional information. As with the station update process mentioned above, you will receive an automated email confirmation and the TRS will likely contact you to verify information before adding the station to the Station Locator.

Alternatively, you may submit new or updated station information by emailing the TRS directly at technicalresponse@icfi.com. If you have several new stations or updates to submit, this method is preferred, as the TRS can provide you with an Excel spreadsheet template.

For more information on how fueling stations are maintained and updated in the Station Locator, see the AFDC About the Alternative Fueling Station Data page (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/data_methods_stations.html).

Guest Shot: We’re Charging Ahead for Clean Energy

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 Jackson Hole News and Guide 8/21/13 Guest Shot

On Aug. 5 the Jackson Town Council voted to approve the installation of five electric vehicle charging stations in public parking lots around the core of Jackson.  The Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition and the Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Project commend the mayor and council for their leadership and commitment to energy conservation and environmental stewardship. Nationally there are 8,010 public and private charging stations, yet in Wyoming there is only one available to the public.  The five charging stations will literally put Jackson on the map in Wyoming and throughout the region as being a leader in promoting cleaner, more diverse transportation options.

There is a common misconception that electric vehicles simply replace oil with coal in terms of fuel use.  However, it’s not that straightforward.  How an electric vehicle is supplied ”fuel” depends on where and how your community receives its power.  Lower Valley Energy, our local utility provider, purchases all of Jackson’s electricity through Bonneville Power Administration, which is 84 percent hydropower, while the national average grid is 49 percent coal.  Due to Jackson’s clean grid there is a 60 percent reduction in fuel-source emissions per mile when comparing an electric vehicle with a conventional petroleum-powered vehicle.  In addition, all of the town of Jackson’s operations run on 100 percent certified green power from Lower Valley’s Strawberry Creek hydro facility.  As if that wasn’t enough green, four of the five approved EV stations are located in parking lots where the power will be offset by large solar installations. The kilowatt capabilities of the solar arrays at these public lots will be enough for 15 average vehicle charging events per day.

Fuel source emissions are only half of the equation. If you live or drive your electric vehicle somewhere outside of Jackson, rest assured, the Union of Concerned Scientists recently completed a study that concluded, ”There are no areas of the country where electric vehicles have higher global warming emissions than the average new gasoline vehicle.” This conclusion is a result of electric vehicles’ energy efficiencies.  An electric motor converts 75 to 80 percent of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels.  An internal combustion engine converts only 20 percent of the energy stored in gasoline.

Electric vehicles also help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  The United States imports nearly half of the oil we consume each year, two-thirds of which is consumed by transportation.  Electric vehicles derive all their energy from electricity, which is a domestic source of fuel.  While there is no perfect fuel, adding electric vehicle charging in Jackson sends us along the right path of more diverse and cleaner fueling options.

Approximately 120,000 electric vehicles are on U.S. roads today, and the adoption of electric vehicles continues to outpace early sales of hybrid vehicles.  According to Forbes magazine, “Recent news from the U.S. on that front (electric vehicles) is somewhat encouraging: Sales of EV s for the first half of 2013 reached 41,447, according to AUTOS.aol.com, over twice the rate of sales in 2012.  Thirteen models of plug-ins now populate our roads, and more are coming.”

In light of the trend, the Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition is convening a regional electric vehicle infrastructure working group.  There is a need to adapt to the coming technology, and Jackson is leading the way in this region.

The Jackson charging stations should be installed and functional by this winter.  We look forward to coordinating our marketing efforts with local rental car companies and the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce to get the word out that people can charge their cars in Jackson.

The Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Project was proud to loan Jackson the funds for the five charging stations out of the 2010 specific purpose excise tax monies for energy efficiency.  Being innovative as well as conservatively minded are values we care about in Jackson.  The leadership demonstrated by the Town Council shows that we are moving forward as a community while taking care of this special place.

Both our organizations are proud to work closely with the town of Jackson and the community to provide information and cleaner transportation. We are always available to discuss this issue.

Shelley Simonton, is executive director of the Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Project.   Alicia Cox is program coordinator for the Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition.

EVs Face Unfounded Criticism

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Scientists acknowledge that changes are occurring at an accelerated pace and every action, or inaction, impacts our fragile future. The successful fight against the uphill battle of climate change requires a shift of attitudes in our culture, which is likely the greatest challenge.

The importance of delivering factual information, without hidden opinions, has been at the core of a recent argument between Elon Musk, co-founder of Tesla Motors, and John Broder, a staff writer for the New York Times, over Broder’s review of the Tesla Model S and Tesla’s new web of “SuperChargers”. Broder’s account of his test drive-road trip stood out because of its blunt dissatisfaction with both the car and the company. Musk was shocked by this review as the car had previously received praise and proceeded to examine the driving logs of the car. Broder’s account of the test drive was found to be laced with exaggerations and lies intended to bash the progressive technology he was testing. When these facts and raw data were reported, it became clear that Broder pushed the boundaries of truth to aid his opinion.

EV-Volt-ChargingStation

Developing alternative ways to power our transportation system is critical to successfully addressing carbon emission, one important element of climate change. This fundamental shift, which for many is uncomfortable, requires public interest, support, and action. Electric vehicles, which effectively lower an individual’s carbon footprint, have been shown to provide a successful alternative to gasoline-powered automobiles, buses, and trains. EVs are excellent options for many people but continued development of this technology is necessary for wide scale application. Acceptance of this technology is directly influenced by media reports.

Inaccurate or disingenuous information contained in articles like Broder’s do nothing but create confusion and skepticism, which usually leads to inaction. The recent standoff between Elon Musk and John Border serves as an excellent example of how a lack of transparency and journalistic integrity can directly hinder progress. An individual’s ability to form a thoughtful opinion upon which to take action is limited if the data is presented is in an incomplete or skewed form. Articles such as Broder’s should either be more deeply investigated prior to publishing or be left to the Opinion pages.

-Peter Neal, COO Willie Neal Environmental Awareness Fund

Peter spent the past year in East Burke, VT as a junior at Burke Mt. Academy. He will return to  Jackson Hole for his Senior year at the Jackson Hole Community School. He is the Chief Operating Officer at the Willie Neal Environmental Awareness Fund while not XC-Ski racing.