Muggles Perform Magic in California

Muggles, we regular human non-wizards, are also capable of a bit of magic. In California, millions have been transported with zero emissions. Not with Knight Buses, but with zero-emission buses, light-rail, cable cars, and zero-emission cars.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Regulation in 1990 to reduce the emissions from light-duty vehicles and accelerate development of zero emission vehicles. Over the years, the regulation has been modified to deal with objections and lawsuits from the automotive industry that contend that battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles are not ready for prime time.

The regulation has been reduced from requiring that 10% of auto makers’ sales be zero emissions to 2%, or to selecting an Alternate Path with credits for various types of zero-emission and partial zero-emission (PZEV) vehicles. Since this regulation deals with criteria pollutant emissions, the PZEV vehicles may still produce significant greenhouse gas emissions. The regulation currently provides credits for various types of clean light-duty vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles getting the most credits, much to the ire of battery-electric enthusiasts.

The regulation has made California the leader in clean vehicles and cleantech. Estimates are that by the end of 2005, the following quantities of these vehicles had been placed in California: 130 fuel cell, 4,400 battery-electric, 26,000 25-mile per hour speed battery-electric, 70,000 AT-PZEV vehicles such as the Prius, and 500,000 PZEV vehicles.

There are currently twenty-one auto manufacturers subject to the ZEV regulation. Six are defined as large volume manufacturers: Toyota (market leader), General Motors, Ford, Honda, DaimlerChrysler and Nissan. The remaining 15 are intermediate volume manufacturers. Intermediate manufacturers can meet the regulation entirely with PZEVs. All 21 manufacturers are not only in compliance with the programs modest requirements, they have extra credits banked to cover their requirements through 2009. Status of ZEV Program

The future of vehicles will be shaped by this ZEV regulation and the new AB 32 Greenhouse Gas Solutions law because California is one of the largest vehicle markets in the world and a leading early adopter. For example, the state has long been home to more cars than China. In December, the ARB may again decide to ease ZEV requirements that are scheduled to increase in 2009 when Phase 2 begins.

ARB staff recommends that “the Board examine more even treatment of BEVs in the regulation as compared to FCEVs. For example, BEVs and FCEVs could be offered equal credit by 2012. By returning to technology neutrality and considering BEVs and fuel cell vehicles similarly, the ARB might induce some manufacturers to choose to pursue battery electric vehicle development instead of fuel cell vehicle development. The outcome would be that overall ZEV production could be greater, but fewer fuel cell
vehicles may be produced.”

ARB has been holding public hearings and getting an earful. The latest public workshop was on July 24. Leading environmental groups such as NRDC, UCS, and the American Lung Society do not want reductions in the fuel cell vehicle requirements.

The proposal to ARB which generated the most interest was from A123, a leading supplier for advanced lithium batteries. A123 has also purchased Hymotion to be the leading plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system integrator, winning important contracts from the State of New York and South Coast Air Quality Management District. A123 stated that they have been selected for GM VEU and Volt vehicle programs and are being considered by future PHEV programs from makers such as Volvo.

An A123 kit will fit in spare tire space of most hybrids including the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Ford Escape Hybrid. Kits and authorized installers are expected in 2008. The A123 presenter, for his own converted Prius has used only 9 gallons of gasoline to travel 1,200 miles. He achieves up to 177 miles per gallon.

The 2008 A123 kit will be fully CARB tested. It will have a 10 year life. A123 has a target of a one-hour installation by certified mechanic. A123 claims that this should not affect the Toyota warranty. Toyota is likely to claim that kit installation voids the warranty. A123 is willing to give its ZEV credit to any manufacture whose car is converted. This aspect of the proposal generated interest with its potential to eliminate PHEV kit objections by leading automotive OEMs that need ZEV credits.

A123 and smaller makers of battery-electric and PHEV vehicles including Tesla, Phoenix Motorcars, Th!nk, Quantum and many others would like to sell ZEV credits to the Big 6. The major auto makers, however, are in compliance and are likely to remain in compliance, so no trading may occur.

There are now over 40 million light electric vehicles now in use worldwide. Demand is exploding in Asia. ARB is considering increasing its modest credit for 25-mile per hour neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV).

The average California household has two or more vehicles, with the NEV being a wonderful low-cost second vehicle. The needs of a growing number of individuals living in cities, university towns and retirement communities are being met by NEV. These people only need to drive a few thousand miles per year. Over 20,000 NEV are in use in California by individuals and fleets that would otherwise use high-emission ICE vehicles. These vehicles are seeding the market for future affordable higher performing ZEV.

To meet early ZEV regulation, auto makers gave NEVs to a number of fleets, supposedly “gaming” the system. ARB reacted to accusations of “gaming” by reducing credits for battery-electric vehicles to far less than hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. These free and low cost NEV are now widely used by military, government and commercial fleets for appropriate applications with 25 mile speeds and 20 mile ranges. This includes moving goods and people in corporate campuses and providing many services in clean cities. In other words, although some objected to Big 6 give-aways, these EVs have been highly beneficial.

Many NEV are recharged with solar power. These same EV fleets went on to be early adopters of PHEV, freeway speed EV and FCV. ARB is reconsidering its overreaction against NEV. California ZEV Program

Should plug-in hybrids be included in the regulation, California should have no need to relax other requirements. Rapid advancements have been made in both high-performance and low-cost battery electric vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCV) have demonstrated ranges of 300 miles, 24 stations are in operation, and there are enthusiastic responses from those who drive these FCV on a daily basis.

Next year, over 40 to 100 PHEV will be on California’s roads. Both Toyota and GM, however, plan to put their new plug-in hybrids into demonstration. Conversions and demonstration vehicles may not be counted in any revised ZEV regulation.

Permission is granted to reproduce this article which is copyright John Addison, Publisher the Clean Fleet Report.

Copyright (c) 2007 OPTIMARK