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52 As AVs and ADVs electrify, strategies to support charging will be required. This chapter dis- cusses the opportunities, challenges, and strategies with vehicle electrification. Tools for Electrification Tools included in this chapter: ⢠Description of electrification opportunities and challenges. ⢠List of stakeholders engaged in electrification. ⢠Strategies stakeholders can engage in to support electrification. Electrification refers to the shift from gas- and diesel-powered vehicles to vehicles and devices (e.g., bicycles) that use electric or traction motors instead. This shift is enabled by technological advancements (e.g., increased battery lifespans) and design improvements. Electrification is further supported by the increased investment in, and popularity of, electric vehicles (EVs) and devices such as electric bikes (i.e., e-bikes) and electric scooters. The increasing electrification of vehicles is evidenced by: ⢠Shared Fleet Electrification: Electrification of a vehicle fleet used for carsharing and TNCs. ⢠Electric Shared Mobility Hubs: Provision of supportive electric infrastructure at mobility hubs. The electrification of these transportation services can support goals to decrease the envi- ronmental impacts of transportation. EVs can help reduce transportation-related GHG emis- sions by reducing pollutants emitted by gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. In many parts of the world, transportation emissions constitute a large share of GHG. The transition to EVs and electric devices can help decarbonize the transportation industry and transportation networks. In addition, electrification can help reduce the emissions caused by drilling for and providing these fuels. EVs that are charged exclusively with clean or renewable energy sources (commonly referred to as zero-emission vehicles [ZEVs]) can further support the environmental benefits of EVs. Service models where electric AVs park at an electric charging station before being called for on-demand rides can support the vehicle electrification without requiring a deviation from their routes or causing other inconveniences when charges are necessary. EVs can help expand access to affordable, clean transportation for all travelers. The wide- spread deployment of EVs can increase access, while fleets of electric SAVs can decrease trans- portation costs while also decreasing transportation emissions. In addition, the widespread deployment of EVs can help spread awareness of them and their unique needs. C H A P T E R 7 Electrification
Electrification 53  Electric AVs will need supportive infrastructures, such as quick charging stations, strong electricity grids, and alternative power sources (e.g., backup generators in case of power out- ages). These infrastructure elements may need to be distributed throughout regions (e.g., in rural areas, along highways) to allow AVs to complete longer trips or operate in diverse regions. Supportive infrastructure and its location can increase the efficiency and use of SAVs and allow SAVs to replace personally owned vehicles (Shaheen and Bouzaghrane 2019). In addition, AVs will need places to be stored (e.g., parking lots, garages) when not in use (e.g., business hours, nighttime) to ensure they are not roaming and creating congestion. These storage areas may double as charging stations. Electrification Challenges Despite the potential opportunities of electric AVs and ADVs, there are some challenges to their widespread deployment and adoption including: ⢠Accessibility: EVs or their charging infrastructure may not be available to people in all communities (e.g., rural envi- ronments) and/or accessible by everyone (e.g., people with disabilities). ⢠High Costs: The initial costs of purchasing and maintaining EVs may be high and unafford- able for some potential users. ⢠Reduced Driving/Riding Ranges: Drivers and passengers may not be able to reach further destinations due to battery charge limitations. ⢠Increased Vehicle Downtime: Vehicles may not be able to be in use as frequently or for as long of periods of time due to necessary charge times. ⢠Limited Charging Infrastructure: Widespread, reliable charging infrastructure may not be available, which can limit areas of travel. ⢠Lack of Widespread Knowledge and Acceptance: Drivers and/or riders may not understand how EVs function and may be less willing to drive or ride in them. ⢠Range Anxiety: Drivers and/or riders may be concerned that vehicles do not have a sufficient amount of battery life to reach the intended destination. Stakeholders can engage in a variety of strategies to address these challenges. Electrification Stakeholders Electrification of vehicles, particularly AVs, can be enabled by a variety of stakeholders. Stake- holders commonly involved in electrification include: ⢠Public Agencies: Agencies at all levels (e.g., local, regional, state) can support electrification through a variety of programs and policy levers. ⢠Infrastructure Developers: EVs also require infrastructure, such as fast charging stations, which may be developed and deployed by infrastructure developers. ⢠Utility Companies: EVs require electricity for charging, which can be provided by local and larger-scale utility companies. ⢠Vehicle Manufacturers: As EVs become more popular and supportive infrastructure is more widely deployed, vehicle manufacturers will likely expand their EV options in terms of designs and capabilities.
54 Shared Automated Vehicle Toolkit: Policies and Planning Considerations for Implementation Strategies for Electrification Electrification, particularly for AVs, will likely be impacted by vehicle charging infrastructure, parking, and battery tech- nology costs in addition to other considerations (Shaheen and Bouzaghrane 2019). Stakeholders can engage in a variety of strategies to support electrification. Table 12 summa- rizes strategies different stakeholders can engage in to support electrification. These strategies may be supported by policy agreements among stakeholders. Appendix A-8: âSample Policy Preparing for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Deployment in Rural Areas Approximately 25% of the U.S. population lives in rural communities. However, efforts to encourage EV adoption have not been as focused there. Unique challenges to EV adoption in rural areas include ârange anxietyâ due to a lack of EV charging stations, a lack of diversity in EV model options (rural Americans are more likely to own heavy- and medium-duty pickup trucks), and high upfront costs that may make EV purchases prohibitive. Strategies to support the deployment of EVs in rural areas include ⢠Providing federal and state funding for research on stronger load-carrying capacity batteries to support the development of electric pickup trucks and other vehicle models, ⢠Maintaining planned incentives and phase-out schedules to give manufacturers a clear sense of market and drive investments toward EV developments, and ⢠Encouraging collaboration between local and regional transportation agencies to ensure a connected charging network with higher utilization. Many rural areas have member-owned electric cooperatives (co-ops) that buy power at wholesale and supply to rural areas at low interest rates. These co-ops may be critical in supporting EV charging through establishing flexible rate structures, installing infrastructure, and educating their members about the benefits of EVs. One example is the Gunnison County Electric Association EV Program in Colorado, which offers: (1) EVs for week-long loans to its members free of charge, (2) a time-of-use rate for members that charge their vehicles overnight when energy demand is lower, and (3) a $500 rebate toward home chargers for members that sign up for the time-of-use rate structure. Source: Baatar et al. 2019. Considerations for Electrification ⢠Create a network of charging infrastructure to support the widespread deployment of EVs and address potential concerns. ⢠Engage with stakeholders and residents to gain an understanding of current EV concerns and considerations. ⢠Ensure that EVs are accessible for vulnerable populations through actions including strategic placement of charging infrastructure, subsidies for vehicle purchases, and investment in direct charging technologies. ⢠Use funding sources (from state and federal agencies, private organizations, etc.) to support the widespread deployment of EVs. ⢠Use models and other analysis methods to predict the amount of electricity EVs will require and identify sources to provide this resource. ⢠Support the electrification of AVs in addition to the electrification of vehicle fleets and shared micromobility to create a widespread electric network that reduces GHG emissions.
Electrification 55  Agreement for Electrificationâ contains an example policy agreement for electrification. In addi- tion, Appendix B: âSample Policiesâ includes an example policy to support electrification. Key Takeaways ⢠Changes to vehicle design and technological advances have led to the development of EVs that use traction or electric-powered engines rather than gas- or diesel-powered engines. ⢠Vehicle electrification presents a variety of opportunities, most notably a decrease in trans- portation-related emissions if the electric grid is powered by clean energy sources. ⢠The widespread deployment of EVs faces challenges, such as range anxiety and accessibility concerns, particularly in areas where charging infrastructure may not be widely available. ⢠Stakeholders can engage in a variety of strategies to address EV challenges and concerns including integrating EV infrastructure into plans, providing subsidies for purchasing or charging EVs, and conducting education and outreach efforts to increase awareness and understanding of EVs. Stakeholder Strategy Description All Stakeholders Education and outreach Promote EVs through the distribution of educational material. Partnerships Engage in partnerships with other stakeholders to create a holistic approach to EV deployment. Pooled funds Pool together financial resources that can be used to support EV purchases by low-income households. Public Transit Agencies Fleet expansion Include EVs in fleets of vehicles (e.g., electric buses, agency-owned vehicles). Mobility hubs Support the inclusion of EV charging infrastructure at mobility hubs. Local Agencies Building codes Include supports for EVs in building codes (e.g., require the development of charging infrastructure, reserve percentage of parking spaces for EVs). Licensing Implement licensing requirements for shared vehicle fleets that include EVs. Placement Support the placement of EV parking stations and charging infrastructure in areas where vulnerable populations reside (e.g., low-income neighborhoods). Plans Incorporate EVs and their necessary infrastructure supports in plans. Policies and pricing Develop policies that explicitly guide EVs and create new pricing policies for them (e.g., reduced toll fares). Rights-of-way access Reallocate rights-of-way and priority to access certain areas (e.g., congested downtowns) to EVs. State Agencies Data collection Require data collection, monitoring, and sharing to understand the needs and impacts of EVs. Financial incentives Use financial incentives (e.g., tax breaks for vehicle purchases) and programmatic support (e.g., resources for in-home charging installation) to decrease the costs of manufacturing, deploying, purchasing, and owning EVs. Fleet regulations Advance regulations to guide the development of fleets of EVs. Utility Companies and Private Providers Dedicated direct charging infrastructure Invest in direct charging infrastructures for EVs and locate them in optimal places (e.g., near employment centers). Preferential use rates Offer special rate plans for EV charging. Vehicle Manufacturers Production Increase production of EVs to decrease their purchasing costs. Vehicle design Diversify vehicle design (e.g., creation of electric vans and trucks) so EVs can be used by a variety of customers for different use cases. Table 12. Strategies to support electrification.
