To: E. V. McNutt, EnvironSJ President
From: Betty Battery, Design Engineer
Date: 9/15/2010
Subject: Findings on development of electric vehicle infrastructure
Regarding your request, I have prepared an overview of some of the benefits and challenges associated with creating electric vehicle infrastructure in California. I discuss existing charging infrastructure systems, challenges associated with the creation of these systems, and progress that could be made in the most cost efficient and ecologically beneficial way.
Existing Systems
One of the most notable developers to the system as of this far has been Coulomb Technologies. The company has created a Charge Point Network that allows subscribed consumers to use the charging stations. This company has assets spread over the US and across other nations. Another company known as Better Place is attempting to create a massive battery swap network for electric vehicles. Most of this company’s assets are currently located in Israel, Australia, and parts of the EU. The company also plans expansions in Australia, Hawaii, and California.
Challenges in California
California poses a challenge for most existing infrastructure systems; the integration of an entirely new system will be particularly difficult. The state already has issues meeting a growing demand for electrical power. Un-controlled (private) charging stations are likely to produce severe strain on the network, as they draw a very large current. As for the actual placement of stations, the decentralized nature of most the state’s population will require an immense network to actually reach its consumers. This will require significant investment. Some companies have chosen to begin installing their power stations in regions with the higher population densities, such as San Francisco(electric vehicle network, n.d.). This seems to be an effective method for introducing the new systems to the population. However, there is still the lack of capitol to make a usable system in vast regions like Los Angeles, San Diego, or more rural areas. Battery swap stations seem a more reasonable method of recharging for these regions, but a sufficient market is needed to make this a viable enterprise. While there is a reduction in emissions from vehicles from these systems, there is still the initial generation of electricity from some fuel source(Peters, n.d.).
Proposed Alternative
The rise of electrical vehicles has been an important step in future technologies and their interactions with the environment.However, I do not believe the technology has reached a point to be implemented on a mass scale. While there would no longer be emissions from vehicles under these systems, there is still the initial electrical production. After all these systems are completed we are still left with an alternative method of power production, or a solution to the growing energy crisis. I encourage you to look into power production systems, and more specifically recent advances in fusion and fission research. Some of the projects are Focus Fusion(Dense Plasma Focus, n.d.), the tokomaks located in France, nuclear recycling in Japan(Nuclear Processing, n.d.), and new prototype fusion-fission reactors(Page, n.d.). These systems would allow a true independence from emissions and fossil fuels. Perhaps after we repair and enhance existing infrastructure we will be ready for an electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
References
Dense Plasma Focus. (n.d.). Retrieved from
electric vehicle network. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia:
Nuclear Processing. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia:
Page, L. (n.d.). Hybrid fusion-fission reactors to run on nuclear 'sludge'. Retrieved from theregister:
Peters, K. M. (n.d.). Plug-in electric vehicles pose challenges for feds. Retrieved from govexec: