October 2016 Edition
EV News, New LNG Station, Final Practicable Use Rule, Member Updates, Argonne's GREET Model, Alt Fuel Safety Training, 2017 GTSE

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rEV Your Engines!

It's quite the time to be tracking the latest goings-on around electric vehicles in the Pacific Northwest. Three initiatives in particular are deserving of mention:

  • Taking EVs To The Masses
    With the help of a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, Drive Oregon is expected to open an electric vehicle showroom in downtown Portland. Visitors will be able to discover more about available EVs, learn how charging stations work, and even test drive vehicles with the option of leasing one. The showcase should be open sometime next spring in Portland's World Trade Center building -- a perfect excuse for a quick field trip south!

    The project, which includes partners on the Washington side -- the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the City of Seattle and WW Clean Cities  -- will also feature several "pop-up showcases" in both Oregon and Washington. These ride & drive events will be promoted through a multi-media marketing campaign focusing on the many benefits of driving electric. 
  • Looking To Install EVSE? 
    There were seven successful bidders on Washington State Department of Enterprise Services' new electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) contract, which covers everything from Level One and Two chargers to mobile fast charging and even solar charging. Those who wish to use the contract to purchase charging equipment can find more details 
    on the state's website
  • EV Smart Fleets Survey
    If you're a government fleet, please take a couple of minutes to fill out the
    EV Smart Fleets' online survey. EV Smart Fleets aims to develop an aggregated purchasing model for electric vehicles to potentially lower costs and expand product availability. The survey is intended to gauge the market for EV growth among public fleets. 
Clean Energy Opens New LNG Station in Washington 

Clean Energy Fuels recently opened a public liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling station in Fife, Washington. Interstate Distributor is expected to use the station for its fleet of LNG-powered vehicles.

Another LNG & CNG station recently opened in Central Point, Oregon, making the I-5 corridor traversable for natural gas vehicles up and down the West Coast. 

Learn More

Final 'Extent Practicable' Rule Released


The state rule calling for public fleets to increase their use of alternative fuels is now final. 


Beginning June 1, 2018, local governments will be required -- "to the extent practicable" -- to follow purchasing guidelines that accelerate the use of electric vehicles, biofuels, natural gas and propane autogas.

Once the rule goes into effect, fleets using 200,000+ gallons of gasoline or diesel fuel per year (approximately 65 jurisdictions) must report their vehicle procurement needs and plans to comply with the rule to the Washington State Department of Commerce. 

The rule was adopted after a three-year process incorporating suggestions from local governments and agencies across the state. Fleets are encouraged to actively participate in the inter-agency Alternative Fuels & Vehicles Technical Advisory Group as the rule is implemented. 

For more information on the rule, visit electricdrive.wa.gov, or contact Peter Moulton at Commerce.

Member Updates

Find out which of our members are making moves in the field of alternative fuels and advanced technologies.

City of Seattle: Electric Karaoke

Seattle's City Council unanimously passed a resolution to have 30% of all light-duty traffic in Seattle be electric-powered by 2030. The 30% goal is part of the Drive Clean Seattle program, which aims to make the City's transportation sector carbon-neutral by 2050.

Also, in case you missed it, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmember Mike O'Brien recently talked up the benefits of electric vehicles while doing their own version of car karaoke

City of Shoreline: Turning Over A New LEAF

This summer the City of Shoreline took possession of its first electric vehicle -- a 2016 Nissan LEAF. The new electric car's 30 kWh battery provides a range of up to 107 miles on a full charge, allowing for greater use of the vehicle for City business operations. The City expects the LEAF to require less regular maintenance (& reduced costs) than their non-electric vehicles.

In addition to the purchase of the new LEAF, the City also installed five new Nissan electric vehicle-charging stations in the City Hall garage. These charging locations allow efficient and sustainable travel to and from the Shoreline City Hall for residents, visitors, and City staff.

Argonne Updates Its GREET Models


The Argonne National Laboratory released this month its 2016 suite of GREET models, complete with updated fuel pathways and emission factors. 

If you're not already familiar with it, GREET is a series of models that can calculate the life-cycle emissions of vehicles and transportation fuels in a variety of ways, including well-to-wheels and vehicle cycle through material recovery.

Question of the Month

What idle-reduction technologies are available for heavy-duty vehicles?

Answer 
Upcoming Training: Alternative Fuels Safety 

The National Fire Protection Association is providing a free alternative fuel vehicle safety training course on November 15. Attendees will learn how to safely handle natural gas, propane and electric-powered vehicles with both classroom and hands-on training. 

Learn More

Save the Date! Green Transportation Summit 

It's Halloween, but don't be spooked -- it's already time to mark your calendars for the 2017 Green Transportation Summit & Expo! This is the region's premiere showcase of alternative fuel vehicles and advanced vehicle technologies. You won't want to miss it!

Set your schedule to be in Portland, OR, for next year's conference and ride & drive event on April 11-12, 2017. 

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