Public Information and Awareness (3)

Editor’s Note: These series are selected from manual Electric Vehicle Community Market Launch Manual: A Guide to Prepare Your Community for Electric Vehicles which was prepared by the Electric Transportation Coalition (ETC) and the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas (EVAA) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

GUIDELINES FOR EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS ON SPECIFIC INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS

Charging Facilities

Most outreach programs to educate stakeholders on EV charging issues will be initiated by the local electric utility, Clean Cities Coalition, or EV retailer. This program should contain a component geared toward educating local code officials on charging technologies and installation practices. An education strategy for charging facility issues could include the following activities:

  • Use existing research to understand and communicate charging preferences
  • Develop mechanisms to convey the importance of off-peak (nighttime and weekend) charging
  • Communicate the process for installing a home charging unit
  • List existing charging locations
  • Determine the most suitable locations for new facilities
  • Provide information on costs of charging

This case study illustrates a strategy used in Los Angeles:

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Charging Station Publicity

LADWP unveiled the city’s first public charging stations, located at its downtown headquarters building, via a well attended media event in late 1992. Several months later, LADWP reached an agreement with the Music Center of Los Angeles County, located directly across the street, to allow Music Center patrons who own EVs to ‘‘park and charge’’ free at  LADWP during performances. This offer garnered media coverage, and received free placement in a Music Center program distributed to all patrons during one month. The Music Center program provided people who meet the demographic profile of ‘‘early EV adopters’’ with information about the benefits of EVs and the progress underway to make Los Angeles EV-Ready.

Service and Maintenance

Potential EV purchasers—the general public and fleet users—must be assured that EV service and maintenance will be readily available. Likewise, local policymakers should understand the employment-related opportunities that come with expanded service and maintenance programs specific to EVs. An education strategy for EV service and maintenance issues should:

  • Recognize that service and maintenance will be provided by OEM and others, such as certified independent mechanics
  • Provide information, where available, on the costs of EV service and maintenance
  • Provide information on local EV education programs and on establishing an EV service training curriculum
  • Provide information on local electric utility EVs and EV service and maintenance programs

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June 7, 2008 · Filed Under Electric Car Conversion Blog

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