Electric vehicles (EVs) adoption offers more than energy-efficient transportation; It helps cut our dependency on carbon-producing foreign fuels, lessens our ecological footprint by reducing emissions and the greenhouse effect. Furthermore, EVs make economical sense since their maintenance and operations are less costly in the long run.
In the past few years, consumers have been aware of EVs promotions, including hybrids and plug-in varieties, such as Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, and more. In 2011 there will be over a dozen of EV choices for consumers.
Read more about The benefits of electric vehicles.
What happens in the fleet landscape?
Many businesses, corporations, law enforcement organizations, school districts and universities, local and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, and others utilize vehicle fleets. As new types and technologies of electric vehicles become available, there is a need for more information about fleet purchasing, maintenance, repair, batteries, as well as the re-charging demands on our power grid. While gasoline prices are skyrocketing and have already passed $4 a gallon in California, electric-powered vehicles provide alternatives and cleaner solutions for fleets.
Meet the Green Transportation Team in Silicon Valley, California.
The team includes the Electronic Transportation Development Center (ETDC), Silicon Valley Clean Cities Coalition (SVCCC - sponsored by the Department Of Energy), and Breathe California.
The Green Team has developed and conducts several educational workshops on Electric Vehicles for Fleetsfor decision makers in businesses, government, industry, NGOs (non-government organizations), and other organization with transit needs. Workshops include The Fleet Management Seminar, Solar Fueling of Electric Vehiclesand EV Workforce Training.
I attended the “EV for Fleets” seminar in March at the DeAnza College Automotive Engineering Center in Cupertino, CA. The seminar was a part of the Green Team Workforce Development Serieson green transportation, informing fleet managers, school district administrators, and financial supporters about the value, advantages and opportunities of electric vehicles in several categories: available vehicle types, energy and fueling, components, maintenance, workforce training options, as well as implementation support.
I spoke with Mr. Bob Garzee, the founder and manager of the Electronic Transportation Development Center (ETDC), a seven-year-old non-profit green transportation support center in Silicon Valley. Mr Garzee is the Chief Executive Officer of Synergy EV, Inc., a thirteen-year corporation dedicated to commercial Electronic Vehicles implementation and technology development.
An enthusiastic advocate of commercial EVs and alternative fuel transit for fleets, Mr. Garzee said that ETDC is focused on improving ground transportation environmental impact and efficiency in the US by utilizing, leveraging and transferring Silicon Valley's technologies of electric and alternative fuel vehicles. ETDC is also concerned with job creation in this geographic area and aims to help businesses create jobs using several technologies such as solar fueling for vehicles.
Attendees were able to inspect and ride a variety of fleet-type EVs, from Segways (used in security and in other law enforcement applications) to patrol motorbikes, industrial/NEVs (a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), light duty electric pickup trucks, and also busses. Eight CEO’s of Electric Vehicles companies, including three experts in key EV technology elements and the ETDC’s Fleet Advisor Don Beams, presented realistic and economically viable solutions of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) implementations.
Read more about the ETDC faculty expert presentations for fleets, providing viable solutions for rising gasoline prices.
EV experts and ETDC faculty managers discussed the benefits of EVs for fleets, health concerns due to carbon emissions, cost of fueling, battery technologies and options, and financial aspects of implementing EV solutions.
ETDC and the Green Team offer a comprehensive business solution to fleet managers that include all aspects of such undertaking, from project planning, selection, purchasing, management, maintenance, as well as training and support.
MORE INFORMATION:
Green Team - for future sessions, click on future Workforce Development Transportation Workshops.
The City of San José Green Vision Showcase and the Green Team - click here for the video (55 minutes).
Green Team contacts – for additional information contact Patricia Tind at patricia@lungsrus.org
or Bob Garzee at admin@siliconvalleyedition.com
SVCCC is a partnership of public, private agencies, businesses, and interested citizens dedicated to the advancement of alternative fuels in order to improve the air quality in Silicon Valley. Click on SVCCC website.
Breathe California is a non-profit organization, dedicated to helping local residents breathe easier, fights lung disease in all its forms and works with communities to promote lung health. Click on Breathe California of The Bay Area website for links and health information. Also check the Breathe California affiliates website.
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