As it bids to prepare the state of Texas for the arrival of electric vehicles, Ford has announced two partnerships in the area.
It will work with Austin Energy, in Austin, and CenterPoint Energy, in Houston, to develop educational programmes on electric vehicles and share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical grid can cope with demand.
The partners will work with state and local officials on regulations to support electric vehicle infrastructure with an easy charging station permitting process considered one of the key factors to widespread acceptance of electric vehicles.
As part of its partnership with CenterPoint Energy, Ford will also look to minimise emissions and distribution impacts through a state-wide system, increased use of renewable energy and more efficient use of household electricity. It will showcase CenterPoint Energy’s smart meter and intelligent grid deployment as well as Ford’s own smart charging solutions.
Meanwhile, Austin Energy has set up five internal staff to prepare the city for plug-in electric vehicles. There will be a group working to establish a grid of public charging stations throughout the area so people can top off their batteries conveniently; while a second effort will be geared to updating Austin’s building codes so vehicle owners will be able to work with the city to have a charging station placed in their garage with no more than a two-day turnaround. Austin Energy is also working on a national basis on vehicle communication software that could help the utility company and customer to schedule the most convenient time for charging.
The partnerships are being formed in preparation of Ford’s onslaught into the electric vehicle market. It plans to introduce a Transit Connect Electric small commercial van and the Ford Focus Electric over the next two years with two third generation lithium-ion battery hybrids in 2012 and a plug-in hybrid during the same year.
