Business leaders form electric vehicle coalition

The heads of over a dozen businesses including carmaker Nissan, logistics giant FedEx, energy company NRG Energy, electrification infrastructure specialist Coulomb Technologies and battery start up A123 Systems have agreed to collaborate on the introduction of electric vehicles.

The not-for-profit Electrification Coalition aims promote policies and actions supporting the introduction of electric vehicles on a mass scale.

According to the Coalition, up to 75% of miles travelled using light-duty vehicles could be done using electric vehicles by 2040. And the result? A reduction of US oil imports to near zero.

Its first act is the release of the Electrification Roadmap, which details the benefits of electric vehicles and the challenges ahead, as well as proposed policies to overcome those challenges.

The first electric vehicles will be delivered in a year’s time, says Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan, but their acceptance will require more than just the efforts of carmakers, he added.

To help address this, the Roadmap recommends the creation of electric vehicle ‘ecosystems’ – specific regions where all aspects of electric transport will be deployed as an example for wider adoption.

The Roadmap also proposes tax credits for batteries and loan guarantees to retool assembly lines for electric vehicles. The Coalition also advocates the expansion of vehicles compatible with smart grids, to facilitate competitive utility rates.

“We are offering a realistic, practical, achievable plan to build a transportation system that will enhance our national security, propel economic growth, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions,” says Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and CEO of FedEx. “It is time for business leaders and policymakers alike to step up.”

For further information:
www.electrificationcoalition.org/index.php
www.nissan-global.com/
www.nrgenergy.com
www.coulombtech.com
www.a123systems.com/

19 November 2009

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