Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation
Encyclopedia
The Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) is a wholly owned subsidiary of ECOtality that conducts research, development and testing of advanced transportation and energy systems. eTec's efforts are focused on alternative-fuel, hybrid and electric vehicles and infrastructures. ETec is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona
.
by the United States Department of Energy
for The EV Project, wherein eTec is partnering with Nissan North America to deploy up to 4,700 zero-emission electric car
s, the Nissan LEAF
, and 11,210 charging systems
to support them in strategic markets in five states: Arizona
, California
, Oregon
, Tennessee
, and Washington. The Nissan LEAF will be available in those same areas in the fall of 2010 to individual and fleet customers.
Under the EV Project, the Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation will provide free home charging stations and installations for electric vehicle
s.
The eleven cities participating in the initial phase of the EV Project are Phoenix
(AZ), Tucson (AZ), San Diego (CA), Portland
(OR), Eugene
(OR), Salem
(OR), Corvallis
(OR), Seattle (WA), Nashville (TN), Knoxville (TN) and Chattanooga (TN). The EV Project will collect and analyze data to characterize vehicle use in diverse topographic and climatic conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of charge infrastructure, and conduct trials of various revenue systems for commercial and public charge infrastructure. The ultimate goal of The EV Project is to take the lessons learned from the deployment of these first 4,700 EVs, and the charging infrastructure supporting them, to enable the streamlined deployment of the full production of Nissan Leafs and also further future EVs.
While previously limited to Nissan Leaf EVs, the program is also broadening to include Chevrolet Volt
s. Other partners include Idaho National Laboratory
, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
, and many others.
In addition to providing the eTec SuperCharge and Minit-Charger fast charging systems, eTec provides the following products and services:
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
.
EV Project
eTec has recently been awarded $99.8M from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
by the United States Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
for The EV Project, wherein eTec is partnering with Nissan North America to deploy up to 4,700 zero-emission electric car
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
s, the Nissan LEAF
Nissan Leaf
Nissan introduced its first battery electric vehicle, the Nissan Altra at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on 29 December 1997. The Altra EV was produced between 1998 and 2002, only about 200 vehicles were ever produced, and it was mainly used as a fleet vehicle for companies such as...
, and 11,210 charging systems
Charging station
An electric vehicle charging station, also called EV charging station, electric recharging point, charging point and EVSE , is an element in an infrastructure that supplies electric energy for the recharging of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric-gasoline vehicles) or semi-static and mobile...
to support them in strategic markets in five states: Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, and Washington. The Nissan LEAF will be available in those same areas in the fall of 2010 to individual and fleet customers.
Under the EV Project, the Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation will provide free home charging stations and installations for electric vehicle
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
s.
The eleven cities participating in the initial phase of the EV Project are Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
(AZ), Tucson (AZ), San Diego (CA), Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
(OR), Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
(OR), Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
(OR), Corvallis
Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis is a city located in central western Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Benton County and the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 54,462....
(OR), Seattle (WA), Nashville (TN), Knoxville (TN) and Chattanooga (TN). The EV Project will collect and analyze data to characterize vehicle use in diverse topographic and climatic conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of charge infrastructure, and conduct trials of various revenue systems for commercial and public charge infrastructure. The ultimate goal of The EV Project is to take the lessons learned from the deployment of these first 4,700 EVs, and the charging infrastructure supporting them, to enable the streamlined deployment of the full production of Nissan Leafs and also further future EVs.
While previously limited to Nissan Leaf EVs, the program is also broadening to include Chevrolet Volt
Chevrolet Volt
The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle manufactured by General Motors. The Volt has been on sale in the U.S. market since mid-December 2010, and is the most fuel-efficient compact car sold in the United States, as rated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency...
s. Other partners include Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory is an complex located in the high desert of eastern Idaho, between the town of Arco to the west and the cities of Idaho Falls and Blackfoot to the east. It lies within Butte, Bingham, Bonneville and Jefferson counties...
, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a multiprogram science and technology national laboratory managed for the United States Department of Energy by UT-Battelle. ORNL is the DOE's largest science and energy laboratory. ORNL is located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, near Knoxville...
, and many others.
Products
eTec’s flagship product Minit-Charger - fast battery charging systems designed for electric vehicles, airport ground support equipment and material handling applications - allows for faster charging with less heat generation and longer battery life than conventional chargers.In addition to providing the eTec SuperCharge and Minit-Charger fast charging systems, eTec provides the following products and services:
- Testing and consulting of electric vehicleElectric vehicleAn electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
s (EV), hybrid electric vehicleHybrid electric vehicleA hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
s (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehiclePlug-in hybrid electric vehicleA plug-in hybrid electric vehicle , plug-in hybrid vehicle , or plug-in hybrid is a hybrid vehicle which utilizes rechargeable batteries, or another energy storage device, that can be restored to full charge by connecting a plug to an external electric power source...
s (PHEV), and hydrogen powered vehiclesHydrogen vehicleA hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as its onboard fuel for motive power. Hydrogen vehicles include hydrogen fueled space rockets, as well as automobiles and other transportation vehicles...
and fleets. - Project management that includes testing, research and development of advanced technologies.
- Battery performance testing
- Design and installation of standard electric vehicle charging and fast charging stations for public access, commercial fleets, and residential applications.
- Design and construction of alternative-fuelAlternative fuel vehicleAn alternative fuel vehicle is a vehicle that runs on a fuel other than "traditional" petroleum fuels ; and also refers to any technology of powering an engine that does not involve solely petroleum...
infrastructure (including electric, compressed natural gasCompressed natural gasCompressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline , diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill...
(CNG)/hydrogen-blended fuels and pure 100 percent hydrogen). - Development of hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine (HICE) Silverado trucks and refueling stations.
- Advanced vehicle testing and failure analysis for automotive companies and U.S. Department of Energy.
- Development and testing of advanced lithium and nickel-metal hydride batteries.
- Consulting and technical support for major utility projects.