CO2 Smart to Manage First Australian EV Trial

An Australian-first trial that will monitor the performance, environmental benefits, policy, infrastructure and practical implications for electric vehicle fleets was launched at The University of Western Australia today.

The University, the private sector and State and local governments will join forces to help demonstrate the potential for widespread use of electric vehicles.

Initiated by CO2 Smart Pty Ltd, the trial will involve UWA’s Renewable Energy Vehicle Project and 10 vehicles, specially converted to electric power, from some of the largest government and industry fleets in the State.

Under the two-year trial, launched by Western Australian Transport Minister Simon O’Brien, a vehicle from the each of the fleets will be used to track and collect data while in use for normal transport purposes.

The West Australian newspaper, the RAC, Telstra, Main Roads WA, City of Perth, City of Swan, Water Corp, Landcorp, Department of Environment and Conservation, and Department of Transport have committed to participate to date.

Up to 10 fast-recharge bays will be installed around Perth for use by the fleet participants. These will be provided under a separate Australia Research Council Linkage grant project by a consortium led by UWA and including the Department of Transport, Murdoch University, Gull and CO2 Smart.

A comprehensive UWA-led research project will aim to provide the insights needed to enable the wider introduction of electric vehicles.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said the project reflected the University’s strong commitment to renewable energy solutions.

“In addition to research on electric vehicles, the University is also involved in international studies of geothermal energy, low emissions coal, solar energy options, bioenergy, carbon dioxide capture, climate change control, and natural resource management, all of which are aimed at securing the future in the face of climate change and dwindling non-renewable energy sources,” Professor Robson said.

Managing Director of the WA Electrical Vehicle trial and CO2 Smart CEO Terry Mader said: “We are excited at the opportunity to manage the first Australian EV fleet trial, which is the first serious Australian implementation of electric vehicles into large government and corporate fleets. CO2 Smart is an integrated electric vehicle fleet management company, working with organizations to lower per km costs as well as remove vehicle related CO2 emissions. This includes correct vehicle selection, the required recharging network and organizational support.”

Trial technical director Professor Thomas Braunl said electric vehicle technology promises to be a major new industry.

“Now is the time to fully explore what local industrial development opportunities may exist for WA, perhaps not as a centre for vehicle manufacturing, but certainly there is potential in areas such as engineering/design, battery and vehicle management software, recharge and support systems,” Professor Braunl said.

On-road testing of the prototype is due to begin in May.

MEDIA REFERENCE

Thomas Braunl (UWA Professor of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering)

Terry Mader (Co2 Smart Pty Ltd at www.co2smart.com.au)

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)

The main aim of the project, which will involve the installation of around 10 charging stations, is to collect and evaluate data on EV charging behaviour in order to forecast power and grid capacity requirements for the next decade, as electric vehicles become more widely available.

Data will be collected from charging stations via wireless 3G broadband as well as from vehicles via black-box recorders. The project will also serve as a demonstration installation for future larger charging networks with vehicle-to-grid capabilities and help address the “EV chicken and egg” problem, in which the lack of a public charging infrastructure is seen as a hindrance to the rapid adoption of electric vehicles.

The charging stations will initially be made available for use by some 50 EVs from the Australian Electric Vehicle Association’s Perth Branch and UWA, with additional EVs expected to become available in 2010 as part of a wider EV trial to be managed by CO2Smart Pty Ltd.

The project is led by UWA Professor Thomas Bräunl and will run from 2010 to 2012.