BOARD MEETING DATE: May 7, 2010
AGENDA NO. 4

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contracts to Cosponsor Electric Bus Demonstration and Quick-Charge Infrastructure Projects

SYNOPSIS:

Battery electric transit buses represent a potential near-term opportunity for deploying zero-tailpipe emission technologies. The challenges remain in demonstrating the battery durability, quick-charge capability, appropriate routes and suitable chassis for such applications. This action is to execute two contracts to demonstrate these attributes in transit applications. The first contract is with Ebus, Inc. to demonstrate an electric shuttle bus in an amount not to exceed $350,000 and the second is with Foothill Transit to demonstrate quick-charge infrastructure for a full-size battery electric transit bus in an amount not to exceed $290,000, both from the Clean Fuels Fund.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, April 16, 2010, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Authorize the Chairman to execute the following contracts from the Clean Fuels Fund (31):

1. Ebus, Inc. to demonstrate an electric bus in an amount not to exceed $350,000; and

2. Foothill Transit to demonstrate quick-charge infrastructure for electric buses in an amount not to exceed $290,000.

 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Transit buses are ideal applications for advanced, alternative energy technologies that address criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions because they operate in highly visible, congested areas where air quality is a problem. Electric zero emission transit buses address these problems. Traditionally, the range and charging needs of batteries have been barriers to employ battery-powered buses in large-scale applications. Additionally, the weight of traditional buses has made it difficult to feasibly incorporate a battery with sufficient power and energy storage capacity into coach designs. By using a smaller battery that can be charged quickly and repeatedly, the bus weight and cost can be reduced. The keys to quick-charge electric bus technology are the utilization of a quick-charge battery and quick-charge infrastructure that are addressed in these projects. The battery must be able to retain its energy reserve and charging profile over many charge-discharge cycles and be quick-charged in ten minutes or less. The quick-charge infrastructure must be able to deliver a large amount of energy in a short period of time, and operate safely without human intervention because of the high voltage and associated heavy cables. AQMD funding is being divided between these two projects in order to promote the key technologies required for the commercialization of electric quick-charge zero emission transit buses. 

Proposals

Ebus, Inc. LADOT DASH Bus Project

Ebus, Inc. is proposing to convert an existing propane powered LADOT DASH bus to quick-charge electric operation. The 30-foot DASH bus will carry 28 passengers and will be powered by a 33 kW hr battery. Ebus will integrate its electric propulsion system, battery pack and charging system into the bus. The battery system that Ebus has developed incorporates lithium titanate battery cells, a liquid cooling system, and a battery management system. The lithium titanate battery cell is an advanced battery chemistry that allows quick-charging without damage to the cells. The liquid cooling system provides thermal management of the batteries to prevent heat build-up and to allow repetitive quick-charging of 12 to 16 times per day, and to achieve an anticipated 20,000 charge-discharge cycles. The battery management system equalizes and balances the cells which are critical with quick-charge algorithms. The bus will be able to complete DASH Route B, which is approximately 10 miles in length from a 5-minute charge. When the bus is completed, it will be put into revenue service on the DASH routes in the city of Los Angeles. The bus will be demonstrated for a period of one year. Ebus will partner with AQMD, LADWP and LADOT to fund the project for a total cost of $1,700,000.

This action to execute a contract with Ebus Inc. to demonstrate a quick-charge electric bus in an amount not to exceed $350,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund and is contingent upon Ebus Inc. securing funding from LADWP in an amount up to $500,000 within three months from the date of Board approval. 

Foothill Transit Project

Foothill Transit is proposing to replace three diesel buses with Ecoliner electric buses with quick-charge capability and quick-charge infrastructure on an existing route from the City of La Verne to the City of Pomona. The 35-foot Ecoliner bus will carry 37 passengers and will be powered by a 75 kW hr battery. Funding from AQMD will support the charging technology, charging station and supplemental charging components associated with the Ecoliner buses. The charging system will connect to the bus from overhead. The project includes architectural and engineering design, installation, and construction of charging station for two bus locations. The benefits of this proprietary technology are a safe automated charging system that will perform without human intervention. The total project will encompass 32 months from development through demonstration. Foothill Transit will collect data on the charge infrastructure and the buses and will disseminate relevant reports to the AQMD. These reports will detail all stages of project implementation and evaluation including: operations and maintenance, environmental, and service life data as well as operating characteristics and costs associated with operation and maintenance of the charging infrastructure. 

To assure total zero emissions, renewable supplies of electricity for the charging station will be purchased through a broker specializing in hydroelectric, solar, tidal, or wind electricity generation.

This action is to execute a contract with Foothill Transit to demonstrate quick-charge infrastructure for electric buses in an amount not to exceed $290,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Foothill Transit has received American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding through DOE for their project for a total cost of $5,060,000.

The above two proposed projects were received as unsolicited proposals and were also submitted in response to a Program Opportunity Notice (PON), PON #2009-01, which was released on February 3, 2009.

Benefits to AQMD

These projects further the development of quick-charging infrastructure and battery technology for transit applications with the goal of accelerating the deployment of commercial electric buses. These projects will demonstrate lower-cost and light-weight buses with longer-lasting batteries and quick-charging infrastructure that is safe and functional. These projects will also help to implement CARB’s Zero Emission Bus regulation, which requires urban bus fleets to transition to cleaner technologies over time. These projects will result in the reduction of 0.47 tons of criteria pollutants and 77.73 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per bus on an annual basis as compared to diesel buses.

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII.B.2 of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are: B.2.d. (1) Project involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors. The Ebus project is being cofunded by LADOT and LADWP, and the Foothill Transit project is cofunded by ARRA where AQMD’s contribution will be highly leveraged.

Resource Impacts

The total cost for Foothill Transit’s project is approximately $5.1 million, with the requested AQMD cofunding not to exceed $290,000, or 6% of the total project costs. The following table summarizes the funding sources and amounts for this project.

The total cost for the Ebus project is approximately $1.7 million, with the requested AQMD cofunding not to exceed $350,000, or 20% of the total project cost. The LADWP cofunding has not been secured and AQMD’s funding is contingent upon Ebus securing funding from LADWP in an amount up to $500,000. The following table summarizes the funding sources and amounts for this project.

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Cleans Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.