The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced an investment of $12.6 million in nine projects aimed at driving forward alternative vehicle technologies.
The projects, which are expected to leverage a further $16.1 million in private funds, will aim to reduce fossil fuel use, cut pollution and create jobs through the manufacture of electric vehicles and batteries, along with the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations and increased use of biofuel.
“Innovative companies are beginning to make California a manufacturing centre for cutting edge transportation choices,” says Energy Commissioner Anthony Eggert. “The projects the Commission approved today encourage the development of a network of California-based manufacturers of green vehicles and components that improve our state’s energy and economic security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
One of the largest grants, of over $2 million, will go to electric vehicle maker Green Vehicles to support the manufacture of its two-passenger, three-wheel, battery-powered freeway commuter car, the Triac. The company has plans to produce 2000 units a year in Salinas.
Other projects include a $3.8 million project led by Electric Vehicles International to develop an automated process of manufacturing and assembling batteries, drivetrains and other electric vehicle components and a $1.4 million effort at Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide to manufacture a hybrid powertrain for electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars.
Two grants have been awarded to electric charging efforts – one at Coulomb Technologies to integrate communication capabilities into charging stations to allow remote control of charging batteries to shift loads away from peak hours and another at EV Connect to install five charging stations in LA.
And finally, RTC Fuels will receive $1.8 million to establish new biodiesel blending facilities in San Francisco and Stockton, while a $50,000 effort at West Yost Associates will investigate the feasibility of using algae at a wastewater treatment plant to produce biofuel.