Host demo projects in your region to showcase plug-in technology.

Examples:

San Francisco, CA: In February of 2009 the Mayor’s office of San Francisco installed electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in front of City Hall. The charging stations will be used by car sharing organizations Zipcar and City CarShare, and by plug-in cars in the city of San Francisco’s municipal fleet. The chargers are part of a “Green Vehicle Showcase” that has been installed outside City Hall to highlight green transportation options, including natural gas vehicles, car-sharing systems, and electric cars.

The three EV charging stations at City Hall are being provided by Coulomb Technologies for a two-year public demonstration of “smart” EV charging technology.

San Franciscans will have the opportunity to drive the newest fuel-efficient cars through the City’s partnership with City CarShare and Zipcar. The increasingly popular car-sharing programs present a unique opportunity to test drive plug-in cars before they are mass produced.

California’s Alternative Fuel Research and Development Innovative Clean Air Technologies Program:  This Air Resources Board program co-funds demonstration projects of innovative technologies that can reduce air pollution. Its purpose is to advance technologies toward commercial application, thereby reducing emissions and helping the economy of California. The program can support technologies applicable to any stationary, mobile, indoor, or agricultural emission source or to consumer products.

Solution Details:

Pain Point:  Consumers have limited understanding of Plug-ins

General Implementation Strategy:  Let consumers experience the Plug-in lifestyle BEFORE they have to invest

Primary Actors:  Utilities, OEMs, City Government

Other solutions to this pain point:

Other solutions that fall into this general strategy:

• Host demo projects in your region to showcase plug-in technology
• Hold a competition for the trial of a vehicle fleet engaging consumers through various mediums
• Early roll-out in taxi fleet, rental cars, corporate fleets.
• Virtual PHEVs from now to 2010
• Invite applicants to participate in an 'plug-in Field Trial'

Other solutions for this primary actor:

• Provide consumers with access to a 'user support' house call service
• Bundle key incentives at point of sale
• Utility subsidy in exchange for smart charging
• Inform consumers of infrastructure implementation timeline well in advance

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