Rate base the infrastructure

Solution Details:

Pain Point:  Who will pay for the infrastructure?

General Implementation Strategy:  This is infrastructure: the public should pay

Primary Actors:  Utility, Public Utility Commissions

Other solutions to this pain point:

• Prove why this helps several departments, like air quality, and raise money from them
• Provide infrastructure grants and loans
• Emphasize public good to justify public expenditure
• Install public charging facilities in municipal parking lots
• Local universities/colleges provide campus charging and free parking for plug-ins
• Provide a low interest loan to pay for capital
• Provide plug-in infrastructure information specifically for banks/financiers
• Focus on PHEVs which dont need infrastructure
• Focus sales on consumers who DO have a home charging spot
• Infrastructure acupuncture: Strategically position charging stations for optimal use
• Conduct survey of early plug-in adopters to determine projected level
• Focus charging stations along highways and other primary corridors of travel
• Rate base infrastructure installation of infrastructure
• Provide developers with information on charging infrastructure operation
• Provide developers with information on charging infrastructure installation, regulation, incentives etc.
• Allow philanthropists to 'donate' a charge station
• Sell space on charge spots as green-associated advertising
• Show developers how plug-in infrastructure could differentiate their product
• Convince local businesses to build charge spots to show environmental leadership
• Bundle infrastructure contribution with plug-in purchase or lease
• Generate funds from a variety of sources
• Public investments in plug-in infrastructure match private-sector investments or vice versa
• New home/parking deck building codes require wiring to support plug-ins
• Provide rebate to green developers and commercial retailers
• Create business case for builders interested in installing plug-in infrastructure
• Show parking lot owners how to make money by providing 'charge services'
• Use charging stations as a loss-leader
• Install chargers as employee/resident benefit
• Connector/service companies build infrastructure
• Encourage OEMs to sell their own charge stations
• Use the municipality tax base to pay
• Train installers to do install chargers quickly, efficiently

Other solutions that fall into this general strategy:

• Prove why this helps several departments, like air quality, and raise money from them
• Provide infrastructure grants and loans
• Emphasize public good to justify public expenditure
• Install public charging facilities in municipal parking lots
• Use the municipality tax base to pay
• Train installers to do install chargers quickly, efficiently

Other solutions for this primary actor:

• Host demo projects in your region to showcase plug-in technology
• Minimize transaction costs by encouraging third-party businesses to manage the transaction cost affiliated with charging
• Infrastructure acupuncture: Strategically position charging stations for optimal use
• Focus charging stations along highways and other primary corridors of travel
• Rate base infrastructure installation of infrastructure
• Train mechanics and maintenance technicians
• Utility driven consumer education and communication
• Encourage utilities to take an integrated approach to smart grid deployment
• Create a short-term utility response team to jump on local issues if they arise.
• Utility provides free electricity in exchange for charge 'black out' times
• Utility provides free 240V charger upgrade in exchange for black-out charge times
• Free vehicle electricity for the first x residents who adopt plug-ins
• Utility provides free home charge spot installation
• Enable V1G or V2G on utility system
• Public investments in plug-in infrastructure match private-sector investments or vice versa
• Utility finances home charge spot installation service through small addition to monthly utility bills
• Tie utility perks with 'no charge' times
• Incentivize nighttime charging
• Break out plug-in electricity costs on utility bills to reinforce cost saving
• Provide developers with information on charging infrastructure operation
• Generate funds from a variety of sources
• Ensure utility early adopter stories are widely shared
• Start with regional discussions to agree on top priority standards
• Fleets commit to buy a certain number of plug-ins
• Welcome responsible use of conversions
• Coordinate vehicle purchase with in home charging station installation
• Lobby for major federal regulations
• Participate in a voluntary alliance supporting uniform regulatory framework of industry standards
• Commit to immediately implement J2836-etc on completion
• Attend EPRI/GM forums
• Prioritize efforts (demand response over tiered response)
• Charge mate concept with standards guaranteeing vehicle can plug in and charge
• Tiered or TOU rates
• Reduced rates for plug-in charging
• Sub-metering
• Utility provided reduced rate package for plug-in users
• Utility gives TOU or real-time rates
• Utility gives very low electricity rates to plug-ins at off-peak times
• Sponsor an plug-in related contest for students
• Ensure plug-ins are used as high-profile vehicles
• Explore/support secondary battery markets
• Provide information to car dealers on 'utility-side' aspect of owning an plug-in
• Ensure that all electricity to car is green
• Bundle with Smart Grid upgrade
• Provide green electricity options and a discount on green purchase programs
• Create emotional connection between consumer and 'Plug in Story'
• Include marketing message about plug ins with utility bills
• Habituate consumers to charging at the right time
• Convey the importance of off-peak charging

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