With the current national focus on environment and high fuel prices, it makes me proud to live and work in the Puget Sound area, which leads other regions in our country when it comes to supporting alternative forms of transportation.
While many automakers have created new products and technologies that increase fuel efficiency, decrease transportation emissions and use recycled materials when applicable, it is obvious that electric vehicles are another great option for our region. Our community agencies and environmental groups should be commended for their ongoing efforts to make this alternative option a reality.
Aside from being a sustainable transportation option, electric vehicles also benefit our local economy: Washington State has received federal stimulus funds to install fast-charging public stations, as well as funding for residential and commercial charging stations. This provides job opportunities to our local, highly skilled, professional electricians and electrical contractors.
Ford Motor Company recently named Seattle as one of the 25 most electric vehicle-ready cities in the United States. Among the reasons cited for this ranking:
• The Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment is coordinating the Plug-In Project, which strives to streamline the permitting process for installing home and commercial charging stations; simplify the process for establishing charging stations in public areas; develop charging stations on Seattle city property for city fleets and public charging; coordinate with surrounding cities and King County to develop a regional electric vehicles infrastructure strategy; and other initiatives. This is being done in coordination with staff from Seattle City Light, Seattle Department of Transportation, Department of Planning and Development, Fleets and Facilities Department, and the Mayor’s Office.
• The Puget Sound Regional Council is working with the State Department of Commerce, local governments and the electric vehicle industry to ensure that charging stations and other infrastructure are accessible and ready to go.
• The Seattle Department of Planning and Development has issued a detailed client assistance memo that provides detailed information on installing an electric vehicle charger for single family and multi-family homes.
Up to 300,000 electric vehicles are anticipated on Washington roads during the next 10 years, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
To support this type of travel, Gov. Chris Gregoire has announced plans to launch the nation’s first electric highway, thanks to a $1.32 million in Federal Recovery Act funding. This would create a network of public access electric vehicle recharging locations along Interstate 5, enabling electric vehicle drivers to travel the length of the state along the 276 miles of I-5 between Washington’s borders with Oregon and Canada.
Our region is so far ahead in the push to make itself electric vehicle-ready that the Seattle area is slated to be one of the first U.S. markets to receive the auto manufacturer’s new Focus Electric, which debuts later this year.
Focus Electric owners will be able to recharge the vehicle’s advanced lithium-ion battery pack at home on a daily basis, using the recommended 240-volt wall-mounted charge station that will be sold separately or the 120-volt convenience cord that comes with the vehicle.
They will also be able to monitor their energy usage using the Microsoft Hohm energy management application for Ford’s electric vehicles. Hohm will help owners determine when and how to most efficiently and affordably recharge their electric vehicle battery.
Our region’s efforts to make electric vehicles a strong and viable transportation choice is another great reason to live in the Puget Sound area.
Amy Walen is a Kirkland City Council member and controller for Ford of Kirkland.
