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HELPING COMMUNITIES "GET READY" FOR PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES: ADVANCED ENERGY RELEASES DETAILED PLANNING GUIDE

Raleigh, N.C. (July 19, 2011) — Advanced Energy, a nonprofit committed to helping communities understand, plan-for and implement electric transportation initiatives, released a new best practices guide to assist communities with all aspects of planning and preparing for the expected influx of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). The Community Planning Guide for Plug-In Electric Vehicles includes best practices on charging station installation, codes, standards, permitting and inspections, as well as information on municipal and utility involvement and community outreach and education.

“Consumers are already purchasing PEVs such as the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt,” says Jeff Barghout, director, Electric Transportation Initiatives, Advanced Energy. “With their purchase, they will be expecting their workplaces, homes, communities and retail outlets to be equipped with the necessary electric vehicle supply equipment – better known as charging stations – and the supporting infrastructure to operate their vehicles. We developed this guide based on our experience over the past 10 years collaborating with stakeholders across the U.S. in PEV initiatives.”

Advanced Energy’s Community Planning Guide also includes an overview of PEVs, including vehicle type and battery technology. The “Charging 101” section provides information on charging levels, codes and standards, equipment styles and installation considerations.

“Key for community leaders is our ‘Roadmap for Success’ – information on planning, identifying key collaborators, working with permitting and inspections, and information on how communities can start getting ready for PEVs, including goals and tasks,” says Barghout. “Proper planning is so important to ensure consumer adoption of PEVs, and preparing for PEVs may support other pre-existing goals, such as air quality improvements, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, fleet sustainability and adoption of renewable energy.”

To download your copy of the Community Planning Guide for PEVs today, click here.

This guide was made possible through the support of Duke Energy, Progress Energy, the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation and Dominion Virginia Power.