Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant | Transportation Electrification

The Transportation Electrification project is one of eleven projects in Orange County being funded by the Department of Energy through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). A coalition has been formed to discuss the feasibility of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EV) and charging infrastructure. The coalition includes Orange County, the City of Orlando, Orlando Utilities Commission, Progress Energy, Ford, Nissan, and Ecotality (battery charging company). These groups are working together to provide extensive education concerning the benefits and successes of electric vehicles. Orange County plans to spend a portion of the $50,000 earmarked for Transportation Electrification to retrofit two to four county hybrid vehicles. Additionally, Orange County plans to develop infrastructure by selecting sites and preparing for the construction of electrification charging stations at key points throughout Orange County. Data will be collected to determine the energy efficiency of these vehicles and the reduction in carbon emissions. The integration of thin film solar panels placed on the roof of these vehicles to supplement power is being investigated and may be used in this demonstration project.