The Future of Clean Energy and Electric Vehicles CREATE Icelandic International Faculty Project: Day 1 -Insights from Chicago

The CREATE international faculty project to examine the clean energy and electric transportation sectors convened in Chicago for Day 1 prior to departure to Iceland.  The group of 15 technical faculty had presentations and discussions with industry experts and educators on the current state of U.S. electric vehicle infrastructure, setting the context for the upcoming journey to Iceland.

The presentations highlighted various aspects of the U.S. EV ecosystem, focusing on how different entities are adapting to meet industry demands. The presenters from the EPRI EVs2Scale2030 initiative discussed the critical need for comprehensive data on vehicle use to guide the development of utility infrastructure.  EPRI researcher Jamie Dunckley articulated the challenges of predicting EV impacts on electric grid capacity.  Her work to map EV usage and necessary grid enhancements is pioneering, aiming to provide a cohesive strategy for future infrastructure development. Fellow EPRI researcher, Erin Costigliolo, presented a wealth of data on EV charger reliability and driver experiences.  Eyebrows were raised by the startling statistic that the majority of EV owners are very dissatisfied with the public EV charging experience (with the exception of Tesla supercharger users who were 74% satisfied).  This difference illustrated the current shortcomings of US infrastructure and also highlighted the advantages of managed end-to-end services within a single EV manufacturer’s ecosystem.

Kaleb Vander Wiele, from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Wis-DOT) shared their progress in implementing the Federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) grant program as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  Wisconsin recently funded 53 out of 264 applications to build NEVI charging stations.  The stations feature at least four DC fast chargers with a minimum capacity of 150 kW.  The awards included a charger maintenance component, with a minimum requirement of 97% uptime. The awards included the first NEVI chargers for Native American tribal communities in the US, and Wisconsin also had a higher percentage of chargers allocated to disadvantaged communities than any other state. When the first round of NEVI funding is complete, Wisconsin will have achieved its initial goal of locating a DC fast charging station at least every 50 miles along the state’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Corridors.  The state anticipates two more rounds of NEVI funding in the upcoming years, which will serve to further strengthen and build out the charging infrastructure.

Chris McNally showcased Hudson Valley Community College’s Vehicle to Grid (V2G) lab, which integrates expertise from different college programs to train future EV technicians. Additionally, the “Train the Trainer” programs at HVCC aim to equip K-12 educators with the knowledge to teach students about EV technology and its integration with the grid.

Chris Miller presented Heartland Community College’s approach to integrate clean energy technology, building energy management, and electric vehicles within a new building and state of the art instructional laboratories that allow for shared use across multiple academic programs.

Kevin Cooper’s insights into Iceland’s municipally owned EV charging infrastructure provided further perspective, underscoring the potential benefits of public ownership and investment in charging networks. He also highlighted the necessity of investing in copper and other critical raw materials, given the impending boom in EV charging infrastructure.

The event was a testament to the collaborative efforts needed to drive the EV industry forward. From data collection and infrastructure development to education and policy, each presentation offered valuable insights into the multifaceted approach required to scale EV adoption successfully. As we look ahead, these discussions highlight the path forward for creating a sustainable and efficient EV ecosystem.

Stay tuned as the group heads to Iceland and learns about EV policy, infrastructure, what the future holds for Iceland & EV’s, and what lessons can be learned and applied in the U.S.