by Jane McCurry | Oct 19, 2018 | Electric Vehicles
It’s an exciting time to be studying electric vehicles. From companies pledging to transition their fleets to auto manufacturers promising new models, momentum around the transition to electric cars is building.
A number of announcements came out about electric vehicles in the past few weeks:
In addition, over the past year every major auto manufacturer made public commitments to support electric vehicles. Take a look at the hundreds of new electric cars that will be hitting the market in the next few years:
For the graphic we chose to include models from recognizable brands that are widely available in the United States. I did take a look at all car manufacturers across the globe and counted 222 electric car models that will be available in 2025.
That’s a lot of cars to test drive! With over 200 new electric cars by 2025, from compact cars to pick-ups and SUVs. Soon there will be an electric car for everyone. Now that we know there are plenty of new models available soon, next time I’m going to dive into the Volkswagen emissions settlement and outline key actions we can take to support the infrastructure EV’s require.
by Jim Boullion | Oct 2, 2018 | Advocacy, Biogas, Electric Vehicles, Events, Jobs, Policy, RENEW Wisconsin, Renewables, Solar, Utilities, Wind
September was a busy month for me and RENEW Wisconsin. I attended more than 30 meetings, seminars and site visits all over the state. Many of them involved learning about Wisconsin’s exciting and fast growing renewable energy industry and building relationships with the talented people who help make it go. There were also numerous meetings with state and local policy makers as well as the leadership of many influential trade associations, unions and advocacy groups. Working together, we are starting to develop ideas for the 2019-20 legislative session that will help advance the use of clean, renewable energy that will create jobs, economic growth and save money for everyone!
Customers First! Power Lunch – Go Electric!
September got off with a “high voltage” start at the Customers First! Coalition Power Lunch, with the theme of “Go Electric”. Over 120 attendees learned about the latest developments and benefits of electric vehicles and “efficient electrification” – replacing direct fossil fuel use with electricity in a way that reduces overall emissions and energy costs. Efficient Electrification holds significant potential benefits for Wisconsin customers, utilities, and environmental advocates alike. PSC Chairman Lon Roberts gave the opening keynote speech and several panels with utility executives and state legislators Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) and Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin) dove deeper into the technical and policy issues that will need to be addressed to keep up with these fast-growing trends. The program was interesting enough that WisconsinEye, the not-for-profit State Capitol broadcast network, recorded the event.
Emmi Roth Solar Panels
On September 11th I joined State Representative Travis Tranel at the Emmi Roth Cheese plant in Platteville to cut the ribbon on their new 1,600 panel solar system. The system will provide 15% of their electric use. “There are many companies trying to live up to sustainability goals,” said Jim Pullen, General Manager at Eagle Point Solar, who installed the system. “Emmi Roth is part of a group that actually makes these goals a reality and invests in the environment.” The company also recently invested in a new anaerobic digester at the same location in Platteville, Wisconsin, in an effort to lower operational costs and remain environmentally responsible for the waste being produced during their cheesemaking operations. According to Tim Omer, president and managing director at Emmi Roth, “We have a very strong commitment to sustainability. We want to have the lowest possible carbon footprint we could have in the industry.”
Butler Ridge Wind Farm
On September 17th, Pauline Meyer and Nic Cravillion, policy staff from Congressman Mike Gallagher’s office, and Dodge County Board member Russ Kattke joined me at a tour of the Butler Ridge Wind Energy Center in Dodge County. This was a behind the scenes tour of one of Wisconsin’s premier wind farms and was hosted by NextEra Energy Resources. Butler Ridge’s 36 turbines generate 54-megawatts of clean, renewable energy to power more than 13,500 homes. Wisconsin based Faith Technologies, who installed the ground grid and in-tower wiring, and The Boldt Construction Company were two of the prime contractors on the project.
Conservative Energy Forum Summit on “Advancing Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Economy” and Clean Energy Week Proclamation by Governor Walker
On Thursday, September 27th the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum hosted a summit onclean energy developments in Wisconsin. PSC Commissioner Lon Roberts opened the meeting discussing the bright future of renewable energy. Several guest panels discussed Utility Scale Clean Energy – A Turning Point for Wisconsin Utilities, and Decentralizing Energy & Encouraging Private Sector Investment. Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch also spoke about the great things happening for clean energy in Wisconsin and how renewable energy fits so well into a conservative political viewpoint. At the end of her talk, Kleefisch presented a proclamation from Governor Scott Walker designating September 24th to September 28th as Clean Energy Week in Wisconsin. This echoed the clean energy week activities around the country.
by Jane McCurry | Oct 1, 2018 | Electric Vehicles
Hello! My name is Jane McCurry and I started working as a Program Manager at RENEW Wisconsin in July of 2018. My work involves researching the electric vehicle (EV) market and trying to figure out what RENEW Wisconsin can do to accelerate EV adoption.
My Story
I grew up in Metro-Detroit and both of my parents worked for Ford Motor Company. My connection to the automotive industry is made nearer and dearer by my family’s ties to Henry Ford. Henry Ford’s mother, Mary Litogot Ford, is an aunt on my maternal direct lineage (my mom’s maiden name is Litogot). Growing up, I loved learning about Henry Ford and the rise of automobiles and it seems natural that my role with RENEW has started with studying the transportation sector.
I’ve spent my first two months deeply researching electric vehicles, charging stations, learning what other states and advocacy groups are doing, and investigating the Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement, which provides funding to every state to advance cleaner vehicles.
Before my job at RENEW, I had never driven an EV and didn’t know much about them. After getting behind the wheel of the Tesla Model 3, Chevy Bolt, Chevy Volt, Ford Fusion Energi, and the Nissan Leaf, I can say that all of them are quiet and much more fun to drive than my current car. I am fond of my red Ford Escape, but it will definitely be my last gasoline vehicle.
Electric Vehicles Match RENEW’s Mission
Not only are EVs fun to drive, but they represent a huge opportunity to decrease fossil fuel use and increase renewable energy production in Wisconsin. If cars run on electricity instead of petroleum, we can drive on energy produced in Wisconsin from renewables. That means no tailpipe emissions and cleaner air for everyone.
The market for electric vehicles is just starting to develop. If more consumers (like you and me!) are educated about the benefits of driving electric, there won’t be any doubt that EVs are the best option. I’m confident many of the short-term barriers to adoption will go away as demand for EVs increases. With proper consumer awareness, EV adoption has the potential to skyrocket.
I’m excited for a future where we all drive on renewable energy. Stay tuned for more information about transportation electrification, what RENEW is doing to support adoption, and opportunities to fuel our vehicles with clean, renewable energy.
