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Consumers can now find answers to their questions about electric vehicle technology and performance in a new guide, Plugging In: A Consumer’s Guide to the Electric Vehicle, from the Electric Power Research Institute.

With gasoline edging toward $4 per gallon, potential buyers are eyeing the growing number of electric and hybrid technologies commercially available, and wondering if the time is right for an electric vehicle. This eight-page guide defines and compares driving range, charging times, fuel requirements and effects of weather and driving conditions. It also highlights vehicles available for purchase today and models scheduled to be available later in 2011 and in 2012.

A question-and-answer section explores some of the most common questions consumers have about electric vehicle technology compared to hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This section also covers charging—a topic of great interest to utilities that may be wondering how widespread adoption of electric vehicles would affect demand.

The guide offers a basic overview of hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. Mark Duvall, director of EPRI’s Electric Transportation Program, explained that the publication is a starting point to help consumers evaluate their options as they consider purchasing electric vehicles. It is not intended to be an exhaustive report about the technologies or the manufacturers and vendors supporting the industry.

American Public Power Association is offering 50 DOE-funded tuition slots for a series of three online courses for electric power industry workers on clean energy solutions and smart grid deployment. The grants are available to the first 50 individuals who register.

Intended to be an overview, Renewable Energy Sources and the Smart Grid was developed by the Energy Providers Coalition for Education in cooperation with the Center for Adult Education and Learning. The webinar series explores:

• Electricity production from various forms of renewable energy as well as the function, operation and vision of the smart grid
• Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, ocean, biomass and geothermal
• A high-level look at smart grid challenges, benefits, technology needs and the vital role of the consumer

Students who successfully complete this 10-hour, self-study course offered by Bismarck State College’s National Energy Center of Excellence will earn one continuing education unit. To register, please contact Laura Alden at 303-804-4671.

To accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, the Department of Energy has made available $5 million in new funding for community-based efforts to build electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and charging stations. The initiative also includes a partnership with Google, Inc., and more than 80 EV stakeholders to help consumers find charging stations nationwide.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the initiative on a conference call recently with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup and St. Paul Mayor Christopher Coleman – leaders of three of the nation’s nearly 100 Clean Cities Coalitions.

“The Department of Energy’s Clean Cities initiative is bringing together local governments and industry to demonstrate the benefits of advanced technology vehicles and help communities use less oil and gasoline to power their vehicles,” said Secretary Chu.

The funding and the partnership are the Obama Administration’s latest steps in its broader push to reduce U.S. oil imports by one-third by 2025.  Read more.

Source: U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 4/19/11

Join the American Public Power Association April 27, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET,  for Lessons Learned Using the Smart Grid Maturity Model.

The Smart Grid Maturity Model (SGMM) is a management tool, developed by and for utilities, that helps plan smart grid implementation, prioritize options and measure progress. 

This webinar presents the results of a pilot study undertaken by American Municipal Power and several of its members to evaluate the usefulness of the SGMM to public power utilities planning to modernize their grids. The pilot was part of a program of APPA’s Demonstration of Energy-effiicient Developments (DEED) program.

This webinar is free for DEED/APPA members, $89 for APPA members and $179 for non APPA members. Register today.

Working with Utilities on Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Projects, on  April 28, at 10 a.m. MT,  describes how municipalities can improve their economy, save energy and integrate energy efficiency and sustanable energy technologies with little or no expense. Speaker Vincent DeVito of Bowditch & Dewey LLP offers compelling reasons why utilities would benefit from working with communities and developers on renewable energy projects.

Following the presentation, participants will be able to ask questions and share their own experiences.

Although there is no cost for the webinar, registration is required. Participants will receive login information after registering.

This is the second in a five-part series, ”Creating a Plan for Growing Your Local Economy Through Energy Savings and No- or Low-Cost Sustainable Energy,” hosted by Energy Forefront. For more information, call 303-281-9111.