SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Building on the state’s efforts to add more zero emission vehicles to California roads, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the Japanese governmental organization New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) today agreed to conduct a feasibility study for an Electric Vehicle (EV) demonstration project in California. A letter of intent (LOI) was concluded between GO-Biz director, Kish Rajan and NEDO executive director, Hiroshi Kuniyoshi, which facilitates a partnership to develop new fast charging electric vehicle stations in California.
“California is working towards meeting the most ambitious zero emission vehicle goal in the U.S.,” said GO-Biz director Kish Rajan. “Today’s agreement furthers that effort and also expands our international partnership with Japan.”
Through this joint project, GO-Biz and NEDO will seek to ease range anxiety, increase intercity trips and promote EV adoption. Project partners plan to install direct current (DC) fast chargers along California highways and provide innovative services for EV drivers including charger location guidance.
“We have high hopes that the results of this project will be disseminated throughout the world.” said NEDO executive director Hiroshi Kuniyoshi. “I am confident that this demonstration project will be successful because of the strong relationship and collaboration between California and NEDO.”
Photo Credit: Brook Taylor (GO-Biz)
By analyzing data from EVs, the project expects to show that there is a correlation between EV trip distance and the enhanced effect of both DC fast charger deployment and application services. GO-Biz and NEDO hope that this project becomes a leading pilot project and contributes to promoting zero-emission vehicles in an effort to solve common global challenges. During the roughly half-year feasibility study, NEDO in coordination with GO-Biz will develop a detailed plan for the possible demonstration project.
“California is at the forefront of electric vehicle deployment and the state needs to continue to invest in infrastructure,” said CalETC executive director Eileen Tutt. “Industry partners including the public utilities are supportive of more projects like this and I am glad to see GO-Biz taking the lead.”
The project directly supports Governor Brown’s groundbreaking Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Action Plan which establishes the framework and benchmarks needed for the successful deployment of 1 million ZEVs in California by 2020. These pivotal DC Fast Charging stations will support an increased number of ZEVs on California’s roads and allow existing ZEV owners to drive their vehicles farther.
The agreement is based on the Memorandum of Cooperation on climate change, renewable energy, trade and investment, vehicles, high speed rail and water between the State of California and the Government of Japan which was signed on September 5, 2014.
Director Rajan was joined by several colleagues from state government including Senior Advisor to Governor Brown, Wade Crowfoot; California Energy Commissioner, Janea Scott; Deputy Executive Officer at the California Air Resources Board, Alberto Ayala; and former Senator Christine Kehoe.
About GO-Biz
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as California’s single point of contact for economic development and job creation efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more. For more information visit:www.business.ca.gov.
About NEDO
NEDO is a governmental organization in Japan which is in charge of developing energy, environmental and industrial technologies. NEDO was established in 1980, as the largest R&D management agency in Japan. NEDO is promoting R&D activity and deploying demonstration projects in coordination with private sector, academia and public research institutions. It has close liaison with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. For more information visit:http://www.nedo.go.jp/english/index.html.
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