Tag Archive for: electric vehicle

By Jenna Znamenak

This article chronicles recent efforts by Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) and its Clean Cities Coalitions to make electric vehicle operations a reality in areas that are often left out of new connectivity trends. 

To a person who has always lived in a highly populated city, connectivity is a daily reality. Cities get the fastest internet, the most cell coverage, and more nicely paved trafficways. But for the 20% of the population of the United States who live in rural areas, equal connectivity has never been the norm. 

As reported in the January/February issue of the Kansas Government Journal by Mike Scanlon, City Manager of Osawatomie, Kansas, “It is no secret that rural communities are historically left behind when the United States adopts the latest technology.” And in recent months, more rural leaders are seeing a potential pitfall that could widen the access gap for their communities: the advancement of electric vehicles (EVs). 

As the latest consumer-use scenarios are analyzed and early-adopter reviews roll in, the reality is clear: EVs cost less money to fuel and to maintain than their gasoline-fueled counterparts. And with the recent monumental increases in grants and tax incentives for EV purchases, governments are becoming much more interested in EV funding pipelines than they are in vehicles fueled by oil pipelines. But urban and suburban governments are making the switch much faster than rural governments. 

Scanlon is not surprised, but he is hopeful that this time rural America can keep up with the trend. “By 2030 the federal government proposed that half of all new cars sold in the U.S. will be zero-emission vehicles, with 50,000 electric charging networks. By proactively supporting rural EV development now, we can prevent history from repeating itself.” His article in the Kansas Government Journal, co-written with MEC’s Central Kansas Clean Cities Coalition coordinator Jenna Znamenak, prepares rural leaders with real facts and funding connections so they can stay in the fight to stay connected. 

The most exciting grants on the list are the ones that get rid of nitrous-oxide-producing diesel school buses by helping school districts convert to EVs, for little to no cost to the schools. “These grants replace older school buses with electric school buses to reduce harmful emissions around children,” says Central Kansas Clean Cities coordinator Jenna Znamenak. But she says there are enough programs available through MEC’s grant assistance to help more institutions than just schools involved with the national sea-change. 

For many rural leaders, adapting to standardizing trends sounds like “small budgets with not much room for experimentation, time constraints that do not allow us the ability to learn about technology, and grant opportunities that can look like a 10-acre corn maze,” says Scanlon. “That’s why we’re here for you—we’ve helped connect local communities and fleets to easier funding for clean energy for the past 40 years,” says Znamenak, referring to MEC’s stockpile of resource-accessing tricks and their dependable grant assistance services. 

See the original article published in the Kansas Government Journal here

To stay current on all available funding, sign up for MEC’s free newsletter at metroenergy.org/newsletter-sign-up. To talk to an expert about your next clean energy project, call 816-531-7283. 


October 25, 2021 @ 1:00 pm 5:00 pm CDT

Thompson Barn

11184 Lackman Road
Lenexa, Kansas 66219 United States
+ Google Map
$25 Individual Ticket, No Charge for Elected Officials

The Our Energy Horizon Forum will include a robust dialogue about our rapidly changing energy economy from clean energy experts, policymakers, and industry leaders. How will Kansas navigate the implementation of renewable technology, specifically around utility-scale solar, battery storage, electric vehicles, and transmission? What are the economic benefits of these technologies for the region? What’s happening to enable greater adoption of electric vehicles across the state? All of this and more in a dynamic conversation that looks at what’s happening and how Kansas can capture the benefits of these opportunities and embrace a changing energy future.

Agenda

Discussion 1: Solar Technology & Battery Storage

  • Frank Jakob, Black & Veatch
  • Robert Wright, Burns & McDonnell

Discussion 2: Economic Benefits of Solar & Storage

  • Moderated by Jessica Lucas, Clean Energy Business Council
  • Mike Busch, Wichita State University (Property Value Impacts
  • Michelle Milburn, Stanion (Local Supply Chain Opportunities)

Discussion 3: Solar & Storage Implementation Considerations

  • Moderated by Josh Svaty, Kansas Power Alliance
  • Kim Austin, NextEra Energy Resources (Land Use, Environmental Impacts, Decommissioning)
  • Kansas Supply Chain opportunities (Speaker TBA)

Discussion 4: Transportation Electrification & Transmission

Municipal fleet electrification. Is it possible today? What vehicles can I order as plug-ins? Are they reliable? What metro fleets are using electric cars and trucks already? How can I get help funding electric vehicles in our city or county?

Join City of Olathe and Kansas City Regional Clean Cities to find out the answers to these questions and tour the solar-powered electric charging stations at Indian Creek Library. Olathe has been upgrading their EV fleet and installing 4 off-grid solar EV chargers. Find out what else they’re doing to clean up their fleet.

Attendees will include members of the local chapter of American Public Works Association, with lots of opportunities to share information, lessons learned and best practices.

Stick around for additional lunch and learn regarding all-electric terminal tractors being used in metro yards, including at Johnson County’s wastewater treatment plant.

Attendance is limited. Register today to guarantee your seat and claim your complementary lunch.

Agenda

Welcome and Introduction

City of Olathe Fleet

Clean transportation planning, research, and deployments. Insight into the differences between EV and CNG refuse haulers.

Fleet Electrification Assistance and Funding Opportunities

Green Fleet analysis and support, funding opportunities, Kansas City Regional Clean Cities assistance portfolio

Lunch & Learn with Orange EV

 

On Display: Solar-powered charging station, Alt fuel refuse hauler

Tag Archive for: electric vehicle

Nothing Found

Sorry, no posts matched your criteria