Electrify America (Volkswagens’s subsidiary) proceeded forward with several new projects in the Sacramento region.
The company partnered with Envoy, a community-based car sharing platform and the City of Sacramento to launch:
two new car sharing services with electric cars
new electric buses and shuttle routes
charging infrastructure (at least 10 stations).
The projects were approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and potentially Sacramento will get a serious $44 million EV boost.
In the case of car sharing, Electrify America intends to invest from $15 million to $18 million for the projects:
GIG Car Share – Free Float Car Sharing
“GIG Car Share, which is powered by AAA Northern California, Nevada, and Utah, will offer free float car share service in Sacramento. This service allows users to pick up and drop off a vehicle at any legal public parking spot, including metered locations, within a 13 sq. mile “Home Zone.” Perfect for a first-mile-last-mile connection, the user either pays for rental time or distance traveled, whichever is less expensive. With the GIG app, users can locate the nearest car to reserve it for up to 30 minutes in advance or to initiate a spur ofthe moment trip. GIG Car Share will initially launch with 260 vehicles. These cars will be easy to recognize with a roof-mounted bike rack, giving users the option of combining two different modes of transportation, bike and car, for daily commutes or weekend adventures. More than 70 percent of the census tracts in GIG’s proposed car sharing Home Zone are low-income or disadvantaged communities. This service will be available in Q1 2019.”
Envoy – Round Trip Car Sharing – 142 electric cars at 71 locations with Level 2 charging stations. We are just guessing that Envoy will use Volkswagen e-Golf electric cars.
2017 Volkswagen e-Golf
“Electrify America is also investing in a program with Envoy Technologies, a community-based EV car-share service based at apartment buildings as an amenity. Vehicles can be reserved, picked up and returned to the same location. The Envoy fleet will feature 142 vehicles spread in pairs across 71 locations. Each car will have a dedicated Level 2 EV charger. With 75 percent of the fleet expected to serve low-income and disadvantaged communities, Envoy provides equitable transportation for drivers running personal errands, as well those looking to participate in the gig economy and generate income that is 30 percent higher than the minimum wage. These cars will be available for rental by residents as a paid service at competitive rates. Initial properties will begin offering service by the end of summer 2018 with more locations coming on board every month.”
The investment in bus service and an on-demand micro-shuttle service (including chargers) to amount between $11 million and $14 million.
Electric Bus Service – UC Davis to Sacramento – 12 new electric buses
“Electrify America will enhance bus service between UC Davis and Sacramento with 12 new electric buses that will run from the main campus to the UC Davis Health campus in Sacramento. The shuttle will be co-run by Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) and the Yolo County Transportation District. Plans include increasing route frequency and providing four bus stops, including UC Davis, West Sacramento and two stops in Sacramento, downtown and at the UC Davis Health campus, which will also will be the eventual home of the planned Aggie Square tech complex. The bus service is expected to add more than 400,000 bus rides in the first year of operation. The enhanced route will start in 12 to 18 months once the electric bus manufacturer begins deliveries.”
On-Demand Electric Shuttle Service – Franklin Region
“Electrify America has provided the funding for this service which will be operated by Sacramento Regional Transit. SacRT is planning an initial launch in July 2018 as a new, on-demand micro-transit shuttle service. Funding from Electrify America will allow SacRT to transition the three-shuttle fleet to ZEV shuttle buses, once the shuttle manufacturer begins deliveries. The service is expected to provide about 26,000 rides in its first year. Consumers will be able to access it through an app-based ride hailing system, an online reservation or by phone. This service provides additional mobility for residents and visitors to this area, which has been without a bus line since 2008.”
And finally, $14 million to $16 million will be spent on the charging infrastructure. Electrify America set a target of more than 10 ultra-fast charging stations (up to 150 and 350 kW) in the Sacramento region.
Electrify America and the City of Sacramento Announce “Green City” Initiative Projects
Press blast:
Electrify America and the City of Sacramento Announce New Zero-Emissions Car Sharing Programs, Zero-Emissions Shuttle Bus Routes and Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Projects are part of $44 Million “Green City” Investment
Sacramento, CA (June 13, 2018) – Electrify America and the City of Sacramento today announced new projects that will increase access to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) in the Sacramento region, expand ZEV technology use, and prepare the City for future electric vehicle adoption.
The projects – which include two new car sharing services, new ZEV bus and shuttle routes and state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging systems throughout the region – are part of Electrify America’s Green City Initiative, which was announced by the company and city officials in 2017. Electrify America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America.
“Our partnership with Electrify America is a key piece of the City of Sacramento’s effort to become a national center for testing and development of alternative and autonomous vehicle technologies. And just as importantly, the new shuttles and car services connect this new technology to our neighborhoods by increasing mobility options for residents, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
“We have a strong, innovative, and creative partner in the Sacramento community,” said Richard Steinberg, senior director of green cities, marketing and communications at Electrify America. “The City of Sacramento has shown leadership and organization that will be instrumental in enabling this initiative to be a success, and the organizations we have selected for these initiatives are committed to making an impact within the Sacramento region. We’re excited to get started in providing these services to the Sacramento community.”
Projects include:
The specific details on each of these ZEV initiatives – car sharing, bus service, micro-shuttles and charging infrastructure – will be announced closer to the launch of each service, with a roll-out of initial services anticipated in late 2018.
Sacramento was chosen as Electrify America’s Green City in 2017 after a detailed and comprehensive evaluation process, which looked at city size, commuting patterns, and potential to impact disadvantaged and low-income communities.
The goals of Electrify America’s Green City Initiative are to:
Positively impact ZEV awareness
Provide ZEV access to underserved, low-income and disadvantaged communities
Increase use of ZEV technology to maximize ZEV miles traveled while reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Test the economic viability of ZEV access initiatives
Electrify America’s Green City Initiative aims to provide access to ZEVs to those who do not own ZEVs, or cannot afford to own ZEVs, and therefore represent a key underserved population.
Overall, Electrify America is investing $800 million in California over 10 years to support the increased use of ZEV technology with more ZEV infrastructure and education.
Quote from EnvoyAric Ohana and Ori Sagie, Co-Founders, Envoy Technologies at aric@envoythere.com and 310.721.9931“We are thrilled to advance equitable, environmentally-friendly transportation alongside Electrify America and the City of Sacramento,” said Aric Ohana and Ori Sagie, Co-Founders of Envoy Technologies. “By bringing our electric vehicles to underserved communities, we’re ensuring the next step in mobility is inclusive and affordable.”
Quote from GIGJason Haight, president of GIG Car Share contact via Michael Blasky at Michael.blasky@norcal.aaa.com – 702.378.7557“Gig is excited to introduce an easy, affordable, and clean transportation service to the residents of Sacramento,” said Jason Haight, President of GIG Car Share. “Together with the City of Sacramento and Electrify America, we are launching the largest fully electric car share operation in North America.”
Quote from Franklin Neighborhood Development CorporationNathan Ulsh, Executive Director at nathan@franklinblvddistrict.org – 916.455.2124“Expanding mobility options for the Franklin Boulevard community is critical. To enjoy access to growing Sacramento economic opportunities, people need to be able to get around. The Franklin NDC is pleased to welcome Electrify America to the group of partners collaborating to deploy zero-emission mobility solutions in the community. Electrify America’s investment in the future of Franklin Boulevard is a great step forward for Sacramento,” said Nathan Ulsh, executive director.
Quote from UC DavisChancellor Gary S. May contact via Matt Dulcich at medulcich@ucdavis.edu — 530.304.3898“Connecting UC Davis with Sacramento will provide access for our students and employees to contribute more across the region. I appreciate the leadership from Mayor Steinberg and the confidence from Electrify America to invest in our future,” said UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May