Local grids to be powered by DoD electric vehicles
NewsJanuary 11, 2013
WASHINGTON. The Department of Defense (DoD) has allocated $20 million for a fleet of electric vehicles capable of exporting their own power in continuing efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Beginning later this year, the DoD plans to begin leasing up to 500 modified electric vehicles that cost between $30,000 and $100,000 a piece for six locations, including Los Angeles Air Force Base.
The DoD plans to use idle, charged electric cars as a method of resupplying power to during peak demands, which they hope will provide stability during overloads on the electrical power grid, as well as offset their cost by providing a financial return for the government. The project is currently being led by the Air Force, with Concurrent Technologies under contract to select the first noncombat electric vehicles.
Camron Gorguinpour, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Logistics, commented, “It’s about being able to deliver electricity on demand. It will be a sizable amount of power when all of the vehicles are aggregated together.” He continued, “The three main criteria we’re focused on are reducing fleet expense, enhancing mission capabilities, and meeting our energy efficiency goals.”
To accommodate the electric vehicles, the DoD also plans to construct charging stations. As many as 30 military installations may eventually be equipped with the charging facilities necessary to support the fleet.
