OPERATING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE Electric Vehicle Training Series - - PDF document

Slide 1 - Introduction Welcome to the second presentation in the electric vehicle training series. This presentation is entitled “Operating an Electric Vehicle.” It is designed to help inform you about the features in an electric vehicle, including tips for improving fuel economy and charging your vehicle. Other training presentations in this series cover choosing an electric vehicle and planning for, installing, and operating electric vehicle infrastructure. They are available through GSA Fleet’s Drive-thru training page. Slide 2 - Agenda In this presentation, we will review the federal sustainability mandates that apply to Federal fleets. Then we will clarify the acronyms and definitions of an electric vehicle and go in-depth about the different features found in the PHEVs and BEV currently available through GSA. We will then address electric vehicle charging, including how to charge an electric vehicle, how to know when the vehicle is done charging, and charging etiquette. We will also provide preventative maintenance standards that should be followed for electric vehicles. Finally, we will present some best practices for getting the most out of an electric vehicle, including how to extend range and maximize vehicle

• efficiency. This presentation will conclude with a linked list of resources for fleet

managers to take advantage of. Slide 3 – Federal Mandates There are three federal mandates that currently apply to Federal fleet sustainability: Executive Order 13693 entitled “Planning for Sustainability in the Next Decade,” the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and 2005, which is also referred to as EPAct, and the 2010 Guidance on Section 141 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, also referred to as EISA.

• Executive Order 13693 was signed by President Obama on March 19, 2015. It

sets ambitious standards for the acquisition of zero emission vehicles in Federal

• fleets. By the year 2020, 20 percent of new passenger vehicle fleet acquisitions

must comprise of zero emission and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. By 2025, 50 percent of federal vehicles must meet this standard. In addition to the zero emission standards, the executive order mandates that agencies reduce fleet- wide greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by the year 2025, relative to 2014 baseline numbers. These reductions will be spread out over the next nine years through baselines set in the executive order. By 2017, agencies must reduce OPERATING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE Electric Vehicle Training Series Script

emissions by at least four percent. By 2021, emissions reductions should be at least 15 percent. In addition to emissions reductions, the executive order directs agencies to determine an optimum fleet inventory, specifically to eliminate unnecessary or non-essential vehicles from its fleet, to begin collecting asset- level data, and to implement telematics devices on all new acquisition light duty and medium duty vehicles where appropriate. Finally, the executive order directs agencies to plan for charging and refueling infrastructure for BEVs and PHEVs.

• EPAct requires 75 percent of light duty vehicles acquired in metropolitan

statistical areas to be alternative fuel vehicles. Alternative fuel vehicles, or AFVs, are those that do not run on gasoline or diesel. Electric vehicles are considered AFVs along with compressed natural gas, hydrogen, and ethanol vehicles. Per the expanded definition of an AFV in the Defense Authorization Act of 2008, low greenhouse gas gasoline-powered vehicles can be considered AFVs when they are not garaged within 5 miles or 15 minutes of an alternative fuel source.

• EISA mandates that agencies acquire all light-duty vehicles as low-greenhouse

gas emitting and medium duty vehicles designed to transport less than 12 passengers or less than 9 passengers rearward of the driver’s seat or medium duty passenger vehicles not equipped with an open cargo area of 72 inches in interior length or more. For model year 2016, EPA sets the “low-greenhouse gas emitting” threshold at a maximum of 300 grams per mile of carbon dioxide emissions for passenger cars and a 375 grams per mile of carbon dioxide emissions for light-duty trucks. Slide 4 - Acronyms and Definitions Before going any further, we have defined the three different types of electric vehicles and the common acronyms used to identify them:

• A “BEV,” or Battery Electric Vehicle, is an all-electric or zero emissions vehicle

(ZEV) that is powered exclusively by a battery. BEVs must plug into an electrical

• utlet for power. Common types of BEVs that you have probably heard of include

Tesla models, Ford Focus Battery Electric, and the Nissan Leaf. BEVs are synonymous with zero emission vehicles and typically have ranges between 70 and 100 miles.

• A “PHEV,” or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, is a vehicle propelled by both an

internal combustion engine and an electric motor. PHEVs combine the benefits of both an electric and gas-powered vehicle. PHEVs can operate exclusively on electric power, anywhere between 19 and 53 miles, but have the added benefit of an internal combustion engine that greatly extends the vehicle’s range. PHEVs have two fuel outlets – one that can be connected to an electrical outlet for charging and one that is fueled with conventional gasoline. The most popular PHEV on the market in the United States today is the Chevy Volt. PHEVs do count toward federal zero emissions mandates.

• An “HEV,” or Hybrid Electric Vehicle, is a vehicle powered by the engine and fuel
• f a conventional vehicle with the batteries and electric motor of a battery electric
• vehicle. HEVs do not need to be plugged in to utilize electric power and do not

have an outlet for electrical charging. Several automakers have introduced HEV sedans and sport utility vehicles into their fleets. One of the most well-known examples of an HEV is the Toyota Prius. GSA does not offer the Prius. Slide 5 – Electric Vehicle Features Electric vehicles have several features that drivers should be aware of before getting behind the wheel. The first is regenerative braking. Regenerative braking recovers energy when drivers apply the brake slowly. The recovered energy helps to extend the vehicle’s range and even the life of the braking system. In some vehicle models, the dashboard will provide a braking coach to help drivers know when they are recovering energy or when they are braking too hard to reap the benefits. We will go into more detail on this feature in later slides. Another feature that is present in HEV and PHEV vehicles and has started to appear more commonly in new model gasoline vehicles is an “eco mode.” This is an option that drivers can engage through a button on the vehicle dashboard. Eco modes vary based on vehicle model, but generally draw energy from the vehicle’s air conditioning system or by reducing throttle responsiveness to encourage slower vehicle acceleration. This feature can improve vehicle miles per gallon by as much as two miles per gallon, or MPG. However, it is only useful under certain circumstances, which is why drivers can choose to turn it on or off. To maximize vehicle efficiency, turn off eco mode when accelerating up an incline or using cruise control on the highway, as it could actually limit MPG under these circumstances and hinder vehicle performance. Eco mode is most effective in the city when vehicles do a lot of start-stop driving. Slide 6 – Electric Vehicle Features Additional features include efficiency indicators that show drivers how efficiently they are driving. Leaves grow or colors change to indicate when the vehicle is accelerating too quickly or using too much fuel to maintain speed. If drivers pay attention to their habits through these indicators, over time vehicles should begin to experience better

• MPG. This feature is becoming more prominent in non-electric vehicles as well and is a

useful tool for helping drivers operate the vehicle more efficiently overall. Another feature that is available in PHEVs only is an “EV Later” option. Drivers have the ability to decide when to operate the vehicle on electricity or gasoline. This allows the driver to maximize vehicle efficiency by choosing when to use the electric charge at the optimal

• time. The vehicle can switch seamlessly between both fuel types when in use. For

example, if you start your day on the highway but eventually will do city driving during the day, a smart driver would utilize the vehicle’s gas supply for highway driving and save the electric charge for start-stop and idle driving in the city. This will extend the vehicle’s range and reduce carbon emissions. Finally, operators should be aware that a

level one charging cord comes standard with every electric vehicle. These cords plug into a regular 120 volt wall outlet on one end and into the vehicle charging receptacle on the other end. Slide 7 – Ford Dashboard Features This slide is designed to help drivers visualize some of the features we just discussed. These are some snapshots from model year 2016 Ford electric vehicles. The displays that you see here appear on the vehicle dashboard on either side of the speedometer. Vehicle operators have the ability to adjust the display and view different components using the buttons found on the vehicle’s steering wheel. The first image that you see on the top left hand side of this slide is the brake coach. It tells you how much energy from the braking session was recaptured to fuel the vehicle. Next to the brake coach is the fuel indicator which provides an estimate of the remaining range available. As you can see at the bottom of this slide, there are several other data points that can be viewed on this screen, including a trip summary that highlights distance traveled, energy used, and the brake score. Other views include an energy history that looks at how efficiently the vehicle has been driven since its last charge and vehicle charging information such as the kilowatt hours used per mile and length of the charging session. On the right hand side of the slide are the efficiency indicators. In BEV Focus models, drivers will see blue butterflies that indicate efficiency. In all other model vehicles, it will appear as green

• leaves. The leaves and butterflies grow in number as the vehicle is driven more

efficiently. Slide 8 – 2016 Chevy Volt Dashboard Features The model year 2016 Chevy Volt has two different displays where drivers can access efficiency and usage information about the vehicle. Let’s look at the photo on the left

• first. This image shows the instrument panel that is directly behind the steering wheel.

As you can see in the center of this image, the vehicle includes a digital display for vehicle speed in the center instead of the traditional speedometer found in most cars. On either side of the speed are the fuel levels and fuel information. The left hand side relates to the electric motor portion of the vehicle. Green bars indicate the available battery power. Other features included are the available range remaining on the vehicle, the number 21 on this image, as well as brake and acceleration indicators. To the right

• f the speed, drivers can see fuel tank level with the blue bars and the remaining gas

range – the number 264 on this image. Now let’s turn to the three images on the right side of the slide. These images show the MyLink display which now comes standard on all Chevy Volts. On this touch screen display, you can see charging information, energy use since last charge, details of the last charging session, and more. Slide 9 – EV Charging Time and Range This table provides an overview of the electric range and charging time using a level 2 station for the four electric vehicles currently available through GSA. Note that all four

models can seat five people. Both Ford PHEV models – the C-MAX Energi and the Fusion – have the same specs. Their estimated electric range is 19 miles with a total combined range of 550 miles. It will take an estimated two and a half hours to charge the battery with a level 2 charging station. The Chevy Volt has more than double the electric range compared to the Ford PHEV models. The Volt can get an estimated 53 miles per charge, with a combined range of 420 miles. It takes approximately four and a half hours to charge the battery with a level 2 charging station. Finally, the Ford Focus Electric – the only all-electric vehicle here – gets 76 miles of electric range per charge. With no back-up fuel option, this vehicle is best for city use where the vehicle does not travel more than 70 miles in a day. Using a level 2 charging station, it will take approximately 3 point 6 hours to fully charge the battery. Slide 10 – How to Charge Your EV Charging an electric vehicle is easy. Here are the steps that you should follow. Before charging your vehicle, always remember to turn the vehicle off and place it in the parked

• position. The electric vehicles currently available through GSA can be charged using a

level 1 wall plug or a level 2 charging station. Only a limited number of vehicle models can be charged using level 3 DC fast charging stations, so be sure to read your vehicle manual before using these charging stations. The Nissan Leaf can use DC fast charging, but the model year 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi, Ford Fusion PHEV, Ford Focus Electric, and Chevy Volt cannot use level 3 charging stations. If using a level 1 wall plug, insert the charging cord into the wall outlet before connecting the charging coupler to the vehicle’s charge port receptacle. If using a level 2 charging station, you must use a key fob or RFID card to release the charging station handle. If you are using a public charging station that requires payment to initiate charging, the station must accept the WEX card. For stations that have no fee for use, simply follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the charging session. Drivers should make sure that the charging coupler clicks to lock it into the port. Once the charging coupler is properly inserted, an indication light will appear either on the vehicle’s dashboard or on the light around the vehicle charging port to indicate that the vehicle is charging. Slide 11 – Charging Indicator Lights and What They Mean Electric vehicles have charging indicator lights to let you know that your vehicle is charging, how much it has charged, and when the charge is complete. These indicators are different depending on make, model, and model year of the vehicle. On Ford models, a blue ring around the vehicle charging port will illuminate when charging is

• initiated. The ring will flash in a clockwise manner two full times to indicate the

beginning of a normal charge cycle. Then, as the vehicle charges, the charge port will illuminate in quadrants to indicate how much the vehicle has charged. Once the vehicle is fully charged, all four quadrants will illuminate for a short time and then the charging process ends. The Chevy Volt has an indicator light on the middle of the dashboard near the windshield. The light sends several different signals depending on the status of

the charging session. A flashing green light indicates that the vehicle is charging. One flash means that the vehicle is zero to 25 percent charged. Two flashes indicate that the vehicle is 25 to 50 percent charged. Three flashes means that the vehicle is 50 to 75 percent charged. Four flashes indicate that the vehicle is 75 to 99 percent charged. A solid green light indicates that the vehicle is fully charged. If the light is yellow, this means that the vehicle is plugged in but not charging. This could be because the driver has set up the charging session to begin at a later time in order to take advantage of off- peak electricity rates. If there is no light, this means that the vehicle is not plugged in or that there is an issue with the charger or outlet. If you think there is a problem with the charging station, contact the 1-800 number located on the station. Slide 12 – Charging Etiquette Electric vehicle fueling is a very different experience than most drivers are used to with conventional gas-powered vehicles. Electric vehicles cannot be charged in 5 minutes at a fueling station and range can be a real limitation for these vehicles. It is important that drivers take advantage of charging stations when they are available and remember to plug in the vehicle after a trip or at the end of the day. Charging stations bring a new dynamic to refueling and there is etiquette surrounding the practice. Vehicle operators should unplug and move the vehicle when charging is complete so that other vehicles can use the charging station. Further, do not unplug a vehicle that is connected to a charging station unless the vehicle being charged is in your control or possession. As a best practice, charge vehicles overnight to make use of reduced electricity rates and to prevent overburdening the electrical grid. Just as in conventionally fueled vehicles, the driver who uses the electric range is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is properly recharged for the next driver/trip. Slide 13 – Data Collection Electric vehicles are held to the same standards as all other Federal fleet vehicles. Fleet managers and operators are required to report vehicle mileage and refueling for vehicles in GSA Fleet Drive-thru or in your agency’s Fleet Management information

• System. There are two ways to do this for electric vehicles. First, if your agency has

access to charging stations with network capabilities, these stations will collect and record charging session data at the vehicle level. This data is accessible to fleet managers usually through an operator account. Alternatively, for agencies using wall

• utlets or non-networked charging stations, vehicle data must be recorded manually. All

data must be uploaded manually into the Federal Automotive Statistical Tool (FAST). Kilowatt per hour and mileage information can be found on the vehicle dashboard after each charging session. Slide 14 – Electric Vehicle Maintenance Up to 70 percent of an electric vehicle’s components differ from a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. EVs have only one moving part – the electric motor –

compared to hundreds in an internal combustion vehicle. The result is that they require less routine maintenance. If you have an all-electric vehicle, such as the Ford Focus Electric currently available, you will never have to get an oil change or replace a timing belt or head gasket. However, because of the unique, relatively new technology included in today’s electric vehicles, maintenance must be handled by the original equipment manufacturer. Furthermore, dealerships must be authorized to work on plug- in electric vehicles in order to complete work on them. Not all dealerships are authorized to do this, so be sure to check with the dealership near you before scheduling vehicle

• maintenance. For further information about approved vendors in your area, contact your

Fleet Service Representative or Maintenance Control Center. Slide 15 – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Maintenance Electric vehicles require preventative maintenance checkups similarly to conventional vehicles in your fleet. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles should have preventative maintenance every 15,000 miles or 24 months, whichever comes first. PHEV preventative maintenance includes engine oil and filter replacement, similar to conventional vehicles, but electric motor components are also inspected so it is important that the dealership is authorized to work on electric vehicles. Once the vehicle’s oil change and maintenance is completed, fleet managers should notify their Fleet Service Representative. Slide 16 – Battery Electric Vehicle Maintenance Battery electric vehicles require preventative maintenance every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Authorized dealerships will inspect the main drive battery, high voltage wiring, tire pressure, cooling system and fluids, and rear and front

• brakes. Once the vehicle’s maintenance is completed, fleet managers should notify their

Fleet Service Representative. Slide 17 – Best Practices when Operating an Electric Vehicle Just as with conventional gas vehicles, there are some best practices for operating electric vehicles. These best practices were gathered from GSA Fleet’s Electric Vehicle Pilot programs as well as market research on electric vehicles. By following these best practices, Fleet managers and operators will ensure their vehicles are operating effectively and efficiency and achieving the biggest return on investment possible. Slide 18 – Charging and Electric Vehicle Range The biggest concern among electric vehicle operators is range. We often hear that drivers are afraid of being stranded without enough electric charge to complete the trip. Electric vehicles do require vehicle operators to be more conscious of the distance traveled, but with some planning there is no reason why operators should be stranded. The next few slides include tips for increasing efficiency. In an electric vehicle this translates into extended range. One thing to know about electric vehicles is that outside

temperatures, whether extreme heat or extreme cold, can significantly impact vehicle

• range. Running air conditioning or heat systems puts a greater strain on the battery,

causing the battery charge to deplete more quickly. One recommendation for extending the range and battery life of your electric vehicle in extremely hot temperatures, is to allow the vehicle battery to rest for an hour between charging and operating. This allows the battery to cool down from the charging session. Additionally, drivers should consider pre-heating or pre-cooling the vehicle before disconnecting it from the charging station and parking in covered spaces where the vehicle is protected from extreme weather. Slide 19 – Electric Vehicle Efficiency Efficiency in electric vehicles is measured in miles per kilowatt hour. Electric vehicles driven efficiently should get about four miles per kilowatt hour. To translate alternative fuel vehicle efficiency into the same measurement as conventional gas vehicles, industry uses miles per gallon equivalent, or MPGe. For electric vehicles, 100 miles per gallon equivalent is equal to roughly 34 kilowatt hours per 100 miles, or 3.4 kilowatt hours per mile. Slide 20 – Maximizing Range and Efficiency You’ll notice that many of the ways to improve EV efficiency and range are similar to conventionally fueled vehicles. Driver safety is key to extending vehicle range and

• efficiency. Just as with conventionally fueled vehicles, aggressive driving can reduce

vehicle efficiency by as much as 30 percent. When running your vehicle in electric mode, you have instant power from a stop, meaning you can accelerate much more quickly than in a conventional gas vehicle. However, just as fast acceleration in a gas vehicle burns more fuel, in an electric vehicle it will drain your battery more quickly. Drivers are advised to accelerate slowly and brake slowly. Slow braking not only results in less electricity loss, but because of the regenerative braking system it also helps produce more electricity, extending the vehicle’s overall range. As mentioned previously, vehicle heating and cooling systems can significantly reduce range by as much as twenty percent. In extreme temperatures, drivers should consider pre-heating

• r precooling the vehicle before disconnecting it from the charger. While cooling

systems do reduce the battery power, when windows are open at high speeds this can actually decrease fuel economy more by reducing the vehicle’s aerodynamics. Slide 21 – Maximizing Range and Efficiency In plugin electric vehicles, driving up inclines in gas mode is preferred because it saves the electric charge for more optimal start-stop usage. For vehicles with eco modes, vehicle acceleration up hills is better and more efficient with the eco mode off. When possible, drivers should reduce the weight of loads. One hundred pounds of extra weight can decrease MPG equivalent by as much as two percent. Routine maintenance is an important component for optimal vehicle performance. It is estimated that routine maintenance and tuning can improve MPG equivalents by as much as ten percent.

Finally, maintaining proper tire pressure can increase vehicle MPG equivalent by up to three percent. Slide 22 - Overcoming Range Anxiety We’ve told you how to maximize vehicle range, but the best thing drivers can do to ensure that they do not get stranded in an electric vehicle is by planning trips ahead of

• time. On trips with multiple stops, plan driving routes so that vehicles travel the least

number of miles possible. Charge vehicles overnight so that they are fully charged for the following day. If needed, locate public charging stations where the vehicle can be refueled during the trip. If drivers follow these steps and utilize tips for maximizing range, it is very unlikely that they will ever be stranded in an electric vehicle. Our pilot programs have shown that once people are more comfortable with operating electric vehicles, vehicle utilization increases. Drivers could consider using EVs for short trips at first to become familiar with the vehicle and the driving habits associated with it. Test features like the regenerative braking system or running the AC on high to understand how these components impact your vehicle’s range. It won’t take long for drivers to understand what they can and cannot accomplish in an EV on a daily basis. Remember, unlike with conventionally-fueled vehicles, EVs can actually gain energy by a lot of stop- and-go traffic through regenerative braking. So sitting in city traffic does not impact range as much as you might expect. Slide 23 - Resources This concludes the second part of our Electric Vehicle Training Series. If you have questions regarding any of the content included here or about electric vehicles in general, please reach out to the GSA Fleet Alternative Fuel Vehicle Team at GSAFleetAFVTeam@gsa.gov. Some additional resources available to fleet managers are linked here. We encourage you to take our charging station training series for important details about whether and how to obtain charging infrastructure to fuel your electric vehicle. For information about the electric vehicles available through GSA and how to choose the right vehicle for your mission, view the first training in this series entitled, “Choosing an Electric Vehicle.”