NYPA President Zeltmann Sees Vital Role for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

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Stephen Shoenholz
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Mr. Zeltmann's remarks

December 11, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and Chief Executive Officer Eugene W. Zeltmann said Wednesday that electric and hybrid-electric vehicles can play a key role in strengthening the nation’s energy independence.

“It’s clear that electric-drive vehicles (EDV’s) can meet many transportation needs while improving both our energy security and our environment,” Zeltmann said in a speech at a conference sponsored by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas, a trade group.

He called on the international audience to help ensure that, over time, electric-drive-based systems “become a significant mover of vehicles in this country” and help to reduce dependence on imported oil.

Zeltmann noted that about two-thirds of the oil consumed in the United States is used for transportation, and that the transportation sector alone consumes twice the amount of oil that is produced domestically.

Citing continued instability in the Middle East and the prospect of war in Iraq, Zeltmann said it would be dangerous to increase reliance on foreign oil to meet future needs.

“Yet—for all the warnings—petroleum still accounts for 95 percent of the energy consumed in the U.S. transportation sector,” he said.

The solution, Zeltmann said, is to replace oil with electricity that would be used to power pure electric vehicles and hybrids, which use a combination of electric motors and gas engines.

While stating that electric vehicles that run only on batteries can successfully fill various niches, Zeltmann said that hybrids, particularly those connected directly to the power system, offer “the greatest immediate promise” for increased use of electric-drive transportation.  After 10 or 20 years, he said, the most dramatic impact could come from all-electric vehicles powered by fuel cells.

Zeltmann said the federal and state governments must help to advance EDV’s through tax incentives for consumers and other measures.

Under the leadership of Gov. George E. Pataki, he said New York State has thus far designated $35 million in Bond Act funding for hybrid and other clean buses and for clean-fueled vehicles in government fleets.  In addition, he noted that Governor Pataki has signed legislation to facilitate tax credits or exemptions for hybrid-vehicle purchasers and has issued an executive order that requires increasing use of clean-fueled vehicles by the state government.

As “a major asset” in New York’s efforts to promote electric and hybrid-electric transportation, Zeltmann said the Power Authority has helped to deploy about 375 such vehicles in its fleet and those of its customers.  The vehicles, ranging from school and transit buses to passenger cars and electric bicycles, have traveled more than 2.3 million miles.  NYPA is the only utility in the Northeast to have passed the million-mile mark.

Zeltmann cited various Power Authority initiatives, including:

• The NYPA/Th!nk Clean Commute, the nation’s largest electric-vehicle station-car demonstration program.  Nearly 100 commuters in the New York City suburbs have leased Ford Th!nk City EVs that are charged at seven area train stations during the workday.  Participants also travel on commuter and subway trains fueled by electricity, much of it from the Power Authority.  Zeltmann said NYPA would try to find other partners to help continue the program if Ford, following a current assessment, discontinues production of the Th!nk City.

• A program, now being developed, to join as partners with New York State’s municipal and rural electric cooperative systems in promoting EDV’s.

• A recently completed project, with others, to electrify 28 parking spaces for trucks at the Hunts Point Cooperative Market in the Bronx, the world’s largest wholesale food distribution center.  Using electricity to heat and cool parked trucks and for other services prevents air pollution from idling engines.