The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Needs: An Early Market Guide for Facility Managers

The new age of mass-market Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs or EVs) is here as the first shipments of the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf have arrived while the Tesla Roadster, a high-performance all-electric vehicle, has been selling for over a year.

In his 2011 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama called for putting one million EVs on the US roads by 2015 to build on America's technical leadership, create new jobs and reduce transportation dependence on foreign oil. Pike Research anticipates the US will be the largest market for EVs in 2015, followed by China and Europe.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

EV market adoption (and therefore auto sales) will depend on consumers having convenient access to charging stations in their daily lives. EV charging stations are part of the needed EV infrastructure and are sometimes referred to as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). Early market commitments are already being seen with Level-2 charging stations in major cities like San Francisco and New York; retailers like Best Buy and Walgreens; and employer workplaces like SAP and Netflix. Most early adopters are making headlines and are proud of their investments to encourage their citizens, customers and employees to purchase eco-friendly vehicles.

A critical milestone was reached in 2010, where all EV vehicle manufacturers for the North American market agreed to a universal standard for the charging station connector - SAE J1772. This breakthrough opened the industry to free market competition to drive better pricing and variety while eliminating the risk of placing the wrong bet or finding a charging station with the wrong connector (remember Beta vs. VHS video standards in battle?) EV parking structures, shopping centers, retail outlets, and work sites will have charging equipment compatible with their new vehicle.

And of course each EV auto dealer will have charging stations on-site so they can sell and service their EV models and deliver them to customers fully charged.

Buying an EV, Charging at Home

Prior to buying an EV, customers need to ensure they have safe and easy access to charging at their home. LIke a hospital requiring new patients to have a baby seat before they can drive their bundle of joy home, the EV dealer needs to ensure their customer has the charging infrastructure at home to have a great EV ownership experience.

The Chevy Volt is a different type of EV. It is a plug-in extended-range electric vehicle. Its lithium-ion battery stores power from the electric charge and a nine-gallon gasoline tank fuels an on-board gasoline generator. According to manufacturer websites, the electric motor powers the car for the first 40 miles and then the gas kicks in to provide 375 miles of range on a full tank and relieve the concern of "range anxiety". The Chevy Volt charges in about half the time as a Nissan Leaf, although it has about half of the pure electric range.

The ultra-performance Tesla Roadster, an all-electric sports car with a price tag of over $100,000 can accelerate from 0-60 in 3.67 seconds and has a range of 240 miles on a single charge, according to manufacturer websites - all while emitting zero emissions!

The Need for EV Charging Stations

EV charging stations are required across a variety of venues:

• Parking structures - Commercial complexes, airports, shopping centers
• Government - City, county, state, federal publicly accessed buildings
• Commercial and industrial - Employer locations and EV fleets
• Residential single family - Charging is needed at every EV home
• Residential multi-family - Multi-tenant sites will need to accomodate

To kick-start the rollout of EV infrastructure, the US government has committed $400 million for rolling out charging infrastructure across selected geographic markets. Therefore, various incentives are available to certain building owners, government agencies and homeowners that meet specific eligibility requirements. In some cases, with certain restrictions, a facility can get a 100% rebate on the cost of the EV charging equipment. The Linc Group, an ABM Company, can assist with evaluating eligibility, rebate processing, as well as acquiring, installing and maintaining EV Charging Stations.

Reasons for Installing EV Charging Stations

As electric vehicle adoption grows, consumers will gravitate to places where they can charge up while doing other things like working, shopping or dining. Stadiums with EVSE can let customers charge up while taking in a game or a concert.

Consider:

1. A facility might reward employees who make early stage investments in non-petroleum transportation by offering free or subsidized charging.
2. Companies, universities and local governments want to show they are doing their part in helping America achieve energy independence while fostering environmental stewardship.
3. A large entertainment venue (stadium, theatre, etc.) might offer close-up or covered EV charging and parking near the VIP section.
4. Commercial facilities can add a surcharge on top of a standard parking fee.
5. New EVs are equipped with GPS systems that show where charging stations are located. This awareness will help attract EV drivers to those locations where they can stop in for a charge.

Type of EV Charging Stations

• Level-1 uses a standard 110/120-volt receptacle. Onboard the vehicle and uses a standard household-style AC plug.
• Level-2 uses the SAE J1772 (240-volt, 40 amp) for faster charging.
• Level-3 DC Fast Charge: will be a rapid DC charger (not yet standardized)

Considerations Prior to Installing EV Charging Stations

Facilities should consider EV infrastructure as part of a larger Sustainability or Energy-Efficiency strategy, not just an independent 'green' project. Need to understand how the new EVSE load can alter the energy profile and costs of a building or a campus and how a balanced approach can help facilities offset the new load through other energy-reduction programs. Other considerations:

Government, commercial and public parking sites:

• Requires engineering, electrical permits, and city planning approvals
• Wireless networking, software and billing system processes may be required
• Must select the best hardware manufacturer for the desired application
• Underground work to bring power from buildings to parking lot, plus concrete work
• Training of building personnel to ensure proper operations and safety
• Additional electrical load requirements. Additional circuits, panels, meters, transformers might be needed, so it is wise to get an expert estimate before deciding on an installation partner
• Commercial and public use - Need to consider the use of chargers, equipment upgrade-ability, after-hour access, security, and flexibility in billing.
• The electrical load created by the EVSE could significantly raise the cost of electricity. High electrical price tiers, especially during peak daytime hours, can negatively impact operating costs.

EV Auto Dealerships:

• Requires Engineering Electrical permits, plus underground and concrete work for bases
• Training and dealership personnel. Dealers need to be fluent on options and processes for arranging charging stations at customer homes.
• Consider possible emergency services or roadside assistance for stranded motorists with a dead EV battery.
• Customers living in multi-family developments need to work with their property owners.
• Various EV charger manufacturers are available for different applications and with different levels of sophistication and pricing.

Residences:

• Requires electrical permit and inspection by qualified or certified electrician
• Home might need electrical panel upgrade and routing of electrical power to charger that is installed in the garage
• Purchase of charger (multiple vendor options) and installation fees need to be considered. Pricing and features vary

Advanced Building Maintenance Knows Green Cleaning

If you are concerned about the environment and the health of your facility, Advanced Building Maintenance offers Green Clean, our customizable, green cleaning program.

Whether you’ve become an expert on cleaning green or are just wondering where to begin, we can help.

Want to start small? We can begin with basic green cleaning options, such as switching to Green Seal certified cleaning products. Green Care can also take a broader approach to cleaning green and include things like, recycling programs and touchless water conservation equipment. Whatever route you choose, there are simple steps you can take to decrease pollutants spread throughout your facility and to promote indoor air quality. Green cleaning provides benefits to businesses, buildings, occupants, visitors, and the environment.

For our customers working toward LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, your Green Care program from ABM will include use of the green cleaning products and procedures required to earn points toward certification. By being able to speak intelligently to our customers about this emerging trend as it relates to janitorial, we truly become a partner in achieving your green goals.

What Does Cleaning Green Entail?

First, a definition: Green Cleaning is cleaning to protect health without harming the environment.

In recommending a green cleaning program for you, ABM takes a holistic view of your facility. We consider the purpose of the facility and the activities that take place in and around it. We study each aspect of “green” building operations and maintenance in the context of your goals and the benefits you expect to derive.

The ABM green cleaning process ensures the success of your program. Basic principles of Green Care include:

• Focus on entryways inside and out. An important goal in cleaning green is to trap and remove dirt and pollutants before they enter the building and to frequently clean the entrances and entryway mats.
• Minimize particles and chemicals in the air by mechanically capturing dust and dirt, using course spray for chemicals and applying the cleaner to the cloth rather than spraying the surface to be cleaned.
• Use chemical management systems for accurate product dilution. We train our employees to use chemicals properly to minimize waste and maximize cleaning efficiency, an important element of cleaning green.
• Empty vacuum bags at the end of shifts or when half full for cleaner and more efficient operating.
• Ensure proper vacuuming, extraction, rinsing and drying. Carpets can be a host for moisture problems and mold growth. Green cleaning means minimizing these problems.
• Focus on preventative measures. Our janitorial staff washes their hands and keeps equipment clean and well maintained.
• Focus on touch-points. These are door handles, bright work and other areas where people come in contact with the facility or its fixtures. Focusing here makes cleaning green easier.
• Apply disinfectant in restrooms properly and make sure the chemical has proper dwell time so that soil is thoroughly removed using less product.
• Promote safety and prevent cross-contamination. Safer products and proper use and storage of chemicals help create a safer environment. Color-coded tools ensure that pollutants don’t get carried from one area (such as a restroom) to another.
  
  

Start today with these simple green cleaning steps

Depending on your need, ABM stands ready to implement proven cleaning green methods at your facility, including the following.

Use of Green Cleaning Chemicals and Products

• Green Seal’s Standard for Industrial and Institutional Cleaners (GS-37) certified chemicals for general purpose, washroom, glass, and carpet cleaning or recommended chemicals for those not covered by standard, but go beyond current industry specifications (e.g., furniture polish, metal cleaner).
• Hand soaps that do not contain antimicrobial agents (e.g., Triclosan) except where required by law or regulations (i.e., healthcare or food preparation).
• Micro-fiber dusting cloths and flat mops to collect dust and dirt. These out-perform traditional dusting and mopping materials and can often be used to remove soils without the need for chemical compounds. Also can be reused for minimal waste.
  
  

Use of Effective Janitorial Equipment

• Carpet & Rug Institute’s Green Label Program for vacuums (www.carpet-rug.com).
• High-speed burnishers with active vacuum attachments that capture fine particles.
• Carpet extractors and automatic floor scrubbers that reduce water consumption.
  
  

Use of “Green” Paper Products

• EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines and Green Seal’s Standards for Tissue (GS-1) and Towels (GS-9) for recycled content in janitorial paper products bleached without the use of chlorine or its derivatives.
• Products dispensed from large rolls to minimize packaging and waste. Folded paper towels are discouraged.
• “Hands-free” paper towel dispensers that reduce the potential for cross-contamination.
• High-capacity dispensers that promote waste-reduction by controlling towel usage.
  
  

Other Considerations

We can help you:

• Implement an effective recycling program, including proper rinsing of recycled containers.
• Create a green communication program so that building occupants understand they are part of the process. Proper notification of spills, minimizing eating at work stations and reducing clutter will help to ensure a healthy facility.
• Implement and communicate an indoor plant policy. Improper care and placement of plants can generate contaminants and require application of harsher chemicals that defeat the goals of a green program.
• Install touchless water conservation equipment and more energy-efficient HVAC systems.

We also offer other “green” maintenance services that go beyond cleaning green. Just ask us!

Through our Green Care program, Advanced Building Maintenance becomes your green cleaning expert, always keeping up with the latest trends and processes. That way, you can be sure your green cleaning program contributes to the success of your business

The Need For Green Cleaning Solutions

Did you know?

The need for green cleaning solutions makes sense when you consider that Americans spend 90% of their time indoors and exposure to pollution can be up to 100 times greater inside than out. (1) Companies going green can positively impact the annual maintenance of buildings where we work and live, which now requires:

• 5 Billion lbs. of cleaning and coating chemicals
• 4.5 Billion lbs. of janitorial paper products (or 50 Million trees)
• 36 Billion plastic trash can liners
• 20 Million vacuum cleaners
  
  

Implementing green cleaning solutions supports other green activities that help reduce the large amounts of energy and water that buildings consume. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings in this country account for:

• 65% of electricity consumption,
• 36% of energy use,
• 30% of greenhouse gas emissions,
• 30% of raw materials use,
• 30% of waste output (136 million tons annually), and
• 12% of potable water consumption.

Corporations going green help decrease atmospheric emission from the use of energy, thereby reducing acid rain, ground-level ozone, smog and global climate change.

Learn more about green cleaning solutions offered through the ABM Green Clean™ program.

Companies Going Green Reap Benefits

Economic Benefits

• Improved bottom line
• Reduced operating costs
• Optimized life-cycle economic performance
• Increased building valuation and ROI
• Decreased vacancy, improved retention
• Reduced liability
  
  

Health & Productivity Benefits

• Enhanced occupant comfort and health
• Improved employee performance and productivity
• Reduced absenteeism and turnover
  
  

Community Benefits

• Reduced natural resource consumption
• Minimized strain on local infrastructures and improved quality of life
• Public recognition for environmental stewardship
  
  

In addition, green cleaning solutions can help companies going green become certified through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and its LEED rating system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Below are some key points that guide Advanced Building Maintenance when implementing effective green cleaning solutions.

Cleaning principles for corporations going green:

• Look at the facility holistically – All areas are interconnected through building automation, HVAC systems and even foot traffic.
• Go beyond appearances – Dirt, pollutants and allergens are not readily seen, but can drastically affect indoor air quality (IAQ). Green cleaning solutions are gentle, but just as effective as traditional approaches.
• Reduce pollutants – Pollutants can be dirt, germs, pesti­cides, chemicals or dust. Capture pollutants and remove them, don’t just move them around. Most pollutants enter from the outside, so focus on proper entryway matting as a preventative measure.
• Minimize exposure – Do what you can to enhance air quality and keep environmental toxicity to a minimum.
• Minimize residue and waste – Use only what is needed.
• Promote Safety – Use green chemicals. Ensure proper use and storage of chemicals and equipment.
• Educate and Communicate – Companies going green should inform employees, building occupants and stakeholders of program goals. Let them know how they can contribute to a cleaner, safer facility.
  
  

For companies going green, Advanced Building Maintenance is ready to help you start small – or big -- today. Let us customize our green cleaning solutions to meet your goals.

(1) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)