Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are next generation clean cars that use electric batteries charged from an external source. With smart strategies and the right locations, these vehicles present an exciting opportunity to reduce air pollution, save drivers up to $1,200 per year on gasoline and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Some plug-in vehicles already on the market, and almost every major auto manufacturer is working to develop their own plug-in models for the coming years. Car makers are developing a range of technologies, from all electric vehicles, to hybrids that combine batteries with a gasoline engine, to models with batteries that can be swapped out for charging.

Location Matters

Plug-in electric vehicles’ effect on reducing pollution and dependence on foreign oil varies according to when and how the electricity they use is generated.

The environmental benefits of plug-ins are smaller if they are charged with electricity from coal plants, and larger if the electricity is generated with no or low-carbon fuel sources like solar & nuclear power and particularly wind energy.

Analysis from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

In areas with substantial wind and nuclear power, surplus energy may be available at night to charge plug-in vehicles. Overall demand is lowest at night, and when strong wind power is often available and many nuclear plants “run negative,” meaning that the cost of generating the power exceeds the selling price. In these areas, strategies that encourage plug-in charging at night can make the difference in reducing pollution

ELPC’s Advocacy

ELPC is working to promote policies that will create a smart and strategic integration of plug-in vehicles, focusing on areas where low-cost, low-carbon electricity is available to make plug-ins part of the solution to global warming.

The first area we are focusing on is Northern Illinois.  Illinois is home to Chicago, the third largest metropolitan area in the nation, and is among the top ten states for new registrations of gasoline hybrid-electric vehicles. Studies have found that large metropolitan areas are the best market for plug-in vehicles.

With low-carbon energy available from wind and nuclear power, especially at night, the charging scenario in Northern Illinois is optimal. ELPC is working to promote off-peak charging, solar public charging stations and other programs that will maximize the benefits of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

An off-peak vehicle charging rate would offer consumers a monetary incentive to charge up while electricity demand is low and coal plants are in the “off” position.  On-site solar power could be used to power public vehicle charging stations, ensuring that the electricity that charges plug-ins comes from the sun, rather than highly polluting coal plants.

Plug-ins Create Clean Energy Opportunities

In the near future, with a large number of plug-ins on the road and a smart electrical grid, plug-in vehicle batteries could have a two-way charging relationship with the power grid.  Vehicle batteries could store excess clean energy when it’s available. When electric demand peaks, utilities could pay to draw power from plugged-in vehicle batteries. This source of clean reserve power could make renewable energy more efficient and eliminate the need for new coal plants while offering financial benefits for both consumers and utilities.

Learn more about vehicle to grid opportunities here and here

Learn More:

Watch ELPC’s Webinar on Plug-in Hybrid Strategies for Reducing Pollution

Project Get Ready – a non-profit initiative working to help cities prepare for the growth of plug-in vehicles

“We now call for the EPA to implement strong and fair standards that will reduce global warming pollution if Congress does not step up with legislation.  Implementing effective global warming solutions, such as energy efficiency and renewable energy development and high-speed rail development can create job growth, spur economic development, and help to solve our global warming problems.”

- Statement from Howard Learner, Executive Director, Environmental Law & Policy Center

Wisconsin’s e-waste bill ensures that dangerous electronic products are recycled, rather than tossed into landfills where valuable components are wasted and toxic chemicals contaminate our soil and water.  Through meetings with legislators, op-eds and letters and calls from our supporters in Wisconsin, ELPC helped pass this important legislation that will protect public health and create jobs in Wisconsin.

Read coverage here

ELPC helped create Illinois’ e-waste recycling bill and advised on policy and built support for Wisconsin’s legislation.

“Electronic waste is the fastest growing toxic segment of the solid waste stream, and this Wisconsin legislation is part of the solution,” said ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner. “This legislation helps solve our e-waste problems, creates jobs and makes recycling easier for residents. It’s a win-win-win for Wisconsin.”

Read ELPC’s press release here

“There may be a negative impact on the coal industry or on a company that owns a lot of coal plants, and you may hear them howling,” said Learner. “But on the other hand there’s a large number of winners who are creating jobs and that’s a boost to our economy.”

The event was part of the University of Wisconsin’s graduate program in sustainability and was covered by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Read the article here

The answer is an effective recycling program that can safely dispose of electronic products, conserve resources and create jobs. Wisconsin is considering an electronic products recycling bill, similar to the bill ELPC sponsored in Illinois, that will do just that.

In total, 19 states have adopted electronics recycling legislation. Andy wrote “our representatives should vote to protect the public health and create new jobs” by passing a bill that will help Wisconsin recycle electronics.

Read the op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin residents, contact your representatives and ask them to vote for the bill

Statewide, organic waste represents 1/3 of the trash brought to Illinois landfills. The new bill creates smarter regulations for commercial composting, making it economically attractive for investors to begin commercial operations. Business plans are already in the works for services that pick up food scraps from Chicago restaurants, compost the material and sell the end product. Composting businesses will create new income and four times as many jobs as traditional waste disposal according to the Institute for Local Self Reliance.

“This bill will literally allow Illinois businesses to make wealth out of waste,” said Mel Nickerson, Staff Attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center. “We’ve gotten a lot smarter about reducing waste from materials like paper and aluminum. Now Illinois can change how we deal with food waste, allowing us to create rich compost, lower green house gases and turn a profit.”

A new website, eWasteCalendar.com, collects information about electronic waste recycling opportunities nationwide so users will be able to find a easy, safe way to dispose of e-waste and share info about recycling events.   

eWasteCalendar.com will be important as e-waste recycling legislation takes effect in Illinois and other states and the number of recycling options increases.

This conversion could prompt millions of Americans to dispose of older television sets. Each television contains large amounts of toxins such as lead and mercury that can end up in our soil and groundwater if televisions aren’t recycled.

ELPC helped to spread the word about the importance of recycling televisions and other e-waste through an interview on Chicago Public Radio and a segment on NBC 5.

ELPC worked with the state of Illinois to enact one of the toughest e-waste recycling and reuse laws in the nation. When Illinois’ e-waste recycling law takes effect January 1, 2010, manufacturers will begin creating more options for consumers to recycle electronics at no cost.

Here are some important facts about the digital tv conversion:

1. If you use cable or satellite TV, you don’t need to change anything.

2. You don’t need to dispose of older analog TV’s, but you’ll need a digital tv converter box to recieve broadcasts. Find out how to get a converter box at www.dtv.gov

3. If you decide to replace your television, please take it to a responsible recycler. You can locate a recycler near you at this website. A list of TV recycling options in the City of Chicago is available here.

The “Intent to Matter” award will be presented to ELPC at the Emerald Gala, USGBC’s annual celebration of the sustainable building movement, on May 16, 2009.

Read the press release here