Let’s go Columbus Smart City

For the Electrification Coalition (EC) offers its congratulations to Columbus, Ohio. For it just announced as the winner of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Smart City Challenge. Because Columbus Smart City emerged as the winner out of seven finalist cities. Thereby offering a highly competitive proposal. One that shared their innovative vision to transform the city’s transportation sector and revitalize the community.

So as winner, Columbus will be awarded up to $40 million from DOT to implement its strategy. That’s for an additional $10 million from Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Inc.

In addition, the EC also congratulates the other six semifinalists. I mean; the many other cities that offered thoughtful plans. The Electrification Coalition looks forward to continuing the discussion with these cities.

Especially on how to develop urban transportation systems. Those that are innovative, efficient, and also slash oil dependence.

electric vehicle deployment as lead implementation partner

$90 Million Matching Fund

In addition, the Columbus proposal demonstrated a comprehensive plan that included a $90 million matching fund. All from local area businesses. Other notable elements of the city’s plan include:

1. Expanding its municipal electric vehicle fleet and integrating smart sensor data throughout the region. All in an effort to improve traffic. Also it will reduce accidents. Finally, slash emissions from all vehicles.
2. Securing a commitment from CEOs of the city’s top 50+ businesses and institutions. Especially to purchase and drive electric vehicles. Also to more importantly install EV charging stations for employees.
3. Improving low-income access to ride-sharing and other public transportation. That’s so residents without cars or smart phones can travel to jobs and other vital destinations.
4. Enhancing smart grid technology to increase efficiency and shave peak load. That’s using EVs as distributed energy storage devices.
5. Installing significant wind and solar power generating capacity over the next four years.

Columbus Smart City Challenge

The Smart City Challenge, which drew applications from 78 cities around the country. For they created a critical discussion of “what’s possible”.  I mean from exploring scalable solutions to improve the accessibility and efficiency of urban transportation. That’s as well as reducing oil consumption. All through vehicle electrification. I think I wrote something about that a while ago lol!

Columbia Smart Challenge 

The challenge has also spurred cities to propose new ideas that. For if implemented, could have far reaching impacts nationwide. Today’s announcement is part of DOT’s strategy to fully embrace technology and innovation to help solve today and tomorrow’s transportation challenges. As DOT’s launch partner, Vulcan’s goal is to catalyze reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through creative and practical solutions to transform transportation.

So Columbus is known as the ‘Test Market of the USA”.  That’s with retail stores and restaurants trying new concepts in Columbus. All before expanding across the country. Therefore, with DOT and Vulcan are announcing Columbus as the winner of the Smart City Challenge. In addition,  the Electrification Coalition believes Columbus to be the perfect test market to reshape urban transportation. That was said EC President and CEO Robbie Diamond.

Vulcan’s Implementation of Columbus Smart City

As Vulcan’s implementation partner in the Smart City Challenge, the Electrification Coalition brings a long history of expertise creating and managing comprehensive “deployment communities”.  That’s including the pioneering Drive Electric Orlando and Drive Electric Northern Colorado project. Especially to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

In the public sector, the EC collaborates with mayors and city managers to transition municipal fleets. All away from petroleum fuels through the Energy Secure Cities Coalition.

The EC looks forward to working with Vulcan and the City of Columbus. Especially as it redefines the concept of mobility within its city limits.

Addendum: Press Statements from Corporate Partners of the Smart City Challenge

1. American Automobile Association (AAA) Jill Ingrassia, Managing Director of Government Relations, AAA and Traffic Safety Advocacy and Board Chair of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America
2. BestMile
3. Bridj, Matthew George, CEO, Bridj
4. ChargePoint – Pasquale Romano, President & CEO, ChargePoint
5. BYD America – Stella Li, President, BYD America
6. Daimler Jessica Nigro, Manager of Outreach & Innovation Policy, Daimler
7. DC Solar – Jeff Carpool, CEO, DC Solar
8. Evercar Michael Brylawski, CEO, Evercar
9. EVgo
10. General Motors – Dan Turton, Vice President of Federal and Administrative Affairs, GM
11. Greenlots – Brett Hauser, CEO, Greenlots
12. Honda – Rick Schostek, Executive Vice President, Honda North America
13. Lyft Emily Castor, Director of Transportation Policy, Lyft
14. Momentum Dynamics Andrew Daga, CEO, Momentum Dynamics
15. moovel Joseph Kopser, President, moovel Global
16. Nissan – Andrew Speaker, Director of EV Sales and Marketing, Nissan
17. Nohm Bryan Hansel, CEO & Founder, Nohm
18. PlugShare Ashley Horvat, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, PlugShare
19. Proterra Ryan Popple, CEO, Proterra
20. Telefonix
21. XL Hybrids Tod Hynes, Founder & CEO, XL Hybrids

 Source Electrification Coalition. Thursday, June 23, 2016