# Columbus Smart City: EC Congratulates “Test Market of the USA”

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/08/columbus-smart-city-ec-congratulates-test-market-of-the-usa/
- Published: 2016-08-23T05:26:40-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Let’s go Columbus Smart City

For the Electrification Coalition (EC) offers its congratulations to Columbus, [Ohio](https://smartcolumbus.com/).
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](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/oil-dependence-solutions-from-detroit-ingenuity/).

_⌊Columbus Smart City⌉⌊Columbus Smart City⌉ [electric vehicle deployment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/electric-vehicle-deployment-to-accelerate-ev-adoption/)
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](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/as-zero-emission-vehicles-zev-standard-comes-into-effect-automakers-will-have-to-offer-more-rechargeable-electric-and-hybrid-vehicle-models-in-quebec/).
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](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/12/lexus-and-scholastic-announce-first-round-of-winners-in-the-2011-2012-lexus-eco-challenge/)
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](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/08/intelligent-transportation-revolutionizing-the-way-we-move/)
     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](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/07/honda-partners-on-general-motors-next-gen-battery-development/)–**
     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](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/06/lyfts-committing-to-ride-hailing-electric-vehicles-explained/)**
     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

<

p style=”text-align: left;” align=”center”> Source **_Electrification Coalition.
Thursday, June 23, 2016_

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)