EV Charging Stations and Commercial Real Estate: David Borchardt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Tower Companies, talks Electric Vehicles.

By Joseph Tohill

Smart growth has been a core component of The Tower Companies’ business operations since long before “green” was part of the lexicon of the commercial real estate industry. The company’s use of progressive environmental policies early in the game established it as a green pioneer, and gave it a competitive advantage when concerns over sustainability and green buildings eventually proliferated amongst developers.

Just like it did 20 years ago with green buildings, The Tower Companies has turned its attention towards yet another emergence: the electric vehicle market. And although the EV economy is still in its early stages, more and more people are turning to EVs as a form of clean personal transportation. But rather than stand at the sidelines of the emerging EV market, the company has decided to take an active role by installing charging stations at many of its commercial locations.

The Tower Companies realizes that EVs will play an increasingly prominent role amongst consumers and that leading the push for clean transportation gives the company a competitive edge in the commercial real estate industry.

For David Borchardt, Chief Sustainability Officer of The Tower Companies, installing EV charging stations provides an innovative new dimension to the company’s overall green vision.

“One of the things we noticed was that there was no infrastructure for EVs,” stated Borchardt. “And unlike a gas station where you’re in and out in less than 5 minutes, charging an EV takes a little bit more time. It seemed optimal to have charging stations where people worked or where they were going.”

Borchardt is well aware that one of the biggest concerns of EV owners is range anxiety, or not having enough juice to get them from place to place. Installing EV charging stations therefore gave The Tower Companies an opportunity to provide a much needed green amenity: a place for EV owners to juice up their car.

And the installation of charging stations has not gone unnoticed by EV drivers in the vicinity.

“We’ve had people contact us that work a few blocks away and ask to charge their cars at our garage,” reflects Borchardt. “And our response to them is: absolutely. You still have to pay for parking, but you can charge your car if you need to.”

Even people that do not drive an EV take notice when an EV charging station is installed. Borchardt notices that people will walk over and take a look at the new technology. The charging station doubles as an educational tool, as it reinforces green living and reaffirms Towers’ commitment to a sustainable economy. If an individual was previously on the fence about purchasing an EV, the awareness of a new charging station may encourage them to buy one.

Within the commercial real estate sector, the installation of EV charging stations has attracted attention from other developers, eager to incorporate EV amenities at their own sites.

“The amount of interest I’ve had from other developers is amazing,” Borchardt says. “They want to know how we did it, who we talked to, and what we might do differently in the future. There are companies out there talking about installing 10s of these, not just one or two like we’ve done. I have even heard of cases where tenants have asked their landlords to install them as a requirement to moving in.”

Therefore, the importance of tapping into the emerging EV economy is beginning to catch on amongst property developers throughout the country. Now, more than ever, people are looking to work in sustainable buildings and live in eco-friendly communities. Providing eco-friendly commercial spaces and communities is becoming a business imperative for commercial real estate companies that want to remain competitive by portraying a sustainable corporate image.

The Tower Companies has partnered with SemaConnect to install EV charging station at many of its locations, including:

• two at its live-work-play community at the Blairs shopping center
• one at Blair House
• one at its LEED Platinum certified office building at 2000 Tower Oaks Boulevard
• one at its LEED Silver certified Tower Building in Rockville

The successful deployment of these charging stations has given the company impetus to installing EV amenities at many of its future developments.

Borchardt even notes that providing a commercial landscape conducive to EV ownership opens up possibilities to partner with vehicle sharing programs such as the Zipcar. Since Zipcars are located near many of its sites, it would make sense to partner with the company by providing charging stations for a new fleet of EV Zipcars.

Although the installation of EV charging stations is still a new development, it provides commercial real estate innovators such as The Tower Companies an effective way to support emerging green lifestyles. The EV market will only continue to expand as gas prices increase, EV technology improves, and consumers increasingly embrace clean transportation.

The Tower Companies has opted to lead to the charge in the EV economy, rather than stand by and watch. 

Joseph Tohill is a freelance writer and online communications specialist for organizations in the sustainability sector. He has a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of British Columbia and spent most of his academic career studying sustainable urban development; namely the interdisciplinary relationship between built form and natural environment.

A Closer Look at the Ford Focus Electric – The Start of an EV Ownership Lifestyle

By Joseph Tohill

December 2011 marked the first month Ford began production for its first electric vehicle: the Ford Focus Electric. And following its presentation at a series of auto shows around the world (including the DC Auto Show in January), Ford has generated quite a buzz for its first entry into the EV market.

What makes the Ford Focus Electric so special?

Well, for starters, Ford has really focused on making its first EV a top-notch piece of technology with all the bells and whistles of a premium automobile.

In the words of Sherif Marakby, director of Ford’s electrification programs and engineering: “It shares many of the same premium components and features as its gasoline-powered counterparts, while delivering distinct efficiencies and a uniquely exciting driving experience.”

About the Ford Focus Electric

The Ford Focus Electric is a five-door hatchback with a 100 kW (130 horsepower) motor under the hood. Much like its closest competitor, the Nissan Leaf, the Focus has a range of about 100 miles with its next generation lithium-ion battery. Unlike the Leaf, however, the Focus Electric can attain a full charge from a 240 volt charging station in about 3 – 4 hours, which is about half the time required to charge the Leaf.

Aside from its general EV specs, the Ford Focus features a highly modern interior with fabric entirely made from 100% post-consumer materials. It comes with a premium Sony audio system and activated voice control features.

Many of these features are optional upgrades for many vehicles – but for the Ford Focus Electric, they are part of the standard model. In fact, the only option for the Ford Focus Electric is for leather seats.

MyFord Driver Interface

However, the real gem of the Ford Focus Electric is the MyFord driver interface, which allows users to really connect with their EV and see their car as more than a vehicle for personal transportation.

The MyFord interface provides comprehensive data and analysis on the Ford Focus electric driving experience. One of the things it does is provide users with real-time coaching advice so they can adjust their driving habits to maximize their car’s range.

For instance, the regenerative braking feature on the Focus Electric means that you can actually capture some of the energy normally lost through braking. The on-board coach tells you when you are breaking effectively and shows you how to maximize your breaking efficiency so you can save battery power.

After every trip, you can view stats on how much money you’ve saved on gas, how much CO2 you’ve avoided putting in the air, and what your braking score is, amongst other things. You can also connect with your EV remotely using the MyFord app, which gives you access to similar driving stats and allows you to charge your vehicle remotely.

Conclusion: A Precursor to Future Innovations in the EV Market

In the end, the Ford Focus Electric occupies a unique position in the auto market, as it combines the dynamics and quality of a traditional car with the cutting edge, emissions-free technology of an electric vehicle. And with the MyFord driver interface, Ford has provided Ford Focus Electric owners with the opportunity to turn their EV into more than a vehicle – it can become a complete EV ownership lifestyle.

But as advanced as the Ford Focus Electric may be, it presents only an early glimpse into the emerging EV economy. As automakers compete for the top spot in the EV market, we could be seeing some truly revolutionary emergences over the next few years.    

Joseph Tohill is a freelance writer and online communications specialist for organizations in the sustainability sector. He has a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of British Columbia and spent most of his academic career studying sustainable urban development; namely the interdisciplinary relationship between built form and natural environment.

9 Electric Vehicles Zipping onto the Menu for 2012 - Less Sizzle, More Steak from the Auto-Shows this year

By Martin Leggett

Time to bin those 'superficial flash' and 'side-show glitz' tag-lines. The electric vehicle is no longer just a before-mains appetizer – the EV is the main course now. That's the message coming from the inaugural auto-shows of the 2012 season, where a slew of hefty real-world solutions took attention from the more usual froth of 'concept EV' side-dishes.

Of course, there's still plenty of conceptual grandstanding to be had on the EV scene. But after the squealing of Volts and Leafs from the forecourts over the last 12 months, this year is shaping up to be less icing and decidedly more EV cake. So let's sample the menu being offered up for 2012 – already a real movable-feast for those prefer their autos lean, clean and green.

Nissan LEAF 2012 (Pure EV)

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The car that made the 'pure-electric' dream real last year, 2012's Leaf comes loaded with a dash more style, and extra sprinkle of techno-wizardry. That includes fast and faster charging options (240V and DC ports respectively), an intelligent mobile charging app, and the ability to precisely nail the car's cabin clime while still hooked to the grid – before you even step outside. But while the faster charging options may trim 'range anxiety', it continues to loom a little large; the 2012 Leaf still barely nudges 100-miles, before a full recharge is needed.

Ford Focus Electric (Pure EV)

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The Ford Focus Electric has elbowed into the nascent electric-only market with some intentionally eye-catching numbers – including a touted 100+ MPGe (mpg-equivalent) rating, and nippy 3-4 hour charge-up. That's courtesy of a powerful on-board charger, which knocks socks (and hours) off the typical Leaf charging time. That said, the Focus Electric's market entry is looking a little ragged; unless you're in selected cities in the North East, or California, you may have to wait until September before zipping Ford's EV effort around the block.

Smart For-Us (Pure EV)

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While Ford and Nissan slug it out to jolt the mainstream market, Smart sticks firmly to 'quirk', with their cheeky take on a micro-pickup – the all-electric 'For-Us'. Styled exactly like an electric car should look in the movies, the 'ForUs' is certainly dressed to impress the urban crowd. The souped-up electric motor pushes the top-speed to an impressive 80mp. And while the battery may only reach out to 60 miles, Smart have thought that one through too. The 3-foot 'flat-bed' is broad enough to slot a pair of bikes to the rear; which niftily solves the range-extension issue.

Tesla Model S (Pure EV)

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The electric car renaissance has a lot to thank Tesla for – bringing untrammeled sex appeal to the EV table, in the shape of the much-drooled-over Roadster. With the Model S, Tesla is looking for some return on that talismanic status. It has certainly proved to be a car of superlatives at this season's auto-shows. The Model S can power its muscular good-looks from standing to sixty in a shade over four seconds. Range anxiety is barely a whisper above its 85kWh battery-powered electric engine; a battery that is good for up to 300 miles of open road. And that battery-pack has an unlimited warranty attached, too. Just a shame the sticker price is on the superlative side as well, peaking at $100,000 plus.

Jeep/ Amp Grand Cherokee (Pure EV conversion)

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If you can't build your own electrified status symbol, then why not engineer an e-power-train into one prepackaged with street-cred? That's what Amp plans to do with Jeep's Grand Cherokee; out go the fossil-fueled innards, and in comes a slick 37-kWh battery-fueled electric motor. The 100-mile range may not make this conversion cross-country ready. But then again the Cherokee is as much an urban pose as a badlands motor; owning an Amp Jeep EV special can only raise that street appeal.

VW e-Bugster (Pure EV concept)

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Rounding out the all-electric platter is the eBugster – not quite on the menu for 2012, but promised soon thereafter. The original VW Beetle always oozed a non-conformist charm. And if any classic car deserves a rendering in electric form, it's the Beetle. Make way, then, for the eBugster, which retains those playful Beetle lines, while still looking 'built-electric' from the tires up. The stats that VW have thrown down edge from solid to stellar – a 110-mile range, 35-minute charge-up, and a 10-second jaunt to reach 60 mph. But the eBugster will sell a bundle on pure charm, something it has in abundance. A real audience-wowser was its electric start-up sequence, which courses light along the car's curves. A perfect exhibition of the eBugster's melding of retro-chic and futuristic vision.

Chevy Volt (Plug-in Hybrid)

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The Chevy Volt may have helped establish the plug-in hybrid EV beach-head, but some have felt its electric credentials to be a little on the light side – especially when the high price tag is flipped. The 2012 Chevy Volt will do little to ease those criticisms. There are a few new tricks for the geeks, including Bluetooth streaming, voice activation and an improved telematics system. But the essentials – power-train, battery and stylings – are the same as last year's. Great for fans of the Volt's powerfully-torqued electric motor and 'no-range anxiety here' motto. But revolution seekers will have to look elsewhere.

Volvo V60 ( Plug-in Hybrid)

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The auto-shows also saw Volvo hold out a teaser-only version of its US plug-in gasoline hybrid, the XC60. Switch over to Europe, and its equivalent – the V60, the world's first diesel-hybrid – is already out-of-the gates. Hints of what the US can expect are there – the drive-train can be flexibly flipped between Pure electric, Hybrid and Power modes, with the gas-engine powering the front, and the 70-hp electric motor the rear. That combo means the gas-version is expected to best the 105MPGe mark. But while the V60 will be hitting European roads later this year, back across the Atlantic, US drivers may have to wait until 2014.

Via Motors eREV VTRUX Pickup (Plug-in Hybrid)

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For those looking for a more meaty EV offering, VIA motors have happily obliged – announcing a range of extended-range pick-ups, cargo vans and SUVs at the auto-shows. Accelerating such large chassisied vehicles demanded the development of a truly hench power-train. And VIA claims it can compete with the V8 as a workhorse engine. The eREV VTRUX Pickup delivers 40 miles on battery electric, and another 400 miles from its gas-fueled generator. Fleet owners are the initial target, with the sales-line relying on the competitive total cost of ownership. But the forecourts will be rumbling with these extra-large portioned EVs soon.

Martin is a freelance writer from the UK, who specializes in writing on the strategic impact of environmental issues. After a 10-year sojourn as an analyst at Brady plc –  a Cambridge-based provider of services to commodity investment banking professionals – Martin set himself up as self-employed writer at the beginning of 2010. Since then he has written for a number of environmental websites and companies, and has been one of the principle journalists for green news website, The Earth Times

From 'Pass-Through' to 'Destination' – The New Gas-Station

By Martin Leggett

′Just fill'er'up 'n' go′ says it all – gas stations currently equate to convenience, when it comes to topping up the nation's automobiles. But the arrival of the electric car is rewriting that script. With electric vehicles (or EVs) fast turning from fad to trend, a jolt of change is pulsing through the country's infrastructure. If the Department of Energy are reading the tea-leaves right, 2015 could see a million cars powered by a plug, not a pump. 

That's a market that no business can afford to ignore

Especially for those, like gas station owners, whose revenue stream currently maps directly from the flow of gasoline through the pumps. Of course, as things stand, the direction of travel towards an EV future, could be thought to run right over the gas station industry. Not only is the EV fuel materially different – electric refueling is a very different beast too.

The gas station industry has built a network of refueling stations that relies on the fast refill. That's not an approach that's applicable to EVs. Right now, EV recharging times, while improving in leaps and bounds, certainly don't qualify as 'fast' to today's motorist. Admittedly, Level 2 chargers are now bringing a full-range recharge to a matter of hours; direct DC-chargers can push that to 30 minutes or so. But that's still not close to hitting the gas pump's second-to-minutes 'recharge' time.

Which is the nub of the problem for those pumping the gas. With electricity is worryingly ubiquitous, all kinds of refueling options open up for EV drivers. The threat to gas station owners is that EV car drivers are going to do their charging where-ever they park up their cars – and skip the gas station altogether. What makes that need for transformation pressing is that the first tranche of EV fans are disproportionately higher-income individuals; the sort whose gasoline spend is bumped higher by longer commutes. So for gas station owners to pick up a slice of that growing EV pie, they'll need to turn from thinking 'convenience' to thinking 'destination'.

So what strategies are gas stations going to have to adopt to pull in all those Leafs, Volts, and assorted high-status EVs, rolling out over the next few years? 

One approach could be to kit themselves out with high-speed e-fueling technology, such variants on the DC fast-charging stations, or battery-swapping technologies. But these are still more bleeding, than leading, edge solutions.

Standards are non-existent, and technical difficulties still not worked through, so implementable solutions aren't there yet. A more immediately available option is to extend long-employed 'honey-pot' strategies, but tuned to the new EV market. Gas stations have been synergized with convenience retailing since their inception – tying in gasoline purchases to the buying of snacks, drinks, heating fuels and grocery essentials.

Such retail goods work with gas stations because they can be picked up quickly, 24-7, so pulling extra customers in, and increasing their spend. Attracting EV custom, though, would be a very different proposition. Gas station owners will need to get creative – pushing the envelope of services offered on-site, so that longer stays make more sense to those looking for a battery recharge.

That could see gas  stations offering up services, not just goods; beauty parlors, laptop bars, restaurants or hair salons may fit the charge-time window perfectly. So, for the gas station that has room to expand, the push would be towards a creeping mall-ification. In effect, they will become the 'destination' for more of their auto-custom, not just the pass-through point.

Whether such adaptations will work will depend on the specific economic landscape of each gas station. It may make more sense for those serving the mid-commute market than those in denser more competitive urban areas. It also depends on whether the EV revolution proceeds as federal authorities – and President Obama – have envisioned.

Ultimately, the one thing that gas station owners can not afford to do is to pull the shutters up, and pretend the electric tsunami will pass them by. Whether by 2015, or 2020, EVs are coming. And because they are reworking the very kinetic glue of modern society, a once-in-a-generation transformation is building. That serves up opportunity, as well as threat, for all those with vested interests in commercial properties across the United States.

Martin is a freelance writer from the UK, who specializes in writing on the strategic impact of environmental issues. After a 10-year sojourn as an analyst at Brady plc –  a Cambridge-based provider of services to commodity investment banking professionals – Martin set himself up as self-employed writer at the beginning of 2010. Since then he has written for a number of environmental websites and companies, and has been one of the principle journalists for green news website, The Earth Times.