As electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, Project Get Ready is calling for the US government to start building the infrastructure and recharge points that cities will require for future sustainable mobility.

However, there are many issues to take into account when plans for new infrastructure are developed. This is where Project Get Ready comes in – a new initiative to help the US shift away from fossil fuel usage and develop recharge points for electric and hybrid vehicles. The non-profit scheme led by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is preparing cities for the introduction of plug-in hybrids. They believe that the best way for the nation to get ready is "for pioneering communities to get ready, developing new systems that suit local needs, while maintaining communication and coordination between communities.

According to the US Department of Energy, there are 452 electric recharge points in the USA with a massive 406 in the state of California. This leaves 36 states with no recharge points and all others with 10 or less. It is evident that the USA needs to start addressing this issue and building more recharge points for a connected infrastructure.

California's success is partly due to the Pavley regulation adopted by the California Air Resource Board. The Board took the action to achieve the maximum feasible and cost effective reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. When fully phased in, the standards are predicted to result in about a 22% reduction in CO2-equivalent emissions compared to 2002, with a 30% reduction by 2016. Friends of the Earth hope that "California's success in reshaping its transportation policies will resonate nationwide, and potentially worldwide, as other states and nations follow California's lead"

According to Project Get Ready, there are a number of '15 must have actions' that need to be taken in order for cities to become plug-in pioneers. Included in the list of are for corporate/city/state fleets committing to buying a certain number of plug-ins (suggested target 180), working with banks and dealers to offer low-interest loans for plug-ins, reduced (or free) electricity rates for charging, and ensuring new and reconstruction/renovation building codes support the operation of plug-ins. There is also a list of '10 nice to have actions' including investing in technical education, providing direct cash incentives to consumers and to foster early roll-outs in taxi fleets and rental cars.

The lists of 'must have' and 'nice to have' actions developed by Project Get Ready are all part of the way the initiative tries to help to combat any problems or issues that arise when developing recharge infrastructure. The Project Get Ready website provides users with a searchable database containing 'pain points' city leaders may face, solution strategies to overcome those barriers and specific implementation tools needed to take action.

The Project Get Ready partner cities already include Colorado, Houston, North Carolina, Toronto and Indiana where the plans to build electric recharge points have really taken off. For example, the City of Houston will begin to install approximately 100 charging stations around the town at city owned facilities such as libraries, parks and sport venues.

Project Get Ready has also been working with big auto manufacturers, but also, excitingly, with new car companies as well, such as Bright Automotive and Tesla Motors, to improve the availability of cars on the market.

For more information see www.projectgetready.com, US Department of Energy