Energizers

"The toothpaste is out of the tube." T hat is how Alabama Power retiree Bob Hawkins – now a consultant for electric transportation (ET) for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) – views the industry's growth in the United States. Stifled in the late '90s by big oil companies and major automobile manufacturers that failed to deliver promised electric vehicles (EVs), the industry is rising again through new offerings in electric plug-in and hybrid vehicles. "The automakers can't go back now," Hawkins said. "The public is demanding alternatives to high gasoline prices and increased fuel efficiencies." Laying the framework for ET Thanks in part to groundwork Hawkins helped lay the past two decades, Alabama Power and Southern Company are poised to meet the evolving challenges created by new EV technologies, both on-road and non-road. After his January 2006 retirement, EPRI offered Hawkins the opportunity to stay involved nationally as a consultant, particularly on the non-road side. Non-road EV technologies include airport ground support equipment, lift trucks, truck stop electrification and mining equipment. Since then, Hawkins has consulted for CenterPoint Energy, the New York Power Authority, Progress Energy and First Energy, among other electric utilities. While most employees usually have a template for their job responsibilities, that was not the case for Hawkins, who became manager of the company's Electric Transportation department in 1994. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 required major automobile fleets use certain percentages of alternatively fueled vehicles – such as EVs – as replacements. "Alabama Power sought to meet industry and company needs head on as automakers continued to bring electric- car technology forward," said Hawkins, who worked 40 years at Alabama Power. "The government passed the Energy Policy Act without additional funding, and there were few alternatively fueled vehicles, making it nearly impossible to meet the mandate." Because there was no history behind the marketing process for Hawkins' role, it was "Just do what you think is right," he said. "Even if EVs were available, it was a real challenge trying to sell or lease an electric vehicle in the late '90s." Non-road projects increase Even then, the interest was so great that Alabama Power leased as many EVs as possible. "Fleet Services did a great job of securing on-road vehicles for us to use for research and marketing purposes," Hawkins said. "We installed public charging throughout the state, but the vehicles never came. We eventually removed them because they became a testament to the automakers not delivering their vehicles as promised." As a result, Hawkins' primary emphasis moved to non- road projects and equipment promotion, including electric lift trucks, airport ground support equipment and electric dredging, while working with automakers on plug-in-hybrid efforts. "Equipment such as lift trucks is not glamorous, but few people know that we make millions of dollars annually from battery-charging revenue," Hawkins said. "As a result, we worked with EPRI to set up research projects in Alabama. At one time, we had accomplished more lift truck fast-charge research projects than anyone in the country." Today, the technology is universally used and Alabama Power's non- road program is the industry template. Supporting EPRI's mission EPRI never let up on the automakers regarding the plug- in hybrid concept. As the Southern Company lead to EPRI, Hawkins supported EPRI representatives in meetings with major automakers. "In the late '90s, we couldn't even agree on the types or shapes of connectors and chargers," he said. Finally, all parties agreed it was time to move forward. "It appears significant progress is being made," Hawkins said. "There's no doubt in my mind that the plug-in hybrid vehicle wouldn't be on the market had EPRI not put forth so much effort. The EPRI folks were relentless – they deserve a lot of the credit for making this happen." The alternative is clear "The public is demanding an alternative to the oil companies having us over the barrel all of the time," he said. "Electric/hybrid cars are one way individuals can decrease their dependence on petroleum, and the initial vehicle cost will decrease eventually." Hawkins said that battery-charging revenue from electric plug-in vehicles (PEVs) could be huge for Alabama Power when the number of EVs increases. "With the plug-in hybrid, you come home at 6 and charge the car at 9 p.m., when electric rates are low," Hawkins said. "Then come back to work in the morning with a full charge and never use one drop of gas. From the commuter standpoint, PEVs are the way to go." With a projected 40- mile range, many commuters could use EVs every day, assuming they travel less than 20 miles each way. Life after retirement Hawkins has enjoyed seeing his work come to fruition. "It's not often that you get to impact an industry," he said. "It's been very gratifying to me, and it's one of the highest points in my career." Calling ET "a very difficult process at times," Hawkins said Alabama Power had a great team of employees who made it all work, as well as EPRI representatives who played major roles in birthing this function. "Our initial goal was to ensure that electric transportation was accepted and recognized as a viable revenue source for Alabama Power," he said. "I believe we accomplished that." "There is life after retirement," Hawkins said. "I had a really great career working in multiple functions, and Electric Transportation was my biggest challenge ever. The best part of consulting is being able to maintain relationships I built over the past years. It is fun – and it fits my schedule just right, between playing golf and fly fishing." By Donna CoPe 7 How Alabama Power Gained the Edge in Electric Transportation Hawkins takes a look at the Chevy Volt in the Corporate Headquarters Gallery.

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