THINK Releases U.S. EV-Ready Cities Index

Four California Cities Top the List - Including Los Angeles and San Francisco

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Jan 28, 2010, 03:10 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, electric vehicle company THINK released its first U.S. EV-Ready Cities Index. Topping the list was Los Angeles followed by San Francisco with Chicago and New York tied for third. The THINK EV-Ready Cities Index was presented by THINK CEO Richard Canny at the Electric Drive Transportation Association Annual Conference in Washington DC.

San Diego, Portland and Sacramento rounded out the Index, putting four California cities in the top-15 index. THINK developed the EV-Ready Cities Index to measure which markets are most likely to benefit from the transition to electric vehicles, providing an objective comparison of the EV purchase and usage incentives as well as the market fit for EVs.

"Some cities are more likely to be early adopters of EV technology, and the EV-Ready Cities Index will be a helpful tool to guide and prioritize the development of those markets. It reflects the available government support, consumer acceptance, and the opportunity for EVs to provide the maximum benefits possible from electric drive," Canny said. "Since EVs are a unique solution for congested urban environments, we are taking a city-by-city approach rather than a national or state-by-state approach."

The THINK EV-Ready Cities Index takes into account purchase and usage incentives – such as HOV lane access and infrastructure support, and market fit, including hybrid sales, traffic congestion, EPA air quality zone status, and potential energy sources for vehicle recharging. The index was compiled for THINK by ASG Renaissance, a market research and business services firm located in Dearborn, Michigan.

"Ideally, we would like the THINK City to be available throughout the U.S. next year, but in our early commercialization phase, it is important that we establish a strong concentration of sales in key, highly attractive markets, which support early adoption of sustainable, zero emissions transport solutions," Canny said.

Top 15 THINK EV-Ready Cities