Description
Initiated in April 2002, ZEV•NET is a new concept in transportation that is now becoming a reality. It is a systems approach that combines mass transit with low-emissions shared-use vehicles to provide a cleaner alternative to single-car commuting.
ZEV•NET addresses two of the greatest challenges facing Southern California - traffic congestion and reduced air quality. ZEV•NET relieves traffic congestion in two ways. It enables more commuters to take the train to work by providing convenient transportation between the train station, home, and office. It also allows multiple users to share a single car through the use of an intelligent web-based reservation system.
ZEV•NET eliminates the pollution associated with a one-person-per-car freeway commute. Moreover, the ride to and from the train station is made using zero and near-zero emissions vehicles. Additionally, solar panels and fuel cells will generate zero-emission electricity on site to charge the EVs. Thus, the net effect of ZEV•NET is to reduce traffic congestion, emissions, and the use of fossil fuels - three of the greatest challenges associated with individual transportation today.
NFCRC Role
The NFCRC manages ZEV•NET, in collaboration with the UC Irvine Institute for Transportation Studies.