The Electric Vehicle Transportation Center (EVTC) stands as a pivotal University Transportation Center, proudly supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It spearheads a national research and education initiative focused on building a robust electric-vehicle transportation network across the nation. The core mission of the EVTC is to drive research, foster development, and promote education that ensures the seamless integration of electric vehicles into both the intricate transportation system and the vital electricity grid infrastructure that powers it. EVTC is strategically positioned to bridge the existing divide between the burgeoning field of electric vehicle deployment and the established paradigms of traditional vehicle transportation networks.
At the heart of EVTC’s operations are comprehensive research, education, and various projects meticulously designed to prepare the U.S. transportation ecosystem for the anticipated surge of electric vehicles. This proactive approach aims to cultivate a sustainable transportation network while capitalizing on the unique opportunities EVs present for enhancing electric grid modernization efforts. Electric vehicles offer an unparalleled advantage: their capacity to store energy. This inherent capability transforms EVs into dynamic entities capable of both consuming and contributing energy back to the national electric grid. Looking ahead, the integration of “smart-grid enabled” inverters and chargers promises to revolutionize vehicle transportation management. These advanced systems will feature real-time, two-way communication, granting live network access and enabling remote control over both the transportation network and the electric power grid, optimizing vehicle transportation efficiency and energy management.
The Electric Vehicle Transportation Center draws upon the collective expertise of transportation and energy specialists from leading institutions: the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of Hawaii, and Tuskegee University. Under the leadership of UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center, the EVTC program is committed to undertaking cutting-edge research, nurturing the next generation of professionals through education, facilitating the transfer of innovative technologies, and forging strong collaborations with manufacturers, suppliers, utility companies, and governmental bodies. These concerted efforts are all geared towards achieving the overarching goal of accelerating the acceptance and widespread adoption of electric vehicles within the broader vehicle transportation sector. The Center is dedicated to leveraging the combined resources of its partner universities and collaborators to propel essential research and development initiatives and to inspire and train the scientists, engineers, and technicians who will shape the future of vehicle transportation.
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