Envoy There (Electric Car Sharing)

Envoy Technologies Inc. presents “Accelerating the Shared Electric Vehicle Ecosystem at Jordan Downs Pilot Proposal under the Solve Challenge: Community Driven Innovation. Through this Proposal, Envoy seeks to support MIT’s initiatives to have community driven innovation foster social inclusion and shared prosperity and more broadly MIT SOLVE's global challenges to bring a green economy to disadvantaged communities (DAC). Envoy envisions the deployment of our technology within the Jordan Downs community through a demonstration project focused on wider regional EV car sharing expansion. Envoy’s proposed pilot will focus on a deployment strategy of 2 Envoys (with dual-port charger configuration) within Jordan Downs for a 12-month pilot testing period. The project will focus on maximizing utilization, engaging in in-depth data-gathering, and focus on learning opportunities for the project’s stakeholders. As a means to test customer price points and sensitivity, this project may engage in “price throttling”.

The disparity that exists between new technology and access for disadvantaged or underserved communities. 

The Los Angeles region has a long-standing history and list of successes in securing funding for large infrastructure projects, including through the Affordable Housing & Sustainable Communities and Transformative Climate Communities Program. Envoy envisions working with stakeholders to align regional infrastructure resources with EV mobility expansion, and the opportunity to strategically deploy resources in support of these already-existing program, in addition to new initiatives, and would seek to accelerate Envoy deployment across these sectors.

Accelerating EV car sharing compliments a diverse array of policy drivers focusing on both VMT and GHG reduction. Moreover, targeting areas in an around Jordan Downs for deployment of this pilot aligns with a diverse array of community development opportunities and equity policy objectives, and demonstrate the potential to unlock a multitude of resources focused on supporting transformative infrastructure activities. 

Envoy prioritizes the deployment of L2 chargers with networking capability, which is a standard practice to ensure our technology has communication compatibilities. In other words, Envoys are deployed with the ability to respond to current (and future) grid needs and conditions. 

Envoys reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and pollution emissions. Envoy’s all-electric fleet (1 vehicle, per month) is shared across approximately 50 members, generally creates over 30 individual rides, and creates approximately 300 to 500 e-miles. Envoys displace at minimum 12 gallons of gasoline when comparing to the newest data on the average vehicle fuel economy of 24.7 miles per gallon for new vehicles. Envoys reduction in vehicle miles traveled 27-43% and 34-41% reduction in GHG. 

Our data can differentiate vehicles, log travel patterns, measure kWhs, and track e-miles.This data provides sophisticated and unique insight into real-time EV fleet utilization, as well as the local E-mobility needs of specific communities. 

Services and offerings directly in support of disadvantaged communities (DACs), among low to moderate income (LMI) households, and in the support of the affordable housing sector. This approach creates additional societal benefits, including vehicle ownership and vehicle miles traveled reduction opportunities which wouldn’t otherwise exist in these areas 

This all inclusive package includes installation and maintenance of all related EV and EVSE infrastructure. In addition, all operations & maintenance activities are bundled as a service offering (i.e., insurances, upkeep, maintenance, and vehicle cleaning are part of the overall service package), bundled into a per-minute rate.

Envoy utilizes electric vehicle for car sharing compliments reductions in both VMT and GHG reduction. Envoy prioritizes the deployment of L2 chargers with networking capability, which is a standard practice to ensure our technology has communication compatibilities. In other words, Envoys are deployed with the ability to respond to current (and future) grid needs and conditions. We will be a tool to support utilities in their specific load serving needs, and will be able to respond to a variety of signals (e.g., demand response, time-of-use, hourly pricing, renewable energy generation, carbon intensity, excess load “taking”, etc.). Relatedly, Envoy is working to identify ways to leverage its grid connectivity to support the growth of Envoy’s fleet ecosystem, through V2G pilots, and other partnerships that leverage building stock and real estate.

By accelerating EV access and electricity utilization, while minimizing the barriers to EV access, Envoy envisions itself as an ideal partner to help accelerate EV democratization. Accelerating EV car sharing compliments a diverse array of policy drivers focusing on both VMT and GHG reduction. Moreover, targeting areas in an around Jordan Downs for deployment of this pilot aligns with a diverse array of community development opportunities and equity policy objectives, and demonstrate the potential to unlock a multitude of resources focused on supporting transformative infrastructure activities.