Climate Curve

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Name of Project:

Year Project Originated:

Project Summary / Description:

Converting fossil fueled vehicles to electric with a standardized conversion kit and using energy from solar PV to charge the converted vehicles in remote rural villages.  Conversion forces the removal of fossil fuel vehicles from the market, while providing affordable, sustainable transport for last mile, rural communities in developing countries. Solar charging provides a completely emissions free energy consumption cycle.

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Replaces/avoids GHGs (e.g., projects that replace sources of GHGs, such as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, transport, or other energy uses)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Fragile state populations and their needs are very underrepresented in climate movement.  Most applications of the climate impact technologies are done in countries and regions with advanced economies with highly developed and complex infrastructures.  Many climate technologies are not well equipped to deal with harsh terrain or weather extremes, or if they are then the acquisition price is prohibitively high.  Often new technology is rejected or viewed skeptically by these traditional rural cultures, who seek products that are already proven in their environment.

The Solar EV vehicles and chargers are specifically designed for these rural fragile state communities, who are in the "last mile" of people to be reached.  The conversion kits are designed for the vehicles found in these communities and re-uses 70% of the vehicle they are already familiar with.  This re-use of an existing village vehicle mitigates technology acceptance issues with local population.  The Solar EV has been tested in the mountainous terrain experienced in the rural areas.  The voice of these local rural communities has shaped the Solar EV design by having them vote on the vehicle type to be converted and collecting feedback from 280 passengers after experiencing the vehicle.