Illinois
Illinois' electric vehicle charging infrastructure is on pace to double this year, buoyed by an influx of state and federal dollars. The investments are aimed at supporting both federal and state environmental goals. The Biden administration set the goal of EVs making up half of all U.S. vehicle sales by 2030. Under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act -- Gov. JB Pritzker's marquee climate law that passed in 2021 -- Illinois aims to have one million EVs on the road by 2030. Capitol News Illinois
U.S.
Survey finds 42% to 52% unaware of V2H and V2G options. North American Clean Energy
U.S.
The government has reimbursed auto dealers for about $135 million in advance point-of-sale consumer electric vehicle tax credit payments since the start of the year through Feb. 6, the Treasury said Feb. 14. Prior to 2024, auto buyers could only take advantage of the $7,500 new electric vehicle credit or $4,000 used EV credit when they filed tax returns the following year. Starting Jan. 1, consumers can transfer the credits to a car dealer at the time of sale, effectively lowering the vehicle's purchase price. Autoblog
U.S.
The federal government isn't the only one handing out money -- up to $7,500 -- to would-be EV owners. Many states have additional tax credits worth thousands of dollars that you can stack on top of the federal discount. The seven states with the best rebates are Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, New York and California. CNET
U.S.
For children living near U.S. highways, a transition to zero-emission electric vehicles will mean reduced exposure to dangerous exhaust. Grist
U.S.
A new vehicle-to-grid standard could make it much easier for EVs to share data and power -- and save money for drivers and utilities alike. Canary Media
U.S.
Only 17% of electric cars sold are in the more affordable "B" segment -- compared to 37% of new combustion engines. CleanTechnica
U.S.
In a concession to automakers and labor unions, the Biden administration intends to relax elements of one of its most ambitious strategies to combat climate change, limits on tailpipe emissions that are designed to get Americans to switch from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles, according to three people familiar with the plan. The New York Times
U.S.
Climate activists are questioning how environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles are as those cars rise in popularity. The battle over the green bona fides of hybrids comes ahead of what could be the toughest U.S. restrictions on car pollution. Hybrids combine a gasoline engine with battery power and generally get far better gas mileage than the cars and trucks Americans have typically driven, but others say hybrids aren't good enough if the world hopes to meet ambitious carbon-reduction targets. The Wall Street Journal
International
The solutions include online platforms allowing people to rent out their chargers, "pavement gullies" for properties with no driveways and even mobile charging. Reuters
New Jersey
The Garden State is divided on the use of electric vehicles. That's what the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll says: Half of New Jersey residents don't support the governor's phase-out plan for gas-powered cars and trucks by 2035. State residents are worried about the costs -- for both the state and themselves to shift to electric vehicles, according to the poll, although they understand the environmental and health benefits. Asbury Park Press
Michigan
In a presidential battleground state, electric vehicles have emerged as a contested piece of the economic future -- a job-killer or a job-creator. The New York Times
Maryland
In recent years, Maryland has emerged as a frontrunner in clean energy leadership nationally, fueled by ambitious goals for clean energy and clean transportation. Policies like the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule, the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) Rule, and the Maryland Building Energy Transition Plan prioritize electric vehicles (EVs), clean energy, and building electrification. However, while these policies are vital and the goals in them need to be met, their full implementation is going to require an electric system that we don't yet have--and now there is groundbreaking legislation being considered in Annapolis that would address this aspect of the clean energy transition as well. Energy Central
Maine
A legislative panel on Feb. 21 approved the reappointment of three Maine Board of Environmental Protection members who have been thrown into a political debate over their potential adoption of electric vehicle sale requirements. The slight tension outside of an often-straightforward nomination process illustrates how environmental issues in Maine -- a state famed for its natural beauty and outdoor opportunities -- have become increasingly politicized as policymakers also grapple with climate change amid a flurry of destructive storms. Bangor Daily News
Kentucky
Ascend Elements has raised a total of $1.2 billion toward construction of its Apex 1 facility, said to be the first factory in North America to recycle cathode precursor and cathode active materials for electric vehicle battery use. pv Magazine
International
Volkswagen, Renault, and Stellantis are weighing possibly joining together; the urgency is growing as European automakers are being far outdistanced by BYD and Tesla. Electrek
International
It's a big milestone for legacy automakers, which have struggled to turn a profit on EVs even during high demand, falling woefully behind industry leaders Tesla and China rival BYD. Electrek
U.S.
Someday soon, plug-in cars may no longer need a plug. Electric car drivers would simply pull into a specialized parking space when it's time to power up, wait for a light on their dashboard to switch on, and then hop out of the car and go about their day. This is the promise of wireless EV charging, an inductive transfer of electrons that would eliminate the need for all those pesky cords. Bloomberg Return to Top |