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Your weekly intelligence on EVs and Transportation Decarbonization
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The IRA after 18 months

A year and a half since enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. is on track on zero-emission vehicle sales but utility-scale renewables are falling far short due to supply chain problems and siting challenges. NetZero Insider’s John Cropley has the results of a new analysis measuring the nation’s progress toward decarbonization.


Underscoring the importance of government incentives in the growth of EVs, the Treasury Department said last week the government has reimbursed auto dealers for about $135 million in rebates since Jan. 1, when advance point-of-sale consumer electric vehicle tax credit payments became available. Prior to 2024, auto buyers could take advantage of the $7,500 new electric vehicle credit or $4,000 used EV credit only when they filed tax returns the following year. Seven states — Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, New York and California — are offering thousands in additional incentives.


EV Politics

Still, the Biden administration is facing political headwinds in its EV push. News broke last week that Biden — facing a tough reelection fight in 2024 — will relax the EPA’s proposal to require 60% of U.S. car sales be EVs by 2030. The move is seen as a concession to automakers and labor unions.


In the battleground state of Michigan, The New York Times reports, EVs have emerged as a contested piece of the economic future — a job-killer or a job-creator.


And New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's plan to phase out new gas-powered cars and trucks by 2035 also is proving a tough sell. A new poll found 56% say they would be “not very likely” (21%) or “not at all likely” (35%) to consider buying an EV, while only 36% are considering (23% “somewhat likely” and 13% “very likely”).


V2G

One development that could make EVs more attractive is their ability to become roaming grid batteries. Canary Media reports that a new vehicle-to-grid standard could make it much easier for EVs to share data and power while saving drivers and utilities money. But research released last week found 42% of EV buyers said they had never heard of vehicle-to-home (V2H) energy systems, with only 25% reporting being familiar with the concept. Consumers demonstrate even lower levels of recognition for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programs, with 52% saying they are unaware of the technology, and only 18% indicating they are familiar with it.


In a related story, our Hugh Morley reports that although New Jersey does not allow electric buses to send electricity directly to the grid, a state program is offering up to $50,000  for projects that use a “vehicle-to-building” strategy.


Profitability

Legacy automakers have struggled to make money on EVs, but Stellantis, the maker of Jeep and Chrysler, said it turned a profit on them in Europe. Meanwhile, the company is considering joining efforts with Volkswagen and Renault to compete with China in the market for cheap EVs.


Some manufacturers have favored gas-electric hybrids, which have proven popular with car buyers reluctant to take the full electric plunge. But activists and some regulators say hybrids aren’t good enough if the world hopes to meet ambitious carbon-reduction targets.


This week’s first

Finally, this week’s first comes from Seattle, whose public transit agency will be the first in the U.S. to deploy double-decker electric buses with inductive wireless charging.


Those stories and more in this week’s Intelligence Report:


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Electric Vehicles
Medium-duty Vehicles

 
 

Electric Vehicles

Illinois

With influx of state and federal funding, Illinois looks to add enough chargers to support 1 million EVs

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.

BEV Shoppers Lack Awareness of Vehicle-to-Hone, Vehicle-to-Grid Capabilities

Survey finds 42% to 52% unaware of V2H and V2G options. North American Clean Energy


U.S.

U.S. issues $135M in advance EV tax rebates since Jan. 1, Treasury says

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.

These 7 States Are Giving You Money to Buy an EV

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.

The EV shift could prevent millions of childhood asthma attacks

For children living near U.S. highways, a transition to zero-emission electric vehicles will mean reduced exposure to dangerous exhaust. Grist


U.S.

EVs are one step closer to becoming roaming grid batteries

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.

Carmakers Failing to Deliver Affordable Electric Cars, Holding Back EV Adoption -- Analysis

Only 17% of electric cars sold are in the more affordable "B" segment -- compared to 37% of new combustion engines. CleanTechnica


U.S.

Biden Administration Is Said to Slow Early Stage of Shift to Electric Cars

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.

As Hybrids Gain Popularity, Skeptics Ask if They Are Sufficiently Green

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

EV charging void has drivers trying new routes to power up

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

Gov. Murphy's EV plan for 2035 is not endorsed by most NJ residents

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

For Michigan's Economy, Electric Vehicles Are Promising and Scary

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

Maryland Legislation Aims to Support Grid Readiness, Electric Vehicles, and Building Decarbonization

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

Lawmakers back BEP nominees at center of Maine's EV debate

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 raises additional $162 million for Kentucky battery recycling facility

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

These 3 major automakers may team up to save themselves, build cheap EVs

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

Stellantis says it just turned a profit on EVs

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.

Wireless Charging for Electric Cars Is Inching Closer to Reality

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


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Medium-duty Vehicles

Washington

In a U.S. first, Seattle to deploy double-decker electric buses with inductive wireless charging

Sound Transit, Seattle's public transit agency, has ordered 33 Alexander Dennis Enviro500EV double-decker electric buses and 15 60-foot articulated electric buses. They'll be powered by 13 300 kW in-ground inductive chargers made by King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based wireless EV charging company InductEV. Electrek


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