International
President Biden took steps Feb. 29 toward blocking internet-connected Chinese cars and trucks from entry to the American auto market, including electric vehicles, saying they posed risks to national security because their operating systems could send sensitive information to Beijing. The immediate action was the opening of a Commerce Department investigation into security threats, which could lead to new regulations or restrictions on Chinese vehicles. The New York Times
South Carolina
Volkswagen has made a $2 billion bet that rural Americans will fall in love with electric drive. Its formula: Resurrect a rugged, iconic U.S. brand, Scout, and court Republican state leaders, who provided a generous incentives package. Inside Climate News
U.S.
It's becoming apparent that amenities are a big part of the equation, as EV drivers stick around longer. CleanTechnica
U.S.
The United Auto Workers said Feb. 21 it would commit $40 million to organizing non-union automobile and EV battery workers in the United States over the next two years. The UAW said in November it was launching a first-of-its-kind push to publicly organize the entire non-union auto sector in the U.S. after strikes helped workers win record new contracts with the Detroit Three automakers. Reuters
U.S.
The Biden administration is about to release two major rules to expand electric vehicles and make gas-powered cars run cleaner. But a third rule could undercut those efforts. A regulation being finalized by the Department of Energy would revise formulas that translate the power consumption of an electric car into gasoline use, or the miles per gallon equivalent. DOE proposed slashing the estimated fuel economy of electric cars and trucks last year, then announced in the fall it would accept more comments on the idea. E&E News
U.S.
The report added that plug-in hybrids, which bridge the gap between a regular hybrid and an EV, are gaining popularity, as sales for PHEVs grew 60% last year. Reuters
U.S.
EV growth slows as skeptical consumers look to hybrids and plug-ins. Washington Post
U.S.
A bicameral coalition of more than 130 Republican lawmakers penned a letter to the White House on Feb. 22, urging it to withdraw proposed tailpipe emissions regulations, forcing a transition to electric vehicles. Fox News
New York
Ride share and fast charging provider Revel will be the first participant in Consolidated Edison's new EV charging program, which seeks to reduce grid stress at times of peak demand in exchange for financial incentives. Officials say program incentives should help lower station operating costs. Utility Dive
International
A global slowdown in electric-vehicle demand is rippling through the industry, costing jobs and leading to changes in strategic plans, layoffs and production cuts, suggesting pain in the near term could slow the transition away from gasoline-powered combustion engines. Reuters
New Jersey
Seven South Jersey lawmakers are introducing a 33% cut in the state's gas tax and proposing an annual registration fee on electric cars could create recurring revenues for the state's Transportation Trust Fund. New Jersey Globe
New Jersey
Over the next three years, New Jersey will phase out a sales tax waiver for people buying new and used electric cars, state officials said alongside Gov. Phil Murphy's state budget address Feb. 27. New Jersey last year announced all new car sales must be electric starting in 2035, a regulation that will be phased in starting toward the end of 2026. NJ Advance Media
Massachusetts
Boston is EV-friendly, but it needs more accessible chargers, so it's going to install hundreds of public curbside EV chargers. Boston's "Recharge Boston: Boston's Zero Emission Vehicle Program," has a goal of every household being within a 10 minute walk of a public EV charging station or EV car share, so installing 250 curbside EV chargers is part of that program. Electrek
Kentucky
As electric vehicle charging stations expand, a new proposal in the Kentucky legislature, House Bill 581, aims to protect gas stations. State Rep. Ken Upchurch said the bill would ban local governments from restricting gas stations in favor of electric charging stations, allowing consumers to take the wheel. WKYT
International
Welcome to the electric transition. To some degree, experts say, the ups and down were expected. A geopolitical shift the size of the one that the automotive industry is trying to pull off happens in years, not quarters. It may be too early to hit the panic button. WIRED
International
The idea of swapping out a depleted battery for a fresh one has attracted EV makers for decades, but nobody has managed to make a success of it. The benefits are clear and are enough to prompt Asian players to invest, and the region boasts rapidly growing swap networks across the two-wheeler, passenger car and CV segments. Is it time for the rest of the world to follow? Automotive World
International
Chinese electric-vehicle makers that enjoyed years of explosive growth now face a slowdown in domestic demand, spurring them to push overseas and challenge global auto giants already struggling with a transition to battery-powered cars. The Wall Street Journal
Wisconsin
Legislation that will open the door to more electric vehicle charging stations in Wisconsin passed the Assembly after being amended recently, sending it back to the state Senate before it can go to the governor's desk. Wisconsin Examiner
Return to Top |
Share
Tweet
Share
Forward