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Your weekly intelligence on EVs and Transportation Decarbonization
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This week’s transportation decarbonization news is still dominated by a growing trade conflict between the world’s major economies on electric vehicles, with the Biden administration imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle exports.  


The Conversation ran an article arguing tariffs rarely work, but Biden’s EV efforts could be the exception. China has invested in capacity that far outstrips its own demand, and its manufacturers have models that cost a third of the cheapest cars made by U.S. automakers. Whether Biden is successful could depend on other countries, such as whether Chinese firms just switch manufacturing to Mexico to get around tariffs, and whether the European Union issues its own protectionist tariffs. 


The New York Times’ Climate Forward newsletter wrote about the tariff issue, arguing that they should be politically popular even as they slow the transition from fossil fuels. The tariffs are proving popular with unions, whose members Biden needs to come out to the polls this fall in swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. 


The Washington Post wrote about the two biggest economies’ auto industries, noting that Chinese manufacturers are expanding into new markets as Detroit is withdrawing from many to focus on North America. The Chinese industry is aimed at building as many as cars as possible, while domestic manufacturers are focused on selling software to car owners over their useful life for things like entertainment and hands-free driving. 


The New Republic argues for the opposite approach, writing that it would make more sense to work with China on electric vehicles than to compete with it via tariffs. The piece argues that automakers could enter into partnerships with Chinese firms and notes that the tariffs by themselves will not make Detroit more competitive with foreign manufacturers. 


Bloomberg has a story on the recent slowdown in electric vehicle sales, which has negative implications for the transition to clean energy and the banks that have invested in addressing climate change. 


The Post also wrote about how the installation of electric vehicle chargers has lagged the number of vehicle sales, which is endangering the transition. The country used to have seven chargers per electric vehicle, but the difference in their expansion means now there are 20 cars for every single charger. 


Read all that and more in this week’s Intelligence Report:


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Electric Vehicles
Heavy-duty Vehicles
Shipping

 
 

Electric Vehicles

Arizona

Arizona Republican leaders stand against electric vehicle mandates

Arizona Republican leaders are taking legal actions against federal and California electric vehicle mandates they say are harmful government overreach. KTAR


California

This county is California's harshest charging 'desert' for electric cars. Local activists want to change that.

In Imperial County, residents have access to few public chargers and buy electric cars at only a fifth of the statewide rate. Energy News Network


Georgia

Kemp: Georgia's Electric Vehicle Success Driven by More Than Subsidies

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who leads a state where billion-dollar foreign investments in clean energy has become routine, is skeptical that $369 billion in subsidies is what's actually moving the needle. Global Atlanta


Indiana

It's all about the money:' US town saves $80,000 a year by switching to electric police vehicles

Over the past 5 years the Bargersville Police Department have traded the majority of their patrol vehicles to Teslas. Bargersville Police say their fleet of 13 Teslas is saving the town $US80,000 a year. The Driven


International

A 100 Percent Tariff on Chinese Cars Is a Bad Idea. Here's a Good One.

Collaboration with Chinese firms may sound counterintuitive. But U.S. automakers are already doing it. The New Republic


International

American and Chinese car makers bet on different strategies in global fight

As Chinese manufacturers try to sell as many cars as possible to keep their workers employed, their U.S. competitors are betting on making each vehicle sale more valuable by selling consumers software subscriptions for entertainment, hands-free driving and performance upgrades. Washington Post


International

Bad for energy transition': Industry reacts to US' new tariffs on China's batteries

We hear from developers, IPPs and upstream battery sources about the US' decision to massively hike tariffs on batteries and battery components from China. Energy Storage News


International

Battery, critical mineral producers face inventory glut amid slowing EV demand

The oversupply, however, is likely to be short-lived, with experts urging diversified sourcing and increased investments to avoid future shortfalls. Utility Dive


International

China makes some of the hottest new EVs. Most aren't sold in the U.S.

Chinese EVs are still a rarity on U.S. roads, but with some Chinese automakers eyeing more production in Mexico for possible export to the United States, the Biden administration wanted to move quickly to protect U.S. industry. Washington Post


International

EVs and hybrids are twice as likely to hit pedestrians as gas cars, study shows

Pedestrians are twice as likely to be hit by an electric or hybrid car than by a vehicle that runs on gasoline or diesel, according to a study released by researchers in London. Los Angeles Times


International

Falling EV Sales Are Upending Banker Climate Strategies

Electric vehicles have swiftly gone from a rare bright spot in the fight against climate change to a cause for concern. Bloomberg


International

History says tariffs rarely work, but Biden's 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs could defy the trend

Without the tariffs, U.S. auto sales risk being undercut by Chinese companies, which have much lower production costs. The Conversation


International

Tesla drops reference to its goal of delivering 20 mln vehicles annually in impact report

The company changed tack recently, dropping plans to produce an all-new model that was expected to cost $25,000, while touting autonomous driving technology as its main source of growth. Reuters


International

The Cost of Competing With China

The Biden administration is betting that new China tariffs will be politically popular, even if they could slow the transition from fossil fuels. The New York Times


International

This is what the 'world's best' electric vehicle charging hub looks like

The best electric vehicle charging hub in the world is in Norway, according to the results of an international competition that were announced over the weekend. And, given that EVs represent 90% of new car sales in the country, that makes sense. The Driven


Michigan

Company wins court ruling for Michigan electric vehicle plant

A judge has ordered a Michigan community to stop blocking efforts to bring a major electric vehicle battery business to a rural region. The Associated Press


Michigan

Michigan town fails to block Chinese EV factory

A rural Michigan community has lost its bid to block a major electric vehicle battery maker from building a factory in Michigan, a state that has welcomed Chinese investment for decades. Voice of America


New York

Startup to implement 500 kW EV charger 'trees' on US streets, hopes to grow network larger than Tesla's

Gravity Inc. is focused on sustainable fleets and the infrastructure required to operate them efficiently. Electrek


North Carolina

EVs are becoming a big part of South Carolina's economy. Few in the state are driving them.

As of 2023, about 1% of the cars on the road are electric vehicles, but South Carolina ranks 40th in EVs per capita. At the same time, South Carolina is making a push to attract EV and battery manufacturers. WSOC-TV


Ohio

Ohio supercharges its EV network with second round of NEVI charging stations

Ohio, the first state to install a federally funded DC fast charger, leads again with NEVI rollouts, but its EV incentives are still nonexistent. Electrek


Tennessee

Electric vehicle course to come to Dobyns-Bennett High School

Dobyns-Bennett High School's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program plans to offer an Electrical Vehicle Technician Maintenance course as early as next fall. Program leaders are working on purchasing an electric vehicle for the course. WJHL


Texas

Council adopts ordinance for electric vehicle charging stations

After adopting ordinances that promise to provide more housing on smaller pieces of land and changing compatibility requirements to allow taller buildings to be built closer to single-family housing, City Council quickly adopted changes to the city Land Development Code to allow some properties to be used for electric vehicle charging stations. Austin Monitor


Texas

Lone Star Electrification: City of Dallas Selects Ford Pro to Advance EV Charging Infrastructure

The City of Dallas -- America's fourth-largest metro area -- has selected Ford's commercial division to help move the city's climate goals forward, aiming to improve air quality through electrifying the city's vehicle fleet by 2040. Business Wire


U.S.

Charging stations are failing to keep up with the EV boom

EV sales are far outpacing growth in the U.S. charging network -- endangering the transition to electric cars just as it's starting to take off. The Washington Post


U.S.

Nissan pauses EV sedan development in US, widens lineup

Nissan Motor Co. has paused development plans for two battery-powered sedans while expanding its EV lineup to five vehicles in the United States, the Japanese automaker said. Reuters


U.S.

U.S. electricity consumption by light-duty vehicles likely surpassed rail in 2023

Estimated annual electricity consumption by EVs grew to 7,596 GWh in 2023, almost five times the consumption in 2018. U.S. Energy Information Administration


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Heavy-duty Vehicles

California

Electric Truck Company Harbinger Announces $400 Million in Customer Vehicle Orders from Bimbo Bakeries USA, RV Manufacturer THOR Industries, Nationwide Dealers and More

Harbinger, a Southern California-based electric truck manufacturer, announced at ACT Expo its order book, which includes 4,000 binding vehicle pre-orders from customers and is valued at more than $400 million. PR Newswire


California

The largest U.S. heavy-duty electric truck microgrid is powered by ... natural gas

The Denker Avenue charging depot is capable of charging up to 96 electric trucks simultaneously. Electrek


International

Volvo announces plans to build hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines

Benefits over fuel cells include higher energy efficiency with lower fuel consumption and increased engine power, Volvo says. trucknews.com


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Shipping

California

First Hydrogen-Fueled Vessel Receives USCG Approval to Enter Service

Following a formal launch event in June, the ferryboat Sea Change will be operated in a six-month pilot service by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority. Maritime Executive


International

LNG's role on the path to net zero

LNG is seen as a crucial transitional fuel as the maritime industry strives towards net-zero emissions. It offers a reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional marine fuels, positioning itself as an essential element in the industry's decarbonisation strategy. Riviera Maritime Media


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