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Your weekly intelligence on EVs and Transportation Decarbonization
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This week’s transportation news features several stories out of California, where electric vehicle sales have stalled despite the state’s ambitious EV laws. The state has increasing EV sales targets starting in 2026, but has a long way to go to meet its first goal.


While California state law requires all new vehicle sales to be zero-carbon by 2035, the California Air Resources Board has softened some of its language around the annual targets leading up to 2035, and some industry experts are skeptical that the state will meet its near-term targets. 


To boost EV charging, the California Energy Commission approved a $95.2 million funding plan for this fiscal year to improve the states’ electric charging and clean fueling infrastructure, NetZero Insider’s Elaine Goodman reports. The package includes $40 million for light-duty EV charging infrastructure; $38.2 million for medium- and heavy-duty ZEV infrastructure; $15 million in hydrogen-specific funding; and $2 million for workforce development. 


Meanwhile, Pacific Gas & Electric has started a new pilot project featuring flexible interconnections for vehicle charging stations. The program is intended to allow more customers to connect to the grid by putting limitations on how much power these customers can use during peak-load periods. 


California also recently received $135 million from EPA to help replace diesel trucks with zero-emission vehicles, which could bring significant local air pollution benefits to communities that surround transportation infrastructure. 


At Stanford University, researchers published a new study finding that EV batteries might last about 40% longer than previously estimated. Authors worked to recreate real-world charging conditions to estimate battery lifespan. 


Outside of the Golden State, NetZero’s K Kaufmann reports that the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office announced the closing of a $1.25 billion loan to EVgo aimed at putting 7,500 new fast chargers online in the next five years (along with a conditional $2.5 billion loan to WEPCO to replace retiring coal plants in Wisconsin). 


A new poll from J.D. Power found that federal EV tax credits positively influenced the decision of most EV buyers so far in 2024. However, the federal incentives may be removed by the incoming Trump administration. A separate study has estimated that the elimination of the federal tax credits could reduce EV sales by about 27%. 


In shipping news, Canary Media reported on the potential of wind power to help decarbonize the industry. Hybrid wind-power vessels can reduce fuel consumption by up to 30%, depending on the vessel. Wind devices have been installed on at least 48 large diesel ships to date. 


All that and more in this week’s Intelligence Report: 


Jump To

Electric Vehicles
Heavy-duty Vehicles
Shipping

 
 

Electric Vehicles

California

A new way to fix grid bottlenecks for EV charging: flexible connection

EV charging hubs sometimes have to wait years to connect to the grid. PG&E's Flex Connect pilot program could help break that logjam in California. Canary Media


California

California approves $1.4B to deploy 17,000 EV chargers, hydrogen fueling infrastructure

California has about 152,000 public and shared private chargers installed today, and it expects that number to reach 250,000 in the next few years. Utility Dive


California

California cancels proposed electric motorcycle mandate

Air regulators won't move forward on a proposal to require 50 percent electric motorcycle sales by 2035. Climatewire


California

Why Newsom's electric vehicle mandate is in trouble

EV sales have stalled, clouding California's ambitious plans for all new cars sold in California to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Los Angeles Times


Colorado

Which state is rivaling California on EV leadership? Colorado

Generous state incentives have helped electric-vehicle adoption grow fast. In Q3, Coloradans bought EVs at the highest rate in the nation. Canary Media


International

Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Prices See Largest Drop Since 2017: BNEF

Lithium-ion battery pack prices dropped 20% from 2023 to a record low of $115 per kilowatt-hour. Saur Energy


International

OPINION: Electric vehicles keep us on the highway to hell

As electric vehicles are being touted as the solution to climate change, a socialist publication argues capitalism's car addiction can only fuel the climate catastrophe. Socialist Worker


International

Stellantis, Zeta Energy agree to jointly develop lithium-sulfur EV batteries

Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries do not use expensive materials such as nickel or cobalt, resulting in cheaper production costs, although they are shorter lasting. Reuters


New Jersey

N.J. just hit 200K electric cars registered. How far is state from goals?

Gov. Phil Murphy's previously stated goal of 330,000 EVs on the road by next year. We're close -- or far -- from that more ambitious milestone depending on who you ask. NJ.com


Tennessee

Tennessee Tech Receives $4.8M Grant To Improve Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling

Researchers at Tennessee Tech University are set to receive a nearly $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help improve the nation's electric vehicle battery recycling ecosystem. Greeneville Sun


U.S.

Automakers Crave Stability as Trump Likely to Axe EV Subsidies, Tailpipe Emission Rules

U.S. federal regulations on vehicle emissions have swung back and forth with each new presidency over the past couple decades. The Energy Mix


U.S.

Buoyed by Trump, U.S. dealers are optimistic on everything except electric vehicles sales

Cox Automotive reports there's a "renewed optimism" among U.S. car dealers heading into 2025, fueled by Donald Trump's election as well as positive trends in interest rates. CNBC


U.S.

Costco and Electrify America are offering EV fast charging beginning in three states

Costco Wholesale has collaborated with North American EV charging network Electrify America and rolled out a series of DC fast chargers available to all EV drivers at select store locations. The EV chargers are operational at those Costco stores now, beginning in three states. Electrek


U.S.

EV batteries may last much longer than expected: Study

Instead of conducting customary tests that involve a constant rate of discharge followed by recharge, scientists assessed the batteries under everyday, stop-and-go conditions. The Hill


U.S.

EV charging is about to get much, much easier for frustrated owners

Essentially, this framework is designed to enable drivers to experience a seamless and hassle-free charging experience, so any driver driving any electric vehicle can plug in and charge at any public charging stations without having to download individual apps, or pay with a specific type of payment system. TheStreet


U.S.

EVs leap to almost 9% of US light-duty vehicle sales in Q3: EIA

Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles combined were 21.2% of new-vehicle sales in the quarter, EIA said. Utility Dive


U.S.

GM Will Stop Developing Self-Driving Taxis

The company said it would now focus its efforts on developing fully autonomous vehicles for personal use. The New York Times


U.S.

Most electric car buyers were swayed by federal tax credits in 2024, report says

The incentives work only on vehicles built mostly in North America, in an attempt to make automakers shift supply lines outside of China. MarketWatch


U.S.

OPINION: America's EV Future Is Increasingly in Question

All told, America's EV dream may be fading, even if only temporarily. The next few years will be crucial in determining how much of a role EVs will play in America's effort to decarbonize transportation and in Americans' lives in general, writes Alex Heil, senior economist at the Conference Board. Barron's


U.S.

Small SUVs are now the country's cleanest cars. Really.

New compact SUVs now create less pollution, on average, than sedans, thanks to the rapid rise of small electric SUVs. The Washington Post


U.S.

Tesla shares jump to record high

Tesla shares climbed to a record high of $415, topping its prior high of $414.50 set more than three years ago as the electric vehicle maker extended a rally in the wake of the U.S. presidential election. Reuters


U.S.

This ambitious new plan will develop an EV charging network across the Mountain West

The Boise-based nonprofit Treasure Valley Clean Cities Coalition is partnering in a new multistate collaboration that is working to identify and connect sites for electric vehicle charging stations in the West. Fast Company


U.S.

Universal Plug-and-Charge protocol due for US rollout in 2025

The US Government's Joint Office of Energy and Transportation announced a common framework this week that will make 'plug-and-charge' commonplace. TechRadar


U.S.

US Postal Service chief defends plan to buy rising number of EVs

In 2023, Congress gave USPS $3 billion as part of a $430 billion climate bill to buy EVs and charging infrastructure -- including $1.2 billion for electric vehicles. It plans to buy some 66,000 electric vehicles by 2028. Reuters


U.S.

US Postal Service electric mail trucks are way behind schedule

Defense contractor Oshkosh had only delivered 93 trucks by November -- compared to 3,000 originally expected by now. The delays put Biden's climate goals at risk. The Washington Post


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Heavy-duty Vehicles

California

EPA awards $135 million to California to phase out big diesel trucks

The money will go to the state transportation department, cities and school districts, among others, to purchase 455 zero-emission vehicles to replace diesel-powered trucks, school buses and other large vehicles. Tech Xplore


California

Polluted communities hold their breath as companies struggle with California's diesel truck ban

California has an aggressive mandate for zero-emission trucks, which are powered by electricity or hydrogen. But trucking companies face big obstacles -- and people are still breathing dangerous diesel exhaust. CalMatters


Georgia

Hydrogen-Powered Hyundai Trucks Hit the Road in Georgia

Xcient Vehicles Travel Between Ports and Metaplant EV Factory. Transport Topics


International

This Company's EV SemiTrucks Have Logged a Lot of Miles

The electric truck revolution is taking its time to gain momentum, but the company sees a clear path forward. Autoweek


U.S.

Hydrogen Trucks Are Here -- But What Will It Take to Fuel Them?

Southwest Research Institute's H2HD REFUEL Project Aims to Solve Hydrogen Refueling Delays. Hydrogen Fuel News


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Shipping

International

Cargo ships turn to ancient tech to curb modern pollution: wind

As shipping companies face mounting pressure to curb CO2 emissions, old-fashioned sails and new designs are helping to reduce the need for fossil fuels. Canary Media


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