Andrew Papson

Yesterday, Los Angeles Metro released a solicitation to purchase up to 1,160 zero emission buses (solicitation link in comments). The base order includes 260 battery electric buses (BEBs), 20 fuel cell electric buses, and opportunity chargers for future bus rapid transit lines. The order is an important next step in achieving Metro's ambitious zero emission fleet goals. Metro's procurement meets many of the Federal Transit Administration's administrative priorities meant to strengthen the U.S. transit bus manufacturing industry -- there are only two Buy America compliant full size transit bus OEMs left!! We've reduced customization, introduced progress payments, and implemented a regional procurement approach that will allow other LA County transit operators to buy buses through the contract options. While it will be a few years before these buses hit the streets, Metro's existing BEB fleet has logged more than 5 million miles, to my knowledge, more than any other transit agency in the U.S. And we have 95 more BEBs coming this year that will serve the J Line and local service around the County. BEB technology still has a long way to go before it reaches cost and performance parity with Metro's renewable gas-powered CNG fleet, but we anticipate considerable improvements with each new generation of buses. We hope that by aligning our procurements with FTA's administrative priorities it will bring more certainty to a challenged industry, draw more competition into the transit bus space, and drive technology advancement. Well done Daniel Surmenian, Metro's Vendor / Contract management team, and the many other staff and consultant team members who got this procurement together. Your efforts not only help to push the industry forward but also put Metro's recent application to the FTA LoNo / Bus & Bus Facilities grant programs in a strong position to receive funding. Go Metro!

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We recently contributed to Tierra Climate's paper: Supercharging Battery Economics, Shrinking Emissions - along with WattTime.org, Grid Status, and MODOENERGY. The study provides a detailed assessment of the economic and environmental performance of the ERCOT fleet updated for the latest market changes in 2023. Layering on carbon contracts, Tierra Climate concludes energy storage assets could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions on the electricity grid. You can download the paper here: https://lnkd.in/gGC-6rQz #cleanenergy

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Automakers have a further impetus to electrify their fleets following last week’s announcement of a new fuel standard in the U.S. to save on both fuel costs and reduce climate impact. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA has set forth a new regulation requiring automakers to achieve an average of 65 mpg across all models by 2031. “Not only will these new standards save Americans money at the pump every time they fill up, they will also decrease harmful pollution and make America less reliant on foreign oil,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. As noted from a recent feature in The New York Times, while sales for #EVs has slowed from previous highs, analysts still project that demand will climb as dozens of new models come to market over the next year, and used prices continue to fall. Randy Parker at Hyundai Motor America summarized it well: “The early adopters have come. They’ve got their cars. Now you’re starting to see us transition to a mass market.” Read on to learn more: https://lnkd.in/e6H4YUxw #evregulation #evmassmarket #nhtsa

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🧰 A new tool from FEMP and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is simplifying and speeding up electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure planning for #federal #fleets. 🚘⚡ After visiting nearly 100 federal sites to assess requirements for EV charging stations, FEMP and NREL have developed an interactive web tool to generate site layouts and cost estimates remotely and more efficiently to support federal EV charging station deployment. EVI-LOCATE (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – Locally Optimized Charging Assessment Tool and Estimator) uses geospatial analysis, artificial intelligence surface interpretation, the National Electrical Code, component-level costing data, and thousands of invoices to generate location-specific cost estimates and site layouts for EV charging projects. Learn more about this innovative tool: https://lnkd.in/g32iUKwc #electricvehicle #evcharging

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🚍💚 We are thrilled to share that six #Connecticut school districts will be receiving a substantial $21.5 million to fund the purchase of 91 electric school buses. This funding, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a significant step toward cleaner air and a healthier environment for our children. “This is wonderful news for Connecticut, as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for our residents, and especially our school children. Connecticut suffers from some of the worst air quality in the United States, and our children riding on school buses are acutely exposed to the harms of heavy-duty vehicle exhaust. The transportation sector is responsible for 67% of smog-forming air pollution in our state, which exacerbates respiratory illnesses such as asthma. It is also by far the leading contributor of greenhouse gas pollution in our atmosphere, which is driving the climate crisis. We are grateful to the Biden Administration and Connecticut’s Congressional delegation for delivering this impactful funding, which will put 91 more clean-running electric buses on our roads. DEEP is doing its part to support these towns through the CT Clean School Bus program, which will provide funding to help towns implement these EPA awards. We encourage towns to visit the CT Clean School Bus webpage and sign up to receive updates on this program.” - Commissioner Katie Scharf Dykes We're thankful for the support from the Biden Administration and Connecticut’s Congressional delegation in securing this impactful funding. 🌍🍃 For more details on how your town can participate and benefit from the CT Clean School Bus program, check out our website and follow us on LinkedIn for more updates and big news like this from the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 🔗 EPA Region One’s Connecticut announcement: Biden-Harris Administration announces nearly $21.5 million in rebates for Clean School Buses across Connecticut as part of Investing in America agenda | US EPA (https://lnkd.in/exu8PZCf) 🔗 CT Clean School Bus Program (https://lnkd.in/eZmxdxEz) 🔗 EPA Clean School Bus Program Awards (https://lnkd.in/e8PEpmiV) #CleanEnergy #ElectricVehicles #SustainableTransport #Education #ElectricBus #PublicHealth

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#DisruptiveTech 🟢 Even as the electric vehicle (EV) market faces a cooling period due to consumer concerns about high prices and inadequate charging infrastructure, the long-term future of mobility clearly leans toward electrification. To solidify their positions in this burgeoning domain for the long term, automakers worldwide are pouring in billions of dollars to build EV battery-related infrastructure. Despite a dip in EV sales of late, the battery production momentum is not slowing down, reflecting the industry's anticipation of an inevitable electric future. Historically dominated by China, the global lithium-ion battery supply chain is shifting. To avoid a repeat of the pandemic-induced chip shortage crisis, automakers, in 2021, began pledging to build EVs and batteries domestically. This has led to numerous commitments to produce North American-made batteries by 2030. The U.S. government has been pivotal in this transition, with the Inflation Reduction Act enforcing stringent eligibility requirements to develop a domestic battery supply chain and reduce reliance on China. EVs with battery components made by foreign adversaries no longer qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500, accelerating investments in U.S.-based battery production. This legislative push has further accelerated investments in U.S.-based battery production. Check out article for details of the most notable domestic battery production investments currently underway in the United States by major automakers like Tesla, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor Corporation and Stellantis. #ev #electricvehicles #emobility #lithiumbattery #evcharging Campaign Catapult, Pravo Consulting

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Exciting news! We’re proud to announce our partnership with National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Berkeley Lab, and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the groundbreaking Transportation Electrification Impacts Study (TEIS). This study supports the EPA’s historic vehicle pollution standards and examines the EV infrastructure needs across California, Oklahoma, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York. Key findings:  🚗 Modest investments in charging infrastructure and grid upgrades can support increased EV adoption. 🌍 Potential to avoid over 7 billion tons of carbon emissions. 💰 Nearly $100 billion in annual net benefits. The TEIS offers a comprehensive, data-driven approach to understanding and planning for the future of EV adoption, ensuring a cost-effective transition to cleaner transportation. Learn more about how we’re contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy grid. Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/gGaKk76i #TransportationElectrification #EVs #GridPlanning #Decarbonization

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***NO CHICKEN OR EGG!*** FROM GREEN CAR REPORTS STORY: "The U.S. now has nearly 8,200 public DC fast-charging stations, filling in gaps on the route map, according to a new Bloomberg report. [T[his growth spurt means there is now one fast charger for every 15 U.S. gas stations." (Note: 1/15 =is about 7%) https://lnkd.in/gGw4hCzR FROM COX AUTOMOTIVE STORY: "In 2023, the EV share of the total U.S. vehicle market was 7.6%, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates." https://lnkd.in/gHv5ujxp It seems there will be no "chicken or egg" problem between EVs and the charging infrastructure. They're tracking each other pretty closely. From 2021: https://lnkd.in/gXXRxtwt #electricvehicle #EVcharging

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Managed EV charging: a win-win for utilities & ratepayers? Will rapid adoption of electric vehicles stress the electric grid? That is what Berkeley Lab is working to better understand through their Financial Impacts of Distributed Energy Resources (FINDER) model. This utility model projects that well-managed EV charging can reduce electricity rates and increase utility shareholder earnings. Read the full article by Peter Cappers, Andy Satchwell, Juan Pablo Carvallo and James Milford . #DecisionAnalysis #Analytica #Data #Energy #ElectrificVehicles #EV #Risk #RiskManagement

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Electrify America has launched a Congestion Reduction Pilot program at select charging stations in California. The initiative limits EV charging to 85% state of charge to reduce wait times and increase throughput. This pilot, starting in early July, will affect 10 locations across the state. EA aims to address the ongoing issue of long lines at popular charging sites. The program was motivated by customer feedback and seeks to improve the public EV charging experience. EA will monitor station performance and customer sentiment during the pilot. This approach could significantly impact EV charging habits and station efficiency if successful. https://lnkd.in/gDbewRvR #ElectrifyAmerica #EVCharging #CongestionReduction #ChargingInfrastructure #ElectricVehicles #California #DCFastCharging #EVAdoption #SustainableTransport #ChargingEfficiency #GreenMobility #EVInfrastructure #USEVMarket #ChargingTechnology #RenewableEnergy #CleanTransportation #EVOwnership #ChargingNetworks #EnergyManagement #FutureOfMobility

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A message from NAFA's Legislative & Advocacy arm: "Rapid decarbonization of transportation, with an emphasis on electrification, is a policy goal in the U.S. Unfortunately, a lack of confidence in electric vehicles (EVs) as a reliable alternative for long-distance travel is leading to slower progress than desired. Concerns about battery life, insufficient charging infrastructure to support extended road trips and frequently malfunctioning charging sites all contribute to drivers’ hesitancy about EVs for long distance travel. Both the Biden Administration and the private sector are working to improve the U.S. charging network, but trusting it is another matter. Australia has similar EV goals and charging perceptions. Paul Cook, Executive General Manager with EV charging solutions provider BSA Limited, recently completed a successful 4,000-kilometer (2500 miles) road trip to showcase Australia’s improved readiness for EVs, supported by a maturing long-distance charging infrastructure. Cook believes that the current Australian infrastructure is right-sized for current usage and will continue to grow steadily as EV numbers expand and charging demand develops. Here in the U.S., EV range anxiety remains a major obstacle. Despite a 60% increase in EV sales from 2022 to 2023, and a significant increase in chargers to over 160,000, the perception of insufficient charging is limiting EV growth. According to the White House, the goal is a “backbone of high-speed chargers spaced no less than every 50 miles along America’s major roads, freeways, and interstates” to support the more than 26 million EVs projected to be on U.S. roads by 2030. Confidence in long-distance travel will improve with steadily expanding EV range per charge and ample charging stations that are reliable and fast. That long-distance summer vacation road trip by EV remains elusive in the U.S., but continued public/private investment and innovation will help bridge that gap. Australia’s experience highlights the opportunities. For more insights, check out the full article here: https://bit.ly/3RGttj3"

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If the constant headlines of car manufacturers pulling back EV production due to high costs and lack of demand isn't enough of an indication that California's emission standards are too aggressive for industries to keep up with, this goes to show that there's a massive disconnect between the policymakers who set these standards and the very businesses and people whose lives are unfairly shaped by these unrealistic policies. CA policymakers must remember that they ultimately serve the people who are their constituents, not an out-of-touch political agenda that only hurts the most vulnerable in the community. + Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gkSeBsjh ----------------------------------------------------- #fuel #fuels #conveniencestores #california #caleg #emissions #energy #sustainable

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Get charging infrastructure ready in advance and use a phased approach to transition to #electricvehicles, early adopters of electrification advise. Joe Lombardo and Mike Skirzynski highlighted the successes and challenges of carriers that adopted EV technology early, during Truck World Show. #truck #trucking #sustainability #electrictrucks https://lnkd.in/g_z2yd2G

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If your fleet is moving forward with EV pilots and deployments, don't hesitate to reach out. U.S. Energy has a redeployable EV charging solution for light, medium or heavy-duty fleets that is addressing this gap. Timing the order and deployment of vehicles in parallel with infrastructure development is tricky. BP's decision to reduce the scope of BP Pulse’s operations comes on the heels of an industry-wide reevaluation of the EV landscape. This pivot — away from fleets and toward a central focus on fast-charging hubs — paints a dynamic market scenario, one that is in constant flux, pivoting on regulatory incentives, consumer behaviors, and economic conditions. #BEV #zeroemissions #DRIVECLEAN https://lnkd.in/e6DRzX29

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What do the #Olympics and zero-emission technology have in common? California! We’re at the forefront of California's push towards sustainable #transit solutions, driven by California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) mandate to transition all bus transit vehicles to zero-emission technology by 2040. At the 6th Annual Infraday California, we showcased our contributions to projects like Los Angeles Metro's zero-emissions bus program and the Purple Line Extension for the 2028 Olympics. These efforts are pivotal in transforming L.A. into a model for green urban mobility. ♻ Eugene J. Kim, Ph.D., May Lau, Mark Peterson and Silvia Trigueros share how we’re helping shape a cleaner, more efficient transit future in California 👇

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🚌⚡️ Curious about the future of school buses in the US? In our latest blog post, "Electrifying the Future: A State-by-State Overview of Electric School Bus Mandates in the United States." We explore how states are leading the charge towards cleaner, greener transportation solutions. 🍃 Don't miss out—click the link below to learn more! Let us know if we missed anything—we'd love to hear about your electrification journey! #ElectricSchoolBuses #Sustainability #CleanTransportation https://lnkd.in/epzfayrN

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Why are rural drivers switching to EVs? To save hundreds on fuel! 🚗💸 They drive more, so they spend more on gas, which can be a major economic burden. Our EV policies should prioritize rural & exurban areas to maximize climate and economic benefits. https://lnkd.in/gUkunaKS

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#ICYMI Earlier this month we announced a new financing initiative with our partner Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., called the Electrify and Save On-Bill Repayment Program, to provide rural consumers greater access to electrification and energy efficiency improvements. Participants of this program have the ability to repay the investment cost of clean energy upgrades over time through their monthly utility bill. Unlike traditional loan programs, unique underwriting criteria (rather than traditional loan underwriting criteria) assesses the member’s bill pay history, which will qualifying a broader base of participants. “With this opportunity, members of electrical co-ops that are Tri-state customers can easily update their heating and cooling to more energy efficient options without upfront costs, saving them money and supporting the state we love for generations to come,” Governor Polis said. Read more from Alamosa News: https://lnkd.in/gRR8eU35

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According to the Transportation Energy Institute's EV Charging Market Status State and Province Biannual Report, publicly accessible EV charging stations continue to rise year-over-year. By the end of Q4 2023, the total number of publicly accessible chargers across all cities reached 195,126, marking a 7.6% increase since Q2 2023 and a 20.9% growth since Q4 2022. This expansion highlights the accelerating momentum in the electric vehicle infrastructure sector, with significant growth in both DC Fast Charging (DCFC) and Level 2 (L2) charging deployments. Level-2 chargers are more common, with about 12% of ramps having a Level-2 charger within a quarter-mile and 41% within a mile, leaving over 80,000 ramps without a Level-2 charger within a mile. In the US, there are approximately 14,500 ramps along the Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). The distribution of DC fast chargers (DCFC) along these ramps mirrors the broader trend: 8% of ramps have a DCFC within a quarter-mile and 27% within a mile, meaning over 10,000 AFC ramps are more than a mile away from the nearest DCFC station. Read the report for more details: https://lnkd.in/gweay8zz #EVcharging #EVcharginginfrastructure #ElectricVehicle #AlternativeFuel

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