NEWSNOTES | December 8, 2021
News Notes

BP has taken its first major step into electrification in the U.S. by acquiring Amply Power for an undisclosed amount. Amply, based in California, is a charging provider that works with fleets that operate transit, school buses, vans, and light-duty vehicles.

Another California company, Oberon Fuels, has formed a collaboration with Suburban Propane Partners and Empresas Lipigas to evaluate Renewable Dimethyl Ether (rDME) and propane blends in Latin America. This is a milestone for Oberon as it marks a new chapter in global market deployment.

BrightDrop was created by General Motors (GM) and targets delivery and logistics companies with electric software, services, and delivery vehicles. The company has announced that they’ve opened a dealership in the Los Angeles area to further commercialize its electric vehicles (EVs). Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Ford is taking workforce development seriously as they hope to roll out curriculum for K-12 and technical college students to give them the necessary skills to produce EVs and batteries. Ford is investing in West Tennessee where they will build an EV and battery campus.

BAE Systems and Meritor have announced a new collaboration on integrated electric solutions for the industrial vehicle market. BAE will incorporate its power management system with Meritor’s ePowertrain which is expected to increase emission-free solutions in more market segments.

Among the many EV market expansion activities in the middle part of the country, Michigan’s Consumers Energy is partnering with 50 other energy providers to expand EV charging across the country. The utilities have formed the new National Electric Highway Coalition and each member is making a commitment “in good faith” to fill charging infrastructure gaps along major travel corridors by the end of 2023.

End of year is as good a time as any to start listing “best of” categories. First up, Forbes has announced their top ten emerging talents in the ‘Green Energy Transition’ space for their Forbes Under 30 recognitions. Congratulations to the two CALSTART members who made the list. John Walsh Is the founder and CEO of Endera which has built and delivered 43 EVs to San Diego International Airport. He’s forged close relationships with Octillion and Pritchard Ford. Kudos as well to Zak Lefevre, Cofounder of ChargeLab whose software runs about 80% of popular EV chargers. ABB and Siemens are among their partners.

Time has focused on the 100 best innovations of 2021 and congratulations to CALSTART members Einride and ElectReon who were chosen in the transportation category. Einride, through digitalization, uses their Einride Freight Mobility Platform to allow shippers and carriers to offer faster, greener, and cheaper freight. Electreon Wireless, headquartered in Israel with offices in Los Angeles, offers an in-road inductive charging system that powers EVs similarly to how a wireless charger can power your phone.

Even Santa is giving a nod to EVs through a partnership with ABB, Volvo Trucks and Coca-Cola. The jolly fellow is headed to the streets of Italy to spread joy and his carriage will be a state of the art all electric truck. Santa’s route will take him from the north to the south of Italy, stopping along the way at ABB facilities to recharge. Here’s a nod to festive, sustainable Santa!

RESOURCES

BP Acquires Amply Power, FreightWaves | https://bit.ly/3DHXa9W

Oberon Fuels Collaborates on Fuel Testing in Latin America, Oberon Fuels | https://bit.ly/32ZJdqX

GM’s BrightDrop Opens First Dealership in CA, The Detroit News | https://bit.ly/3lM7PdA

Ford Focuses on Workforce Development in Tennessee, Tennessean | https://bit.ly/3dwDdbd

BAE Systems, Meritor Integrate Industrial EV Solutions, NGTNews | https://bit.ly/3EBQhYJ

Consumers Energy to Increase EV Charging Across Michigan, Up North Live |https://bit.ly/3DCNoFY

Utilities Commit to Nationwide EV Charging Network, The Verge | https://bit.ly/3pWwgGv

Forbes Under 30 Green Energy Transition Leaders, Forbes | https://bit.ly/3DDDDqZ

The Best Inventions of 2021, Time | https://bit.ly/3EGLa9N

Even Santa Travels on an Electric Truck, electric & hybrid | https://bit.ly/3Iufeb5