NEWSNOTES | April 13, 2022
News Notes

California’s clean-air regulators have unveiled a far-reaching proposal that would ramp-up sales of zero-emission cars and banning new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. The proposal sets in motion a 45-day public comment process. At least fifteen other states have pledged to go along with California on car standards and the federal government usually follows.

Since COVID, equity and inclusion are top of mind in conversations that transit agencies are having. Metro looks at agencies that are addressing equity in their communities. CALSTART Member Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is asking questions like does your agency represent your community and how do you go about reversing “past policies and mindsets rooted in systemic oppression.” COTA offers several examples of workplace equity practices.

School districts around the country are looking at electric school buses as a strategy to reduce vehicle emissions. Boston will deploy twenty electric buses in a 2022-23 school year pilot program with an eye toward electrifying its entire school bus fleet by 2030. Keep an eye out for a request for information later this month as the district will seek input on electrification strategies.

Kudos to Blue Bird, manufacturer of electric and low-emission school buses. Orange Unified School District in California has placed an order with Blue Bird for eight electric buses. Last year the district purchased seven Blue Bird All American Type D electric school buses.

Last week Autobus Campeau in Quebec ordered fifty all-electric LionC school buses. Lion Electric has had not only school bus sales success in Canada and the U.S. but they are also out with news of a partnership with Quebec-headquartered Transit Truck Bodies to develop a lightweight, aerodynamic electric truck for last-mile urban deliveries.

Kenworth is announcing a new order as well and theirs is from 4 Gen Logistics, a provider of drayage services at ports and terminals. The order is for 20 Kenworth T68OE electric trucks. 4 Gen Logistics is taking advantage of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP) incentives to offset the costs. 

Walmart is about to be CALSTART’s newest member and in partnership with Cruise, the self-driving car unit of General Motors (GM), the two are working on an autonomous delivery pilot. At this point they are doing limited deliveries in Chandler, Arizona with plans to expand to eight Walmart locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale by the end of the year.

TechCrunch is highlighting Arrival President Avinash Rugoobur as a featured speaker at their upcoming Mobility 2022 event coming up May 18-19 in San Mateo, California. Among other things the discussion will include why the company is going to build 31 microfactories by 2024 instead of the more traditional giga-sized factories.

Leaders representing all facets of the clean transportation industry will converge on Long Beach, CA from May 9-12 for the highly recognized Advanced Clean Transportation Expo (ACT Expo). Kudos to CALSTART member GNA for assembling a who’s who of the industry ranging from Einride, New Flyer, ABB and Xos to Prologis, Hyzon Motors, Clean Cold Power, and Roush Clean Tech (among many, many others). If you have not signed up yet, you can do so here. Navistar is hosting a CALSTART member-only reception that week in Long Beach. Check your inbox for the invitation and sign up today!

RESOURCES

California Unveils Proposed Measure to Ban Gasoline Fueled Cars, CalMatters | https://bit.ly/3JEavCU

Transit Agencies Address Equity, Metro | https://bit.ly/3uEXPYr

Boston to move to 100% Electric School Buses by 2030, electrek | https://bit.ly/3M5Plz5

California School District Doubles Size of Blue Bird Electric Fleet, Bakersfield.com | https://bit.ly/3xq5g7m

Quebec Orders 50 Lion Electric School Buses, electrive.com | https://bit.ly/3JEnmVG

Lion, Transit Build Last Mile Delivery Truck, Trucknews.com | https://bit.ly/3jwom3L

Drayage Fleet Operator Orders Kenworth Electric Trucks, ChargedEVs | https://bit.ly/3xpA0W1

Cruise Expands Walmart Autonomous Delivery Pilot, Techcrunch | https://tcrn.ch/3O9eV8w

Arrival to Reveal EV Built with Uber: Mobility 2022, Techcrunch | https://tcrn.ch/3JRJdcB

The Future of Fleet Has Arrived-ACT Expo | https://bit.ly/3Ok6szo