NEWSNOTES | August 31, 2022
News Notes

Last week California air regulators voted on an historic plan that would effectively require all new cars sold within the state to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035 with a goal of phasing out internal combustion engines and their harmful, planet warming gases. NPR looks at obstacles to be overcome ranging from price to sourcing minerals.

The Inflation Reduction Act offers a lot of incentives from electric vehicle tax credits to battery and solar installation. To make it easier to understand what is being offered, Rewiring America created a calculator showing what the new climate law can do for you.

There is a lot of speculation around the electric truck and bus market in terms of how fast it will happen, and which segments will be first. CALSTART is hosting a webinar for members featuring Interact Analysis. Participants will learn about global markets, vehicle forecasts, and what the competition between hydrogen and electric looks like in different segments. Sign up here.

Truck maker Kenworth recognizes that all arrows are pointing toward zero-emission. At a recent press conference, Kenworth executives laid out their electrification roadmap which includes looking at both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Southern California Gas in Bakersfield, California, has partnered with Ford to pilot an F-550 super duty hydrogen fuel cell electric truck. SoCalGas sees this as a chance to decarbonize large fleets like utilities. This project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s SuperTruck 3 program.

Navistar’s NEXT eMobility team has installed chargers in Kalamazoo, MI with support from their partner InCharge. The public charging stations features two 24-hour charging hookups. The station will be able to charge larger vehicles including Class 8 electric trucks.

Charlotte, North Carolina based Fontaine Modification is building a new corporate headquarters which they say will double its production and product development capabilities. Fontaine is a provider of post-production truck services for OEMs, dealers and fleets.

While North Carolina is benefitting from several clean transportation companies moving there, so it appears is West Virginia. GreenPower Motor Company cut the ribbon at its new South Charleston manufacturing facility which begins operations next month and has the capability of up to 150 school buses per quarter by next year. Sparkz is a new CALSTART member commercializing high energy-density cobalt-free, lithium-ion batteries made in America. The company has chosen Taylor County West Virginia as the location of their electric battery factory. They expect to create 350 jobs.

Calling all CALSTART executive level members-make plans to join us in Detroit for our first in person Leadership Circle since January of 2020. This event, hosted by CALSTART member DTE will be held next month. This is for members only and you can sign up here.

RESOURCES

California Plans to End Sales of New Gas Cars, NPR | https://n.pr/3AWVbjH

Looking for EV Incentives Under the Climate Law?, Canary Media | https://bit.ly/3TuAnY9

Electric Truck and Bus Outlook, Interact Analysis | https://bit.ly/3ADp47q

Kenworth Pursues BEVs and FECVs, CHARGED EVs | https://bit.ly/3Q7nAb4

Ford Builds Hydrogen EV Trucks for SoCalGas, NGT News | https://bit.ly/3R2YJqo

International Dealer Opens Public Charging Station, Construction Equipment | https://bit.ly/3KCO0AC

Fontaine Modification Building New Headquarters, Trucknews.com | https://bit.ly/3cyVuI5

West Virginia Green Power Bus Factory Dedication, WV Public Broadcasting | https://bit.ly/3wISjV2

Sparkz to Locate Factory in West Virginia, CBS Pittsburgh | https://cbsn.ws/3Q28zY7

DTE and CALSTART Host Leadership Circle, CALSTART | https://bit.ly/3RlEMe2