NEWSNOTES | April 18, 2024
News Notes

Eight months ago, school transportation provider First Student announced they had hit the 2 million mile mark with its growing EV school bus fleet. Today North America’s largest school bus operator reports that they’ve surpassed the 3 million milestone demonstrating their commitment and leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The company has secured $220 million in EPA funding for their transition to electric buses.
 
Tesla Semi has delivered two trucks to customer Martin Brower (MB), a large logistics company that specializes in restaurant supply chains. MB partnered with Tesla to pilot the use of all-electric semis out of their Stockton, CA distribution center. MB is considering implementing the electric semis in their west coast fleet starting in 2026-27. Chinese electric heavy-duty truck developer Windrose has closed a series B round bringing their overall fundraising to $110 million. They have initiated the deployment of the electric long-haul trucks in China, with Europe, the US, and Australia to follow.
 
Bloomberg is reporting that Amazon is the largest private EV charging operator in the United States with 17,000 chargers at about 120 warehouses around the U.S. Lessons from the Amazon experience is insightful in helping chart a roadmap for other companies that aim to reduce carbon emissions.
 
ChargerHelp is one of CALSTART’s valued members having raised $21 million in venture capital funding and using it to create novel software programs for charger maintenance and repair. Their story is a great one and worth reading. If you build it will they come? Google thinks so as it has added recent updates to its map and travel site. Within a few months vehicles with Google’s built-in maps will show chargers along the route with information about port availability, speed, and suggested charging stops based on the battery charge level. They also have an EV filter to that identifies hotels with charging.
 
25 years ago, Zion National Park went “green” by prioritizing propane-fueled buses to transport visitors during the 7 months a year when cars are prohibited. Because of maintenance issues by the end of this year those buses will be replaced electric ones from New Flyer and 27 chargers have been ordered. Earth Day is April 22^nd and it coincides with National Park Week, which is Saturday April 20^th through Sunday, April 28^th. Investing in innovative technologies is a focus and they cite their hybrid ferries in Alcatraz case study as well as the “Green our Rides” zero-emission National Park Service transformation of its fleet as priorities.
 

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