NEWSNOTES | August 21, 2024
News Notes

Voltera is a Charging-as-a-Service company that sites, builds, owns, and operates strategically located, fit-for-purpose charging facilities. They most recently announced a $100 million debt facility that is reinforced with customer contracts. Electric trucks are a focus, but they are also building sites for rideshare companies, public-charging-network providers, and light-duty fleets.

J.D. Power is a data analytics, software, and consumer intelligence company that most recently looked at the customer experience related to charging network availability. The study found that electric vehicle (EV) owners were less satisfied with the charging speed of Level 2 chargers but satisfaction with DC fast chargers rose. They also found that inability to charge due to chargers being out of service or not working remains a major issue. REjournals looks at charging deserts for low-income communities, specifically at what can be done to increase equitable access to charging infrastructure. Coordination between diverse stakeholders and collaborations with utilities, employers, and community leaders are steps toward finding solutions.  

The Oakland Unified School District in California is being recognized as the first in the nation to have an all-electric school bus fleet. The fleet includes 74 electric school buses and bidirectional chargers. The bus fleet also serves as a Virtual Power Plan (VPP) and gives 2.1 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy back to the grid annually.

New Flyer has added BAE Systems’ Gen3 modular power control system (MPCS) and traction motor as an available powertrain option for Xcelsior hybrid-electric transit buses. The New Flyer Xcelsior hybrid-electric buses benefit from improved efficiency, emissions reduction, and lower fuel use.

Mullen Automotive, an EV company that manufactures passenger EVs and commercial vehicles, is making news again. Eco Auto, its Boston-based franchised dealer, is expanding its national fleet sales access by including Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The company also recently announced a $7.7 million order for 180 Mullen EVs.

For further proof that EVs are taking hold, none other than King Charles is ready to make the leap. The King has announced that in a matter of a few years the royal fleet will be converted to electric, and part of that includes the installation of charging points across the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
 

RESOURCES

• J.D. Power: Charging Satisfaction is on the Rise, GM Authority
• Bridging the EV Charging Divide, REjournals
• Oakland to Deploy 100% School Bus Fleet, electrek
• New Flyer Hybrid-Electric Buses to Include Next-Generation BAE Systems Propulsion System, New Flyer
• Money Flowing for Electric Trucks, Canary Media
• Mullen Dealer Expands to 180-truck Deal, ChargedEVs
• King Charles To Switch to Electric, The Standard