NEWSNOTES | October 30, 2024
News Notes

There is a lot of money out there for ports, and the Biden administration has awarded $3 billion to U.S. ports for upgrades. Fifty-five sites nationally are targeted as recipients of the funding, which will be used to improve and electrify port infrastructure. The funding comes from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the largest investment in clean energy in U.S. history.   

One effort in California tied to port funding is a $250-million effort to electrify California’s port trucks. The program has been launched through Forum Mobility and Climate United. The funds will be used to phase out diesel trucks at the ports by replacing them with electric trucks and infrastructure. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is the official name for the green bank program.  

Additional funding in California has been secured by the San Francisco Bay Ferry to set up electric vessel charging infrastructure at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal in Alameda, CA. Funding for this has come from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), and it leverages $5 million from the California Energy Commission and $4 million in additional local matching funds. Expect to see the nation’s first high-speed, battery-electric ferry in operation in 2026. 

San Joaquin Regional Transit District in California has unveiled five hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. This is part of their pathway to have 100% of their bus purchases be zero-emission by 2029. The range will exceed 300 miles using Ballard Power Systems’ fuel cell modules.  

Hydrogen infrastructure, production, and fuel cell funding is available from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Up to $46 million in funding is available to advance hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and support decarbonization efforts in challenging sectors.  

A two-week trial of Hyzon's fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) has been deemed a success. TALKE, a logistics solution provider for the chemical industry, tested the Class 8 200-kw FCEV in Houston, TX. The potential next step will be the preparation for deployment of a larger fleet of Class 8 FCEVs. 

Zeus Electric Chassis is a startup specializing in all-electric, medium-duty trucks. The company has signed its first dealer agreement to distribute Class 5 electric trucks. The chassis is paired with the conventional pickup-style cab common in the work truck sector. The Shyft Group makes specialty vehicles for commercial, retail, and service markets. They have partnered with Allegiance Trucks and Ascendance Trucks, which will allow them to establish dealer sales and service for the Blue Arc Class 4 all-electric truck.  
 

RESOURCES

• Biden Administration Awards $3B to US Ports, The Guardian  
• Green Bank Launches $250M Effort, Canary Media 
• SF Bay Ferry Awarded $12M, Offshore Energy 
• San Joaquin RTD Rolls Out Five FCEV Buses, Mass Transit 
• DOE Announces Up to $46M for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell, Fuel Cell Works 
• TALKE Successfully Completes Hyzon FCEV Trial, NGTNews  
• Zeus Signs Dealer Agreement for Class 5 Electric Trucks, Charged EVs 
• Shyft Group Strengthens Dealer Network, TPS