Electric Vehicles

The state has been awarded nearly $60 million in federal funding to aid in the transition to electric school buses, making it a leader in the country, despite a lukewarm embrace by the state’s congressional delegation toward public policy advancing EVs.

Electric buses may be a dream vehicle for sustainability watchers, but they are not adding new ridership or saving public transit from the formidable financial headwinds agencies are facing.

Funded by federal and state grants and tax credits, Baltimore City Public Schools has entered a 12-year contract with Massachusetts-based Highland Electric Fleets for 20 buses and 25 chargers starting this fall.

Arizona State University is planning a $200 million investment to make its Polytechnic campus in southeast Mesa an epicenter for advanced manufacturing students interested in electric vehicles and batteries.

Dozens of New Jersey communities, school districts and private companies will soon be able to replace some of their diesel-burning heavy vehicles with electric versions thanks to funding from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is urging all eligible school districts to apply for funding after the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced millions in grants to replace diesel buses from 2009 or earlier.

Newly developed technology is allowing the property managers of multifamily buildings to install electric vehicle charging without having to significantly upgrade the existing electric utility infrastructure.

Zero-emission waste collection could improve local air quality, but new California rules governing big rigs could keep trash trucks from going all-electric until 2042.

The Biden administration has approved a waiver that would allow the state to set its own emissions standards for semitrucks. The effort has drawn the criticism of business interests who claim the 2045 deadline is too aggressive.

Last week marked the start of Colorado's grant program for electric school buses, funded through last year's SB22-193 and prioritizing schools in ozone non-attainment areas and disproportionately impacted communities.

Pittsburgh is slated to receive more than $1.5 million in state grant money for new electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and compressed natural gas trucks.

New rules governing big rigs in the state could keep trash trucks from going all electric until 2042. Many waste companies have put significant investment behind natural gas power over the past decade.

Ferries and other heavy equipment in Alabama, California and other locations are making the switch to electric power, as the maritime industry looks for ways to break away from fossil fuel propulsion.

Two fully electric buses will be operating on the streets of Flagstaff by mid-April, Mountain Line officials say. The switch to electric buses is expected to cut local emissions by 68 percent when complete.

Electric bus makers and other technology providers say they are ready to help school districts with grant applications and other planning details to ensure the fast and easy transition to e-buses.

Some manufacturers of electric vehicles are eliminating AM radios, one of the ways federal, state and local public safety officials communicate with the public about important information during emergencies.

The federal infrastructure package is making electric vehicle charging a reality — even in states with few registered EVs. In Montana, the need for this infrastructure is driven, in part, by tourism from other states.

The $1.8 million fire truck — to be housed at the new Station 7 facility — is being built and final delivery is expected by 2025. City officials are requesting federal funding to cover the full cost of the truck.