Electric Vehicles

The transition to EVs will cost the auto industry billions and likely create more mergers, but leaders of top Michigan-based suppliers consider the tech-driven evolution more opportunity than concerning disruption.

Members of a utility coalition led by American Electric Power have agreed to install EV charging stations along major highways running from Maine to Texas. The plan is for stations to be less than 100 miles apart.

A partnership between Electrify America and Valley Clean Air Now in California has led to thousands of rural households trading in their gas-powered cars for electric autos. Will other parts of rural America follow suit?

Though much smaller than places like Greenwich and Stamford, Westport ranks first in Connecticut for electric vehicle registrations per capita. Westport's support for EVs stems from its affluence and environmentalism.

Although California’s aggressive electric vehicle campaign aims to curb climate change, the move could still do substantial damage to the planet based on how battery materials are extracted.

Experts say electric vehicle batteries can catch fire, release hazardous gases or even explode under certain conditions. Such dangers have inspired a national conversation about how to deal with EVs after accidents.

Yesterday, General Motors announced the Ultium Charge 360 fleet service, which is intended to encourage electric vehicle adoption among commercial fleet organizations by making EV charging easier.

The personal self-driving car has been derided as little more than whimsy by many transportation watchers, who see fleet vehicles and public transit as the real beneficiaries of autonomous vehicle technology.

The Chicago carrier will invest an undisclosed amount of money in the new electric airplanes, which must first meet United's safety, business and operating requirements before being put into usage.

According to a University of Hawaii study, the combination of faster adoption of EVs and faster generation of renewable energy resulted in 99 percent less fossil fuel consumed and 93 percent fewer vehicle emissions by 2050.

Amtrak is partnering with Sacramento, Calif.-based Siemens Mobility. By 2024, Amtrak will receive 73 new emission-reducing trains, which will be the first hybrid cars the rail operator puts into use.

Reno County, Kan., has found that hybrid patrol vehicles cut down on engine idle time and save at least $50 per year on gas. The county will keep the vehicles as a cost-saving tool.

The public transit department is testing the Xcelsior CHARGE electric bus on its routes this week, marking a temporary preview as the city collects data in order to determine whether it should purchase this bus.

The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority plans to purchase eight electric buses using federal funds. The money, from the Federal Transit Administration, is the largest grant for a regional transit authority this year.

For the first time, Laredo, Texas, officially recognized June 17 as "Dump the Pump Day" as part of a local initiative to encourage people to cut down on their car usage and utilize public transportation.

Officials from the electric vehicle industry say the nation needs some $87 billion in charging infrastructure investment in the next 10 years to get it on the path to 100 percent EV sales by 2035.

A proposal by on-demand scooter company Bird faced hesitation from city leaders. Some voiced safety concerns about the vehicles being used on the stretch of U.S. Highway 30 that runs through the city.

The Montgomery County Public Schools district is transitioning all 1,400 school buses to electric models, aggressively retiring diesel buses as more districts explore funding and cleaner transportation options.