What is happening? Alta says it has better hailing capabilities, works by owning the vehicles and employing drivers. Why is this important? By owning the assets, Alto is able to keep vehicles on the road almost continuously, which increases the profit margin per vehicle. How will this be important? News clips are filled with the […]
Author Archives: Tessa Zavala
EV Vehicle Alert Sounds
What is happening? Automakers must add sounds to hybrid and electric vehicles to prevent injuries among pedestrians, cyclists and the blind when EVs travel below 18.6mph. Why is this important? Regulators in 2019 indicated that automakers could select their own sounds. That plan has been scrapped. How will this be important? It is estimated that […]
How a Plan to add tolls in Pennsylvania Failed
What is happening? Pennsylvania legislature was considering adding tolls to 9 bridges to fund replacement of those bridges. How is this important? The state’s Public-Private Transportation Partnership Board had authorized PennDOT to consider charging tolls and the Legislature has been adamantly anti-tolling. Communities sued the state saying Public-Private Transportation Partnership Board didn’t follow proper procedures. […]
Consumer Trends in Purchasing Electric Vehicles
What is happening? Consumers Reports on electric vehicles shows that 71% of consumers have an interest in EVs and 14% are likely to buy an EV. Why is this important? In 2020 4% said they would buy an EV. How will this be important? The information was gathered when gas prices were rising but before […]
Funding EV Switch with a Delivery tax
What is happening? Colorado is funding a switch to Electric Vehicles for all drivers- the personal driver and the fleet with a delivery and ride share tax Why is this important? The funding is rooted in Colorado’s landmark $5.4 billion transportation legislation, 2021’s Senate Bill 260 How will this be important? Revenue for delivery tax is […]
NationalSafety Council Urges New Road Regulations
What is happening? To prepare for new vehicles on the roads like robots, and new car -bike hybrids that will use sidewalks and roads, the National Safety Council urges new roadway regulations. Why is this important? The National Safety Council new report notes the new vehicles could make roadways safer but that states and local […]
Building Ban on New Gas Stations
What is happening? Los Angeles may ban the construction of new gas stations. Why is this important? In March 2021 Petaluma, California became the 1st city int he US to ban the construction of new gas stations in support of its 2019 climate policy. How will this be important? Other small towns in Sonoma County […]
TX EV Charger Plan
What is happening? Texas announced its EV charger plan which includes an EV charger every 50 miles long most interstates Why is this important? Rural areas not as lucky, as non interstate areas will see a charger every 70 miles. How will this be important? The plan is open to public comment. Texas EV Infrastructure […]
EV Delivery Testing Moves to EV Deliver Adoption
What is happening? Welcome FEDEX who is sifting from testing EV delivery trucks to adopting EV delivery trucks. Why is this important? In Los Angeles, Fedex is using 150 BrightDrop zero-emissions delivery trucks. BrightDrop is a subsidiary of GM. How will this be important? “Heavy- and medium-duty trucks that do everything from hauling freight […]
Add Pennsylvania to the states that welcome driverless vehicles
What is happening? HB 2398 (2022 | PA) would permit testing and use of autonomous vehicles in Pennsylvania. Why is this important? PA joins 18 other states that welcome autonomous vehicle industry. How will this be important? The author says opening the state to autonomous vehicles will ” help address the current and continuing supply […]