What’s happening? Maine Governor by Executive Order calls for the development of the “Clean Transportation Roadmap to 2030” to identify policies, programs and regulatory changes needed to meet Maine’s electric vehicles (EV) and emissions reduction goals. Potential strategies include incentive programs and utility rate policies. The deadline- end of this year. Why is this important? […]
Author Archives: Tessa Zavala
The Reach of Black Lives Matter Legislation. Highway Edition.
What’s happening? In what sounds a lot like Season 2 of True Detective- the highways system was built by taking land from people who were Black or minorities or disadvantaged. Why is this important? The new Biden infrastructure building plan looks to correct the wrongs of the past. How will this be important? Some say […]
Florida Bill Raising Fees on EVs
What is happening? Florida is raising fees on EVs if it passes Senate Bill 140 (2021 | FL) The annual fee on an average EV would be $135. Why is this important? As EVs and hybrids rise, and gas prices stay low, state gas tax revenues will be in decline. Fees on vehicles that don’t […]
COVID related Transportation Policies. Bonjour, Congestion Pricing
What’s happening? In a search for revenue, some cities are adopting congestion pricing that puts a toll on entering downtown areas. Why is this important? It’s bicoastal. NYC is considering up to $25 for trucks. San Francisco is considering a toll that could go as high as $14. LA and Oregon Department of Transportation are […]
Innovation in Ride Share. There is always room for more at the table
What’s happening? A startup in South Carolina is innovating in ride share by making rides safer and more inclusive. HOPIN includes an SOS safety feature, allows women to select women drivers & accepts prepaid cards which expands the customer base to the unbanked. Why is this important? The gig economy isn’t static, ever expanding and […]
EVs Incentives that Aren’t Tax Credits
What’s happening? Let’s deep dive. California’s 2 decade of giving EV owners access to the car pool lane. Paris and San Jose give electric vehicle owners free parking at thousands of metered spaces Wuhan, Oslo and other cities give electric vehicles free passage on highways, bridges and tunnels Why is this important? Some say EV […]
What’s an electric vehicle fuel tax?
What’s happening? Minnesota is looking at a proposal to charge an electric vehicle fuel tax on KW charging. SF 1602 (2021 | MN) Why is this important? States are looking to replace declining gas tax revenues. Taxing charging at “electric fuel dealers,” under the bill would add a tax of 5.1 cents per kwh How […]
The Parks Department & The EV Partnership
What’s happening? The Colorado Parks Department has partnered with Rivian to install chargers in all 42 state parks. Why is this important? State agencies are ripe for partnerships for EV chargers- especially at well placed state agencies or agency lands where people spend a lot of time- like state parks. How will this be important? […]
New EV battery materials
What’s happening? GM is partnering with MIT alums for a battery to made from lithium metals and not lithium ions. Why is this important? New battery technology is expected to cut costs by 60%. How will this be important? When drafting regulations and legislation consider innovation. Lithium Ion would be a limitation, whereas EV battery […]
State Approval for P3 projects with User Fees
What is happening? Pennsylvania Legislature looks to stop 9 new P3 bridge tolls and require legislative approval before a P3 can add a toll to a project. Why is this important? Opponents say it stifles P3s, & politicizes a process set up to foster innovation. PA’s DOT is opposed. How will this be important? It […]