Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

What’s happening? New Jersey is spending $100 Million to electrify garbage trucks, school buses and passenger buses. Funding sources include proceeds the state realized from a greenhouse gas initiative and the Volkswagen settlement. Why is this important? Funding for electrification goes beyond public transit and includes $36 million for the state’s industrial areas and ports […]

What’s happening? San Fernando, CA is installing Tesla superchargers in city parking lots to encourage visitors. Why is this important? The private-public partnership to bring charging to San Fernando has brought lawsuits from Environmental Justice Groups and a real estate developer calling the chargers potentially disruptive. How will this be important? Revitalization packages include an […]

What’s happening? Washington State is trying to figure out how to fund its transportation system by raising the gas tax  3 cents a gallon; imposing a 2 cent sales taxes on bicycles and bike parts; 20-cents-per-trip surcharge and ferry passengers would pay an extra 25 cents per crossing for transit riders; & Uber and Lyft […]

What’s the deal? First, North Carolina had the first pilotless flying taxi and now United is going to buy up to 200 flying taxis from an electric aircraft startup. Why is this important? The purchase is to lift United’s clean air footprint. How will this be important? Regulatory approval and any local and state approvals […]

What’s the deal? The Texas Attorney general is answering the burning question, the potential punishment for a violation of the maximum vehicle weight limit established by the executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation under Transportation Code section 621.102. Why should I care? The Opinions quotes precedent that says if the Legislature was silent, […]

What’s the deal? American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy is ranking state policies that promote electric transportation. They created 6 categories. Like Defcon, Defcon 1 is the highest exalted level, and 6 is oh, yeah, those guys, pay no mind, it’s no biggie. Why should we care? California and New York lead Tier 1. […]

What’s the deal? Washington State is considering legislation to prohibit the sale of gas vehicles after 2030. HB 124 (2021 | WA) & SB 5256 (2021 | WA) Why should we care? The State Attorney General Office noted that legislation would bring legal action challenging the state’s authority to prohibit the sale of gas cars […]

What’s the deal? Uber bought Drizly, the alcohol delivery service, for $1.1. Billion. Some say it is ” a gamechanger that could “turbocharge” the growth of online-enabled alcohol delivery. ” Alcohol delivery grew by 80% in 2020. Why should we care? There’s a host of issues involved here. (1) the roll back of regulations on businesses […]

What’s the deal? UTSA received a grant from TxDOT to promote modes of non-motorized transportation that reduce the use of single-occupant vehicles through increased use of buses, walking, biking, scooters, skateboards, and electric vehicles. Why should we care? UTSA says the time is right to improve sustainability since COVID has people avoiding transit. UTSA will […]

What’s the deal? CT is considering Assembly Bill 6080 that would bring back the mileage tax. The CT legislature voted it down in 2017, and public opinion in 2015 wasn’t favorable. Why should we care? States have low revenue because of COVID, the gas tax has been under performing. Solutions are needed. States from WA […]