Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

Why should we be expecting autonomous boat legislation? Because we’re not talking about it and an autonomous Mayflower is launching to commemorate the Mayflower’s 400th anniversary since it departed PLymouth Who partnered to build this autonomous Mayflower? The nonprofit marine research organization ProMare and IBM AP | 400 years later, a new Mayflower will sail […]

Who: GM and Uber What: GM is offering Uber drivers  special pricing on new 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV purchases and GM EV charging accessories. GM Authority | Uber Drivers Offered Special Pricing For GM EV Models

What direct impact did COVID have on high speed rail in California, beyond the cost overruns and land acquisitions that have clung to the project? California’s Cap and Trade Auctions fund part of the high speed rail project and those auctions have garnered less revenue Legislators are calling on the rail authority’s reassessment Los Angeles […]

Who: Motor Drive Where does Motor Drive operate? Indianapolis How does the a monthly subscription service work? Subscriptions range from$649 per month to $1,399, including insurance and routine maintenance. The service also requires a membership, which costs $400 upfront. If you buy an EV through the service, the $400 counts toward the purchase. What about […]

Where: California What? California Legislature passed a COVID Reform bill, SB 288 (2020 | CA) that allows ENVIRONMENTAL reviews to be skipped. Adieu preconceived notions. What is the goal of SB 288? To promote projects that could cut down driving & reduce carbon emissions What did the bill’s author say? “SB 288 will help get […]

Where: California’s Monterey-Salinas Transit What experience did the regional transit authority have that helped their COVID pivot? The agency’s  tabletop exercises concerning the best responses to natural disasters, civil disturbances or mass casualty events How did Monterey-Salinas Transit do to pivot because of COVID? Quickly required masks & distancing that limited occupancy with distance exceptions […]

The Sierra Club updated its Model EV Policy ToolKit. Here it is. What’s the big picture: Encourage & Incentivize purchase of EVs Encourage & Incentivize Fleet EVs for light duty vehicles and buses Policies To Increase Availability Of Charging Infrastructure Utilities are an ally, need policies for utility investments in charging infrastructure Clean Technica | […]

The report is by: California based Reason Foundation, the Los Angeles-based libertarian think tank  Which states are recommended for privatization of their tollroads? Illinois Tollway; the New York Thruway; and turnpikes in Florida, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio and Oklahoma. Not included: Texas because it has P3 toll projects Tulsa World | Foundation says Oklahoma […]

Who is hiring pilots, now that fewer people are flying? Drone Operators Why? Pilots are familiar with terminology, aerodynamics, impact of weather How are pilots flying drones a business model? On a gig economy model, it gives pilots the opportunity to fly drones when they want to CNN via KTZV | Airline pilots are worried […]

Franchising, which we talked about last week Pivoting to delivering stuff and not people How does pivoting to delivering stuff instead of drivers delivering passengers change the worker classification issue in California? The California Attorney General Order allows for delivery of things Reuters | Uber to operate food delivery even if rides business forced shut […]