Trains braking generates power

You know how EVs use regenerative braking to generate power? A neighborhood in Barcelona is using the braking of trains to generate power. 1/3 of that train generated power is for the trains while the remainder powers the station and its amenities, including EV chargers.  Vienna, Philadelphia and São Paulo, also utilize generative power from trains.

Route Fifty | This city is turning subway trains into power stations

Austin to Monterey train

Officials and rail experts from texas and Mexico are joining forces to promote an Austin to Monterey rail line that roughly follows I35. There’s a letter of intent. They want  to build the first transnational train in the U.S. The goal is to grow the ecosystem of commerce, tourism, infrastructure and industry.

T21 | NUEVO LEÓN AND TEXAS SEEK THEIR OWN PASSENGER TRAIN, SIGN LETTER OF INTENT

Hoodline | TEXAS AND MEXICO UNITE TO PUSH FOR AUSTIN-MONTERREY RAIL LINE AMID LEGISLATIVE FUNDING OBSTACLES

Ethanol Jet Fuel Economic Development

Summit NextGen has applied for property tax incentives to build a new ethanol jet fuel production facility in Harris County. Summit NextGen’s ethanol jet fuel seeks to reduce carbon emissions for aircraft companies and airlines. The $1+ billion project would create at least 75 new jobs.

ConnectCRE | 3 Large Texas Manufacturers Apply for State Tax Breaks

Local transportation tax on your cell phone

San Antonio’s VIA is asking the city for a 9cent, per $100, tax on your mobile phone to fund transportation upgrades. VIA needs San Antonio’s approval. The city had cut VIA’s budget by $5million to fund firefighters and paramedics. The 9cent mobile phone tax is estimated to generate $8 million in revenue a year.

San Antonio Express News | VIA wants to add a new tax to your cell phone bill

TXDOT recommendations on heavy duty EVs

Who doesn’t love a fresh state agency report?!  We do.  A new TXDOT report makes recommendations on heavy duty electric vehicle charging infrastructure in its glorious 51 pages of pleasure reading for policy nerds. The report recommends funding, incentives, public-private partnerships, a new advisory committee for electric trucks, and more TXDOT staff to help collaboration.

E-tolling

Connected vehicle technology could be utilized for nationwide e-tolling. At least that’s the thoughts of the US Department of Transportation. USDOT released its V2X deployment plan that sets forth timelines for safety and efficiency of using connected vehicle technology for things like tolls.

Utility Dive | Connected vehicle tech could help nationwide e-tolling, officials say

Buc-ee’s and EV RFPs

Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming have not issued a single RFP on the nationwide EV charging program. 29 states have had 1 round of funding. 3 states (Colorado, Connecticut and Pennsylvania) are on their 3rd round of funding. Florida has the 2nd highest number of EVs and Wawa, Buc-ee’s and Busy Bee want to participate in the program.

Route Fifty | Why Buc-ee’s is picking a fight with Gov. Ron DeSantis