InfoHive – Transportation

What’s happening? The Texas Legislature passed SB 911 (2021 | TX) about alcohol to go, and low and behold, there are rules for food delivery too.

Why is this important? The limits on delivery services preempt any local regulations. It also has requirements for restaurant removal from delivery services, signage, fees, and a clear way for customers to provide feedback.

How will this be important? Want a people to focus on something else about your bill? simply add it to an alcohol to go bill, because that will preoccupy the conversation.

Culture Map Austin | New legislation regulates third-party delivery apps in Texas

What’s happening? Austin Energy team created an EV Buyer’s Guide. A new app simplified vehicle charging to improve the customer experience.

Why is this important? Partnerships brought the program to life. Austin partnered with the City of Austin’s Sustainability Office, Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge, local auto dealerships and technology partners. 

How will this be important? Build a similar partnership for your client, your city, or your business.

Austin Energy

What’s happening? A Chicago Alderman is proposing capping ride share surge pricing at 150% of the normal fare during times of “peak demand.”

Why is this important? Surge pricing is getting more attention.

How will this be important? Cities and states are going to figure out how to regulate the price surging just like the regulate price gouging during emergencies.

Chicago Tribune | Chicago alderman wants to cap ride-share surge pricing

What’s happening? Washington State Governor Inslee, who when a Presidential candidate promoted banning gas vehicles, vetoed a measure that would prohibit the sale of gas powered vehicles beginning in 2030.

Why is this important? The veto came because of the the provision requiring a statewide legislative framework for a pay as your drive program to fund roads.

How will this be important? Road funding is complicated. Check that all the i’s are dotted and all the t’s are crossed. ” Inslee said the goal of 100% electric vehicles is “too important to tie to the implementation of a separate policy like the road usage charge.”

Spokesman Review | Inslee signs major climate bills, but not without partial vetoes; Legislative leadership threaten lawsuit

What’s happening? EV manufacturer Fisker is a hard no on bitcoin because of the environmental concerns around bitcoin.

Why is this important? Tesla has been clear on its intent to support and participate in bitcoin transactions.

How will this be important? Aligning bitcoin, with perceived unsustainable energy use, with EV manufacturers will be one to watch.

CNBC | EV start-up Fisker will not accept or invest in bitcoin, CEO says

What’s happening? Ohio has announced two sets of electric buses. The buses have to “Run 140 miles on a single charge in all weather conditions.”

Why is this important? The Center for Transportation and the Environment says less than 2% of the nation’s transit vehicles, buses, are electric.

How will this be important? Charging will occur in short bursts of rapid charging as route drivers take leg-stretching breaks every couple of hours.

Energy News Network | Ohio transit agencies debut electric buses, but funding is needed for more efforts

What’s happening? The gas tax isn’t keeping up, an influx of Californians who according to the soothsayers all drive EVs, every single one of them, and thus- EV fees. Let’s be real, the gas tax isn’t keeping up and EV sales are increasing. Californians are only added to make stories scarier or sexier.

Why is this important? Fees in the ball park of $200 annually are close in Texas. SB 1728 (2021 | TX)

How will this be important? Every state is trying to solve this conundrum

Auto Evolution | Texas May Tax EV Drivers for Road Usage

What’s happening? A US Senate proposal calls for a 25 cent per mile fee on trucking to fund transportation. Trucks would have a tracking device that logs miles and reports data back to the IRS.

Why is this important? States are considering pay as you drive options to fund transportation as the gas tax doesn’t keep up. If your state has interstates and lots of trucks, maybe you’ve found your thing.

How will this be important? States will try this. Why recreate the wheel when you an just borrow it…

CCJ | Truck-only mileage tax put back on the table by Texas senator

What’s happening? Oklahoma Governor signed a bill allowing ground based delivery drones. SB 706 (2021 | OK)

Why is this important? delivery drones are coming to streets, sidewalks and crosswalks near you

How will this be important? there are going to be accidents and liability issues that emerge. follow the legislation to and re-write it for your part of the world.

Governing | Oklahoma Approves Autonomous Sidewalk Delivery Vehicles

What’s happening? States are trying to figure out who is liable as the driver in autonomous vehicles. Is it the owner? the manufacturer? The software developer?

Why is this important? Regulating Autonomous Vehicles isn’t just about traffic accidents but also insurance policies.

How will this be important? The self-driving automobile industry is a “global market opportunity worth an estimated $8 trillion,” wrote Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and John Thune, R-S.D.

Governing | Liability Questions Loom Over Autonomous Vehicle Rollout