InfoHive – Transportation

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? There’s more than one way to get your foot in the door. Sometimes it doesn’t take laws or rules.

How will this be important? Allow this Executive Order to be your blueprint…

Executive Order 36: An Order to Advance Clean Transportation Solutions for Maine (PDF) 

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 “Our transportation systems have really led to racial disparities and discrimination” local governments, state governments and the federal government are all identifying ways to change that.

NPR | A Brief History Of How Racism Shaped Interstate Highways

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 pay gas taxes will that void.

How will this be important? EV sales are projected to only increase, thereby exacerbating issues with the gas tax not keeping up with the times.

Florida Politics | One bill raises registration fees on electric cars to make up for lost gas tax

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 working ways to offer reduce costs for low income.

How will this be important? Congestion pricing has been used for years in London and Stockholm. It works for them.

Politico | Driving downtown? Get ready to pay extra

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 innovative. Regulations and laws have to be adaptable.

How will this be important? To quote a restaurant review of a James Beard award winning restaurant, several years after it received the award- “cannot rest on your laurels” innovate, innovate, innovate

The State | Need a ride? A new ride-booking app launches in Columbia, created by SC entrepreneur

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 owners would have purchased their vehicles even without the tax credits, so why bother with other incentives. Others say EV sales are still around 1%.

How will this be important? Virtually US manufacturers have announced greater EV rollouts in the future. Build it and they shall come….

Governing | Carpool Lanes Encourage EV Sales but Increase Inequity

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 will this be important? states need revenue. EV charging is new and thus creative taxing ideas abound.

Green Car Reports | Could an electric fuel tax for EV help states salve the gas tax dilemma?

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? EV charger installation partnerships are all the rage.

Denver 7 | Electric vehicle charging stations are coming to every Colorado state park

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 is open to innovation.

CNBC | Deal with MIT-spinout to reduce electric vehicle battery costs by 60%

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 is a forewarning for other entities that add user fees, Legislatures and tolls are like oil and water.

The Patriot News via Governing | Pennsylvania Lawmaker Wants to Limit Tolls on State Bridges