InfoHive – Transportation

Where: California

The regulatory entity:  California Air Resources Control Board 

When do the new rules being? Phase in begins in 2024, with full implementation in 2035 which will require most new trucks in California to be zero-emission

Which trucking vehicles fall under the new rules?

• big rigs
• delivery vans
• large pickups over 8,500 pounds

States in line to adopt similar rules:

• Connecticut
• New Jersey
• New York 

The numbers:

• 59,000 ton reduction in smog-forming nitrogen oxide by 2040
• $9 billion in health benefits
• 17 million tons of carbon dioxide eliminated by 2040
• $6 billion in savings for users of zero emission trucks

San Francisco Chronicle via Governing | California Enacts Nation’s First Electric Truck Requirements

What’s the name of the new, and only, U.S. based EV dealership network? Jolta

What types of EVs will be in the dealership umbrella?  e-cars, e-bikes, e-scooters, e-motorcycles

What other features will Jolta dealerships include?

• curation of EVs
• onsite charging stations
• charging solutions
• charging installation services

Why did Jolta form? To offer proper retail representation for EVs

Jolta LLC | Jolta, The World’s First EV Dealership Network, Will Launch In Miami This Fall

Who is involved with the Global EV Technology Competition? Kia, Hyundai, LG Chem, & New Energy Nexus

What is the Competition looking to reward? 10 startups creating electric-vehicle and battery technologies like battery construction and management, charging, business models, and EV components

Deadline to apply for the competition: August 28

Car & Driver | Kia, Hyundai, and LG Chem Launch Global EV Technology Competition

Who is adding EV chargers to its map feature? Apple

Will the mapping feature take into account range anxiety? Yes, by taking into account your current charge, elevation, and whether to automatically add charging stops along their route

Tech Crunch | Apple Maps gets electric vehicle routing to find EV chargers

The stakeholders: NHTSA, Beep, Cruise, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Local Motors, Navya, Nuro, Toyota, Uber & Waymo.

The goal of the initiative: Create a formal platform for federal, state and local government to coordinate and share standardized information

Transport Topics | Democratic Senators Raise Cybersecurity Concerns About Autonomous Vehicles

U.S. Department of Transportation | Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies

NHTSA | (AV TEST) Initiative

We know the cost estimates continue to rise, besides COVID, what else happened this year to impact California’s high speed rail project? The California Assembly adopted a resolution to delay the contract.

What happened this week? The Board of the High Speed Rail Authority, for the first time, did not approve the 2020 business plan

The cost estimate for the California High Speed Rail system? $80 billion

What did the Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee say?

• “I have personally lost all confidence in this group to develop and deliver what they promise,”
• “From inconsistent cost estimates to impossible program schedules, they provide fictional ridership expectations and exaggerated benefits.”

Los Angeles Times | California high-speed rail board delays key finance plan after lawmakers push back

Which COVID funds is Texas Central Rail seeking? Infrastructure stimulus funding via the Department of Transportation

What does the financing of this high speed rail look like post-COVID?

• Private equity
• Funding from Japan
• Stimulus Funding

Total estimated cost: $30 billion

PJ Media | Texas’ ‘Privately Funded’ Bullet Train Project Seeks Taxpayer Dollars

KTRH | Losing Steam: Texas Bullet Train Project Seeks Federal Help

Dallas Business Journal | Texas Central’s high-speed rail project ‘could require some stimulus money,’ CEO says

The State: Connecticut

What incentives is Connecticut considering for e-bikes?

• e-bike rebate from $200 to $500

What other state has e-bike incentives? Vermont

How does Vermont’s e-bike incentives work?

• a $200 rebate to customers
• if they purchase e-bikes from local bike shops

Have other e-bike incentives opened up in Vermont? Yes, Green Mountain Energy offers a $300 incentive for e-bike purchasing

Do other e-bike incentive program exist? yes, at Austin Energy in Austin, TX & a program in California

Energy News | In New England, declining car sales prompt call for electric bike rebates

Where: Seattle, Washington

How will hazard pay work?

• DRIVERS get an extra $2.50 per order
• FOR THE DURATION of the Covid-19 civil emergency as declared by Seattle’s mayor

What are the reasons for hazard pay?

• Covers the risks of working during a pandemic
• Helps cover the cost of preventative safety measures and equipment

Quartz | Hazard pay for gig workers is a choice—but in Seattle it’s about to become law

Which ride share company? Lyft

When will Lyft hit 100% Electric Vehicles? 2030

Who is Lyft partnering with to make 100% EV happen?

• automakers
• rental car companies
• millions of independent contractors

What is the Lyft President and Co-Founder saying?

• “Now more than ever, we need to work together to create cleaner, healthier, and more equitable communities. Success breeds success, and if we do this right, it creates a path for others.”

What are watchers saying? The move comes at a time when research data shows ride share rides have a greater impact on the environment than other forms of transportation

The Verge | Lyft vows ‘100 percent’ of its vehicles will be electric by 2030