NewZE

Audio:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5tLFTApN7Rz6e9XryEaR77?si=bf7873cbe4854a5f

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newze/id1797582892

https://sites.libsyn.com/563770

This week's content: September 29th, 2025

Have news or an upcoming event you'd like to feature in NewsNotes? Fill out this form!

Welcome to new CALSTART member, Clean Technology Training Trust!

The Clean Technology Training Trust is a national nonprofit with a broad network dedicated to delivering scalable, customized workforce solutions for employers across the country. CTTT works intentionally and strategically with industry partners to design and expand apprenticeship programs that directly address current and future workforce needs. An apprenticeship model provides employers with a proven tool to attract, recruit, retain, and grow skilled talent—while also offering workers clear pathways to advancement and long-term career success. Programs can be tailored to meet employer-specific needs and span focus areas such as medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission mechanics, industrial manufacturing technicians, battery production, battery repair and maintenance, lithium battery recycling and reuse, chip and semiconductor manufacturing, and automation and robotics integration. By partnering with the Trust, employers gain access to a national infrastructure and a customized approach to building a future-ready workforce that supports innovation and sustained growth.

To connect directly with CTTT, reach out to [email protected].

EV Realty Raises $75 Million in Growth Funding

EV Realty's $75 million growth equity round marks a significant step in expanding its network of Powered Properties—dedicated, high-power EV charging hubs designed for commercial fleets such as delivery and logistics operators. Led by NGP, a firm focused on energy transition investments, the round included participation from EV Realty's internal management team, signaling strong alignment between leadership and investors. This infusion complements earlier financings and enables the company to accelerate development in high-demand freight corridors, particularly in California, where grid capacity and regulatory support are key enablers.

The timing aligns with groundbreaking on the San Bernardino hub, highlighting immediate deployment potential. EV Realty's approach emphasizes "grid-ready" sites near warehouses and ports, leveraging proprietary analytics to identify locations with underutilized power—much like data centers but scaled for smaller footprints. This strategy not only reduces costs for fleets but also optimizes utilization by aggregating multiple operators onto shared infrastructure.

ABC Opens Denver Facility

ABC Companies officially celebrated the grand opening of its new full-service facility in Aurora, Colorado, on September 18. The event welcomed customers, fleet operators, industry partners, local leaders, and community members, marking ABC's 10th U.S. service center and its first location in the Mountain West. Strategically positioned between Texas and California, the Denver facility fills a critical gap in fleet support along major transportation corridors. Purpose-built for today's operators, the 30,000-square-foot service center offers full-service maintenance and repair for diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), and electric-ready systems. With dedicated venting systems, fire detection, and specialized tooling, the shop was designed from day one with safety and sustainability in mind. This investment is already making an impact, as ABC is servicing Denver International Airport's CNG-powered shuttle fleet in partnership with LAZ Parking.

Greenlane Launches "Charge on Us"

While upfront costs for battery electric trucks are trending downward, Greenlane, a leader in public charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles, is launching its "Charge On Us" dealer program to help further reduce costs and ease the path to electrification for fleet customers. The program includes $500 in charging credits and six months of complimentary Greenlane Edge™ subscription access for every qualifying light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric truck sold. Velocity Truck Centers, a major North American dealer for top commercial vehicle brands, is the first partner to sign up for the program.

Dealers participating in the program benefit from a turnkey solution that includes sales enablement support, marketing resources, and customer service, all backed by Greenlane's growing public charging network and technology suite. For signing up, dealerships also receive a number of subscriptions to the network, which enables them to run pilots out of Greenlane facilities, simplifying customer billing and eliminating the need for expensive and complicated infrastructure. The Greenlane Edge™ subscription ensures access to discounted charging rates, advanced reservation tools, and a robust software ecosystem to help reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and streamline billing and electric freight operations.

Orange EV, Now Offering the Orange Juicer

Orange EV and sister company OptiGrid are launching a new battery-integrated DC fast charger to help power fleets, and it has a pretty great name: the Orange Juicer. With a 180kWh battery on board, the Orange Juicer steadily draws energy from on-site utility connections and delivers it on demand. According to OptiGrid, "The result is full charging performance with up to 85% less grid input power, resulting in a dramatic reduction of both installation timelines and upfront costs." Deploying the Juicer allows fleets to avoid expensive utility upgrades by using existing power, so they can start running electric trucks in mere weeks. The system works well with Orange EV trucks and is adaptable for other fleet equipment, along with a modular design that's easy to expand or move as site needs change.

BAE Systems on the Transition to Zero Podcast

In the latest episode of Transition to Zero, Jared Schnader, CALSTART's VP of the Bus Initiative, speaks with John Hroncich of BAE Systems, a CALSTART member company, about how their advanced hybrid electric drive system technology is helping transit agencies reduce emissions and improve efficiency. Topics include real-world results from Altoona testing; long-term fleet operations support; and why hybrid, battery, and fuel cell technologies all play a role in the path to zero emissions.

Listen to the episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5yQB10ms6EoU3ubZ1AdEmV?si=a062be6ddce14483

Upcoming Events

Clean Fuels Summit 2025

CALSTART member Louisiana Clean Fuels is hosting the Clean Fuels Summit 2025 on October 1–2 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This hands-on event will feature educational workshops, a technology expo, and a ride-and-drive showcase.

Emma Frantz, CALSTART's Lead Project Manager for Transit, will be speaking at the Summit on a panel titled, "Charging Ahead: Utilities, EVs, and the Road to Electrified Transit."

Visit: www.cleanfuelssummit.com

Upcoming Webinar: Innovative Workforce Solutions for Clean Transit Projects

CALSTART will host a webinar on October 2 focused on workforce development strategies to help transit agency teams succeed in the clean transit transition. The session will feature expert insights and real-world strategies for implementing innovative, holistic, and scalable training programs that help agencies maximize available funding and build a confident, multi-generational workforce.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3n74je72

Sustainable Scarborough Day

October 5, 2025 | Scarborough, Maine

The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) and CALSTART invite you to display your vehicles and represent your company at the third annual Sustainable Scarborough Day event on October 5, 2025. This event will gather a large audience including business owners, fleet owners and prospective buyers in the private sector. We encourage you to bring pickup trucks, sprinter vans, and other medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

Register here: https://driveelectricmonth.org/event.php?eventid=4940

Maine Municipal Association Conference

October 8-9 | Bangor, ME

GPCOG and CALSTART invite you to display your vehicles at the Maine Municipal Association Conference this October. This is the largest gathering of municipal staff in Maine, and will gather over 700 town managers, fleet directors, and municipal decision-makers from across the state. We encourage you to bring light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric trucks, including/especially municipal use vehicles such as school buses, trash trucks, heavy-duty lawn mowers, etc.

Check out https://ebiz.memun.org/personifyebusiness/Workshops-Training/MMA-Training-Calendar/Meeting-Details/productId/8661863 for more information, or reach out to [email protected]!

EV Realty Raises $75 Million in Growth Funding, Superb Crew https://www.superbcrew.com/ev-realty-raises-75-million-in-growth-funding/

ABC Companies Celebrates Successful Grand Opening of Denver Facility, Expands Alternative Propulsion Support in the Mountain West, ABC Companies https://abc-companies.com/2025/09/24/abc-companies-celebrates-successful-grand-opening-of-denver-facility-expands-alternative-propulsion-support-in-the-mountain-west/

Greenlane Launches "Charge on Us" Dealer Program to Accelerate EV Truck Sales; Velocity Truck Centers First to Join, Greenlane https://www.drivegreenlane.com/news/greenlane-launches-charge-on-us-dealer-program-to-accelerate-ev-truck-sales-velocity-truck-centers-first-to-join/

Orange EV and Optigrid Unveil the Orange Juicer Battery-Integrated DC Fast Charger, ChargedEVs, https://chargedevs.com/newswire/orange-ev-and-optigrid-unveil-the-orange-juicer-battery-integrated-dc-fast-charger/

Autel Completes Battery Storage Project in North Carolina

Autel Energy, a global provider of EV charging and smart energy solutions, has completed its first integrated EV charging and battery energy storage system (BESS) project in the US. Located at the company's manufacturing facility in Greensboro, North Carolina, the system features a 250 kWh battery cabinet connected to a 125 kW power conversion system (PCS). This setup powers one Autel MaxiCharger DC fast charger and two DC compact units. Along with improving the site's overall energy resilience, the integration of battery storage enables dependable high-power charging while reducing costs associated with peak energy demand. This landmark installation represents a significant achievement for Autel and highlights its capacity to deliver comprehensive turnkey solutions that merge high-power EV charging with sophisticated energy storage technology. The new infrastructure solutions are available for quoting, with installation possible by the end of the year.

Autel Energy is focused on expanding offerings to provide end-to-end project services nationwide. These turnkey solutions guide clients from initial site modeling and engineering through the final commissioning and ongoing monitoring of the system. Autel's standardized designs allow for scalable systems, ranging from 250 kWh to multi-MWh deployments, tailored for diverse clients including commercial sites, fleets, municipalities, utilities, and projects funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.

PITT OHIO's Infrastructure Upgrade

PITT OHIO has completed a major electrification infrastructure project at its Harrisburg terminal through a public-private partnership with Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection and PPL Electric. The company has expanded its alternative fuel fleet to 25 vehicles, implementing new electric vehicles and state-of-the-art electric forklifts as part of its sustainability initiative. PITT OHIO's electrification project represents the company's environmental stewardship and industry leadership, setting a new benchmark for sustainable logistics across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Electreon's AV Partnership

Wireless charging provider Electreon has entered an agreement with ATLoS, a Portugal-based autonomous vehicle (AV) manufacturer, to pair up their technologies. Electreon's wireless charging coils will be embedded in the ground along fixed routes, focused on AVs in manufacturing, logistics, and warehouse settings. This design eliminates the need for manual charging and enables 24/7 automation. further optimizing fleet operations. The partnership builds on Electreon's successful global integrations with OEMs and ATLoS' expertise in high-tech mobility projects. By joining forces, they aim to create scalable, intelligent infrastructure that supports the growing demand for industrial automation and clean energy solutions.

GM Experiencing Record Sales as Tax Credit Near Expiration

General Motors achieved its best month ever for EV sales in August, driven by a surge of consumers looking to purchase an EV ahead of expiration federal incentives. The company sold more than 21,000 EVs across its Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC brands, with leading sales in key models like the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the Cadillac LYRIQ, and the GMC Sierra EV. While September sales are also expected to be strong, GM anticipates a shift in the market once the tax credits expire September 30th. Despite the upcoming slump, the manufacturer is confident it'll weather the storm. GM is focusing on its diverse EV portfolio and the significant expansion of the public fast-charging network to support long-term adoption. Thanks to collaborations with GM Energy, EVGo, IONNA, and others, GM customers will have access to over 65,000 public fast-charging bays by the end of the year. This network is set to grow to 80,000 by the end of next year and 100,000 by the end of 2027.

Clean Fuels Summit 2025

CALSTART member Louisiana Clean Fuels is hosting the Clean Fuels Summit 2025 on October 1–2 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This hands-on event will feature educational workshops, a technology expo, and a ride-and-drive showcase.

Emma Frantz, CALSTART's Lead Project Manager for Transit, will be speaking at the Summit on a panel titled, "Charging Ahead: Utilities, EVs, and the Road to Electrified Transit."

Visit: www.cleanfuelssummit.com

Upcoming Webinar: Innovative Workforce Solutions for Clean Transit Projects

CALSTART will host a webinar on October 2 focused on workforce development strategies to help transit agency teams succeed in the clean transit transition. The session will feature expert insights and real-world strategies for implementing innovative, holistic, and scalable training programs that help agencies maximize available funding and build a confident, multi-generational workforce.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3n74je72

Sustainable Scarborough Day

October 5, 2025 | Scarborough, Maine

The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) and CALSTART invite you to display your vehicles and represent your company at the third annual Sustainable Scarborough Day event on October 5, 2025. This event will gather a large audience including business owners, fleet owners and prospective buyers in the private sector. We encourage you to bring pickup trucks, sprinter vans, and other medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

Register here: https://driveelectricmonth.org/event.php?eventid=4940

Maine Municipal Association Conference

October 8-9 | Bangor, ME

GPCOG and CALSTART invite you to display your vehicles at the Maine Municipal Association Conference this October. This is the largest gathering of municipal staff in Maine, and will gather over 700 town managers, fleet directors, and municipal decision-makers from across the state. We encourage you to bring light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric trucks, including/especially municipal use vehicles such as school buses, trash trucks, heavy-duty lawn mowers, etc.

Check out https://ebiz.memun.org/personifyebusiness/Workshops-Training/MMA-Training-Calendar/Meeting-Details/productId/8661863 for more information, or reach out to [email protected]!

Autel Energy Launches EV Battery Storage Solutions, The EV Report https://theevreport.com/autel-energy-launches-ev-battery-storage-solutions

PITT Ohio Unveils Major Electrification Upgrade: Ushering in a New Era of Sustainable Transport, PITT OHIO https://pittohio.com/myPittOhio/news/2025/pitt-ohio-unveils-major-electrification-upgrade-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-sustainable-transport

Electreon and ATLoS Partner for Autonomous Wireless Charging, The EV Report https://theevreport.com/electreon-and-atlos-partner-for-autonomous-wireless-charging

General Motors Sets Record August EV Sales, The EV Report https://theevreport.com/general-motors-sets-record-august-ev-sales

Audio:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5tLFTApN7Rz6e9XryEaR77?si=bf7873cbe4854a5f

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newze/id1797582892

https://sites.libsyn.com/563770

This week's content: September 15th, 2025

Accelerating Fleet Electrification with Scale Microgrids

Scale Microgrids recently completed an on-site microgrid project for food service logistics provider Quality Custom Distribution (QCD) in La Puente, California. This first-of-its-kind microgrid will supply power to chargers for QCD's new fleet of 30 Volvo VNR Electric delivery trucks as well as the facility's refrigerated warehouse. The microgrid combines on-site solar, battery storage, and backup generation to reduce energy costs, guarantee fleet availability, and maximize the use of renewable energy. This project will enable QCD to accelerate the electrification of its fleet, reduce the facility's carbon footprint, contribute to regional air quality goals, and meet the sustainability goals of a leading national coffee chain customer. Scale will own and operate the system under a microgrid service agreement (MSA), enabling QCD to save on electricity costs from day one.

Workhorse and Motiv Merger

Workhorse Group and Motiv Electric Trucks are in the process of merging to create a leading North American medium-duty electric truck OEM. Building on the companies' complementary platforms, the combined business will be a leader in the $23 billion medium-duty truck market with a full range of Class 4-6 trucks. The companies believe that together, they will benefit from increased scale, an expanded product portfolio and enhanced operational efficiencies to support lower unit costs while optimizing total cost of ownership for customers. Under the terms of the merger agreement, following the completion of the all-stock transaction, Motiv's controlling investor will become the majority owner of the combined company and Workhorse shareholders will maintain a significant equity stake. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 of 2025.

Windrose and Xos Launch Mobile Charging Solution

Windrose, a manufacturer of long-range electric Class 8 trucks, has partnered with Xos to provide fleet customers access to the Xos Hub mobile charging solution. By pairing Windrose's trucks with Xos's mobile charging hardware, the partnership provides a turnkey ecosystem for electrified freight that fleets can implement immediately. The Hub is engineered to be deployed in a matter of hours, as it does not require trenching, switchgear, permits, or a direct utility interconnection. The unit features a 630 kilowatt-hour onboard battery and integrated DC fast chargers capable of delivering up to 150 kilowatts per port. This capability allows drivers to return mid-day, recharge their trucks quickly, and get back on the road for a second full shift.

Windrose manufactures one of the lightest Class 8 electric trucks in the world, setting a new industry benchmark with up to 420 miles of loaded range, a high-efficiency drivetrain, and a lightweight chassis. The truck is engineered for global deployment, pairing well with Xos's cutting-edge mobile charging infrastructure. The result is a comprehensive solution that helps accelerate zero-emission freight adoption at an unprecedented pace, providing fleets with the technology and support needed for a seamless transition.

Bollinger Surpasses $1 Million is Sales

Midwest-based Bollinger Motors has announced the sale of 30 commercial EVs, totaling over $1 million in sales. Bollinger offers a robust portfolio of commercial electric vehicles designed for durability and versatility. The lineup features the Class 1 urban delivery EV cargo van (the ONE) and the Class 3 urban utility EV cab chassis truck (the THREE). Additionally, the Bollinger B4 chassis cab is an all-electric Class 4 commercial truck developed with extensive input from fleet and upfitter partners, making it ideal for a variety of urban applications. Purchased by a handful of companies including Ziegler Truck Group and Range Truck Group, the order consists of twenty Class 1 vans, six Class 3 trucks, and four B4 trucks. Two of the B4 trucks have been delivered and Bollinger expects to continue fulfilling the order through September.

Rivian Continues to Expand at Home and Abroad

Despite being founded just a decade and a half ago, Rivian has quickly become one of the leading OEMs in emobility. This ElectricDrives article gives a concise overview of the company's history and plans for the future, which include a European expansion and consumer vehicles on the horizon. To learn more about their take on the state of EV incentives in California, check out this Politico feature with Hannah Steinweg, public policy and business development manager at Rivian.

Policy Spotlight

On July 29, 2025, EPA proposed rescinding the 2009 GHG Endangerment Finding—a key determination authorizing GHG regulations from vehicles and other sources—and GHG emissions standards for all vehicle classes. GHG vehicle standards are a critical regulatory tool that drives the adoption of new technology and keeps our automotive sector competitive with the rest of the world, rolling back this program is a huge mistake.

CALSTART, Ceres, the Climate Group, and the Environmental Defense Fund are inviting organizations to sign onto a joint business and investor letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not to repeal the federal vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards and the Endangerment Finding.

You're running out of time to sign the letter and show your support to protect critical GHG emission standards for passenger and commercial vehicles.

Please review the letter and add your organization by Friday, September 19.

Podcast Listen: Exploring The Mobility House's Role in Transit Electrification

In a recent episode of the Transition to Zero podcast, host Jared Schnader interviews Sam Hill-Cristol from The Mobility House, a CALSTART member driving innovation in electric mobility and clean energy. Sam discusses how smart charging software integration is helping transit agencies optimize routes, manage costs, and collaborate more effectively with utilities.

Listen to the episode here!

ZESBI Website Debuts with Resources to Support School Bus Fleets

The ZESBI program, which combines school buses and charging infrastructure under a single incentive program, now has a dedicated website offering centralized support for California's ZESBI applicants as well as other school bus fleets pursuing zero-emission goals. Visitors will find tools, updates, and guidance to help navigate the path toward zero-emission school bus adoption.

Visit: californiazesbi.org

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Inverter Selection and Integration

Join Turntide Technologies on September 25th for a webinar reviewing important considerations for inverter selection and integration, a key aspect of electric and hybrid systems. Live from the manufacturing floor, Chris Pearce, Director of Advanced Engineering Development for Turntide, will review how to select an inverter and some of the parameters needed to integrate and pair an inverter with a motor. Then Chris will take attendees on a Tech Tour of an inverter. Register here!

Upcoming Webinar: Innovative Workforce Solutions for Clean Transit Projects

CALSTART will host a webinar on October 2 focused on workforce development strategies to help transit agency teams succeed in the clean transit transition. The session will feature expert insights and real-world strategies for implementing innovative, holistic, and scalable training programs that help agencies maximize available funding and build a confident, multi-generational workforce.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3n74je72

Sustainable Scarborough Day

October 5, 2025 | Scarborough, Maine

The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) and CALSTART invite you to display your vehicles and represent your company at the third annual Sustainable Scarborough Day event on October 5, 2025. This event will gather a large audience including business owners, fleet owners and prospective buyers in the private sector. We encourage you to bring pickup trucks, sprinter vans, and other medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

Register here: https://driveelectricmonth.org/event.php?eventid=4940

Maine Municipal Association Conference

October 8-9 | Bangor, ME

GPCOG and CALSTART invite you to display your vehicles at the Maine Municipal Association Conference this October. This is the largest gathering of municipal staff in Maine, and will gather over 700 town managers, fleet directors, and municipal decision-makers from across the state. We encourage you to bring light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric trucks, including/especially municipal use vehicles such as school buses, trash trucks, heavy-duty lawn mowers, etc.

Check out https://ebiz.memun.org/personifyebusiness/Workshops-Training/MMA-Training-Calendar/Meeting-Details/productId/8661863 for more information, or reach out to [email protected]!

Upcoming Webinar: Innovative Workforce Solutions for Clean Transit Projects

CALSTART will host a webinar on October 2 focused on workforce development strategies to help transit agency teams succeed in the clean transit transition. The session will feature expert insights and real-world strategies for implementing innovative, holistic, and scalable training programs that help agencies maximize available funding and build a confident, multi-generational workforce.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3n74je72

Accelerating Fleet Electrification with a Microgrid, Scale Microgrids https://www.scalemicrogrids.com/case-studies/quality-custom-distribution

Workhorse Group and Motiv Electric Trucks Executed Definitive Agreement to Combine, Creating a Leading Medium-Duty Electric Truck OEM in North America, Globe Newswire https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/08/15/3134252/0/en/Workhorse-Group-and-Motiv-Electric-Trucks-Executed-Definitive-Agreement-to-Combine-Creating-a-Leading-Medium-Duty-Electric-Truck-OEM-in-North-America.html?utm_source=fot.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=trucks-fot-augment-1t-valeo-momenta&_bhlid=e7ab26867d42a34acf3fd02afe7f7a24bb224470

Windrose and Xos Announce Fleet Charging Solution, The EV Report https://theevreport.com/windrose-and-xos-announce-fleet-charging-solution

Bollinger Motors Announces $1 Million EV Sales, The EV Report https://theevreport.com/bollinger-motors-announces-1-million-ev-sale

Navigating the Shift: A Rivian Perspective, Electric Drives https://electricdrives.tv/navigating-the-ev-shift-a-rivian-perspective/

Rivian is Looking to California for a Boost, Politico https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2025/08/29/rivian-is-looking-to-california-for-a-boost-00537854

This week's content: August 25th, 2025

New NEVI Guidance from Department of Transportation

The U.S. DOT has released updated "interim final guidance" for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. Originally established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, NEVI provides critical funding to build out a reliable, nationwide EV charging network.

The new guidance is designed to unlock program dollars faster, giving states greater flexibility to move forward with projects and accelerate charger deployment. This means more progress toward filling gaps in the charging network, ensuring drivers have access to convenient, reliable charging along key corridors.

The Federal Highway Administration is seeking feedback on these updates as it works to further strengthen the program. In the meantime, states now have a clearer path to put federal investments to work, delivering the charging infrastructure needed to support growing the EV market.

ABC Companies Set to Open Denver Facility Soon

ABC Companies is proud to welcome fleet operators, industry partners, elected officials, local media, and community members to a special grand opening celebration at its newest full-service facility in Aurora, Colorado. Scheduled for Thursday, September 18, the event will highlight ABC's fleet support capabilities through interactive tours, vehicle demonstrations and opportunities to connect with transportation leaders. Located just 20 minutes from Denver International Airport, the new facility further expands ABC's national service network. The Aurora hub is equipped to provide both in-shop and mobile fleet services for motorcoaches, shuttles, vans, and low-floor transit buses powered by diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), and electric systems.

More than just a ribbon cutting, the celebration allows attendees to go behind the scenes of ABC's newest operations hub, meet the team driving fleet innovation, and explore how services such as retrofits, mobile maintenance, and CNG platform support are modernizing fleets across the region. Guests can expect guided tours of the 30,000+ square-foot facility, live vehicle demonstrations, networking, food and drink, and the Mile High Maintenance Challenge for technicians to compete for prizes and bragging rights.

Learn more and RSVP to attend here!

Public-Private Partnerships Help Transit Fleets Electrify

Transit agencies are feeling the pressure to electrify their fleets, both from political mandates and public expectations. However, financial assistance from grant programs can be hard to secure and rarely covers the cost of what's needed. Public-private partnerships and service-based models can help bridge the gap for transit fleets open to collaboration with industry partners eager to accelerate the transition. In this article for Metro Magazine, Matt Curwood, VP Business Development at Zenobē North America, details the path to successful electrification with proper planning, partners, and financing models.

Rivian Georgia Plant, Back on Track

A few weeks ago, Rivian announced a new East Coast headquarters in Atlanta opening later this year. Building on that momentum, Rivian signaled construction of its new plant in the state will resume next year. The manufacturer paused the project earlier this year to conserve funds and moved the production of the R2 SUV to its plant in Illinois to expedite sales. Rivian won final approval for a $6.6 billion Department of Energy loan in January and will be able to access the funds once construction resumes. They're holding two events next month to honor the project's restart: a community event on September 14, and a formal kickoff ceremony on September 16, attended by stakeholders and government officials including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

E-Bikes for Firefighters and Park Rangers

Electric bikes are useful for a wide range of applications, from commuting and running errands, to emergency call response for firefighters and park rangers. Firefighters in Scottsdale, Arizona are using e-bikes to respond to lost hiker calls, potentially saving lives in an area where heat stroke can be near instantaneous. The Recon Stryker bikes are heavy-duty, with two motors for all-wheel drive, and designed specifically for police and security use. They can be mounted on the rear of ambulances, meaning they can be delivered to a trailhead for first responders to hit the trail with a backpack of medical supplies. The Scottsdale Fire Department attributes three lives already saved by the new e-bikes and has another six e-bikes on the way.

On the other side of the country, Florida has also welcomed e-bikes into local operations. The Florida State Parks Foundation recently announced the deployment of electric bikes across the state's park system. The Velotric Nomad bikes are equipped with 750-watt motors and a 65-mile range, along with 4" wide fat tires optimized for rough paths or off-road trails. The statewide fleet of 50 e-bikes was funded via sales from the "Explore Our State Parks" specialty license plate, aiding the Foundation's efforts to make Flordia's parks cleaner and more efficient.

Zero-Emission Vehicle Funding Opportunities

CALIFORNIA HVIP: The Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) is a California incentive program that makes medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles more affordable and accessible for California fleets through point-of-sale discounts. The program operates on a first-come, first-served funding basis and will reopen on September 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM PST. Check current funding availability at californiahvip.org/funding or sign up to stay informed when HVIP opens.

NEW JERSEY ZIP: New Jersey's $165M Zero-Emission Incentive Program offers base vouchers ranging from $15,000-$175,000 for medium and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles. Phase 3 vendor applications are currently open, and vendors must submit applications by September 2, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST to guarantee website listing before purchaser applications launch in early- to mid-September. Apply at NJ ZIP - NJEDA.

Upcoming Events:

ZM Trucks Plant Opening

Join ZM Trucks to celebrate the opening of their U.S. manufacturing plant in Fontana on Thursday, August 28th, from 12 pm to 2 pm! Festivities include the opportunity to tour the facility, learn more about ZM Trucks, and enjoy appetizers and refreshments.

• Where: ZM Trucks Regional HQ – 10271 Almond Ave, Fontana, CA 92335

• When: Thursday, August 28th, Open House 12pm-2pm

Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions you may have about the event.

Webinar: Inverter Selection and Integration

Join Turntide Technologies on September 25th for a webinar reviewing important considerations for inverter selection and integration, a key aspect of electric and hybrid systems. Live from the manufacturing floor, Chris Pearce, Director of Advanced Engineering Development for Turntide, will review how to select an inverter and some of the parameters needed to integrate and pair an inverter with a motor. Then Chris will take attendees on a Tech Tour of an inverter. Register here!

Join this year's World EV Day™ on September 9th, 2025!

World EV Day™ is the most significant emobility event of the year, bringing together the global emobility industry from the UK and U.S., to Argentina, Australia and India, World EV Day™ is the ideal platform to celebrate emobility. Find out more about the campaign today: www.worldevday.org/about-wevd

ABC Companies to Host Grand Opening Celebration at New Denver Facility on September 18, ABC Companies https://abc-companies.com/2025/08/19/abc-companies-to-host-grand-opening-celebration-at-new-denver-facility-on-september-18/

Rivian Moving Forward on $5B Georgia EV Plant, Automotive Dive https://www.automotivedive.com/news/rivian-kickoff-georgia-plant-gov-brian-kemp/758048/

Why Arizona Firefighters Are Now Heading Out on Electric Bikes, Electrek https://electrek.co/2025/08/19/why-arizona-firefighters-are-now-heading-out-on-electric-bikes/

Florida Rangers Are Now Patrolling on Electric Bikes, Electrek https://electrek.co/2025/08/15/florida-rangers-are-now-patrolling-on-electric-bikes/

Audio:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5tLFTApN7Rz6e9XryEaR77?si=bf7873cbe4854a5f

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newze/id1797582892

https://sites.libsyn.com/563770

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This week's content: August 11th, 2025

Member news:

https://www.cbtnews.com/gm-breaks-ev-sales-record-equinox-ev-becomes-top-selling-non-tesla-model-in-us/

General Motors sold over 19,000 EVs in July, led by the Chevrolet Equinox EV, which became the top-selling non-Tesla electric vehicle in U.S. history, driven by affordability, range, and rising demand among younger buyers.

https://insideevs.com/news/767059/record-ev-charger-deployment-q2-2025/

So far in 2025, the U.S. has seen a record surge in EV charger deployment, on-track to deploy over 16k new public fast-charging ports —led by Tesla, ChargePoint, and EVgo. Despite political headwinds and slowing EV sales, the charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly, marking a 20% year-over-year growth and signaling strong industry resilience and commitment to electrification.

https://www.kbb.com/car-news/audi-teases-mid-priced-electric-sports-car/

Audi plans to unveil a mid-priced electric sports car at the Munich Motor Show, signaling a bold new design direction. CEO Gernot Döllner describes it as a "TT moment 2.0," positioned between the TT and R8, aiming to become a new identity builder for the brand.

https://theevreport.com/byd-reaches-13-million-nev-milestone

BYD has reached a major milestone by selling over 13 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), solidifying its dominance in China's EV market. In February alone, BYD sold more than 300,000 units, marking a 160% year-over-year increase, along with a 128.5% year-on-year growth in exports.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/gm-engineers-coax-1059-miles-from-single-charge-in-silverado-ev

GM engineers achieved 1,059 miles on a single charge in a Silverado EV—more than double its EPA-rated range of 493 miles. This hypermiling feat involved meticulous planning, optimized driving strategies, and vehicle modifications, including tire pressure adjustments, weight reduction, and alignment tweaks. The test, conducted as a team-building exercise, showcased the potential of EV efficiency when driven with precision.

https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/tesla-semi-truck-logistics-company-mileage/

Tesla's all-electric Semi truck completed successful pilot programs with ArcBest and thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services, logging over 9,000 miles in real-world conditions. With ArcBest the truck averaged 321 miles per day with an energy efficiency of 1.55 kWh per mile. Drivers praised its comfort, safety, and ease of use while companies highlighted its sustainability and operational benefits.

https://www.thebuzzevnews.com/turlock-electric-bus-fleet/

CALSTART Members A-Z Bus Sales, The Mobility House, NV5, and Blue Bird are part of Turlock Unified School District's (TUSD) plan of transitioning to a fully electric fleet by 2035. TUSD recently added nine electric buses along with solar-powered charging infrastructure. The Mobility House played a key role by providing a charge management system that prioritizes solar energy use, reducing grid reliance and long-term costs while supporting sustainable school transportation.

Industry updates/studies:

https://theevreport.com/ev-drivers-will-pay-for-convenience

A recent survey by Konect reveals that EV drivers are willing to pay significantly more for convenient and reliable charging. Nearly 93% would accept higher costs to avoid detours, with an average 63% price premium. "This survey makes one thing clear: people don't just want fast charging, they want fast access to charging," said Merrick Glass, Managing Director at Konect. "It's not solely about charging speed anymore, it's about where the chargers are, how easy they are to reach, and what the experience feels like when you get there." In addition to proximity and reliability, amenities like WiFi and clean restrooms were found to be important to drivers when they were making their charging location choice.

Upcoming Events:

ZM Trucks Plant Opening

Join ZM Trucks to celebrate the opening of their manufacturing plant in Fontana CA on Thursday, August 28th from 4p-6p! Festivities include the opportunity to tour the facility, learn more about ZM Trucks, and enjoy appetizers and refreshments.

Where: ZM Trucks Regional HQ – 10271 Almond Ave Fontana CA 92335

When: Thursday, August 28th 4p-6p

Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions you may have about the event.

Join this year's World EV Day™ on September 9th, 2025!

World EV Day™ is the most significant emobility event of the year, bringing together the global emobility industry from the UK and U.S., to Argentina, Australia and India, World EV Day™ is the ideal platform to celebrate emobility. Find out more about the campaign today: www.worldevday.org/about-wevd

Description: Join Jared Schnader as he reports from the mountains of North Georgia, bringing you the latest news in transportation decarbonization and clean air initiatives. This episode covers groundbreaking developments in electric truck charging depots, partnerships for zero-emission public transport, and policy updates affecting the automotive industry.

Highlights:

WattEV's New Depot: Discover how WattEV is revolutionizing freight transport with its sixth heavy-duty electric truck charging depot in California. EO Charging & Horizon Energy Ventures Partnership: Learn about their efforts to support London's transition to a zero-emission public transport network. Ford Pro & DHL Group Agreement: Explore the expansion of electric Ford vans in DHL's German fleet and their global electrification goals. Policy Spotlight: Insights from CalSTART's Federal Policy Director on the implications of changes to CAFE standards. Transition to Zero Podcast: Anne Vail discusses clean transit projects and workforce development in the South.

Links:

Read Molly Boygan's article for more industry insights. Missed the Members Only Policy Update webinar? Contact Rachel Baker at [email protected] for the slide deck. Learn more about the New Jersey Zero Emission Incentive Program (NJZIP) and apply by September 2nd, 2025. Celebrate e-mobility at World EV Day. Find out more at worldevday.org.

Hashtags: #ElectricVehicles #CleanAir #Transportation #PolicyUpdate

Call to Action: Stay tuned for more updates next week, and don't forget to subscribe for the latest in transportation innovation!

This week's content: August 4th, 2025

WattEV's New Charging Depot

WattEV is breaking ground on its sixth heavy-duty electric truck charging depot in California, located at the Port of Oakland. This move will enable zero-emission freight transport from key ports like Oakland and Stockton into Sacramento and Nevada, according to Salim Youssefzadeh, CEO and Co-founder of WattEV. The depot is designed for megawatt charging, reducing charging "dwell times" to 30 minutes or less, comparable to diesel refueling times. WattEV's public charging depot will be capable of charging 25 medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks concurrently at up to 240KW each or six trucks at 1.2 MW.

EO Charging Expands Electric Bus Infrastructure in the UK

Fleet charging firm EO Charging and green energy financiers Horizon Energy Ventures have launched a new partnership, in an effort to jointly deliver fully funded energy infrastructure projects for the UK's electric public transportation fleets. Under the partnership, London's transition to a zero-emission public transport network will further be enabled, in a city which already operates over 1,400 fully electric buses. Previously, EO Charging has worked with a number of bus operators in the capital, including Transport for London and Go-Ahead, helping create suitable charging infrastructure. With Horizon Energy Ventures' backing, EO Charging is also set to accelerate the rollout of its 'Charging-as-a-Service' model, offering an all-in-one charging solution with minimal upfront investment to more public transport fleet operators across the country.

Ford Deliveries for DHL Fleet in Germany

Under a new agreement with Ford Pro, the automaker is set to supply an additional 2,400 fully electric Ford vans to DHL Group's German fleet by the end of the year. Once achieved, DHL will operate nearly 5,000 electric Ford vans across its Post & Parcel Germany business unit and add to the 35,000+ electric vans it operates across its German delivery fleet. In 2022, Ford Pro and DHL signed a mutual letter of intent to accelerate the deployment of electric vans for global logistics, and DHL has a target to electrify 60% of its last-mile delivery vehicles around the world by 2030. As part of the agreement, Ford Pro is also providing the group with its E-Telematics software, alongside mobile technicians trained to work on electric vans directly at DHL Group sites for any required maintenance and repair.

Policy Spotlight

Automotive News spoke to CALSTART's Federal Policy Director, Levi Kamolnick, to break down the consequences of the presidential administration's decision to eliminate fines for automakers that fail to meet CAFE standards:

"The new law effectively eliminates CAFE, which will 'undercut decades of effort to build and design a regulation that benefits all Americans and promotes a more globally competitive U.S. auto market.'" The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program has been in effect for nearly fifty years and shines brightly as an example of regulatory success. CALSTART has consistently spoken out in favor of CAFE standards because they have led to reduced emissions, consumer savings, and lower dependence on volatile foreign oil markets. Further, the continuation of this program would have only strengthened U.S. export potential, while providing market certainty. We thank Molly Boigon, as always, for going behind the headlines with industry news and views. Read her full article here.

If you missed last week's Members-Only Policy Update webinar and would like to receive a copy of the slide deck, please reach out to Rachel Baker ([email protected]).

Louisiana Clean Fuels on the Transition to Zero Podcast In the latest Transition to Zero podcast episode, Ann Vail of Louisiana Clean Fuels, a CALSTART member organization, joins host Jared Schnader to talk about clean transit projects, workforce development, and how Clean Cities coalitions are transforming transportation in the South.

Watch or listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XkW07VDjLhnrJgcLKnBV3

NJ ZIP Pilot Voucher Program for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicles

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is now accepting applications from qualified vendors for the third phase of the New Jersey Zero-Emission Incentive Program ("NJ ZIP") for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicles. To be guaranteed as listed on the NJ ZIP website as an eligible vendor prior to Purchaser application launch, Vendors must submit their application by Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST.

Apply Here: https://www.njeda.gov/public_information/#NOFA

Upcoming Events:

Join this year's World EV Day™ on September 9th, 2025!

World EV Day™ is the most significant emobility event of the year, bringing together the global emobility industry from the UK and U.S., to Argentina, Australia and India, World EV Day™ is the ideal platform to celebrate emobility. Find out more about the campaign today: www.worldevday.org/about-wevd

WattEV Breaks Ground on its Sixth Heavy-Duty Electric-Truck Charging Depot in California, The Trucker https://www.thetrucker.com/trucking-news/business/wattev-breaks-ground-on-its-sixth-heavy-duty-electric-truck-charging-depot-in-california

EO Charging and Horizon Energy Ventures Partner to Expand UK Electric Bus Infrastructure, Electric Drives https://electricdrives.tv/eo-charging-and-horizon-energy-ventures-partner-to-expand-uk-electric-bus-infrastructure/

Ford to Deliver 2,400 More Electric Vans to DHL Group's German Fleet, Electric Drives https://electricdrives.tv/ford-to-deliver-2400-more-electric-vans-to-dhl-groups-german-fleet/

Return of the Gas-Guzzler? Trump's New Law May Mean Thirstier Engines, Automotive News https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/an-trump-budget-bill-cafe-fines-0710/

Audio:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5tLFTApN7Rz6e9XryEaR77?si=bf7873cbe4854a5f

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newze/id1797582892

https://sites.libsyn.com/563770

This week's content: July 28th, 2025

ChargerHelp Joins Goodwill's New Clean Technology Program

Goodwill of Colorado is recruiting for the first-ever cohort of their new Clean Technology Accelerator program. Participants interested in joining the clean technology workforce will receive free, paid training on becoming EVSE technicians, with job placement assistance upon program completion. ChargerHelp, a leader in charger infrastructure service, is helping provide instruction for the program.

ABC Launches FleetForward™

ABC Companies has announced the launch of FleetForward™, a new initiative developed to reduce operational burdens and simplify service planning for fleet operators. ABC FleetForward™ provides a flexible, customer-focused solution for ongoing fleet upkeep. With service plans tailored to fleet size, vehicle type, and operational goals, the program combines mobile service, routine inspections, mid-life overhauls, and refurbishments into one coordinated offering. ABC FleetForward™ is designed to take the complexity out of fleet maintenance, giving operators the confidence to stay focused on their business. By delivering a unified, data-driven service model, the program helps reduce downtime, improve vehicle performance, and support long-term operational success.

Rivian Growing More Roots in Georgia

Rivian has revealed plans to establish a new East Coast headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, complementing their substantial manufacturing investments in the state. Opening late this year, the office will first employ around 100 people then scale up to 500 employees when fully operational. Both the governor of Georgia and mayor of Atlanta have endorsed Rivian's investments in the region, emphasizing the economic benefits and innovation boost for the region.

Autel Helps Launch Europe's First MCS

Autel Europe, in partnership with Icelandic energy provider ON Power, has launched Europe's first commercial MaxiCharger Megawatt Charging System (MCS). This deployment represents a major advancement in the infrastructure required to support the large-scale electrification of heavy-duty transportation across the continent. The system currently delivers 640 kW of DC charging power and can be scaled up to 1.2 MW and 1,500 A. The MCS is also built to withstand Iceland's extreme weather conditions, including sub-zero temperatures and high winds. The installation along Iceland's primary Ring Road will serve the growing number of electric trucks and commercial vehicles navigating the major logistics corridor.

CHANGES COMING, CONTENT NOT FINALIZED Read Important Lion Electric Company Announcement

Recently, Deloitte Restructuring Inc., financial monitor for the Lion Electric Company proceedings, shared a letter with all creditors and clients of the Lion Electric Company declaring that all Lion purchase orders and warranties outside of Quebec have not been transferred to the new owners and that [active] U.S. purchase orders, including awards granted through the EPA Clean School Bus Program, are cancelled.

In speaking with CALSTART, Lion expressed interest in providing future support to customers outside of Quebec and has the intention to relaunch service in the United States.

CALSTART's Electric School Bus Network is monitoring the situation; U.S. school districts and fleet operators impacted can complete the Lion Fleet Tracking Form to engage with CALSTART about their specific needs and receive fleet resources.

[Fill Out the Tracker Form]

Amazon's 2024 Sustainability Report

Amazon has released their 2024 Sustainability Report, a 50+ page document outlining the company's progress towards improving their environmental and social impacts. Some notable ZEV-related achievements include:

• 31,000+ electric vans deployed globally

• Making progress towards their goal of 100k electric delivery vans by 2030

• 10,000+ EVs deployed in India

• Surpassed their goal of 10,000 EVs in India by 2025

• 1.5 billion packages delivered by EVs globally

Check out the report's website to learn more about Amazon's achievements and to download the full report.

Upcoming Events:

Join this year's World EV Day™ on September 9th, 2025!

World EV Day™ is the most significant emobility event of the year, bringing together the global emobility industry from the UK and U.S., to Argentina, Australia and India, World EV Day™ is the ideal platform to celebrate emobility. Find out more about the campaign today: www.worldevday.org/about-wevd

Goodwill of Colorado Launches New Clean Technology Program, Colorado Joining Community Forces, https://coloradojcf.org/goodwill-of-colorado-launches-new-clean-technology-program/

ABC Companies Unveils ABC FleetForward™ Program, a Turnkey Solution for Fleet Maintenance, ABC Companies https://abc-companies.com/2025/07/22/abc-companies-unveils-abc-fleetforward-program-a-turnkey-solution-for-fleet-maintenance/

Rivian Atlanta East Coast Headquarters, The EV Report https://theevreport.com/rivian-atlanta-east-coast-headquarters

Autel, ON Power Launch MCS, The EV Report https://theevreport.com/autel-on-power-launch-mcs

Amazon's 2024 Sustainability Report, https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/2024-report

Audio:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5tLFTApN7Rz6e9XryEaR77?si=bf7873cbe4854a5f

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newze/id1797582892

https://sites.libsyn.com/563770

This week's content: July 7th, 2025

Cenntro Launches New Avantier Model

Global OEM Cenntro has announced the launch of the "Avantier Commuter", all all-electric vehicle from its 2025 Avantier Model Series. All vehicles in the series feature compact, lightweight designs tailored for city use and neighborhood mobility. The Avantier Commuter is a four-seat, five-door passenger vehicle with 50kw power and an estimated range of up to 320 kilometers on a single charge. Having received European Union M1 type approval, this vehicle model can be marketed and sold in all EU countries and those that have adopted EU vehicle type approvals.

Orange EV Terminal Tractors at Port of Los Angeles

APM Terminals Pier 400 is adding 20 new Orange EV heavy-duty terminal tractors to their fleet at the Port of Los Angeles, marking a significant step in the port's decarbonization journey. The company is also using the electrification project at Pier 400 to help advance the skills of its workers, establishing a new training program to increase access to EVs and enable more hands-on instruction for mechanics. Pier 400 sponsored three days of paid training led by Orange EV technicians to cover safety protocols, diagnostics and routine maintenance for the new electric tractors. The 20 yard trucks are expected to be in operation by the end of July.

Upcoming Webinars with Turntide

Turntide Technologies designs, develops, and manufactures best-in-class electric motors, power electronics, energy storage, and thermal equipment for anything that moves. They're hosting two upcoming webinars we'd like to share with NewsNotes readers:

• Webinar: The Benefits of Strategic Partnerships to Solve OEM Challenges

• On Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 9 a.m. Central, Current & Wave will host a panel webinar featuring thought leaders from Turntide Technologies, EVR Motors, and RISE Robotics. The panel will discuss the benefits of strategic partnerships including the value of selecting a full solution for electric and hybrid systems, the strategic partnerships, and how such collaborations are accelerating innovation for OEMs.

• Register here!

• Webinar: Circular Economy of Electric Motors

• Application Engineer Mat Lamb with Turntide Technologies will review the opportunities, drivers, barriers and potential mitigating strategies of implementing a more circular economy. He will propose a tangible circularity model for electrical machines that are used within the automotive industry. Mat will also share practical implementation strategies of this electric motor circular economy.

• Register here!

Upcoming Events:

Cal Fleet Advisor's ESB Experts will be at STN Expo July 14-15

If you're planning to attend STN Expo West this month, please stop by Booth 441 to learn more about how Cal Fleet Advisor works with partners across the industry while providing no-cost technical assistance in support of school bus fleets in California.

Connect with us in Reno > CFA at STN EXPO West 2025

Register Now for the 7th EV Charging Infrastructure Summit

Organized by the Smart Grid Observer, the 7th EV Charging Infrastructure Summit - North America, July 15-16, 2025 in Chicago convenes top industry experts and utility professionals to examine how growing EV adoption rates will impact the network, and what investments are needed to ensure grid stability and benefit.

Register now to hear CALSTART's Stacey Simms and Jacob Richard speak at this event. Learn more: 7th EV Charging Infrastructure Summit - North America 2025.

Join this year's World EV Day™ on September 9th, 2025!

World EV Day™ is the most significant emobility event of the year, bringing together the global emobility industry from the UK and U.S., to Argentina, Australia and India, World EV Day™ is the ideal platform to celebrate emobility. Find out more about the campaign today: www.worldevday.org/about-wevd

Cenntro Announces Launch of its New Avantier Model, Business Wire https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250701917711/en/Cenntro-Announces-Launch-of-Its-New-Avantier-Model

Port of Los Angeles Set to Deploy 20 Orange EV Yard Trucks at Pier 400, Electrek https://electrek.co/2025/06/26/port-of-los-angeles-set-to-deploy-20-orange-ev-yard-trucks-at-pier-400/

Audio:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5tLFTApN7Rz6e9XryEaR77?si=bf7873cbe4854a5f

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newze/id1797582892

https://sites.libsyn.com/563770

This week's content: June 30th, 2025

Welcome Back, SHAED EV!

SHAED is introducing an innovative ecommerce platform for the commercial vehicle industry. Focused on Shared, Hydrogen, Autonomous, Electric, and Distribution technologies, the platform revolutionizes workflows and boosts profits for all stakeholders engaged in the procurement, upfit, and sale of commercial vehicles. Founded by an industry expert, SHAED modernizes commercial transport with automation, standardization, and transparency. This innovation improves workflows, increases profitability, boosts sales efficiency, reduces effort, and quickens inventory turnover.

Listen to the NewZE, the audio version of NewsNotes, to hear from SHAED directly!

ABC Opens New Facility in Aurora, Colorado

ABC Companies is celebrating the opening of its newest service facility in Aurora, Colorado. This expansion strengthens ABC's national service footprint and brings its trusted fleet solutions to the fast-growing Denver market and surrounding states. The new facility provides both in-shop and mobile fleet services to support motorcoaches, shuttles, vans, and low-floor transit buses across multiple propulsion systems, including diesel, CNG, and electric. The Denver region represents a significant growth opportunity for ABC, which brings over 50 years of experience, customer service, and innovation to a new audience of fleet operators. The new facility is strategically positioned just 20 minutes from Denver International Airport, offering easy access to key routes and metro hubs, including Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

Orange EV Working on Battery-Integrated Charging

Electric truck manufacturer Orange EV has created a new company called OptiGrid to deliver battery-integrated fast charging solutions to fleets. The aim is to eliminate the need for costly and time-consuming grid upgrades with a "drop-in platform" that pairs DC fast charging with onboard battery storage. Each OptiGrid charger includes both CCS and NACS and can be deployed in days or weeks. The Asset Management Platform provides charger station management and monitoring and is OCPP-compatible. The new chargers are currently undergoing field validation through Orange EV's fleet network and OptiGrid is preparing for a commercial launch later this year.

Gateway Fleets Offers Advanced Charging Solutions

Gateway Fleets and XCharge North America have announced a new partnership to provide advanced charging solutions for last-mile logistics in Southern California. XCharge has deployed two of its dual-dispenser GridLink chargers at a new EV charging depot, developed and operated by Gateway Fleets. Located in Riverside, the facility offers reliable and cost-effective charging for customers like medium-duty fleets and independent FedEx operators. The chargers feature a battery-integrated solution that stores 430 kWh of energy during off-peak hours to reduce energy costs and avoid straining the electrical grid. The GridLink system is designed to turn grid-limited sites into dependable charging hubs, making electrification both practical and cost-effective. Gateway Fleets also provides a bundled service that combines flat-rate EV leasing with dependable charging infrastructure, simplifying the transition even further for operators.

Waymo Launches in Atlanta

In the next phase of Waymo's partnership with Uber, robotaxis hit the streets of Atlanta on June 24th. The two powerhouses have dispatched roughly 100 autonomous vehicles in Austin less than four months after the partnership began. Waymo vehicles in Atlanta can be requested through the Uber app, and customers can still opt for a human-operated vehicle if they prefer. Waymo is currently providing more than 250,000 rides per week across its locations in Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin. Despite competition on the horizon from Tesla and Amazon's Zoox, Waymo continues to lead the AV market in the U.S. handily.

RIZON Efficiency Drive Challenge

Attention Medium Duty Truck Operators: are you ready to experience the future of commercial transportation? RIZON is holding an Efficiency Drive Challenge next month for drivers to show off their skills in a cutting-edge RIZON vehicle. Register your interest here and be among the first to book your efficiency drive test experience in July!

Upcoming Events:

Join Cal Fleet Advisor's ESB Experts at STN Expo West in July

Cal Fleet Advisor will be at STN Expo West, providing no-cost, expert support to school bus fleets planning and deploying electric buses. CALSTART members are encouraged to stop by to learn more, connect with our team, and discover how this work is helping shape the future of school bus fleets.

Stop by Booth 441 to connect with us > CFA at STN EXPO West 2025

Register Now for the 7th EV Charging Infrastructure Summit

Organized by the Smart Grid Observer, the 7th EV Charging Infrastructure Summit - North America, July 15-16, 2025 in Chicago convenes top industry experts and utility professionals to examine how growing EV adoption rates will impact the network, and what investments are needed to ensure grid stability and benefit.

Register now to hear CALSTART's Stacey Simms and Jacob Richard speak at this event. Learn more: 7th EV Charging Infrastructure Summit - North America 2025.

Join this year's World EV Day™ on September 9th, 2025!

World EV Day™ is the most significant emobility event of the year, bringing together the global emobility industry from the UK and U.S., to Argentina, Australia and India, World EV Day™ is the ideal platform to celebrate emobility. Find out more about the campaign today: www.worldevday.org/about-wevd

ABC Companies Opens New Aurora Facility to Expand Fleet Services in Colorado, ABC Companies https://abc-companies.com/2025/06/23/abc-companies-opens-new-aurora-facility-to-expand-fleet-services-in-colorado/

Orange EV Creates OptiGrid to Deliver Battery-Integrated Charging for Electric Fleets, ChargedEVs https://chargedevs.com/newswire/orange-ev-creates-optigrid-to-deliver-battery-integrated-charging-for-electric-fleets/

Advanced EV Charging for SoCal Fleets, The EV Report https://theevreport.com/advanced-ev-charging-for-socal-fleets

Waymo Robotaxis Hit Streets in Atlanta Today, Transport Topics https://www.ttnews.com/articles/waymo-robotaxis-atlanta-uber

Audio:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5tLFTApN7Rz6e9XryEaR77?si=bf7873cbe4854a5f

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newze/id1797582892

https://sites.libsyn.com/563770

This week's content: June 23rd, 2025

Zenobē and Brampton Lead CA$4 Billion Initiative

Zenobē, a global fleet electrification and battery storage specialist headquartered in London, and the City of Brampton, Ontario, announced their leadership of U.K. and Canada-based groups that will launch a CA$4 billion partnership to support the zero emissions transition of the Brampton Transit bus fleet. This effort will mark the first phase of a 10-year electrification framework, serving Toronto's largest suburb and supporting the transition to a zero-emission public transit system. The partnership will replace the city's existing diesel vehicles with 1,000 electric buses, with the first phase expected to go live in early 2027. Brampton will procure electric buses from Canadian suppliers, with planning and design, software, supply chain relationships and capital markets expertise provided by the Zenobē team. The initiative also includes comprehensive technical experience and expertise from the U.K. and dedicated electrical and civil engineering teams on the ground in Brampton.

BAE Raises the Standard for Transit Industry

BAE Systems' innovative Gen3 electric drive system has successfully completed testing at the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Bus Research and Testing Center (BRTC), demonstrating best-in-class fuel economy and emissions results. Equipped with BAE Systems propulsion and accessory power controls, the bus produced an average fuel economy of 6.6 miles per gallon during testing, setting a new benchmark for a hybrid-electric bus in North America. The Gen3 system was developed to enhance power delivery, improve acceleration, cut replacement and maintenance time, and significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions on hybrid buses. BAE Systems has nearly 30 years of experience developing and integrating electric drive systems for buses and heavy-duty vehicles. The company has more than 19,000 systems in service on transit buses worldwide, including hybrid-electric, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell applications. Its electric propulsion technology is developed and serviced at the company's facilities in Endicott, New York and Rochester, U.K.

Motiv Welcomes New Chief Product and Engineering Officer

Motiv Electric Trucks, a leading manufacturer of medium-duty electric trucks and buses, has announced the appointment of Scott Zion as Chief Product and Engineering Officer. Zion will oversee Motiv's product roadmap and ensure technologies and finished vehicles are designed, validated, and tested to perform to the highest quality standards while meeting customer specifications. Zion joins Motiv with over 30 years of experience in vehicle engineering and electric vehicle technology from companies like Bollinger Motors, Xos Trucks, Hino Motors, and Ford. Motiv now accounts for 45 percent of electric step vans in California and 19 percent of step van deployments in the U.S. overall. Most importantly, Motiv leads the industry with repeat/follow-on orders; since founding, 64 percent of vehicles have been delivered to repeat customers. Scott Griffith, CEO of Motiv, said, "His background and leadership will be critical as we scale our team to continue to design and produce the most technologically-advanced, reliable, sustainable and cost-competitive electric trucks and buses for the largest fleets in North America."

Electric Buses Add to the Beauty of Public Lands

With proposed budget cuts threatening the preservation of America's public lands, National Park Service staff are looking for ways to reduce their expenses without harming the lands they protect. Enter: a viable solution from CALSTART member company Camber. A few years ago, they helped South Lake Tahoe implement electric transit buses, logging nearly 67,000 miles and eliminating 13,000 gallons of diesel in their first year of operation. Operating an electric bus costs just 44 cents per mile and eliminates traditional maintenance expenses like oil changes and exhaust repairs, which surely catches the attention of budget-conscious park managers. Camber designed Tahoe's charging depot with the region's dispersed landscape in mind, installing overhead pantographs to charge at high speed while out running routes, limiting range anxiety. The electric buses also use regenerative braking to recharge as they descend from mountain passes. Over its twelve-year service life, a single electric bus returns more than $400,000 in avoided costs, and infrastructure support from companies like Camber show that electrification is possible even in the great outdoors.

Join CALSTART's Push to Save IRA Incentives & Stand Up for Innovation

Last week, the Senate Finance committee published its highly anticipated tax proposal which includes plans to drastically weaken key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). At stake are several core tax credits (25E, 30D, 45W, 30C, 45X) that have helped drive U.S. competitiveness, innovation, domestic manufacturing and so much else. To draw media attention to the business perspective, CALSTART has launched an outreach campaign to tell the stories of companies and how changes to the IRA threaten to slow progress, shift investment overseas, and hurt domestic jobs and manufacturing. If you would like to be a part of this timely and important effort, please contact our Head of Policy, Trisha Dello Iacono at [email protected]

Cal Fleet Advisor Hosts Workshop to Support Electric School Bus Adoption

Earlier this month, Cal Fleet Advisor's school bus experts hosted an Electric School Bus Planning Workshop in Bakersfield, California. School transportation teams, utility partners, and industry leaders came together to discuss key strategies for planning, deploying, and operating electric school bus fleets.

Special thanks to our panel speakers: Brandon Smith (PG&E), Monique Hampton (Turlock Irrigation District), Jason Groves (SCE), Gil Rosas (Modesto City Schools), and Brad Rohrbach (Porterville Unified School District) for sharing their insights.

To learn more about Cal Fleet Advisor's no-cost technical assistance for school bus fleets, visit us: https://calfleetadvisor.org/esb/

New Jersey Fleet Advisor: Only 11 Spots Remain in Round 2!

Funded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), New Jersey Fleet Advisor provides FREE fleet electrification feasibility analysis to vehicle fleets in New Jersey. Each fleet selected to participate will receive a personalized Fleet Electrification Roadmap developed by CALSTART, NJDEP's technical experts.

There are just 11 spots remaining to public, private, or nonprofit fleets and school districts!

Learn More and Apply: https://dep.nj.gov/drivegreen/njfleetadvisor/

CALSTART Members-Only Webinar: Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks – The Road Ahead

Wednesday, June 25 at 9:00am PT / 12:00pm ET

Join us for an exclusive webinar designed just for our members. This session will dive into critical updates and opportunities in the medium- and heavy-duty truck sector, featuring ZIO ZET insights from CALSTART's Jacob Richard, funding opportunities from Tor Larson and Jacob Richard, and Northeast MHD truck developments from Jordan Stutt, alongside a Northeast infrastructure update from one of our CALSTART member companies. Stay engaged with a dynamic Q&A session to address your questions and help shape the future of clean transportation. Register now and join us for this impactful discussion!

Register here!

Upcoming Events:

Join Us in June at the Transit Retreat in Des Moines, June 25-26

Next month, CALSTART joins transit leaders from across the country for a retreat-style event centered on innovation, implementation, and open dialogue. Don't miss sessions exploring how the clean transit landscape is evolving as well as strategic insights and practical implementation best practices.

Join us there: https://www.transitretreat.org/

Zenobē and Brampton Lead CA$4 Billion Initiative to Electrify Transit Bus Fleet in Landmark UK-Canada Collaboration, PR Newswire https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zenob-and-brampton-lead-ca4-billion-initiative-to-electrify-transit-bus-fleet-in-landmark-uk-canada-collaboration-302481871.html

BAE Systems' Electric Drive System Demonstrates High Fuel Economy in Federal Testing, BAE Systems https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/article~electric-drive-system-demonstrates-high-fuel-economy-in-federal-testing~

Motiv Electric Trucks Appoints Scott Zion as Chief Product and Engineering Officer, GlobeNewswire https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/18/3101423/0/en/Motiv-Electric-Trucks-Appoints-Scott-Zion-as-Chief-Product-and-Engineering-Officer.html

The Electric Solution California Parks Can't Ignore (Opinion), Tahoe Daily Tribune https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/the-electric-solution-california-parks-cant-ignore-opinion/