John Boesel

How to boost EV battery production, uptake, policy, and infrastructure A new report from Troutman Pepper has outlined critical strategies for boosting EV battery manufacturing, adoption, regulations, and infrastructure across the US. The “Driving Change: Scaling up EVs in the US” report warns that outdated and insufficient infrastructure, combined with lacklustre environmental regulatory programmes, is slamming the brakes on domestic EV battery manufacturing and consumer uptake. Barriers to EV scale-up in the US Read here: https://lnkd.in/eAJwgDze #ev #electricvehicles #evbatteries #us #evinfrastructure #batteries

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Residual values of electric vehicles (EVs) are declining, which poses a significant challenge for EV adoption. This decline in residual values makes leasing EVs more expensive for automakers and consumers. The resale values of electric cars are generally much lower than those of their internal combustion engine counterparts, primarily due to rapid technological advancements, market dynamics, and higher initial purchase prices that do not translate well into the used car market. AutoTrader: A study from iSeeCars.com found that EVs have the worst resale value among all propulsion types, with an average loss of nearly 50% of their value in five years, compared to around 39% for all vehicles in the survey. https://lnkd.in/ghZ-9iZX Drive.com.au: A UK study found that electric cars, on average, lose 51% of their purchase value in three years, compared to 37% for petrol-powered vehicles. https://lnkd.in/gkMafdTm CNBC: A study from iSeeCars.com showed that the average price of a 1- to 5-year-old used EV in the U.S. fell 31.8% over the past 12 months, compared to just 3.6% for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. https://lnkd.in/gn79AYmH Forbes: Tesla models experienced significant depreciation between 2023 and 2024, with resale values dropping by an average of 31.5-34.4%, depending on the model. https://lnkd.in/g_K6XPqV Ayvens: Electric cars tend to depreciate more than ICE vehicles due to rapid technological advancements. https://lnkd.in/g4nrmT2x Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): While EVs can be cheaper to operate over their lifetime due to lower fuel and maintenance costs, they still suffer from higher depreciation rates compared to ICE vehicles. This is partly due to the rapid pace of technological advancements in the EV sector https://lnkd.in/gbeUzDci CarParts.com: EVs generally lose their resale value faster than gas-powered cars. Early battery and plug-in hybrid EVs with shorter driving ranges depreciated more quickly than gas or hybrid cars https://lnkd.in/gKxGPhWm The rapid technological advancements, aggressive pricing strategies by market leaders like Tesla, and higher initial purchase prices that do not translate well into the used car market are primary factors contributing to this trend. #evresalevalues #evdepreciation #electriccardepreciation #evvsicecars #evadoption #residualvalues #leasingcosts #teslaseffect #evadoptionrate

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If the constant headlines of car manufacturers pulling back EV production due to high costs and lack of demand isn't enough of an indication that California's emission standards are too aggressive for industries to keep up with, this goes to show that there's a massive disconnect between the policymakers who set these standards and the very businesses and people whose lives are unfairly shaped by these unrealistic policies. CA policymakers must remember that they ultimately serve the people who are their constituents, not an out-of-touch political agenda that only hurts the most vulnerable in the community. + Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gkSeBsjh ----------------------------------------------------- #fuel #fuels #conveniencestores #california #caleg #emissions #energy #sustainable

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$19M for REACH 3.0 Grant opportunity from CA CEC will be interesting to watch - even though I don't live in CA. As an EV driver (when I'm not riding an electric bike) that lives in an apartment with no home charging, I particularly like: "For multi-family residential sites with designated parking spaces for a particular resident and where multiple EVSE are installed and Automated Load Management (ALM) is used, each Level 2 port shall be configured to continuously deliver no less than 1.8 kW to an EV when multiple ports are in use and no less than 6.2 kW when only one port is in use." This finds a happy balance between scalability, flexibility, minimum acceptable power levels, and minimizing costs. I see this being a great starting place for other states and utilities to use when building their MFH incentive programs. #MFH #EVcharging

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We couldn't agree more with Rivian's Alan Hoffman "the LCFS features prominently in the state’s climate Scoping Plan. It’s no wonder, given the policy’s many benefits for transportation electrification. The state’s EV goals mean that it has never been more important to ensure that the LCFS is strong and stable." If policymakers and environmental advocates are serious about lowering #GHG emissions as quickly as possible, in order to both speed reductions in air pollution to disproportionately-impacted communities AND minimize costs for transitioning to cleaner fuels, they need to take a technology-neutral "all of the above" approach that leverages the innovation of markets and economic incentives. California Air Resources Board's Low Carbon Fuel Standard has already exceeded every transportation fuel carbon intensity-reduction target set, and as Rivian and other EV industry companies and LCFC members like EVgo, CleanFuture, Inc., and Bridge to Renewables (BTR) have repeatedly noted: "Under the LCFS, clean fuels earn credits that producers of dirty fuels buy to achieve compliance with the standard. The resulting market multiplies the business opportunity for companies up and down the clean transportation value chain. In Rivian’s case [...] fast chargers generate credits when they charge EVs on the road, while fleet owners earn credits when they charge our vans and trucks in their depots. Market-wide, electricity credits like these have already generated more than $1 billion in value to date—a powerful market signal and catalyst for growth in California’s EV sector." #lowcarbon #climatecrisis #climateactionnow #cleanfuels https://lnkd.in/etqZXT4M

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Get charging infrastructure ready in advance and use a phased approach to transition to #electricvehicles, early adopters of electrification advise. Joe Lombardo and Mike Skirzynski highlighted the successes and challenges of carriers that adopted EV technology early, during Truck World Show. #truck #trucking #sustainability #electrictrucks https://lnkd.in/g_z2yd2G

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The hardcore anti-LCFS contingent has tried to snooker the public into believing that California's #LCFS is bad for the state's electric vehicle market. Rivian, one of the fastest emerging electric vehicle manufacturers in the world, doesn't agree. The EV maker this week published an op-ed in Capitol Weekly voicing strong support for the LCFS and its benefits for wider EV adoption. From the piece, in very simple terms: "In Rivian’s case, our Rivian Adventure Network fast chargers generate credits when they charge EVs on the road, while fleet owners earn credits when they charge our vans and trucks in their depots. Market-wide, electricity credits like these have already generated more than $1 billion in value to date—a powerful market signal and catalyst for growth in California’s EV sector." https://lnkd.in/gGXNSbGv California Air Resources Board #YestoLCFS #TheLCFSWorks #LowCarbonFuels #RenewableNaturalGas #RNG #CO2 #RenewablePower #SMART #LEADS

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With the OEM crisis in America - it is great to have another entry into the market for hydrogen powered buses. GILLIG will expand its diverse transit bus portfolio with a hydrogen fuel cell-powered bus, to be developed in collaboration with BAE Systems and Ballard Power Systems. The innovative venture underlines GILLIG's ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and delivering adaptable, high-quality transit solutions tailored to the diverse needs of fleets nationwide. "Understanding the unique operational challenges faced by each transit agency — from varying duty cycles and geographic terrains to diverse climates and depot locations — is fundamental to our vision of improving quality of life through transformative mass transit solutions," said Benjamin Grunat, GILLIG’s VP, product planning and strategy. "Introducing the hydrogen fuel cell bus into our product lineup signifies GILLIG's commitment to advancing sustainable public transportation technologies. It's about offering a solution that's not only flexible enough to fit every fleet but also matured through our thoughtful approach to product development, ensuring reliability and readiness for the demands of today's transit environment.” GILLIG’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus The GILLIG hydrogen fuel cell bus, which is currently in development, will provide transit agencies with zero-emission operational range, rapid refueling capabilities, and reliable performance in diverse climates and terrains. As agencies evaluate their options for the future, this new offering broadens the horizon for those considering hydrogen as a zero-emission solution.

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On November 8, the California Air Resources Board will vote on a package of reforms for the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. These amendments are crucial to the future of zero emission freight. We joined a group of other leading charging infrastructure developers to urge a YES vote. From our letter to the Board: "The LCFS program supports transportation electrification by facilitating infrastructure deployment, lowering fueling costs, and incentivizing the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. The proposed amendments being voted on at the November 8th Board Meeting significantly enhance these efforts. Notably, the proposed heavy-duty fast charging infrastructure (HD-FCI) program has the potential to be one of the most important programs in helping to deploy the charging infrastructure necessary for California to meet its zero emission transportation goals set by Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-20, along with recent regulations like the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rules.The HD-FCI provision addresses utilization risks in the early market phases, helping solve the “chicken or egg” dilemma that currently hinders infrastructure deployment. We appreciate the Board and staff's willingness to incorporate our extensive feedback during this process. The proposed amendments expand the program past 2030 to 2045, increase carbon intensity reductions to 90%, and take several measures to reduce the accumulated bank of credits and increase credit values.  This programmatic expansion will provide essential economic support to help fleets make the investments to operate ZEVs.    While we acknowledge that there are legitimate concerns on a variety of issues, including crop-based biofuels, the LCFS program remains an essential tool for advancing California’s transportation electrification goals and regulations – particularly given current budget shortfalls and electricity rate affordability concerns.  There is no other program in California’s panoply of climate efforts that can replace the level and length of funding for transportation electrification that this proposal provides, and failure to extend the program would have a devastating impact on California's zero-emission freight efforts. We strongly encourage the Board to adopt the proposed LCFS modifications and move forward with this important regulation, while concurrently committing to continuous future improvement."

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Yesterday, Los Angeles Metro released a solicitation to purchase up to 1,160 zero emission buses (solicitation link in comments). The base order includes 260 battery electric buses (BEBs), 20 fuel cell electric buses, and opportunity chargers for future bus rapid transit lines. The order is an important next step in achieving Metro's ambitious zero emission fleet goals. Metro's procurement meets many of the Federal Transit Administration's administrative priorities meant to strengthen the U.S. transit bus manufacturing industry -- there are only two Buy America compliant full size transit bus OEMs left!! We've reduced customization, introduced progress payments, and implemented a regional procurement approach that will allow other LA County transit operators to buy buses through the contract options. While it will be a few years before these buses hit the streets, Metro's existing BEB fleet has logged more than 5 million miles, to my knowledge, more than any other transit agency in the U.S. And we have 95 more BEBs coming this year that will serve the J Line and local service around the County. BEB technology still has a long way to go before it reaches cost and performance parity with Metro's renewable gas-powered CNG fleet, but we anticipate considerable improvements with each new generation of buses. We hope that by aligning our procurements with FTA's administrative priorities it will bring more certainty to a challenged industry, draw more competition into the transit bus space, and drive technology advancement. Well done Daniel Surmenian, Metro's Vendor / Contract management team, and the many other staff and consultant team members who got this procurement together. Your efforts not only help to push the industry forward but also put Metro's recent application to the FTA LoNo / Bus & Bus Facilities grant programs in a strong position to receive funding. Go Metro!

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An excellent piece by John Voelcker. PHEVs are just another counter-productive half-measure from the "anything but EVs" crowd. I own a 2014 Prius Plug-in, which has a measly 11 miles or so of elecric range. I estimate that every time I plug it in, I save about 40 cents. I only bought it because it has a Li-ion battery instead of the NiMH battery in the regular Prius. BTW, this Prius will be my last Toyota, and my last gas-burning car. I'm buying a Hyundai Ioniq 5.

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Virginia Will Exit California Electric Vehicle Mandate at End of Year Governor Youngkin last week announced the end of the California electric vehicle mandate in Virginia, effective at the end of 2024 when California’s current regulations expire. An official opinion from Attorney General Jason Miyares in response to a request by the Governor and Senate Republican Leader Ryan McDougle confirms that Virginia is not required to comply with expansive new mandates adopted by the unelected California Air Resources Board (CARB) set to take effect January 1, 2025.  Under Advanced Clean Cars II, beginning in Model Year 2026, 35% of the new cars sold would have been required to be electric vehicles, moving up to 100% in 2035. If an auto manufacturer sells a standard automobile out of compliance with California’s mandate, they may be required to pay a fine upwards of $20,000 per vehicle sold. Given that EVs only amounted to 9% of vehicles sold in Virginia in 2023, application of the misguided mandates could have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties. Virginia auto consumers and dealers could be forced to bear these costs. Not only would this leave auto dealers with less money to pay staff, offer raises, and grow their businesses, it could force many small auto dealers to permanently close their doors. OAG Press Release - https://lnkd.in/e4_TcDdr OAG Opinion - https://lnkd.in/eK-5m9kz

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The recent adoption of a North American standard for a universal EV charging interface is big news for both EV EV drivers and EV manufacturers. Although there are a few "speed bumps" that will delay full deployment for a year or so, it will effectively double the number of EV charging stations available to the public by allowing non-Tesla vehicles to access Tesla's17,000+facilities, as well as enable Tesla vehicles to charge at any SAE J3400-compliant commercial charging station. Details about the SAE J3400 are available in my 2-part series, "EV-Pluribus Unum", posted on Electronic Design.

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Huge News Alert! Seattle's King County Metro contracts with European supplier Solaris for battery-electric buses, marking the company's entrance into the U.S. public transit bus market. https://loom.ly/YAwRses

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🚛 California Air Resources Board (CARB) is boosting incentives for EV conversions, offering up to 75% of new EV vouchers! Companies like Evolectric - CircularEV™ Solutions are leading the way by transforming diesel trucks into 100% electric vehicles, accelerating the path to cleaner air and sustainable transportation. Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/g2sgKhWk #EV #Sustainability #CleanTech

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NIO and GAC Group have partnered up to bolster efforts for battery swapping and charging for EVs. The agreement hopes to push forward the development of battery swap stations and the launch of swappable vehicle models. Full article below. #electricvehicles #mobility #evcharging #smartcities #evbatteries #sustainabletransport #electriccars #electrification #charginginfrastructure #autonomousvehicles #microgrids #fleets

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