California moves toward mandating zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles

To fight air pollution, the California Air Resources Board discussed a proposal to begin requiring government and commercial fleets to purchase cleaner vehicles. A plan could be in place by next year.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 31, 2022

Electric utilities aren’t doing enough to address inequities in today’s power system, advocates say

How are companies, regulators, NGOs and others ensuring that the energy transition is equitable?

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Building Electrification

Decarbonization goals are spurring building electrication efforts across the U.S. While the use of heat pumps and other technologies is expanding, some policies are facing legal challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

BP and Hertz to build EV fast charging stations across the US

Ride-hailing drivers, Hertz car renters and the public will be able to charge up at hundreds of locations in the U.S.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 27, 2022

For equitable building electrification, philanthropy-backed fund puts communities in the driver’s seat

Who designs the energy transition? As cities work to reduce building emissions and spur clean alternatives, the creators of the Equitable Building Electrification Fund believe that decision-making power needs to shift.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 27, 2022

BMW invests $1.7B to expand EV output in the US

The automaker will expand a South Carolina plant and partner with a battery supplier to build a nearby facility.

By Megan Ruggles • Oct. 27, 2022

EV charging station rollout hampered by outdated state, city regulations: report

An electric vehicle charging station is not a petroleum storage tank system, but some governments regulate it as such. That will have to change to speed up the electric vehicle transition, a new research report says. 

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 26, 2022

The energy system is ‘inherently racist,’ advocates say. How are utilities responding to calls for greater equity?

Utility commitments to customer equity, energy affordability and equitable access to clean energy resources are becoming more common, but energy justice advocates say companies need to do more. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2022

Electric vehicle fires in Florida caused by Hurricane Ian fuel safety questions

Are EV’s batteries safe? Fires that were recently reported — linked to saltwater damage amid flooding — prompted the latest scrutiny from government leaders.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 25, 2022

Biden awards $2.8B to boost domestic EV battery supply

Suppliers for major auto giants including Tesla and Mercedes-Benz won grants to expand manufacturing

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 25, 2022

Sunnova urges California PUC to dismiss PG&E, SCE ‘sky is falling’ concerns, review microgrid proposal

“This is a real opportunity to examine what's going to be a fairly prevalent use case,” said Robert Perry, a consultant for World Business Academy, one of 16 organizations supporting a commission review of the plan.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 25, 2022

As the electric truck transition shifts into high gear, utilities must lead the charge

Utilities can support truck and bus electrification with streamlined infrastructure processes, proactive planning and active outreach.

By Pamela MacDougall and Katie M. Sloan • Oct. 18, 2022

Inside Pilot’s massive EV-charging initiative

Convenience store chains are building hundreds of electric vehicle charging stations, but Pilot’s goal to have thousands signals the beginning of an EV charging arms race in the industry.

By Brett Dworski • Oct. 17, 2022

Honda, LG Energy Solution $3.5B battery plant joint venture set for Ohio, part of ‘EV hub’

Honda aims to begin EV production and sales in North America by 2026 and make battery-electric and fuel cell EVs represent 100% of its vehicle sales in North America by 2040.

By Megan Ruggles • Oct. 13, 2022

Oakland tests electric transit buses for resilience in vehicle-to-building pilot

Battery-powered buses will contribute six hours of backup power, while hydrogen buses will provide 11 hours.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2022

GM takes on Tesla, others; launches unit focused on energy storage, solar and vehicle-to-grid charging

General Motors hopes the new services will spur EV adoption while improving grid resiliency, it said as part of a broader business announcement Tuesday.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 11, 2022

EPA launches initiative to speed review of new chemicals for electric vehicle, clean energy sectors

The effort covers mixed metal oxides, which are a key component in lithium-ion batteries and can also be used in solar cells, wind turbines and other clean energy applications.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 7, 2022

Building EV charging through public-private partnerships

Cities and companies can work together to install charging stations along curbs, at multifamily housing, in parking lots and at public facilities, panelists said at Smart Cities Connect.

By Danielle McLean • Oct. 6, 2022

97% of smart meters fail to provide promised customer benefits. Can $3B in new funding change that?

Interoperability standards can deliver “non-discriminatory access” to real-time data from new smart meters to fulfill promises of customer savings and other system benefits, energy managers say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 5, 2022

‘Minimobility’ could fill the gap between micromobility and electric cars, analysts say

Three- or four-wheeled electric-powered vehicles, whether shared or privately owned, could become an important option for urban transport, according to a new report from the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility.

By Charles Pekow • Oct. 4, 2022

Shipper initiative targets zero emission trucking fleets by 2040

Ikea, Unilever and Maersk are among the founding members of a push to phase out the heaviest, most polluting freight vehicles.

By Colin Campbell • Sept. 30, 2022

New York begins implementation of 2035 ban on new gas-powered cars and trucks, following California lead

Boosting sales of EVs in New York may require changing the law around how vehicles are sold, according to the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2022

Chicago passes updated building energy code to support decarbonization

Starting in November, new building designs must adhere to stronger energy-efficiency and electrification standards as the city seeks to mitigate one of its major sources of emissions.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 29, 2022

BP and Hertz to develop national EV charging network

The move sets the foundation for BP and Hertz to “drive the future of mobility and accelerate EV consumer adoption,” the companies said in a statement.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 28, 2022

EV charging network plans approved for all 50 states

The FHWA’s approval unlocks $1.5 billion in NEVI program funds through fiscal years 2022 and 2023 for all jurisdictions across the U.S., allowing the build-out of chargers covering about 75,000 miles of highway.

By Danielle McLean • Sept. 28, 2022

How the Inflation Reduction Act is heating up an already active market for critical metals in EV batteries

Domestic sourcing requirements in the law have further highlighted supply gaps in the electric vehicle battery production chain. Experts say recycling is imperative because “we can’t mine our way out of this.”

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 27, 2022