Xcel Energy, Ford partner to help business fleets install 30,000 EV chargers

The partnership will begin by connecting Ford Pro, a commercial division of the automaker, with Xcel’s electric vehicle supply infrastructure programs in Wisconsin and Colorado.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 5, 2023

AI-driven approaches can expedite building decarbonization: McKinsey

Machine learning, artificial intelligence and physics-based models can accelerate net-zero efforts, providing a more than 100-fold increase in the pace and scale of decarbonization, according to the consulting firm.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 4, 2023

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

The US could still get to net zero

Reducing nearly 90% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 can be done without any Hail Mary innovations.

By Michael Jung and Adam Agalloco • Dec. 1, 2023

Wisconsin bills would enable retail EV charging, drop ‘cumbersome’ utility requirement

To access federal funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Wisconsin lawmakers must allow private businesses to charge drivers by the kilowatt-hour.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 30, 2023

EV sales climb and are on track to be 9% of US new car purchases in 2023: Atlas Public Policy

U.S. sales of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles reached 17.7% of new light-duty vehicle sales in the third quarter, according to the Energy Information Administration.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 28, 2023

Plans to get an entire block off the natural gas system take shape in one California city

Albany, California, wants to lay the groundwork for widescale adoption of this emerging building decarbonization approach.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 27, 2023

The key ingredient in the transition to EVs: Charging reliability

A challenge in the EV industry is the role charging reliability has in growing demand for EVs.

Nov. 27, 2023

DOE allocates $169M to propel electric heat pump manufacturing across 13 states

The nine projects funded across 15 sites will create more than 1,700 jobs and reduce emissions, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 22, 2023

DOE grants aim to expand clean energy workforce, enhance building efficiency

The $40 million-plus funding will add new building training and assessment centers and industrial assessment centers, which provide technical assistance to commercial and institutional buildings and some manufacturers. 

By Joe Burns • Nov. 20, 2023

Boston ends efforts to ban fossil fuels in new buildings through state program

Massachusetts’ largest city pursued inclusion in a state climate pilot program, but the mayor reported she got “clear indications” that Boston would not be selected for the last of 10 spots.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 16, 2023

Clean energy manufacturing is on the rise in New York

The state has established multiple funding programs to entice sustainable production and development, bringing wind energy companies, heat pump manufacturers and others to the area. 

By Sakshi Udavant • Nov. 14, 2023

EV sales are rising. So why are automakers nervous?

Slower sales growth, lower prices and growing inventories have spooked carmakers, leading some to reconsider their electric vehicle plans to bolster their finances.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 13, 2023

If you build it, you’d better tell them about it

I’ll admit it—I used to be a member of what we might call the “Field of Dreams” camp of EV adoption, believing that “if you build it, they will come.”

By Elizabeth Turnbull, Director of Market Development, Transportation Electrification for Franklin Energy • Nov. 13, 2023

Are EV sales tanking? This Al Gore doesn’t think so.

Despite recent labor and manufacturing woes, EV sales remain strong, and cities will benefit as more electric trucks and buses hit the streets, Al Gore III said.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 8, 2023

ASHRAE releases guide on how grid interactivity can accelerate decarbonization

The guide offers best practices and considerations for carbon emissions reduction, energy usage optimization and operational cost savings, the organization says.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 7, 2023

Duke, others leverage new IRA rules to finance clean energy, but cost, complexity are hurdles

New tax credit provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act could more than triple the $20 billion annual tax equity market that today finances clean energy in the U.S., if various challenges can be overcome.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2023

Big power’s EV charging strategy: Raise rates, overpromise, underdeliver, repeat

We grant publicly regulated utilities certain privileges in exchange for reliability and affordability. When they try to leverage that privilege to corner a new market, they deserve plenty of pushback.

By Jay Smith • Nov. 3, 2023

Heat pumps are hot, but commercial retrofits face cold realities

Government decarbonization strategies call for widespread deployment of heat pumps for building heating and cooling, but experts warn of retrofit costs, disruption and other concerns.

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 1, 2023

IRA-driven electrification, other steps could cut building GHG emissions up to 70%: EPA

Inflation Reduction Act incentives could reduce building greenhouse gas emissions through 2035 more than emissions in any other end-use sector, according to a recent EPA report.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 31, 2023

DOE touts $18.5B in business energy savings through Better Buildings Initiative

Public- and private-sector entities have cut costs while reducing energy use and emissions, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s latest report.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 25, 2023

Biden’s 58 mpg fuel economy standard could slow EV investments, auto group warns

Automakers cannot afford to invest in internal combustion engines and EVs simultaneously, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation said in comments filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

By Michael Brady • Oct. 23, 2023

How facilities managers can transition away from fossil fuels

Building decarbonization is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires forward planning starting now, says Dan Arant, manager of North America sales at the energy and ESG division of Brightly.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 23, 2023

Biogas can fuel the EV industry, if the EPA allows it

EVs and biogas are at the intersection of renewable energy, vehicle electrification, recycling and carbon policy. One decision by the EPA can help them all.

By Heather Dziedzic • Oct. 20, 2023

DOE announces ‘largest-ever investment in America’s grid,’ giving $3.5B across 44 states

The first round of funding under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program will boost U.S. renewable capacity by more than 10% within this decade, said DOE officials.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2023

Utilities, charging companies battle over EV fast chargers, slowing deployment amid massive needs

State and federal policies are driving utilities and EV charger providers to transform U.S. transportation. They have found common ground in some areas but cannot agree on the utility role in fast charging deployment.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 18, 2023