Automakers race to build EV battery supply chains in North America

Auto companies are pouring billions of dollars into new facilities and supplier agreements as they strain to secure needed raw materials.

By Kate Magill • Sept. 6, 2022

Plugging $1B for alternative fuel vehicles, EPA head test-drives electric garbage truck

Inflation Reduction Act funding will be available “to replace dirty heavy-duty trucks with zero-emission models,” a recent video with EPA Administrator Michael Regan highlighted.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 31, 2022

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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

15 states should be prioritized for EV infrastructure, EV Council report suggests

To support increased numbers of electric vehicles, large cities and rural states in the South and Midwest will be challenged to provide enough charging stations, according to a report this month.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 30, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act could shift EV battery composition: BofA Global

Global markets for critical materials are likely to remain tight. “We expect virtually every commodity to be undersupplied beyond 2025,” new research from BofA Global states.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2022

Amazon expands hydrogen supplier deal with Plug Power as it strives for carbon neutrality

Plug Power will supply the retail giant with over 10,000 tons of hydrogen per year across its transportation and operations network.

By Kate Magill • Aug. 29, 2022

California sets road map to complete ban on gasoline-powered vehicle sales by 2035

Under the Clean Air Act, 17 states and D.C. can now follow this lead, with Massachusetts establishing a trigger law this month to adopt the regulations once California does.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 26, 2022

Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz boost efforts to secure EV raw materials in Canada

The automakers signed agreements to help build the supply of minerals including lithium, cobalt and nickel in North America.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 25, 2022

EV, clean energy, environmental leaders convey Inflation Reduction Act concerns, shortfalls

Onshoring requirements for making EVs and content sourcing for critical minerals could challenge manufacturers, experts say, and climate progress depends on governments using funds from the climate and infrastructure laws wisely.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 25, 2022

Growing building sector carbon emissions threaten 2050 net-zero goal, report warns

U.S. economywide greenhouse gas emissions fell 12% from 2005 to 2019, but direct emissions from the building sector were higher, according to the report.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2022

State NEVI plans raise concerns about EV charging infrastructure rollout

Grid capacity, plus Buy America and matching fund requirements, are among states’ worries about the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which aims to put charging stations every 50 miles along interstate highways.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 23, 2022

$1.6B in grants for buses and bus facilities announced by Federal Transit Administration

The grants will enable the purchase of 1,100 zero-emission buses, which Federal Transit Administrator Nuria Fernandez said will help transition the U.S. bus fleet to clean energy. 

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 16, 2022

National Grid RFI finds ample renewable gas, green hydrogen available in New York, Massachusetts

The utility is planning a 100% fossil-free gas network by 2050 for customers who do not electrify their homes or businesses.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2022

Utility leaders hail clean energy tax incentives as House sends historic climate bill to Biden’s desk

The bill's 15% minimum corporate tax could ding some investor-owned utilities, however.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 15, 2022

New York public housing is poised for electric heating and cooling upgrades from a California startup

Vince Romanin, the CEO of Gradient, discusses the market for heat pumps and a New York City Housing Authority contract to rethink HVAC for residents vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 11, 2022

Electric bus orders surge, but deliveries lag

Production backlogs hit major transit bus manufacturers due to supply shortages as the demand to electrify bus fleets continues to grow.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 11, 2022

EV adoption might be hindered by DMV fees: report

Some of the same states that incentivize EV purchases charge additional fees to EV owners, but they could restructure those fees to align with emissions goals, according to a July RMI report.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 11, 2022

California moves to eliminate gas line extension subsidies starting in 2023 amid building decarbonization push

Regulators estimate that four utilities spent at least $622 million over the last five years on gas line subsidies. If current policies continue, that figure is expected to reach $819 million over the next five years.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 10, 2022

Gov. Baker wavers on signing Massachusetts climate bill due to concerns over fossil fuel limits

"Part of the bill gives me agita,” the governor said Tuesday, according to CommonWealth Magazine.

By Larry Pearl • Aug. 10, 2022

Building performance standards push grows amid electrification incentives, White House efforts

A Maryland county’s policy represents one of the only major updates so far, but more localities have said they’ll pursue standards. Funds in the Inflation Reduction Act could provide new incentives to decarbonize buildings.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 9, 2022

California becomes first state to roll out submetering technology to spur EV adoption

The decision is the culmination of a decade of efforts to develop submetering capabilities, California Public Utilities Commission President Alice Reynolds said at a meeting Thursday.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 8, 2022

Ford expands EV battery sourcing pool as supply concerns mount

The automaker is diversifying the mineral mix for batteries used in electric vehicles as it looks to ramp up production.

By Kate Magill • Aug. 5, 2022

GM secures supply agreements with LG Chem, 2 others to support goal of producing 1M EVs a year

The automaker’s sourcing agreements were announced as the industry scrambles to secure battery materials amid tight supply.

By Megan Ruggles • Aug. 5, 2022

Entergy rate case spurs Texas regulators to assess potential utility ownership of EV charging stations

Texas could receive up to $408 million over five years through the Biden administration’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure formula program.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 5, 2022

Xcel expands transportation plan to provide carbon-free energy to all vehicles in its service areas by 2050

New EV charging programs in Minnesota and Wisconsin kick off the utility’s strategy, which envisions 750 new high-speed charging stations in the Midwest.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 4, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act would spur 42% US carbon emissions cut by 2030: Princeton-led study

The Senate bill cuts U.S. carbon emissions mainly by speeding up the deployment of clean electricity and electric vehicles, according to the analysis released Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 4, 2022