Residential electric panels represent a nearly $100B 'roadblock' to full electrification, report finds

Up to 48 million U.S. homes may require electric panel upgrades in order to charge electric vehicles or switch away from appliances now running on natural gas or other fossil fuels, according to research from Pecan Street.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2021

As PNW utilities contemplate building decarbonization, affordability concerns linger

Decarbonization experts say all-electric new construction is more economic, but Puget Sound Energy sees a continuing need for natural gas in the near term. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 25, 2021

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

Solar power in trucking's forecast as fleets find energy, cost savings

Marten Transport, Mesilla Valley Transportation and Rush Enterprises are just a few industry players betting on the power of the sun.

By Heather Larson • Aug. 25, 2021

Electrifying 97% of the federal fleet by 2030 could save billions: report

More than $1 billion in savings would come over the lifetime of light-duty vehicles and buses if the federal government fleet switched to EVs, a new Atlas Public Policy report finds.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 23, 2021

California brainstorms approaches to a high-DER grid of the future

Multiple groups that commented on a sweeping new rulemaking at the California Public Utilities Commission urged regulators to prioritize affordability.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 20, 2021

UL, Hyundai to partner on evaluation of EV batteries for energy storage

The project will focus on second-life applications for electric vehicle batteries. The companies say their partnership could also offer valuable data on lithium-ion battery safety risks.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 18, 2021

DOE planning public-private partnerships to develop new battery chemistries, supply chains for EVs

Battery cost and availability are key bottlenecks for electric vehicle adoption, but the federal government and private sector are confident about the next decade of technology developments.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 13, 2021

California greenlights first-of-its-kind energy code to encourage electrified buildings

Regulators estimate the 2022 Energy Code will generate $1.5 billion in consumer benefits over the next three decades, as well as reduce 10 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 12, 2021

As Senate passes infrastructure bill, Democrats eye opportunity for more energy spending

A $3.5 trillion budget resolution, approved by the Senate early this morning, contains more tax credits and incentives for renewable energy, including a clean electricity payment program.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 11, 2021

'An enormous lift': Biden's goal of 50% EV sales by 2030 will test supply chains, utilities, experts say

Utilities say they can meet the anticipated growth in electricity demand for charging, but right now "there is in no way, shape or form the availability of the raw materials to produce these vehicles" in the U.S., some analysts warn.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2021

120 EV charging stations to be installed at California apartment complexes through state partnership

Backed by state funding, the initiative with platform EVmatch could entice lower-income renters to purchase an electric vehicle.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 9, 2021

Entergy touts hydrogen as tool to meet industrial customers' green goals

On the utility's second quarter earnings call, CEO Leo Denault said it is working to offer industrial clients "some of the cleanest electricity in the country."

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 6, 2021

The US power sector is halfway to net zero emissions, but it gets harder now, analysts say

Renewables led the power sector's recent energy transition, but breakthroughs are needed to take the transportation, building and industrial sectors to net zero emissions by mid-century.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2021

Bipartisan $1 trillion Senate infrastructure bill focuses on transmission, nuclear, carbon capture

"While there is much to celebrate in this product of our bipartisan efforts, more work still needs to be done," Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., who leads the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, said Monday.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 3, 2021

DOE says new building codes to cut energy costs by $138B, but EV backers see failure to advance charging

A requirement that new homes be wired for electric vehicle charging was not included in the final version after the National Association of Home Builders argued such provisions are outside the scope of the codes.

By Robert Walton • July 28, 2021

California approves expedited pathway for near-term utility EV investments, despite cost concerns

Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves, however, pushed for "a progressive way" to fund these investments, adding that "whenever we're using utility bills to pay for this, it's inherently regressive."

By Kavya Balaraman • July 16, 2021

'Doesn't make sense': Analysts pan omissions in MISO's first electrification impact analysis

MISO’s first electrification-focused planning study was a "good start" by accentuating uncertainties on the rate and pace of the transition, but missed what storage needs will be and what least-regrets solutions offer, experts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2021

Amazon, UPS say hydrogen is further down the road than electric

Near-term sustainability talk often centers on battery-electric, but the technology and market for heavy-duty BEVs is lagging, executives said.

By S.L. Fuller • July 8, 2021

'Electric is not easy': LA, NYC look to build capacity for more battery EVs in refuse fleets

"If I ordered a truck and I got it in nine months, it may sit for 14 months waiting for the ability to plug it in," one Los Angeles sanitation official said at WasteExpo, highlighting the need to focus on the electricity poised to power upgraded fleets.

By Maria Rachal • July 6, 2021

Local communities want to lead the fight for clean energy

Local governments want to step up and advance all-electric buildings because they know it's good for communities, public health, affordability, reliability and our planet, the author writes.

By Alejandra Mejia Cunningham • June 1, 2021