Puget Sound Energy IRP dramatically increases DERs but sets conflict over gas

The debate over PSE's draft integrated resource plan is the latest example of a conflict over the degree to which natural gas will be needed to back up renewable energy.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 1, 2021

Battery, semiconductor shortages disrupt Nikola's electric vehicle plans

Company founder Trevor Milton's exit and canceled deals made for a rocky end to 2020, but the CEO said Nikola is "back to execution mode."

By S.L. Fuller • March 1, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

The debate over EV charging at interstate rest stops

A truck stop operators group said allowing electric chargers is the "wrong signal" from Congress, while advocates tout the need to modernize Eisenhower-era rules and provide parking.

By Jim Stinson • March 1, 2021

USPS to continue purchasing gas vehicles, despite Biden all-electric pledge

The postal service says the procurement allows for flexibility, and hinted at the ability to "retrofit" some vehicles. But electric vehicle advocates say "this will lock USPS into an outdated technology for many years."

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2021

New year brings string of partnerships on waste fleet electrification

Romeo Power and XL Fleet are among those in the electric vehicle space that have recently gone public via SPACs and are linking up with waste specialists to gain a foothold in the sector.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 23, 2021

Gatik's autonomous, middle-mile box trucks go electric

The truck fully charges in under 1.5 hours, the firm said, and it's working with customers to set up charging stations at distribution hubs and vehicle depots.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 18, 2021

Questioning 'artificial' electrification

Should we hurry electrification through governmental actions with incentives and subsidies, or instead, allow the market by itself to determine the speed and magnitude of electrification, the author asks.

By Kenneth W. Costello • Feb. 17, 2021

Lessons from NFI's electric truck adoption

Transport firms don't have a long history with green tech, but they're taking notes on deployment and collaboration along the way.

By Amanda Loudin • Feb. 11, 2021

Grid operators to request extension on FERC Order 2222 compliance, regulator cites 'short' timeline

"FERC, when issuing Order 2222, left many of the most difficult challenges to be dealt with by the RTOs in their stakeholder process," said Ted Thomas, chair of the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 10, 2021

Carmakers in US to spend $250B on electrification by 2023, push for national standard, group says

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation plans to work with the Biden administration on a national electrification program to bring all automakers "under a unified set of common requirements."

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2021

Ford bets $29B on leading the 'electric vehicle revolution'

CEO Jim Farley said on an earnings call that the automaker has more than doubled its commitment to spending on automation and electrification between now and 2025.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 9, 2021

2021: When electric trucks trickle in

Political winds and consumer tastes favor a change in how trucks are fueled. The question is whether manufacturers, fleets and infrastructure are ready for the change.

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 8, 2021

Electric vehicles could be 'imperfect substitutes' for gas-powered cars, new study suggests

EVs are being used about half as much as non-EVs, according to the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute, meaning policymakers may be underestimating the costs of transportation electrification.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2021

EVs, turbines, solar panels pose circular economy dilemma: NIST workshop

Representatives from throughout the supply chain reflected on how batteries and electronics can find their place as greener solutions in the circular economy at a recent National Institute of Standards and Technology workshop.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 4, 2021

As GM gives 'huge' boost to EVs, states vary in advancing supportive policies, reports find

Washington lawmakers are considering legislation to ban the sale of internal combustion light duty vehicles by 2030, and others are setting 2035 goals.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2021

Houston, Uber and BP partner to aid EV transition for drivers

The trio will explore the deployment of BP's rapid charging electric vehicle stations throughout Houston, aiming to support the city's EV adoption goals and plans to create an equitable charging network.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 2, 2021

Tesla: Batteries better for long-haul EVs, hydrogen is 'just crazy'

CEO Elon Musk said the company does not have enough battery cells to put its Semi truck into full production.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 1, 2021

New Jersey OKs PSE&G's $166M EV infrastructure program, omits heavy duty vehicles

Some electrification advocates criticized the decision, calling it a "watered-down initiative" that would undercut other energy transition efforts in the state.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2021

Want a more distributed and lower cost power system? Try this new planning tool

Vibrant Clean Energy offers system modeling to match today's granularity and breaks the barrier between bulk system and distribution system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2021

Fleet tech forges ahead, for the waste sector, but some bide time on higher-stake EV investments

The pandemic strained finances for some waste and recycling collectors looking to upgrade their operations. But falling costs and ESG pressures could catalyze EV pilots, routing software adoption and more in 2021.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 27, 2021

Biden plan to electrify federal fleet will boost EV market, but many questions remain, experts say

Market observers say the process could take a decade or longer. "For manufacturers, it obviously means a significant increase in demand," said Plug in America Executive Director Joel Levin.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2021

Rethinking the utility low-income approach

Utilities must broaden their approach and improve the ease of access to low-income programming to help improve energy affordability for all.

By AJ Brown, Senior Manager, Energy & Utilities, West Monroe & Brooke Scanlon, Senior Consultant, Energy & Utilities, West Monroe • Jan. 25, 2021

Fleet electrification can have 'outsized influence' on EV adoption, RMI analysis concludes

Fleet electrification will require a fundamental business restructuring for many organizations and if executed poorly "can be a series of very costly errors," according to a new report from Rocky Mountain Institute. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2021

Honolulu's resilience officer outlines path to carbon neutrality

Chief Resilience Officer Matthew Gonser discussed Honolulu's first Climate Action Plan and the creative way local leaders tackled tough climate conversations with local residents. 

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 22, 2021

With FERC Order 2222 compliance deadline 6 months away, many questions loom, analysts find

What DER aggregates will look like, how the new parties will interact with existing grid management, and what individual state roles might be are questions that will have to be decided in the near future.

By Leslie Nemo • Jan. 20, 2021