Trucks Clips: August 21, 2024

 

 

New Flyer

 

New Flyer Hybrid-Electric Bus To Feature Next-Gen BAE Systems Propulsion System — “New Flyer’s hybrid-electric Xcelsior bus can now be equipped with BAE Systems’ next-generation propulsion system for improved reliability and serviceability. BAE Systems’ Gen3 modular power control system (MPCS) and traction motor improve efficiency, lower fuel use, and reduce emissions. New Flyer Xcelsior hybrid-electric buses will be equipped with this technology to help customers on their journey towards zero-emission operations. Jennifer McNeill, Vice President, Public Sector Sales & Marketing, New Flyer and MCI said: New Flyer understands that our position as a leader in sustainable transit makes it necessary for us to meet communities where they are as they work towards their emission reduction goals. For many agencies, hybrid-electric buses are the option best suited to their current circumstances and a first step towards fleet decarbonisation.” [The Augusta Chronicle, 8/20/24 (=)]

 

 

Uber Technologies, Inc.

 

Uber Hires Ex-Tesla Charger Executive To Oversee EV Shift — “Uber Technologies hired former Tesla Inc. executive Rebecca Tinucci to oversee the ride-hailing platform’s shift to electric vehicles, tapping a veteran who helped open the carmaker’s charging network to other car brands. Tinucci will start Sept. 16 as global head of sustainability, according to an internal company announcement Aug. 20 obtained by Bloomberg News. She will report to Andrew Macdonald, the top executive in charge of the company’s ride-hailing business. In the new role, Tinucci will oversee Uber’s transition to a zero-emission platform. The company is aiming for all of its rides and deliveries globally to be made using zero-emission vehicles by 2040. It’s also working to eliminate unnecessary plastic waste from restaurant deliveries and to use more sustainable packaging.” [Transport Topics, 8/20/24 (=)]

 

 

Arizona

 

Phoenix Deploys First Group Of Public Transit Hybrid Buses — “Officials at the Phoenix Public Transit Department continue to work toward its zero-emissions bus fleet goal by 2040 as the first group of hybrid buses have passed all tests and are now running on Phoenix roads, City Hall officials report. The buses use a combination of a hybrid-electric motor and batteries and a biodiesel-fueled engine, meaning they have a higher fuel economy, pollute less, and drive more quietly and efficiently, according to a press release. ‘Phoenix is proud to lead the charge towards a greener future where our residents can breathe cleaner air while getting them to their destinations,’ Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a prepared statement. ‘As we aim to be the most sustainable desert city in the world, we are doing our part to cut emissions, adopt the latest technology, and encourage residents to make climate-conscious decisions. I’m excited to see our brand-new buses hit the road to serve Phoenicians.’” [Arizona Digital Free Press, 8/20/24 (=)]

 

California

 

Fairfield Will Welcome First Battery-Electric, Zero Emission Bus — “The city’s first of three 35-foot Gillig Battery-Electric, Zero-Emission buses will make its debut at 11 a.m. Aug. 29 at the Fairfield Transportation Center, 2000 Cadenasso Drive. It marks FAST’s first zero-emission transit vehicle as part of an effort to transition to 100% zero-emission fleet by 2040. In 2017, FAST was awarded $1.2 million to purchase zero-emission buses through the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus and Bus Facilities Competitive Program. In 2022, FAST was awarded another $12 million through the same program for battery-electric buses, infrastructure and workforce development. The locally manufactured 35-foot Gillig Battery Electric bus is the first of eight battery-electric buses. In 2016, the Fairfield City Council adopted the FAST Alternative Fuels and Fleet Replacement Policy, which was completed in anticipation of the Innovative Clean Transit regulation. This regulation, adopted by the California Air Resources Board, requires fully zero-emission transit fleets by 2040. FAST’s path to a zero-emission fleet is guided by the city of Fairfield’s Corporation Yard Electrification Buildout Plan Report, which was completed in April.” [Daily Republic, 8/20/24 (+)]

 

New York

 

Bemus Point School District Is Hosting A Meeting About Its Electric Bus Transition Plan — “Students in Bemus Point may be taking a different type bus to school in the near future. The Bemus Point Central School District (BPCSD) is holding a community meeting Tuesday to discuss the district’s electric bus transition plan. It is the second of three meetings, beginning Tuesday, August 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Fluvanna Free Library. The school district is fielding questions from the community ahead of a September 5 vote on the e-bus purchase. 2 On Your Side reported in 2022 on New York State’s plan to require electric school buses across the state by 2035. According to BPCSD, the state’s timeline for schools to begin purchasing e-buses begins in 2027. But the price of electric buses is significantly more than the previous diesel school buses. In a Facebook post, BPCSD said the cost to purchase the two buses every year is about $1 million compared to diesel which is $400,000. To help cover the costs both the Federal Government and New York State are providing rebates and incentives. BPCSD received a rebate from the EPA and NYS, totaling over $800,000, according to their Facebook post.” [WGRZ-TV, 8/20/24 (=)]

 

Rhode Island

 

AAA Northeast Survey Finds ‘EV Anxiety’ Pervasive In Region — “Drivers in the region, including some in Rhode Island, are prone to a case of ‘EV anxiety’ when purchasing their next vehicle, according to a recent survey by AAA Northeast. The survey, released last week, found that just 14% of more than 1,700 respondents across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey ‘definitely’ plan to buy or lease electric when looking at their next vehicle. By comparison, 42% are ‘not interested at all.’ Another 44% of those surveyed fell somewhere in the middle, with 17% indicating they were very interested, 15% slightly interested and 12% moderately interested. EV anxiety comes as unwelcome news to state officials, who have encouraged electric vehicle ownership as a greener alternative to gas-powered vehicles. It’s also an issue auto manufacturers can’t ignore, said Alec Slatky, managing director of public and government affairs for AAA Northeast. ‘Auto manufacturers hoping to boost EV sales over the next decade have reason for optimism,’ Slatky said in a statement. ‘But industry stakeholders seeking a complete long-term transition to electric face serious obstacles – especially from consumers who have no desire to make the switch.’” [Providence Business News, 8/20/24 (=)]

 

Texas

 

Austin ISDs Plan Moving To An All Electric Bus Fleet Still In The Works — “Austin Independent School District is going electric. AISD is the first district in Texas to announce plans to move its entire bus fleet to electric and announced its plans to invest in electric school buses in October of 2022. In January of 2024,the district received a more than $6 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to kickstart its goal of moving to an all-electric bus fleet by 2035. The grant allowed them to purchase 25 electric school buses. It’s a plan still in the works, with lots of components. ‘We started the pilot process, we’re pursuing grants,’ said AISD Superintendent Matias Segura. ‘There’s this kind of balance that we have to really consider every step of the way.’ ‘We did find $4 million dollars last year was allocated to buy new diesel-powered buses,’ said CEO and Founder of Open the Books Adam Andrzejewski.” [The Augusta Chronicle, 8/20/24 (=)]

 

Virginia

 

With Funding In Place, Richmond County Plans To Get Fleet Of Electric School Buses For 2025 — “In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint, Richmond County was awarded nearly $9.9 million in federal funding to purchase 25 low-emission buses. ‘The initial application (was) completed in 2022,’ said Kurt Williams, senior director of transportation for Richmond County School System. ‘The Environmental Protection Agency gave the initial approval on the grant in early 2024. It was fully awarded in late July.’ The school system was selected for the project in January. Under the Clean School Bus Program’s multiple grant and rebate funding opportunities, the EPA has awarded nearly $3 billion to fund approximately 8,500 school bus replacements at more than 1,000 schools throughout the U.S. Kurt Williams, senior director of transportation for Richmond County School System School buses travel more than 4 billion miles each year, carrying more than 25 million children every day, according to experts with the EPA. Diesel exhaust from all of those school buses negatively impacts air quality. Children, who have a faster breathing rate than adults and whose lungs are not yet fully developed, can be especially effected.” [The Augusta Chronicle, 8/21/24 (+)]

 

Washington

 

Hood River County School Board Approves Purchase Of New eBuses — “Directors unanimously approved the purchase of two new Type D Green Power ‘Beast’ eBuses from Peterson IC at the Aug. 14 Hood River County School District board meeting, held at the Nathaniel Coe Administration Center. Kyle Rosselle, director of safety and security, told board members the electric buses are a ‘transitional move’ for the district. ‘… [It] really identifies us as transitioning away from fossil fuels,’ he said, noting the State of Oregon will not allow diesel bus purchases as of Jan.1, 2026. Diesel buses are less expensive — around $225,000-$230,000 each, whereas the electric bus from Green Power is about $436,000. Superintendent Bill Newton said that the district has $472,000 in its bus replacement fund; Rosselle explained districts are reimbursed by the state for depreciation on their buses, with funds used to purchase new ones and keep fleets updated. However, the district successfully applied for an EPA Round 2 Rebate in 2023 that allocates $400,000 back to the district. The Clean School Bus Program Rebates ‘replace existing school buses with clean and zero emissions models’.” [Columbia Gorge News, 8/20/24 (=)]

 

 

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