It's been a whirlwind August. Last week President Joe Biden signed this enormous, needed, Inflation Reduction Act into law that will affect us all for generations to come. As noted by our executive director, Dr. Stephen A. Smith and staff, in a recent blog post:
"We at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy celebrate the historic scope of the Inflation Reduction Act as momentous and urgently needed, yet also recognize that the investment is not a cure-all but rather an overdue federal component to combat the climate crisis. Together, an all-hands-on-deck determination is required to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, including deadly temperatures and storms, wildfires, droughts, and floods, all of which are increasing in frequency and intensity."
The IRA is just one piece of the puzzle. We'll continue to work on-the-ground right here in the Southeast to push for equitable and carbon-cutting policies in our transportation sectors at the state and local levels.
As we put the finishing touches on the next iteration of our "Transportation Electrification in the Southeast" report published in collaboration with Atlas Public Policy, this month we're featuring two states, Alabama and South Carolina. 2021 year-end data shows both states lag behind their southern neighbors across multiple indicators, but by taking advantage of available funding, including VW Settlement money and Federal Low-No grants, the two states can raise their status indicators significantly.
All measures include medium- and heavy-duty EVs, except for sales which refers exclusively to passenger EVs. EV manufacturing employment and investment represent commitments made to specific facilities in the state. Utility investment refers to investor-owned utilities only. To understand EV Sales and charging deployment in a national context, please read our report.
As we continue to track the progress of electric transportation growth in the Southeast and beyond, we remain grateful for our readers who stay connected to us and others on Facebook and Twitter. To receive these newsletters in your inbox, click here to sign up!
Charging Forward,
Dory Larsen
Powering the EV Movement
Advocates and Businesses Rally around Advanced Clean Trucks Rule in North Carolina
Advocate organizations, including us at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, and leading businesses have sent letters to Governor Cooper urging North Carolina to initiate a rulemaking that will lead to the state’s adoption of the Advanced Clean Trucks Rule (ACT) to require truck and bus manufacturers to ensure that zero-emission vehicles comprise an increasing percentage of truck and bus sales over time. This important policy can improve public health, address the climate crisis, and boost North Carolina’s vibrant clean energy economy. Governor Cooper and the Department of Environmental Quality have the opportunity to initiate the rulemaking this fall. Read more.
Electric school buses make more sense for our economy and the environment
In this op-ed that originally appeared in the Tennessean, SACE's Transportation Policy Director, Stan Cross, explains why electric school buses offer a better solution for Tennessee school districts concerned about students’ health, the environment and their pocketbooks than their propane counterparts. Read more.
Get Plugged-In
Sustainable Fleets & Technology Conference & Expo 2022
Event
The 2022 Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference & Expo showcases the latest and greatest in advanced vehicles, fuels, and technologies — including data-driven solutions. This conference is a source of on-the-ground experience for increasing fleet efficiency and sustainability while reducing emissions and costs. The two-day in-person conference, August 31 and September 1, 2022, will be at the Durham Convention Center in Durham, NC, with pre-conference events taking place on August 30.
Attendees can expect to learn and share about:
Alternative Fuels (including biofuels, CNG, electric, propane, and renewable diesel)
Advanced Vehicle Technologies
Motor Fleet Management
Vehicle Sharing Technologies
Idle Reduction
Vehicle Right Sizing
Eco-Driving
Autonomous Vehicles & Future Technologies
Who should attend?
Public & Private Fleet Managers
Purchasing Officials
State Government Leaders
Municipal Government Officials
Non-Profit Stakeholders
Clean Cities Coalitions & Stakeholders
Alternative Fuel Trade Organizations
Sustainability Managers
Academic Leaders & Researchers
Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference & Expo 2022
August 30 – September 1 | Durham, North Carolina RSVP
National Drive Electric Week
RSVP
Calling all EV drivers and enthusiasts. This year, National Drive Electric Week will be September 23 - October 2. The annual event, is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. Please consider attending an event. SACE staff are especially excited about the three events below!
National Drive Electric Week September 23 - October 2 See all events
West Palm Beach Drive Electric Week
Saturday, September 24 | 9 AM - 1 PM Manatee Lagoon | West Palm Beach, Florida RSVP/Volunteer
Knoxville Drive Electric Week Festival
Saturday, September 24 | 10 AM - 3 PM Pellissippi State Community College | Knoxville, Tennessee RSVP/Volunteer
EV Explore Sunday Fun Day
Sunday, September 25 | 10 AM – 2 PM Tropical Park | Miami, Florida RSVP/Volunteer
Paving the Way
The Inflation Reduction Act—What it Is and What it Means for EV Adoption
The IRA is a complex piece of legislation that has raised questions about its impact on a host of sectors, especially transportation electrification. As a result, the Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA) has put together a summary of key provisions and our analysis of the legislation’s impact on EV adoption. Read more.
Electrifying transportation reduces emissions AND saves massive amounts of energy
With high energy prices and increasing urgency to reduce fossil fuel burning, it makes sense to get the most out of every gallon of gasoline or kilowatt-hour of electricity. Charging an EV costs around the equivalent of $1.41 per gallon in the U.S., offering consumers a major savings over gasoline. Part of why EVs are cheap to operate is that they use energy with impressive efficiency. Delving deeper, there’s a stark difference between the way internal combustion and electric engines use energy. The bad news is that combustion engines are fundamentally inefficient. But the good news is that electric motors offer vast improvements and save money and energy. Even better: Replacing traditional vehicles with electric ones will require far less energy overall. Read more from Yale Climate Connections.
Readers and Partners Kicking Gas
Every month we'll spotlight stories and photos from YOU, our readers, about how EVs play a role in your world. To be featured in an upcoming ETS newsletter, send us an email here! We'll also highlight our partners and allies from our testimonials page.
Working with partners in Southeast states we're shaping the energy and transportation future of our region. For example, in North Carolina, we're working with Luis and the NRDC to put forth a Carbon Plan that includes further weaning off of fossil fuels, so we're more reliant on electricity and can power our electric cars with clean energy.
Luis Martinez, National Resources Defense Council
"SACE has been a trusted and knowledgeable partner for the Natural Resources Defense Council for all our work across the Southeast. As we explored the growing opportunity for electric transportation in the region, we naturally turned to SACE who helped hone and amplify our efforts and coordinate with regional stakeholders."
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