This month the old adage "where there's a will there's a way" is ringing in our ears. At the federal level, two separate plans to electrify buses have been proposed. The Clean Commute for Kids Act would invest $25 billion to replace existing diesel school buses with electric buses. Similarly, the Clean Transit for America Plan would replace our transit buses with a zero-emission fleet. Analysts at the Center for Transportation Electrification have run the numbers for transit buses and found that "the country can reach this full fleet transition objective by 2035, at a cost between $56.22 billion and $99.91 billion." See the link below to read the full "Zero-Emission Transition for the U.S. Transit Fleet" report. So there's a way, is there the will?
For more than 30 years, the Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle (not just truck, vehicle) in America. So what happens when the F-150 goes all electric? Big things. Since the unveiling this week, Ford has taken over 70,000 deposits on preorders for the Lightning and announced an increase in EV investment of $8 billion dollars. Lightning may strike the EV market.
Meanwhile, 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, Twitter, and Instagram. To receive these newsletters in your inbox, click here to sign up!
Charging Forward,
Dory Larsen
Powering the EV Movement
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously approved Duke Energy Florida’s (DEF) rate settlement agreement, including a provision that launches a new multi-part electric vehicle (EV) program. In doing so, the Florida Public Service Commission gives the green light to the largest electric transportation program in the state’s history. Read more in this blog post.
"No to offshore drilling and yes to clean energy and electric transportation!" was SACE’s message to communities around the country and across the world during the 12th annual Hands Across the Sand virtual event on May 15. To protect the coasts from the impacts of risky offshore drilling and ensure healthier and better lives for all the people who call the coast home, we need to move away from fossil fuels and transform our energy system to renewables and electric vehicles. Read more in this blog post.
Get Plugged-In
Webinar
This one-hour webinar will share effective messages and mechanisms for designing state and local campaigns that raise awareness of electric vehicles (EVs). Clear communication, education, and outreach about EVs and their potential benefits can expand public support. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) will speak about resources for leading EV campaigns, and representatives from Cincinnati and Orlando will speak about their local experiences. Registration is required to join this event.
Wednesday, June 9, 2 PM ET
Webinar
Join the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) during the Annual Forth Roadmap Conference, where we will be presenting on our work with the Southeast Regional EV Initiative in a panel conversation about how we can build regional capacity to impact public policy, utility reform, outreach, and collaboration.
Annual Forth Roadmap Conference
June 14 - 16 , 11 AM - 2 PM ET
Action
SACE has joined forces with other clean energy and climate advocacy leaders from across the country to call on our Congressional leaders to support President Biden’s goal of passing a federal Clean Electricity Standard (CES) by 2035. The work we do now to advance electric transportation and enable consumers and fleets to retire oil-dependent cars and trucks is key to implementing a CES, while simultaneously creating millions of jobs, cleaning our air and water, protecting public health, lowering electric bills, and securing energy independence.
Action
The specialty license plate campaign in North Carolina continues to move forward after Rep. Julie von Haefen's bill to approve the plate passed the House Transportation Committee. Next, on to the Finance Committee. North Carolinians interested in getting the specialty license plate design can still apply, and applicants' initial $10 fee will be covered by Plug-in NC. If the design is approved, the plate can increase awareness of and support for electric vehicles no matter what kind of vehicle they are on.
Paving the Way
A new report by the Center for Transportation and the Environment shows that the United States can transition its entire transit fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035 – if federal support provides additional funding for vehicle and equipment procurement, technical assistance, and a comprehensive research and innovation program to accelerate transit vehicle technology development. The report offers a roadmap for federal lawmakers in support of this policy objective.
Electrek got a first in-person look at the Ford F-150 Lightning full-sized electric truck and says it was something pretty special. "This is the US’s best-selling vehicle of any kind, but electrified and better in almost every way. While we can’t yet comment on the experience of the drive, we can comment on the specs, which are pretty spectacular. Read on about the most torque ever in an F-150, 300 miles of range, home/worksite power, and why the “lightning” moniker isn’t just about electricity, it’s about supercar quickness."
Readers 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!
Bill & Barb, Vancouver, Washington
"When we told our family that we were going to get a second car last year, our daughter Heather suggested that we seriously consider an EV. We watched part of SACE's virtual ride and drive that she recommended, and it really opened our eyes. We did more research and soon our car list had several EVs on it. We test drove three cars, two EVs and one ICE, and ultimately chose a Nissan Leaf Plus. One thing that we quickly discovered about driving an EV … it is FUN! It is a primal sense of unabashed fun when we are out on the road, making hardly any noise, and not trailing a cloud of toxins behind us. Silly as it sounds, driving an EV makes us feel CLEAN. We have met other Leaf owners (including one who has been happily driving hers since 2012) in the area who feel exactly the same way about their EVs. Once you have owned one, it is hard to imagine life without an EV." — Bill and Barb Pohnan * Bill and Barb's daughter, Heather Pohnan, is SACE's Energy Policy Manager.
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