Jan 2023

Coalition news

2023 Fleet Recognition Awards

And with the New Year comes our Annual Fleets and Fuels Survey. We’re eager to learn how many alt fuel vehicles you have, how many miles traveled, or gallons used. If you’ve added charging or fueling or are using fuel efficient technologies or idle reduction strategies, or have a plan to implement any of these, we want to know! Just by responding to our survey, you’ll be included in our 2023 Fleet Recognition Awards!  Look for a survey in your inbox next week.

EV Readiness Roundtable Webinar Series

Thursday, January 19:  How to Increase the Efficiency of your EV’s batteries with Cary Gniffke of Holt Truck Centers and Russell Worthy of Xos Trucks. Register here.

Our December EV Readiness Roundtable Presenter was Austin’s own Smart Charge America’s Vice President, David Laderberg. David presented their best practices for siting and installing charging stations.  His presentation is here.

Bastrop eCab Project wins Clean Air Award

Lyle Nelson, CARTS, Judy Fort, LSCFA, Connie Schroeder, Mayor of Bastrop and Chris Nielsen, eCab of North America accepted the award on behalf of the three participating organizations.

The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) recognized David Yeomans, Amy Concilio, Paul Walter, Ethan Tobias, Christiane Heggelund, and a joint effort by the City of Bastrop, Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) and Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance (LSCFA) with the 2022 Air Central Texas awards on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, for their significant contributions to improving the region’s air quality.
Our three organizations coordinated the establishment of transit alternatives that blended electric taxicabs and smaller transit vehicles into an app-based on-demand micro-transit service. They used electric and fuel-efficient vehicles to provide a higher level of service to residents and visitors in Bastrop while reducing vehicle miles traveled and pollutants.​ Click here for additional facts about the project.

Information text news….

Information text news….

State & National News

Electric Vehicle Battery Manufacturing Capacity in North America in 2030 Projected to be Nearly 20 Times Greater than 2021

A wave of new planned electric vehicle battery plants will increase North America’s battery manufacturing capacity from 55 Gigawatt-hours per year (GWh/year) in 2021 to nearly 1,000 GWh/year by 2030. Most of the announced battery plant projects are scheduled to begin production between 2025 and 2030. To optimize supply chain logistics, many battery plants will be co-located with automotive plants. More here.

CapMetro orders 30 chargers from NFI to help transition to zero-emission buses in Austin, Texas

The Capital Metro Transportation Authority (CapMetro) has exercised options to purchase 30 Heliox 180 kWh depot overhead chargers, including 90 pantograph dispensers, by NFI Infrastructure Solutions. The purchase is part of CapMetro’s five-year contract with NFI subsidiary of New Flyer of America Inc. (New Flyer) for up to 171 battery-electric buses and 427 chargers. “This is just another step forward in our mission to create a clean environment for our community,” said Andrew Skabowski, chief operating officer, CapMetro. “Sustainability is one of the core values at CapMetro, and through our partnership with New Flyer, we are investing in a sustainable future for all central Texans.” Full article here.

2023 Fuel Economy Now Available

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have just released the 2023 Fuel Economy Guide. The Guide provides detailed fuel economy estimates for model year 2023 light-duty vehicles, along with estimated annual fuel costs and other information for prospective car buyers.

Grants and Fundings

FY 2022 – 2023
FUNDING

STATUS
Diesel Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants (ERIG)
$ TBDOPENING SOON
Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grants Program (TNGVGP)
$34M
OPEN
Seaport & Rail Yard Areas Emissions Reduction Program (SPRY)
$20M
CLOSED
Texas Clean Fleet Program (TCFP)
$16M
CLOSED
Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program (LDPLIP)
$17M
Open for CNG and Propane 
Rebate Grants Program
$75M
SUSPENDED
Texas Clean School Bus Program (TCSB)
$13M
CLOSED
Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP)
$12M
CLOSED
New Technology Implementation Grant (NTIG)
TBD
CLOSED
Governmental Alternative Fuel Fleet Grant Program (GAFF)
TBD
CLOSED

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Notice of Intent

The following grant notice of intent offers a number of possible project areas.  These are typically competitive grants, with a significant cost share.  Selected projects will provide DOE with data for the purpose of growing their knowledge base.

The DOE’s VTO has announced a notice of intent (NOI) to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Fiscal Year 2023 Vehicle Technologies Office Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement” (DE-FOA-0002893). The potential FOA will advance research, development, demonstration, and deployment in several areas critical to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, including:

  • Reduction of weight and cost of batteries,
  • Reduction in life cycle emissions of advanced lightweight materials,
  • Reduced costs and advanced technologies for on- and off-road vehicle charging and infrastructure,
  • Innovative public transit solutions, and
  • Training to increase deployment of these technologies among diverse communities.

Check it out!

Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program

Electric Forklifts and Port Cargo Handling Equipment: Opening Soon
Electric Airport Ground Support Equipment: Opening Soon

EVENTS

EV Readiness Fleet Manager Roundtables are Back!

Fleet Managers – grab your virtual seat for an invitation to our EV Readiness Manager Roundtable Webinars: January 19, March 14.  Sign up here. 

 

Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Showcase March 7th, 2023 Workshop & Ride & Drive Details to follow.

  Defending Major 2022 Clean Transportation Victories 

Join Transportation Energy Partners for a free webinar on January 11th at 1:00p CT.  Come listen to our panel of experts as we determine the best strategies for continuing, and growing, industry successes. Register here.

Register for the 17th Annual Energy Independence Summit in D.C.

Join Transportation Energy Partners (TEP) in Washington D.C. February 13-15 for the largest clean transportation Summit with Congressional, Administration, industry, and coalition leaders. Annually Clean Cities Coalitions like Lone Star Clean Fuels join with TEP and industry partners for:
  • Information on new trends, technologies, and opportunities in the clean transportation industry, 
  • Meetings with top federal agency leaders and, 
  • Capitol Hill Day meetings with more than 300 House and Senate offices to educate decisionmakers about the importance of federal clean transportation incentives and investments.
Learn more here.

 

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