Energy Efficient Transportation Updates

Energy Efficient Transportation State, Local, and Utility Policy Updates

Charging Corridors: In the third quarter, numerous charging stations were planned and constructed across the Southeast. Some highlights include plans to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at locations in Dothan, Alabama by the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority. Additionally, two chargers were installed in Milledgeville, Georgia to help connect the middle of the state. Halifax EMC in North Carolina also made plans to install a fast charging station off Interstate 95. These stations fill a critical gap in Southeast charging infrastructure and builds regional interconnectivity.

Florida Power & Light (FPL) Pilots: On June 19, FPL proposed pilot programs for EV tariffs. A decision on the programs is expected this November; the public comment period closed on October 6. Docket No. 20200170

Tampa Electric Co. (TECO) Pilot: On September 25, TECO filed a four-year pilot proposal with Florida commissioners to install two hundred EV charging stations at a variety of locations. Docket No. 20200220

VMT Funds Charging Infrastructure: In July, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced plans to improve the state’s EV charging capabilities; Florida may spend up to $25 million of the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust (VMT) funds on charging stations. In August, North Carolina allocated $700,000 from the state’s VMT funds towards the installation of EV charging stations in the territories of multiple electric cooperatives across the state.

Duke Energy Pilots: Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress reached an agreement with the South Carolina Public Service Commission and parties to the proceeding to advance the EV pilot programs. In September, the companies filed stipulations with ChargePoint and the Office of Regulatory Staff, agreeing that the programs should be approved as amended in April. The agreements also stipulate that the company will conduct an ongoing stakeholder process and will file a final report within 180 days of the end of the pilot. The parties found that a hearing is not necessary to resolve the proceeding given the high level of stakeholder engagement throughout the course of the proceedings. Docket Nos. 2018321-E and 2018-322-E

Plug In South Carolina: On September 21, the South Carolina Energy Office launched the Plug In SC Incentive Program to support the adoption of standardized EV charging station signage. Electric Buses: Virginia celebrated the launch of its first electric buses in September.

Charging Stations: This summer, Giant Food grocery chain began installing EV charging stations offering free charging to customers at several stores in some states, including Virginia.

Dominion Energy Virginia: Dominion announced new charging rebates on September 29. Rebates for charging stations at multifamily communities, workplaces, and bus depots are now available. Residential EV charging rebates will become available in 2021.

Energy Efficiency Transportation Regional and National Updates

Car Emissions Rules: In April, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Year 2021-2026 and the One National Program on Federal Preemption of State Fuel Economy Standards, originally proposed by in 2018. The rules require a 1.5% annual increase in the fuel economy of passenger vehicles and light trucks, a reduction from the 5% increase mandated by the Obama administration. They also revoke California’s authority to set its own emissions standards. Members of the House Appropriations Committee asked the Trump administration in July to reassess the analysis underpinning the standards rollback. On August 17, the California Air Resources Board finalized deals with Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, BMW of North America, and Volvo to improve the fuel efficiency of their cars and light-duty trucks by 3.7% annually. The administration again defended its authority to preempt state standards in September. On September 23, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed an executive order banning the sales of new gas-fueled cars in the state after 2035, a move that could impact the car market nationwide.

Legislation

S. 2193, the Charging Helps Agencies Realize General Efficiencies (CHARGE) Act, would clarify federal agency guidance on owning and parking EVs.

EV Batteries: SEEA released a report that explains the fundamentals of EV batteries and presents trends and opportunities.

EV Markets: On September 21, Cox Automotive Mobility Group published a whitepaper on the roadblocks to and opportunities for advancing the national EV market.

EVs and Health: A new report from the American Lung Association finds that a nationwide transition to EVs could help avoid more than $72 billion in public health costs due to reductions in emissions and air pollution.

Emissions Targets: A study published by engineers at the University of Toronto on September 28 concludes that 90% of light-duty cars in the U.S. would need to be electric by 2050 in order to keep the transportation sector in line with mitigation targets set by the Paris Climate Accord.

ChargePoint Funding: In its latest round of fundraising, ChargePoint raised $127 million to expand its network to 2.5 million charging spots worldwide by 2025. To date, the company has raised $667 million and manages over 115,000 charging spots around the world.

EVgo Charging Stations: On July 31, General Motors and EVgo announced a joint effort to install 2,700 public fast charging stations in forty metropolitan areas across the country over the next five years. The earliest operational stations will be available to customers in 2021.

Duke Fleet: On September 8, Duke Energy pledged to electrify 100% of its light-duty fleet by 2030; it also aims to upgrade 50% of its combined fleet of medium- and heavy-duty and off-road vehicles to EVs, plug-in hybrids, or other carbon-neutral alternatives.

Southern Company Fleet: On September 28, Southern Company announced plans to electrify 50% of its fleet across car, SUV, van, forklift, ATV, and other miscellaneous segments by 2030.

Uber Fleet: Uber announced its goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 on September 8. The effort commits $800 million to helping drivers transition to EVs by 2025. This announcement follows Lyft’s all-electric pledge in June.

Electric Delivery Vehicles: On September 17, Amazon.com announced it will purchase 100,000 electric delivery vans from Rivian.

Electric Truck Collaborative: In July, governors from fifteen states, including North Carolina and Virginia, committed to reaching 100% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold in their jurisdictions will be zero-emission vehicles by 2050.

EV Infrastructure Toolkit: In July, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) released an upgraded toolkit on adopting building codes to support EV infrastructure.

Emissions Settlement: On September 14, the U.S. Department of Justice and EPA announced a settlement with Mercedes-Benz over its failure to meet air quality emissions standards. Daimler AG will pay $875 million, the second largest civil penalty under the Clean Air Act, to resolve the litigation, which is part of a larger $1.5 billion settlement.

See full details and read more in the Quarter 3 Highlights: July - September 2020