Energy-Efficient Transportation Highlights

State, Local, & Utility Policy Updates

FLORIDA

EV Charging Infrastructure

Tampa Electric’s proposed EV Pilot was approved by the Florida Public Service Commission on April 1, 2021. The pilot will add approximately 200 new electric vehicle charging ports.

Electric Buses in Jacksonville, FL

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has launched an electric bus program. They will start with two 40-foot zero-emission electric buses.

NORTH CAROLINA

EV Adoption Progress

A new study shows North Carolina is making progress on electric vehicle (EV) adoption but policy changes are needed to increase EV accessibility for people in low-income and environmentally distressed areas.

VW Settlement Funds RFP

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ’s) Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has an open request for proposals (RFP) for Level 2 charging station projects to be funded by Phase 1 of the NC Volkswagen Mitigation Settlement program.

TENNESSEE

EV Fast Charging Network

The Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation are partnering to install electric vehicle charging stations along Tennessee’s interstates and major roads. This initiative would add approximately 50 new charging locations, doubling the existing fast charging network.

VIRGINIA

Funding for EV Incentives

With a state budget constrained by the pandemic, Virginia lawmakers struggle to find funding to create incentives for drivers who want to switch to electric vehicles. Clean Car Standards Bill: On February 19, Virginia lawmakers passed a bill that mandates state car dealers sell a certain percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles beginning in 2024.

Regional, National, & Federal Policy Updates

Tesla Cars and Batteries Provide Power Backup

Owners of electric cars in Texas used their vehicles for warmth and electricity during widespread outages during the devastating winter storm in February.

The Electric Highway Coalition

Several utilities in the Southeast announced a plan to create a seamless network of charging stations along major highway systems. The Electric Highway Coalition is made up of American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Entergy Corporation, Southern Company, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

The American Jobs Plan

On March 31, President Biden announced the American Jobs Plan, which proposes $174 billion for building a network of 500,00 electric vehicle charging stations, replacing 50,000 federal fleet diesel transit vehicles with cleaner options, electrifying 20 percent of the nation’s school buses, and incentivizing customers to purchase electric vehicles.

Towards Equitable Electric Mobility (TEEM) Initiative

SEEA is one of 21 organizations from across the U.S. participating in a newly created initiative by Forth and the Greenlining Institute focused on equity, public health, transportation, and clean energy.

Gas Station Ban

In March, the City Council in Petaluma, California approved the first permanent ban on new gas stations in the U.S. The ban halts the development of additional gas stations and prohibits expansion of existing ones.

Fleet Transition Report

The Rocky Mountain Institute released a new report assessing how major U.S. fleet managers are approaching the electrification of their fleets.