Smart Transportation News
May, 2020
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As the world heads into at least its third month of the pandemic, we're maintaining our focus on the future as well as the moment. We're looking at developments resulting from the current state of affairs as well as paths forward. The road forth, as we like to say.
As with many other sectors of the economy, clean energy jobs have taken a significant hit of late. Forth hosted a recent webinar to discuss potential strategies to address the impact of the economic slowdown and job losses.
Our first of its kind electric showcase has gone virtual to continue providing consumers with information on electric vehicles, charging and more.
Forth has been increasingly involved in transitioning medium and heavy-duty vehicles to electric. Thus we're excited to hear that Washington State is adding 40 electric school buses to its fleet.
We're encouraged by companies and organizations such as Evgo and Electrify America offering discounted charging during this time for electric drivers.
There has been a lot of movement of late in the realm of micromobility. We track recent updates as well as a bid by Uber to purchase Lime.
And in policy news, Colorado recently passed legislation allowing electric vehicle maker Rivian to sell directly to consumers in the state.
If you have suggestions for us, please reach out. You can always keep track of what we’re up to on the Forth website.
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Moving Forward Toward Recovery
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Based on clean energy unemployment filings for the top 50+ metros and Top 200 counties in America, E2 reports that over 500,000 clean energy jobs have been lost, with an expected total of over 800,000 by the end of June, as a result of the pandemic.
Job losses across the country and globe are staggering and the clean energy sector is no exception. While the hope of the current administration to recognize the importance of this industry seems bleak, the need to push legislators to include clean energy in current and future stimulus packages is essential, for both economic and environmental reasons.
A recent webinar hosted by Forth, featuring Jonathan Levy from EVgo, Román Partida-Lopez of Greenlining and Jeanette Shaw of Forth focused on this issue and potential strategies to address the impact of the economic slowdown and job losses.
“We have to think about what things look like coming out of a recession, in a way that works for the climate crisis and works for clean transportation, and clean energy investment,” said Levy, senior vice president of business development at EVgo,
One potential strategy would be to revise a “cash for clunkers” program to transition consumers from combustion engines to electric with particular emphasis and incentives for low-income consumers.
“We really want policies that will deliver, not only a sustainable recovery, but an equitable one,” said Shaw, senior director of public affairs at Forth on how the economic effects of the shutdown have “disproportionately affected marginalized communities and communities of color.”
“Do I think we can get all of these things through this Congress, and this administration? No, I do not," said Levy. "Do I think we need to try? Yes, I do."
A schedule of our upcoming webinars can be found here.
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Forth's Virtual Electric Showcase
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 Consumer engagement has been a pillar of Forth's work since its inception. This has included workshops, ride & drives as well as our Electric Showcase, a brand-neutral showroom providing test drives, information, and demonstrations on charging as well as a friendly staff to help with questions about all forms of electric transportation.
Due to the pandemic, we've temporarily closed the physical showcase, but recently updated and improved our virtual showcase, which includes new information on charging, e-scooters, e-bikes, electric vehicle rebates, new EV models and information for rideshare drivers.
Highlights include the Chargeway Beacon to help users find charging stations, an Arcimoto FUV vehicle, access to new makes and models of cars through our partners at EV Life, plus information on rebates and trip planning. |
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Washington's Electric School Aid
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 The State of Washington is making a significant investment in the health and future of its youth by purchasing 40 electric school buses.
The funding for the buses comes from Washington’s Department of Ecology, which is distributing the state’s share of the nationwide Volkswagen settlement in projects designed to cut air pollution and push our state’s transportation system toward zero-emission vehicles as a result of the manufacturer’s emission-cheating scandal. The funding will help replace buses purchased prior to 2007, which are heavier polluters. Two-thirds of the buses will serve communities disproportionally affected by diesel pollution, according to the department of ecology.
Multiple studies have shown emissions from diesel school buses can be particularly harmful to students, who are exposed to emissions while riding and suffer higher rates of respiratory illness and health issues as a result.
A study by the Natural Resources Defense Council showed that a child riding inside a diesel school bus may be exposed to as much as four times the level of diesel exhaust as someone riding in a car ahead of it and indicated that exposure of children to diesel exhaust while riding in a school bus for 1–2 hours a day, 180 days a year for 10 years might result in 23–46 additional cancer deaths per million children.
Forth will be hosting a webinar on electric school buses on June 9 featuring representatives from Blue Bird Corporation, Thomas Built Buses, and the Center for Transportation and the Environment. Join Forth for a discussion on current electric school bus models and considerations for school districts interested in making the switch to electric buses. |
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EVgo and Electrify America Offer Charging Discounts During COVID
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 Forth member, EVgo, the charging service provider, is offering discounts up to 30% on charging for users affected by the COVID-19 epidemic who work in “priority industries” including healthcare, supply and logistics.
"If you still need to drive your EV for work in health care, grocery, food services, rideshare, delivery or are otherwise experiencing hardship due to #COVID19, call us to work with you on a special time-limited discount," the company posted via social media. Contact EVgo: (877) 494-3833 or support@evgo.com.
Electrify America, also a Forth member, is waiving their monthly subscription fee for existing Electrify America Pass+ members until further notice. The company posted on Twitter, acknowledging that people are currently driving less but, to accommodate those who need to travel to “ loved ones or for essential jobs, our charging stations remain open.” |
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Micromobility Movement and Mergers
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 Micromobility offers a manner to move about urban areas without relying on auto ownership, mass transportation, or carsharing. But ridership has fallen significantly due to concerns about the spread of the COVID-29 virus.
While riding e-bikes and scooters reduces exposure to other people while riding, it also comes with risks via germs left on handlebars by previous riders.
Smart Cities Dive reports that Lime, Lyft, Jump, Bird, and Spin have increased cleaning and disinfection of shared vehicles, but none shared specific information about how often vehicles are disinfected. The companies recommend riders disinfect the vehicles themselves, wear gloves, and avoid touching their face before washing their hands.
Several companies have suspended operations and questions about their future have emerged. Industry weakness often leads to mergers, which likely explains Uber, along with Bain Capital and Alphabet, recently leading a $170 million investment into Lime, according to CNBC. Uber, who laid-off nearly 4,000 employees this month, plans to fold its Jump bike and scooter program into Lime. |
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Engaging Dealers With Electric Vehicles
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 Plug In America, a Forth member, and the group responsible for National Drive Electric Week is providing a free, online, dealer training course on electric vehicles through June 15. The course is designed to help dealers and salespersons learn more about electric vehicles, their benefits and the best manners to sell them, particularly during the ongoing pandemic slowdown, which has affected dealerships, like so many other industries during this time.
According to Plug in America, “The course reviews the unique needs of EV customers and how best to convey information on topics spanning public incentives, charging, and optional equipment, so that sales staff can confidently and efficiently sell EVs.”
Benefits of participating include promotion on PlugStar.com and partner car shopping sites to provide the dealer with EV customers; Information and tools for dealer sales teams to confidently sell EVs and support the needs of EV customers; and assistance with questions about vehicles, charging, incentives and more by phone or email from Plug In America.
For more information about the PlugStar Program or training, please visit the PlugStar EV Training page or email dealers@pluginamerica.org. |
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Rivian Wins Right To Sell Directly To Coloradans
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 Rivian, the electric sport utility and e-cargo vehicle maker, recently won the ability to sell directly to consumers in Colorado, circumventing the need for a dealership in the state.
Recently passed legislation allows manufacturers who exclusively manufacture electric vehicles to sell directly to consumers in the state. The legislation could mark a significant step in the potential disruption of traditional motor vehicle sales.
Previously, Tesla was the only manufacturer allowed to sell directly to consumers because they had established a store in the state prior to a 2010 law. An initial version of the recent legislation would have allowed any manufacturer who sold EVs to sell directly, but following opposition from the Colorado Auto Dealers Association, that was changed to allow only EV-exclusive manufacturers “with no franchised dealers of the dealer’s line-make.”
Forth is currently developing a consumer engagement program in Colorado focused on education and outreach for the adoption of electric vehicles. Colorado recently became a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) state, following California’s lead in prioritizing high standards in curbing emissions from motor vehicles. |
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Forth's Roadmap Conference Webinars
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Forth is committed to helping members connect with partner organizations and policymakers to reach new markets and advance transportation electrification.
Membership provides networking opportunities with Forth's member companies, as well as our broad industry, non-profit, and government connections. Forth membership also grants access to our member-only programs, resources and events.
If you are interested in becoming a member, contact Simbiat Yusuff.
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Forth is pivoting the format of our 
