Electric Mobility Monthly
September 2019
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Administration Action Increases Instability and Uncertainty
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 Last week, the U.S. federal government announced that it would revoke a waiver that has for decades allowed California to adopt more stringent automobile emissions standards. This move promises to inflict lawsuits and uncertainty on California, the thirteen other states that have opted in to those standards, and the entire U.S. auto industry.
The move has been widely predicted, and California immediately filed suit. The legal battles will likely reach the Supreme Court. With global markets and regulations to attend to, and billions of dollars of investments on the line, automakers were surprised by the action and are unlikely to welcome this latest move. In fact, Forth members Volkswagen, BMW, Ford and Honda had already reached a voluntary agreement with California in an effort to avoid just this kind of uncertainty. Further, the automakers plan to stick to their commitment to meet the state’s standards.
Despite these bumps in the road domestically, the global market continues to plan for an electric mobility future. Forth is determined to continuing our work alongside manufacturers, legislators, communities and consumers moving toward transportation electrification, regardless of shortsighted political distractions. |
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Amazon Orders 100,000 Vehicles From Rivian
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 Amazon recently announced it would order 100,000 vehicles from Rivian as part of its pledge to become carbon neutral by 2040.
The online retailer's order reveals a new, albeit perhaps not surprising, vehicle to Rivian's line of trucks and SUVs – a cargo delivery van.
Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, in an announcement trumpeting the company's approach to combatting climate change, said he expects to have the vans beginning deliveries in 2021 with the full lineup in service by 2024. Amazon has previously invested $700-million into the electric automaker.
Forth member, Cox Automotive, recently made a $350 million-dollar investment into Rivian. U.S. automaker, and Forth member, Ford, also made a $500-million dollar investment into the company earlier this year.
Rivian is developing a line of light and medium-duty pickup trucks such as the RT1 as well as SUVs that promise over 300 miles of range coupled with sleek style. |
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Washington State Beats 2020 EV Deadline
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 With three months to spare, Washington state met its goal of having 50,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2020.
Governor (and recent Democratic presidential candidate) Jay Inslee set the goal in 2013 when there were only 8,000 on the road in the state.
"Our roads are one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions in Washington state, but it is also one of the biggest opportunities for improvement," Inslee said. "Electric vehicles are about cleaner air, lower emissions, saving consumers money, and reducing stormwater damage and runoff into our rivers and the Puget Sound."
Watch Gov. Inslee announce the achievement, presumably from his office parking lot, here.
Oregon recently crossed the halfway point of meeting its EV goal of 50,000 by the end of 2020, set by Gov. Kate Brown. Currently, EV growth is increasing by roughly 35-percent per year in Oregon.
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Port of Seattle Expands WCEH to Sea-Tac Airport
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 The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a new destination along the West Coast Electric Highway with two new fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) stations.
The fast chargers in the airport's Cell Phone Lot can serve up to four EVs at a time and are available to the public through a public-private partnership, between the Port of Seattle, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Forth and our member, EVgo.
"The increased adoption of electric vehicles is directly tied to the widespread availability of fast charging," said Jeff Allen, executive director of Forth. "We applaud the Port of Seattle's action in expanding access to convenient and efficient charging for travelers along the West Coast Electric Highway."
Forth program managers Steve Guttman and Eric Huang were on hand for the official announcement and unveiling of the changers.
“Drive Electric Week is the perfect time to celebrate the opening of the Sea-Tac Airport chargers,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “Electric cars are part of Washington’s clean energy future. These new chargers will help build up our charging infrastructure and keep our state at the forefront of the clean energy economy.” |
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 The 33rd Electric Vehicle Symposium is coming to Portland, OR. June 14-17, 2020. Forth is excited to be working with EDTA in presenting EVS33 and to serve as the local co-host.
EVS33 is the largest electric mobility industry event in the world and we encourage everyone in our network to participate. Forth’s annual Roadmap conference is being held as part of EVS33 – so attendees can attend both events with one ticket.
Registration and the call for abstracts are now open. Register by December 16 to take advantage of the Early Bird rate. Use the attendee code “EVS33FORTH” to become a Forth VIP with access to our VIP reception on 6/15. Plus, you’ll be entered to win a complimentary ticket to Roadmap in 2021. Register here.
Interested in speaking? Click here to see the list of topics solicited and submission requirements. Abstracts are due by October 18.
Want to raise your company’s profile at EVS33? Become a sponsor or exhibitor.
Contact us to learn more. |
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Forth Partners with Holland E-Mobility
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 Forth recently signed a Letter of Intent with our partners Coast2Coast and Holland E-Mobility to support the advancement of transportation electrification in the Netherlands and the West Coast of the U.S.
Holland E-Mobility, the advisory committee to the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, will lead the Netherlands' participation in our joint work. Coast2Coast, a public-private partnership that promotes partnerships between the U.S. and Dutch government agencies and universities, will lead efforts in California. Forth is thrilled to be working with our Dutch colleagues and together we're committing to working together on projects including coordination around EVS33 and a smart charging pilot in Portland. |
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 In its ongoing drive toward electrification, Forth member, Volkswagen debuted the ID.3, a mass-market, four-door hatchback with a 340-mile range and a price tag of $33,000 in advance of the Frankfurt Auto Show.
The ID.3, which is comparable to the VW Golf, will be sold in Europe, while Americans will be offered the ID Crozz later in 2020. The Crozz, scheduled to be produced in the company’s Tennessee factory, is based on a crossover design, comparable to the VW Tiguan. It has a stated range of 300 miles and can charge up to 80 percent in 30-minutes on a 150-kW DC charger, according to Car and Driver.
Both vehicles, as well as the redesigned VW Bus, utilize the company’s MEB modular electric chassis platform. |
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Forth Celebrates The Electric Showcase & Drive Electric Week
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 In celebration of National Drive Electric Week, Forth put the pedal to the metal and hosted a seasonal cornucopia of ride and drive events. From northern Washington to southern Oregon, we brought the gospel of transportation electrification to the people.
We are hosting a celebration of a successful Drive Electric Week and honoring the third anniversary of Forth's Electric Showcase on September 27 from 4 pm -7 pm at the World Trade Center Plaza in Portland. If you'd like to attend, please register here.
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 The Forth team continues to grow! We're thrilled to announce the addition of two new team members: Connor Herman and Sean Brosnihan.
Conner joins our community engagement team and will work with community-based organizations and frontline communities. Connor has been working at Kelly Non-Profit Consulting in Portland where he managed a portfolio of several nonprofit organizations, with missions ranging from educational attainment and economic development for underserved populations.
Sean will serve as our Community Engagement Specialist through AmeriCorps. He will be working on youth education and community outreach around clean transportation options with a focus on underserved communities. |
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Saturday, September 28
Ride & Drive
Yreka Farmers Market
1712 Fairlane Rd Yreka
Yreka, CA.
10 am - 1 pm
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Thursday, October 31
Ride & Drive
Forth Field Office
Portland, OR
10 am – 2 pm
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