Electric Mobility Monthly
December 2019
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Welcome to the final 2019 edition of Forth's monthly newsletter!
It's been a major year in the ongoing development and evolution of Forth as well as the transportation electrification industry as a whole. So we've decided to recap some of the most significant events.
Forth doubled the size of our team this year as we expanded the programs and projects we're working with an increasing number of stakeholders across the globe. We broke attendance records with this year's Roadmap conference, presented the inaugural Roadmap Awards and were voted #16 in the 100 best nonprofits to work for in Oregon!
There was unprecedented investment in electrification by all major auto manufacturers. Both Ford and Tesla introduced significant new electric vehicles to their lines. Amazon ordered 100,000 delivery vehicles from Rivian. And heavy, medium-duty and autonomous electric trucks from Daimler and BYD are being introduced into delivery fleets.
The government took aim at California's emissions standards, the state pushed back with legal action, and automakers took sides.
For more on the major trends we're tracking, check out this recent webinar by our executive director, Jeff Allen, and Philippe Vangeel, Secretary-General of AVERE, who recap the top electric transportation industry news of 2019 and give key insights into what’s to come in 2020.
We hope you enjoy the news and we always love hearing your feedback. We look forward to seeing you in 2020. Until then, keep track of what we’re up to on the Forth website.
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Amazon Orders 100,000 Vehicles From Rivian
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Amazon 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 vehicle to Rivian's line of trucks and SUVs – a cargo delivery van.
Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, said he expects to have the vans making deliveries in 2021 with the full lineup in service by 2024. Amazon previously invested $700-million into the electric automaker.
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Tesla's Cybertruck and Gigafactory
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 Tesla is good at many things, not least of which is dominating media cycles with announcements and products. This year they announced plans for a new production factory in Berlin, debuted their version of the electric pickup called the "Cybertruck" and released a stellar earnings report.
The Cybertruck, available in three models, ranging from $49,000 to $69,000, looks like a sci-fi military vehicle, the likes of which would be found in a Blade Runner or Batman film. The internet took note and memes proliferated. Nevertheless, C.E.O. Elon Musk claimed the company received 250,000 pre-orders.
“Trucks have been the same for a very long time,” Musk said. “We want to try something different.”
In that, they definitely succeeded. |
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 Ford’s Mach-E electric crossover, based on the Mustang brand, debuted at the Los Angeles Auto show in November. With a sticker price of $45,000 and a range of up to 300 miles, the Mach-E heralds Ford’s entry into the realm of serious design to appeal to drivers looking for quality, affordability and efficiency.
“I hope this will show we are now deadly serious about electrification,” company chairman, William C. Ford Jr. told the New York Times.
Ford also flexed the muscle of its all-electric F-150 by using it to pull 10 railcars (weighing a combined million pounds) over 1000 feet. Ford plans to start selling a hybrid version of the F-150 next year. Here is the video of the electric F-150 pulling the train. |
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Automakers Put Their Money Where the Future Is
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 The automotive industry is in a state of transition. And it's not easy. This is reflected by the strikes at G.M. as well as plant closures and significant layoffs throughout the industry.
The U.S. has been described as having reached "peak car" and sales are declining. Except with electric cars, which continue to grow.
Automakers are increasingly investing in the nascent industry, earmarking $225 billion over the next half-decade.
Volkswagen pledged $44-billion and Ford has $11-billion on the table, including a $500-million investment in Rivian, and a $2.6-billion deal with VW to develop autonomous vehicles. Ford also purchased the electric scooter company, Spin of $100-million. |
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Forth's Roadmap Conference Breaks Attendance Record
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 E-bikes, e-scooters and e-mopeds offer solutions for municipalities across the world motivated to reduce the number of cars on urban thoroughfares. So there's been plenty of activity in developing this element of electric transportation.
Uber recently acquired Jump Bikes and invested in Lime scooters. Uber partnered with Cityscoot, the French e-moped sharing company. Lyft purchased the e-bike company, Motivate, this year and debuted Lyft Bikes and Scooters. They are also building micromobility into their trip-planning services on their app.
Startups in India such as Bounce and Vogo, are ignoring cars in favor of two-wheeled vehicles that users can drive themselves to get around town. |
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Administration Action Increases Instability and Uncertainty
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 In September, 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 created uncertainty for California, the thirteen other states that have opted in to those standards, and the entire U.S. auto industry.
California immediately filed suit and 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 government's decision. 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.
Despite these bumps in the road, 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. |
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 2019 was a year of dramatic growth for Forth. We've added multiple program managers, expanded the communications team and increased the number of projects and programs we're involved with significantly. As a result, we've doubled the size of our staff.
Our work with the Bloomberg American Clean Cities Challenge, The PGE Drive Change Grant, the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, the Oregon Clean Fuels Program, electrifying ridesharing services, bringing electric transportation options to rural communities, expanding the West Coast Electric Highway, and planning for EVS33 are just a few of the initiatives that we're proud of and continue to work on.
We're currently hiring for three new positions including Program Manager and Policy Manager positions that can be based outside of Oregon. Click here for more information.
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Heavy Duty Electric Arrives
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 Daimler, The German manufacturer, and Forth member, whose U.S. headquarters are in Portland, OR. is actively pushing the viability of its fully electric, Freightliner eCascadia semi-trucks.
Daimler plans to put 50 commercial EVs into use by the end of the year in North America, according to Green Car Reports. Two of the company’s trucks are in use by Penske Truck Leasing and NFI.
Daimler Trucks North America is also bullish with its expectations for autonomous trucks.
“The vehicles spend around 80% of their time on high-speed freeways, 10% on regular highways, and just 10% getting to their final destinations,” said spokesman Bernhard Weidemann in an interview with Fortune.
Frito-Lay and Anheuser-Busch are dipping into the electric transportation space by adding electric delivery trucks to their fleets.
Anheuser-Busch is adding 21 battery-powered electric delivery trucks from Forth member, BYD, while Frito-Lay is replacing all of its diesel-powered freight equipment in its Modesto, CA. facility, according to Green Car Reports.
Tesla, has also developed an all-electric Semi. |
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The International Electric Vehicle Symposium Comes to Portland
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One of our biggest announcements of the year is that Forth is co-hosting the 33rd International Electric Vehicle Symposium in June of 2020. This marks the first time that EVS will be held in the Pacific Northwest and we are thrilled to welcome the thousands of visitors participating in the conference to Portland.
We'll be presenting multiple panels, workshops, and an exciting public day event. We're working with our local host committee to present the finest of the Pacific Northwest's world-class technology, environments and businesses.
The early-bird rate for the 33rd International Electric Vehicle Symposium has been EXTENDED to January 13, 2020. When the time comes to register, use the attendee code "EVS33FORTH" for VIP benefits including access to Forth's VIP reception on June 15 and to be entered to win a free ticket to the Roadmap conference when it returns to a stand-alone event in 2021!
Why attend EVS33?
- 150+ sessions highlighting the newest technologies and trends
- A diverse trade show showcasing the newest technologies
- Tours of local demonstration projects
- A Ride, Drive & Charge event with the latest vehicle models
- Networking opportunities with potential partners, clients and experts from industry, government and academia
- Plus, Forth's annual Roadmap conference will be held in conjunction with EVS33, so there will be two events on one ticket
Forth is offering organizations that sponsor or exhibit at EVS33 and join Forth 25% off your first year's membership dues.
There's a range of opportunities to gain visibility for your organization - view the EVS33 Partnership Prospectus here.
Registration is open – buy your ticket before prices go up. Show your support for Forth by using attendee code "EVS33FORTH" when you register.
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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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Thursday, April 09
Conference
Go Green
Seattle, WA
8 am - 6 pm
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