News

Business Insider outlined how the electric vehicle space can cash in on the Inflation Reduction Act, quoting AEE's Ryan Gallentine on the tax credits and manufacturing incentives that will help the industry. Read snippets below and the full article here.

Consumer-focused electric-car startups might get pummeled by the Inflation Reduction Act's climate-focused electric-vehicle stipulations, but the commercial-truck space is looking at a huge boost.

California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule can empower other states to adopt stronger clean vehicle targets and accelerate the growth America’s electric transportation workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 25, 2022 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) applauded the California Air Resource Board decision to require 100% of all new light-duty vehicle sales in the state be zero-emission by 2035. Referred to as the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) rule, the move is the next step in the state’s Clean Cars program, which has helped create a national market for more efficient, less polluting vehicles. More than a dozen states have adopted California’s previous vehicle emission standards, as the federal Clean Air Act allows.

UtilityDive reported on expanding infrastructure for electric trucks, quoting AEE's Ryan Gallentine on the plan's creation of a consistent framework for states. Read snippets below and the full article here.

Nearly 20 states and jurisdictions have signed on to an action plan striving for 100% electric medium and heavy-duty vehicle sales by 2050.

7 in 10 Illinoisans say that state officials should be doing more to reduce emissions from gas and diesel vehicles, transition to zero-emission models

JULY 21, 2022 – Roughly 7 in 10 Illinoisans say smog and air pollution are negatively impacting their quality of life, and want state officials to do more to decrease the gas and diesel vehicle emissions causing much of the problem.

The findings are part of a new statewide survey conducted by YouGov in partnership with national business association Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), and come just a month after the American Lung Association listed the Chicago metro area as having the 16th-worst ozone pollution in the nation.

"Transportation emissions are the largest source of pollution, particularly from trucks and buses, and parts of Illinois are suffering from unsafe levels of ozone, particularly during the summer,” said Ryan Gallentine, Transportation Policy Director at AEE. “Illinoisans say they want their state leaders to take action by electrifying the state’s trucks, buses and delivery vans more quickly.”

Colorado Newsline detailed local air pollution concerns quantified in a new poll conducted by YouGov for AEE, quoting AEE's Emilie Olson on what solutions Coloradans support for a cleaner future. Read snippets below and the full article here. 

New statewide poll shows smog and air quality adversely impacting quality of life in Colorado; majority support electrifying trucks, buses 

DENVER, July 11, 2022 – Most Coloradans say summer smog and air pollution are negatively impacting their quality of life and support policies that would counteract the source of much of that pollution: emissions from gas and diesel vehicles. 

Legislation to make it easier for school districts to evaluate electric school bus options moves to the Governor’s desk with overwhelming bipartisan support.

PHOENIX, June 24, 2022 — National business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) commended the Arizona legislature’s passage of SB 1246, which will improve the ability of Arizona schools to access cost-saving transportation services. The bill, proposed by Senator Paul Boyer (R-Glendale) and sponsored by AEE, was passed unopposed by the Senate late last night and approved by the House with bipartisan support and is poised to make it easier for school districts to evaluate electric vehicle school buses and charging options.

Richmond Times-Dispatch published a column by AEE's Kim Jemaine discussing the bipartisan passage of legislation in Virginia's Senate maximizing EVs in the state. Read snippets below and the full article here.

Thankfully, the passage of Senate Bull 575 - the so-called fleet optimization bill - proved that smart, fiscally responsible legislation still can get bipartisan support, and point the commonwealth toward a smarter transportation future.

Legislation to speed up the transition to electric school buses now moves to the state Senate

SACRAMENTO, June 1, 2022 – California's Clean and Healthy School Bus Act (AB 2731) was approved 57-0 by California’s State Assembly last week, a major step toward speeding up the transition to zero-emission school buses that save schools money and don’t harm young lungs. 

Proposed by Assemblymember Phil Ting (District 19) and sponsored by AEE, AB 2731 is designed to help school districts access the long-term economic benefits of switching to zero-emission school buses by allowing for longer vehicle lease terms, as well as setting a 2035 statewide Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) school bus sales goal. California currently caps lease terms for contracted school buses at five years. Extending the lease terms to 15 years would substantially improve the economics of transitioning to electric school buses for school districts. 

The $65 million grant program sets Colorado on track to electrify its school bus fleet and drive new electrification funding to the state.

DENVER, CO, May 10, 2022 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) applauded Colorado’s new electric school bus grant program, which provides an initial $65 million investment for schools to more quickly make the switch to clean bus rides for kids. The program passed out of Legislature today as a part of Senate Bill 193, a broader air quality investment package.