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Events
While we continue postponing in-person events, Electrify The South and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy have hosted several virtual EV ride and drive events. We've been thrilled that so many individuals and community groups are interested in joining these EV test drive webinars, so we've planned more virtual ride and drives over the next few months. We also welcome your ideas or suggestions for an event near you when it's safe to meet again in person. In the meantime, join us for one of our six upcoming ride and drive webinars!
Webinar
We're offering 6 opportunities—from July 30 to October 3—to learn how fun it is to drive an EV during a virtual ride and drive in a Tesla Model 3 or a Chevy Bolt. You'll see just what it's like on an in-person Driving on Sunshine test drive as we highlight the features of the car, talk about the benefits of driving electric, and have time for a live audience question and answer session. Register for a free one-hour virtual ride and drive below!
Virtual Electric Vehicle Ride and Drives July 30 - Oct 3 electrifythesouth.org/events
Webinar
Join the NC Clean Cities Coalitions and Plug-in NC for a webinar to learn about electric transit and school bus deployments in the Southeast. The webinar is the first of a three-part series, and Kathleen Staples from Dominion Energy will share an update and overview of Dominion Energy’s Electric School Bus Program in Virginia. You'll also hear from George Linney and Jay Perkins of Greensboro Transit Authority as they share the benefits and lessons learned from one of the earliest electric bus deployments in North Carolina.
Electric Transit and School Bus Initiatives in the Southeast - Webinar
Wednesday, July 22 // 1 PM RSVP
EV Conference
The Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference is going virtual, with a series of 12 free webinar sessions on a variety of topics highlighting the leading edge of sustainable fleet practices and alternative fuel opportunities. Expert speakers from around the country will discuss the latest and greatest opportunities for biofuel, electric, natural gas, and propane fuels and fueling to help you find the best solutions for your fleet or vehicles.
Webinar sessions are free and continue through Dec. 16. The next session on July 29 is "Electrification of Regional Haul Trucking featuring North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE)."
Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference & Expo - Webinar Series July 29 — December 16
Electric Vehicles
A recent report finds over a 15-year lifespan EVs can save thousands in fuel costs compared to gasoline vehicles. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) found that motorists can save as much as $14,500 on fuel costs over 15 years by driving an electric vehicle instead of a similar one fueled by gasoline.
Even though automotive sales are forecast to decrease 14-22% among the China, US, and European markets in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there is one bright spot. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of electric cars on the road will reach almost 10 million this year, with sales of electric vehicles (EVs) set to buck the trend of declining sales in internal combustion engine cars and broadly match the 2.1 million sold in 2019.
Infrastructure
More than two dozen charging stations will be installed along Florida’s busiest roads, paid for by the state’s share of a U.S. government settlement with Volkswagen after the German automaker violated the country’s car emissions standards. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state will spend $8.6 million of Florida’s $166 million settlement on the charging stations.
When the 2021 Nissan Ariya launches in the US and Europe next year, it will come equipped with a CCS (Combo) inlet, as the brand moves away from CHAdeMO in those markets. This will make fast-charging less complicated going forward and, as CHAdeMo is phased out, there will be two ways to fast charge: CCS Combo and Tesla Supercharging.
Policy
After a three-year political struggle over spending authority, state lawmakers appropriated the $31 million of Volkswagon’s multibillion-dollar nationwide settlement to be mostly spent on replacing old, dirty school and transit buses with more efficient and zero-emission models. Other funds have also been set aside for electric vehicle charging stations.
Kudos to North Carolina for going in on a 'Memorandum of Understanding' with other states committing to zero-out toxic air pollution from medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses sales by 2050. The announcement is the largest-ever multi-state collaboration to clean up transportation pollution, which is a big truckin' deal!
The House passed the Moving Forward bill, which would help us declare independence from fossil fuels in the transportation sector as well as generate jobs and reduce pollution. However, the Senate is expected to pump the brakes.
Take Action
Focus Groups For Black Individuals In Raleigh-Durham Area SACE's partner, EV Hybrid Noire, wants to grow NC EV participation, and we need your help! We'll be holding 60-minute virtual focus groups on July 29 and 30 and are looking for Black/African American individuals in the Raleigh-Durham area to participate -- no EV experience is needed. If you're interested, please take this survey. If you know someone who may be interested in participating, please share the survey with them!
Focus Group Survey for Black Individuals in Raleigh-Durham Area Virtual Focus Group: July 29 — July 30
Send A Letter Thanking NC Governor Cooper Governor Cooper signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), along with 14 other states, committing to electrify 100% of medium and heavy-duty vehicles in North Carolina by 2050. Thank Governor Cooper for taking action to reduce carbon pollution from vehicles in North Carolina by sending a letter!