NEWSNOTES | April 25, 2025
News Notes

Mark Your Calendar for the CALSTART Member Symposium, May 13-14th
CALSTART’s 2025 Member Symposium is moving to Seattle! Joinus at the Washington Athletic Club May 13-14 to engage with CALSTART staff, our member companies, and our Board and Investment Council members. Through a happy hour, paneled sessions, and other networking opportunities, come learn about where the industry is heading from key stakeholders helping shape it. Register Here!

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In the 2025 ADAC breakdown statistics, the Tesla Model 3 emerged as the most reliable electric vehicle, recording just 0.5 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. Overall, electric vehicles demonstrated superior reliability compared to their combustion-engine counterparts, with an average of 3.8 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles versus 9.4 for traditional vehicles.

Congratulations to our member RISE Robotics for being selected to participate in the U.S. Air Force's $46 billion Eglin Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC) On-Ramp IV. This inclusion allows RISE to compete for future delivery orders under the Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, facilitating the modernization of ground support equipment and the development of advanced systems.

At the beginning of the month Annapolis held a ribbon-cutting event celebrating the arrival of two U.S.-built battery-electric buses from RIDE, a local transit agency. The buses, built by GILLIG and supported by FTA funding, mark a step toward Maryland’s zero-emission transportation goals. Officials emphasized the environmental and economic benefits of electrifying transit fleets.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is offering up to $19.4 million in funding through the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement to support the replacement or repowering of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Eligible projects include Class 4–8 school buses, transit and shuttle buses, local freight trucks, and port drayage trucks, with a focus on transitioning to alternate fuels or all-electric powertrains. Government and non-government entities operating in Tennessee are invited to apply, with funding caps of $3 million for all-electric and $1.5 million for alternate-fueled projects per applicant. The application deadline is not specified on the provided page.

CALSTART Webinar: Exchange for More Battery Electric Trucks
Virtual
April 29th, 9:00am PT / 12:00pm ET

Join us to learn about the policies and organizations enabling battery-electric truck (BET) deployments in Sweden. What can the U.S. and other countries learn from their success? This informational exchange of success stories and strategies aims to spark solutions to increase adoption of battery-electric trucks on a global scale. Hear from our partners at Lindholmen Science Park and Volvo Group. Register Here!

The Evolution of Axial Flux Motor Technology – Webinar hosted by Turntide Technologies
Virtual
May 6th, 9:00-10:00am CT

Think axial flux motors require one-off manufacturing and are too pricey to apply? The evolution of axial flux motor technology rewrites this narrative. Join this webinar, featuring a live demo, to learn more about how these motors can evolve your electric or hybrid system for any vehicle or equipment, decrease your total cost of ownership, and provide high torque and power. Register Here! 

You’re invited to the Smart & Sustainable Mobility Showcase in Philadelphia, PA on May 13, the PANYNJ Fleet Sustainability Expo in Newark, NJ on May 14, and the NYC DCAS 36th Annual Equipment & Vehicle Show in New York, NY on May 15! 20 Québec-based companies will display their vehicles, technology, and equipment alongside SEPTA, the City of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Department of Aviation, PANYNJ, MTA, NJ Transit, NYC DCAS. Roundtables and breakout session themes include green campuses, future rail propulsions, company pitch sessions, fleet across cities, alternative fuels, fire safety for EVs, and microgrids & mobile charging.

• Smart & Sustainable Mobility Showcase with SEPTA & the City of Philadelphia – May 13th, Philadelphia, PA. Register here!  
• Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Fleet Sustainability Expo – May 14th, Newark, NJ. Register here!  
• NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services 36th Annual Equipment & Vehicle Show – May 15th, New York, NY. Register here!

RESOURCES

• Tesla Charges Ahead in Reliability
• RISE Robotics Selected for Major Military Contract
• RIDE Attends Ribbon Cutting Welcoming Two U.S.-Built Battery Electric Buses
• Tennessee Offers Grants for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Upgrades