NEWSNOTES | June 2, 2025
News Notes

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Last week, the Senate voted to overturn California’s authority to cut emissions pollution from cars and trucks — breaking a 50-year precedent. The decision reverses California’s waivers under the Biden Administration’s Clean Air Act for the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT), Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II), and Heavy-Duty Omnibus (HDO) regulations. CALSTART’s President and CEO, John Boesel, issued the following statement in response to the vote:
“In a massive handout to special interests, the Senate today took a radical action that creates enormous policy uncertainty for the entire transportation industry. This move concedes the industries of the future to global competitors, will increase air pollution, accelerate global warming and result in significant job loss. This vote upends decades of policy that has successfully resulted in cleaner air and the growth of a robust clean transportation industry. It is a brazen, yet futile, attempt to bring the clean transportation industry to a sudden halt. CALSTART will continue to partner with the states working to fill this gaping void left by today’s federal action.”  
Check out the full press statement on our website.

The City of Colwood has become the first municipality on Vancouver Island to deploy an all-electric truck, the RIZON e16M. The Class 4 medium-duty vehicle will support the city’s municipal wellness and public works services and aligns with Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The e16M’s dump body is ideal for municipal needs and is just one of many recent RIZON deliveries across Canada. The country’s Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles program provides ~$75,000 at purchase, with British Columbia offering up to $75,000 more in provincial incentives, helping speed adoption of electric vehicles up North.

Inspiration Mobility Group has teamed up with other US business leaders to launch the American Fleet Leadership Coalition to advocate for the preservation of the IRA’s 45W credit — the Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit. 45W plays a critical role in supporting the expansion of domestic manufacturing by spurring demand for light, medium, and heavy-duty electric vehicles that save businesses money, create jobs, and improve reliability and safety for drivers. Other founding CALSTART members include Forum Mobility, Harbinger Motors, NAFA, Orange EV, Synop, Terawatt Infrastructure, Voltera, and WattEV. You can learn more about the Coalition by visiting https://www.americanfleetleadership.com/.

While we’re all familiar with the ways electric vehicles reduce tailpipe emissions, a recently published study found EVs reduce the amount of brake dust by 83%. Conducted by EIT Urban Mobility and Transport London, the study analyzed vehicles across London, Milan, and Barcelona. The reduced brake dust is thanks to regenerative braking, allowing EVs to slow down without rubbing friction brakes. Hybirds were found to have reduced brake emissions of 10-48%, and PHEVs by 66%.

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CALSTART Webinar: Exchange for More Battery Electric Trucks
Virtual
June 3rd, 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!

Turntide Technologies Webinar: Safety & Reliability with Powerful Li-Ion Batteries
Virtual
June 19th, 9:00-10:00am CST
Safety and reliability with lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries are paramount concerns for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the end users of electric vehicles and equipment in any industry. What are the major safety concerns related to batteries, and what should you look for to ensure that your batteries are safe and reliable?
This webinar, presented by Turntide VP of Product George Paterson, will answer these questions and more. You’ll learn about the requirements for safety and reliability and why working with a certified battery manufacturer saves OEMs design time, increases time to market, and provides better reliability and efficiency. In addition, George will take attendees for a live 360-degree tech tour of the certified battery technology. Register today for this informative webinar about safety and reliability with li-ion batteries. Register Here!

Join us on June 18 for the Zero-Emissions Showcase + Ride & Drive!
Mark your calendar for an unparalleled opportunity to experience the future of clean transportation technology. Our Zero-Emissions Showcase + Ride & Drive on June 18 brings together industry leaders, manufacturers, and policymakers committed to creating a sustainable future. The event is in Anaheim, CA! Our past Ride & Drive events have featured over 70 class 2b-8 trucks, buses, vans, and off-road equipment — offering you the chance to test drive and explore cutting-edge zero-emissions technology firsthand. Register Now!  

Join Us in June at the Transit Retreat in Des Moines, June 25-26
Next month, CALSTART joins transit leaders from across the country for a retreat-style event centered on innovation, implementation, and open dialogue. Don’t miss sessions exploring how the clean transit landscape is evolving as well as strategic insights and practical implementation best practices. Join Us There!
 

RESOURCES

• Vancouver Island’s First Electric Municipal Truck, EV Report
• American Fleet Leadership Coalition Launches to Preserve the Commercial Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, American Fleet Leadership Coalition
• Another Way Electric Cars Clean the Air: Study Says Brake Dust Reduced by 83%, Electrek