It’s an exciting time of change for electric vehicles (EVs) in the US! Amidst updates to federal incentives offered for personal EV purchases, a historic rule has also just been approved in California called Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF). Developed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the rule requires a gradual shift towards 100% electric trucks across the state over the next 15-20 years. The rule also includes an end to combustion truck sales in 2036, a first-of-its-kind requirement that will expedite the state’s EV transition and bring to fruition Governor Gavin Newsom’s goal of getting California to zero-emissions by 2045.

What are the basics of the new rule?

Starting early next year in 2024, fleet owners operating vehicles for private services, federal fleets, state and local government fleets will begin transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. By 2035, drayage trucks, due to their heavier impact on residents, must be zero-emissions. Other fleet owners have the option to transition a percentage of their vehicles to meet zero-emission milestones, with flexibility to continue using gas-powered vehicles as needed and until the end of their useful life. The rule also includes exemptions based on available technology, to account for the fluctuating market for medium- and heavy-duty EVs. The goal is to replace older polluting trucks with the cleanest possible engines more quickly, with a complete ban on combustion truck sales by 2036. 

The move is expected to generate $26.5 billion in health savings from reduced asthma attacks, emergency room visits, and respiratory illnesses, and save fleet owners an estimated $48 billion in their total operating costs. 

Why is the new rule needed?

The ACF regulation aims to speed up the adoption of zero-emission trucks, vans, and buses by requiring fleets that can use electric vehicles to switch to them where possible. The regulation will reduce emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles on California's roads, supporting public health and climate goals. Specifically, people living near seaports, railyards, warehouses, and distribution centers are disproportionately affected by pollution from high truck traffic. The regulation will greatly benefit air quality in neighborhoods surrounding these locations. 

Overall, the ACF rule will result in nearly half of all semi-trucks that travel on California highways to be zero-emission by 2035 and about 70 percent to be zero-emission by 2042. The rule’s acceptance is expected to significantly accelerate the state’s full transition to EVs, thereby greatly reducing the harmful impacts of tailpipe emissions in California communities and hopefully setting an example for others to follow.

Where do we go from here? 

If you are getting started on your fleet electric vehicle journey, we’re here to help. We launched EV re-Fleet (EVRF) with the mission to make EV knowledge common sense. We work with organizations of all sizes to understand how to electrify their existing fleet and to provide training and support for employees with this transition. We can help you identify funding opportunities and figure out next steps. Contact us to learn more.

Did you know that school boards can buy or repower electric vehicles? 

Due to high demand and recent supply chain issues, some electric school bus manufacturers have expressed multi-year long wait times for new vehicles. We decided to write this blog post to share information about a solution to this problem that is sometimes overlooked: it’s called electric school bus repowering. 

Repowering: An Established Practice

Electric school bus repowering involves replacing an old bus’s regular gas engine with an electric drive system. This may seem like a new concept, but it’s actually been around for several years. Before electric vehicles were common, many companies converted diesel vehicles to electric with excellent results. Repowering has shown to be a reliable option that is perfect for school districts ready to electrify today but are not able to get inventory of new electric school buses. 

To Electrify or not to Electrify

Electric school bus repowering has a lot of benefits. Not only is it better for the environment and the health of students and their communities, but it actually helps schools save money too. Repowered buses have a significantly lower initial cost compared to buying brand new electric buses - between $110,000 to $180,000 vs. $300,000, respectively.  Plus, since electric vehicles require less maintenance than gas-powered ones, schools can save money on maintenance costs in the long run. The repowering process can also be done on existing buses, so schools won't need to buy as many new ones - which means even more cost savings.

Repowering is not a Compromise

Repowering buses not only saves schools money, but it can also save them time. Right now, global supply chain issues are slowing down the production of new electric school buses, which means there aren't enough of them to meet the demand and schools are left waiting a long time. Since repowering requires fewer parts, it bypasses some of those supply chain hurdles and speeds up the process. That means schools don't have to wait as long to electrify their bus fleets, which in turn helps them meet their emissions reduction goals more quickly. So not only is repowering a cost-effective option, but it's also a practical way to get electric buses on the road faster. 

Schools Get Help Sooner

More state incentive programs like in California and New York are also starting to offer funding for repowered school buses. This is great news for school districts because it helps them further cut down on overall fleet electrification costs. Additionally, due to those delays with new electric bus production, schools can choose repowering instead and apply for the incentive programs sooner. Funding support from these programs will allow more schools to start enjoying the benefits of going electric without having to wait. 

All in all, electric school bus repowering is a fast, low-risk option that helps cut down on emissions and saves money on operating costs. And to top it off, it's a great solution for school districts right now, especially given the supply chain issues we're currently dealing with.

Electric vehicle (EV) batteries are the crucial component to powering electric cars. They store energy from the electric grid or from regenerative braking and provide the energy necessary to run the electric motor. The size, capacity, and number of battery cells determine the range of an electric vehicle, with larger and higher capacity batteries providing a longer range. There is ongoing research to improve the performance and reduce the cost of EV batteries, making electric vehicles increasingly competitive with traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

With so much of an EV’s functionality relying on the car’s battery, it is natural for drivers of gasoline-powered vehicles to have some questions when thinking about switching to EVs. These are some common questions that employees have about EV batteries: 

1. How long will the battery last?

According to industry expectations, on average EV batteries last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, or about 15 to 20 years. That is actually more than the current life expectancy of a car - in other words, EV batteries are expected to outlast the vehicle they are in! However, It's important to keep in mind that this can be affected by factors such as aggressive driving, heavy loads, and extreme temperatures, which can all decrease the actual battery life.

2. Are the batteries safe?

The safety of EV batteries has been a topic of concern, but they are designed to meet rigorous safety standards and are considered very safe. The lithium-ion batteries in modern EVs have multiple layers of protection against overcharging, overheating, and collision damage, which reduce the risk of incidents such as fires. However, like any complex system, EV batteries can malfunction or fail, so it's important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance and usage to ensure their safety. EV battery safety is also continuing to improve! There is current work being done to implement new battery types like lithium iron phosphate (LFP), which offers many benefits such as lower cost and longer life in addition to being 5 times less likely to combust in cases of damage or extreme temperatures.

3. How much do the batteries cost?

The transition of company fleets from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) often brings with it a lot of questions. These are the top 3 questions we have fielded from employees about electric cars:

1. How do I charge the car?

Charging an EV’s battery is not that different than filling up a traditional car’s tank with gasoline. To charge an EV, simply plug it into a charging station or wall outlet using the charging cord provided with the vehicle. Some newer EVs even come equipped with wireless charging capabilities. 

It's important to note that the charging time can vary based on the type of EV, the battery capacity, and the charging station used:

• Level 1 charging: This is the slowest type of charging and uses a standard 120-volt household outlet. It can take as long as 20 hours to charge an EV battery to full capacity.

• Level 2 charging: This type of charging uses a dedicated 240-volt charging station and can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to charge an EV battery to full capacity.

• Level 3 charging (Fast Charging): This type of charging uses a specialized charging station that provides a high-voltage, direct-current (DC) electrical charge to the battery. It can take as little as 30 minutes to charge an EV battery to 80% capacity.

2. What is involved with maintaining an electric car?

EVs generally have lower maintenance requirements compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Some of the key contributing factors include:

• Fewer moving parts: EVs have fewer mechanical parts, which means fewer parts that can break down or need repairs.

• No oil changes: EVs don't have engines with oil, so there's no need to change it.

• No transmission: EVs have a single-speed transmission, which is simpler and more reliable than the multi-speed transmissions found in gasoline-powered cars.

• No exhaust system: EVs don't have exhaust systems, which can be a major source of problems and repairs for gasoline-powered cars.

• No spark plugs or air filters: EVs don't have spark plugs or air filters, which can be expensive to replace in gasoline-powered cars.

That being said, EVs do have some maintenance requirements of their own. For example, the battery and charging system will need to be checked and potentially replaced after a certain number of years, and the brakes may need to be replaced more frequently due to the regenerative braking system used in electric cars.

In general, EVs can offer significant savings in terms of maintenance costs, but the actual costs will depend on factors such as the specific model, driving conditions, and the age of the vehicle. (source: AFDC)

3. How far can an electric car travel on a single charge? 

The distance an EV can travel on a single full battery charge is known as its range. The range of different electric cars can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the model and make of the vehicle, the battery capacity, the driving conditions, and the way the car is driven.

Typically, the range of modern electric cars starts at around 100 miles and can go up to 400 miles. For example, the Tesla Model S, which has a large battery capacity, can travel up to 373 miles on a single charge, while smaller electric cars like the Nissan Leaf can have a range of around 150 miles.

It's important to keep in mind that a specific EV’s actual range can be affected by a variety of factors such as climate, terrain, the use of air conditioning or heating, and how fast the car is driven.

Increasingly Canadians are opting to live in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) such as condominiums and apartments as opposed to single-unit detached homes. The 2016 Census showed that in major Canadian metropolitan centers like Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto, more residents make their homes in MURBs than in single detached homes. This trend is now being accompanied by a surge of electric vehicle (EV) sales in Canada overall, but especially in those same metropolitan areas like Vancouver. Given that most EV charging occurs at home, ensuring that Canadians living in MURBs have access to at-home charging is a critical step to facilitating EV adoption in the country.

Many property managers are eager to participate in this movement to provide EV charging for their residents and include EV charging infrastructure in their buildings under construction. However, charger installation at MURBs is usually more complex than at single-unit dwellings because of many factors including electrical capacity limitations, complicated physical layout or other difficulty getting electricity to parking areas, and gaining consensus among users about management details. Every building has its unique challenges and there is no “one size fits all” solution, which can make it especially difficult to know where to start. 

Thankfully organizations are responding by creating detailed guides to ease the process for property managers. The Guide to Electric Vehicle Charging in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings from Pollution Probe and Delphi Group is a comprehensive study that acts as a fantastic resource for anyone, but is especially helpful for managers or board members who want to address a request for EV charging at their MURB. In addition to providing solid background information about EVs, charging, and benefits of EV charging in MURBs, the guide provides step-by-step instructions for all relevant stakeholders to walk them through the entire process and clarify each party’s responsibilities. It also identifies potential obstacles and strategies for streamlining the installation process. Where applicable, considerations specific to installations in new construction are detailed as well, which will be increasingly relevant as new MURBs are built to meet the housing demand.

Want to read the full guide? Download now!

Along with the rapid rise in EV ownership in Canada comes the increase in at-home charging infrastructure needs, especially in cities where the EV adoption rate is high. To accommodate this trend, more governments are now requiring new developments in these locations to incorporate “EV Ready” parking for residents (ie. stalls with enough electricity adjacent that EV chargers can be installed now or when needed). Policies like this are intended to “futureproof” local architecture and prepare for mass EV adoption, likely in the not-so-distant future. A solid plan can ease this process, but until recently it was difficult to find accurate and detailed information with which to create and implement one.

As an answer to this problem, the City of Calgary and the City of Edmonton commissioned this Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Costing Study to analyze the costs involved with incorporating EV Ready parking in new construction. It is a comprehensive resource that examines this in three building types typical of new residential construction in those cities: high-rise, mid-rise, and townhouse. It explores various electrical designs for each type and provides itemized lists of associated costs for all. In addition to providing background information on EV Ready requirements, the study also provides recommendations for design options in different scenarios and strategies that can help keep costs down. Notably, the study highlights the importance of incorporating EV Ready parking into new construction rather than retrofitting since it is much less costly and complicated.

While it is helpful to inform the general public, the study most effectively acts as a resource for local governments, developers, electrical engineers, utilities, and other project stakeholders. Detailed appendices include specific building archetype details and load calculations, single line diagrams, and parking layout drawings for each building type that are excellent references for similar projects.

The costing study was conducted and prepared by AES Engineering Ltd., an electrical engineering firm and leader in “EV Ready” charging requirements. They provide policy advising, infrastructure planning, program design, and strategy development services to support the transition to zero emissions buildings and transportation.

Want to read the full report? Download the study!

There is a wealth of information out there about electric vehicles (EVs) with many organizations doing the hard work of producing engaging and helpful content. However, finding the right information can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Since our team 'lives and breathes' electric vehicles, we decided to create a series of blog posts highlighting some of our favorite resources out there. 

Today we will be writing about a Condo Charging guide created by Plug'n Drive for condominium board members, property managers, and residents. Plug’n Drive is a non-profit organization that has helped over 125,000 consumers learn about electric vehicles and facilitated over 23,000 EV test drives. Its EV Discovery Centre was the first facility of its kind worldwide to host a variety of EV models from leading manufacturers in a sales-free, brand neutral environment.

As more drivers switch to EVs, their needs for at-home charging solutions are evolving. Most current EV owners live in single-unit dwellings where charger installation and maintenance is relatively straightforward. However, increasingly property managers of multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) such as condos or apartment buildings are receiving requests to install chargers from their residents. While there are major benefits to adding EV charging to a MURB, the process is more complex than for a single-unit residence. Among the many factors to consider are: what are the financial and legal responsibilities of the different groups involved? What is important to include in a successful EV charging policy for a condo or apartment building? How do you ensure your building has enough electrical capacity to support EV charging now and plan for the future? It can feel overwhelming and difficult to figure out how to begin.

To address these questions and assist condo owners, boards, and managers in getting EV charging at their MURBs, Plug’n Drive provides a very helpful resource that is a great first step in simplifying the process. Its Make Your Condo EV Ready guide teaches the basics about EVs and charging and explains the main steps involved in typical charger installations at condos. It reviews available incentives, cost saving tips, and provides resources for finding more information. It also addresses numerous frequently asked questions from managers and residents about the process. 

Want to read more? Download the guide!

When I first started learning about electric cars, Tesla hadn't launched the Model S yet and few of my friends understood why I was so excited about electric vehicles. I remember reading books and struggling to understand these engineering concepts that seemed too technical and outside of my reach. Thankfully, I got the opportunity to learn from industry experts who designed an electric car from scratch when I worked at Lucid Motors (at the time they were called Atieva and they had a speedy delivery van called Edna that shocked the world with its acceleration). 

Once I finally felt comfortable with my knowledge about electric cars, I joined the electric vehicle team at Ontario Power Generation, one of the largest electricity generators in Canada. Working at a utility was humbling and exposed me to even more complicated engineering topics about electricity generation, power supply infrastructure, and electricity delivery. I learned a lot about the challenges that utilities and clients encounter when they want to electrify transportation. 

Fast forward to today, the world seems to finally get it - we're going electric. Yet, these pesky engineering topics continue to haunt our dreams and make it difficult for people to learn about electric cars. Questions as simple as 'what is a kilowatt hour and how is that different from a kilowatt?' can stump the brightest minds who were not trained as electrical engineers. 

If we want to make transportation electrification accessible to the general public, we need to make it easy for people to learn about electric vehicles. EV re-Fleet was the brainchild of an engineer and a business guy (spoiler alert: I'm not the engineer) who saw the need to make it affordable and fun for people to get into Electric Vehicles (EVs).