NewZE (Jared Schnader)

Welcome New Members. Let’s Make an Impact Together.  

A warm welcome to new CALSTART members:  

7 Gen, Harbinger Motors, and Orbis Electric  

 NewsNotes 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to reschedule the 2025 CALSTART Member Symposium. The safety and well-being of our members, attendees, and partners remain our highest priorities, and we are committed to hosting a successful event under better circumstances.  

To help us make an informed decision about the new date and location, we would greatly appreciate your input. If you could please take 1 min to complete the 2 question survey to identify the best date/location for you to attend, we would greatly appreciate it!  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CALSTARTMemberSymposium2025 

CALSTART Releases 6th Zeroing in on ZETs Report 

Last week CALSTART published the 6th iteration of our Zeroing in on Zero-Emission Trucks (ZETs) Report. This update highlights the continued increase in medium- and heavy-duty ZET deployments in the U.S. and offers insights into key trends driving growth in this market, as well as opportunities to further accelerate this growth. CALSTART members can register for an exclusive briefing on 1/28 here.  

CALSTART Launches Innovative Financing Toolkit  

Kabir Nadkarni, CALSTART’s EV Industry Assessment Specialist, has curated a series of five innovative financing knowledge products to offer actionable insights for green banks, investors, philanthropic foundations, and financial institutions to de-risk investment in the ZEV sector and improve the economic viability of ZEVs. Featured financial strategies have been validated by CALSTART’s member companies and investor network. “Successful investors understand that funding early-stage zero-emission transportation companies demands precision—matching the right financial tool to the right challenge,” said Kabir. “CALSTART’s financing toolkit harnesses the ingenuity of our member companies to showcase actionable strategies that green banks, investors, foundations, and lenders can apply to stimulate investment in zero-emission vehicles.” Access the toolkit here.  

The New Administration Signals Intent to Curb EV Industry  

It’s safe to say much of the industry has been waiting with bated breath to see how the new administration will handle the pro-EV legacy Biden is leaving behind. Amidst the flurry of executive orders Trump signed on his first day back in office, he vowed to eliminate “the electric vehicle mandate” imposed under the former administration. While there was never a mandate to force consumers to purchase EVs, Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” order revokes a non-binding goal set by Biden for EVs to comprise half of new car sales by 2030. Additionally, the order aims to eliminate a federal exemption that allows California to phase out ICE vehicle sales by 2035. It’s predicted Trump will also work to repeal the $7,500 tax credit for anyone purchasing a new EV. 

BYD to Open Another EV Plant Overseas  

Last year’s “largest EV maker” BYD recently confirmed its intention to open another EV plant overseas by the end of 2025. The $1 billion Indonesia plant will be able to produce 150,000 vehicles annually and is a cornerstone in their plan to aggressively expand into overseas markets. The new manufacturing hub also aids Indonesia’s goal of building 600,000 EVs domestically by 2030.  

Rivian and DOE Finalize $6.6bn loan  

Last week CALSTART Board Member Rivian announced an up to $6.6 billion loan agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to support the building of its next manufacturing facility in Georgia. Construction is expected to begin next year and support the creation of 7,500 new manufacturing jobs.  

Number of EV Chargers Doubled Over Past 4 Years  

If you drive an EV, you may have noticed the considerable improvement in charging station availability over the past few years – with 207,000 public chargers available in 2025, prevalence has more than doubled from 2021’s 95,000 chargers. Despite this considerable progress, the U.S. is still far short of the ~1.2 million public chargers an NREL report predicts are necessary by 2030 to support EV sales targets.  

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CALSTART releases 6th zeroing in on ZETs report, https://calstart.org/zio-zets/#zet-dashboard  

Register for the CALSTART member briefing https://calstart-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S5JqtgC0SAyr9XnLs0tuDw#/registration  

CALSTART launches an innovative financing toolkit to accelerate zero-emission transportation, https://calstart.org/calstart-launches-innovative-financing-toolkit/  

Access toolkit here https://calstart.org/innovative-financing/  

What’s next for EVs as Trump moves to revoke Biden-era incentives, AP News  https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-electric-vehicles-pollution-standards-ae3a35faa376630e494765175aee2c28  

BYD is about to open another massive EV plant overseas with 150,000 vehicle capacity, Electrek https://electrek.co/2025/01/20/byd-open-new-ev-plant-overseas-150000-vehicle-capacity/  

Rivian and U.S. department of energy finalize loan agreement to support future georgia manufacturing site, Rivian https://rivian.com/newsroom/article/rivian-and-us-department-of-energy-finalize-loan-agreement  

It’s getting easier to find a charger for your electric car, Axios https://www.axios.com/2025/01/17/its-getting-easier-to-find-a-charger-for-your-electric-car  

NewsNotes 

CALSTART Members-Only Webinar:  Navigating Executive Orders and Market Dynamics in the Zero-Emission Industry | Feb 12, 10am PST / 1pm EST 

CALSTART's policy team is hosting a member-exclusive webinar that delves into the critical implications of the early executive orders issued by the second Trump administration and their impact on the zero-emission industry. To register, reach out to Rachel Baker (rbaker@calstart.org). 

Nuvve Selects Key Hardware Supplier  

Nuvve, an industry leader in vehicle-to-grid technology, has chosen Tellus Power Green as a key supplier for their advanced charging portfolio. After a rigorous review of 30+ companies, Nuvve’s partnership with Tellus is the first step of expanding their supplier ecosystem to keep pace with growing demand for electrification. Tellus chargers are engineered to meet the strict requirements for V2G applications and designed to provide scalable and cost-effective solutions for fleet and infrastructure operators.  

ZM Trucks announces new factory  

ZM Trucks, a subsidiary of ZO Motors, has announced plans to open their first U.S. production plant in Fontana, California, with production starting later this year. Also operating as a regional headquarters, the facility will assemble electric commercial trucks, terminal tractors, and airport ground service equipment. The manufacturer already has an established plant in Cambodia that supplies the Asia-Pacific market. The new, stateside production site is part of ZO Motors’ global strategy which also includes expanding into South America and the Middle East.  

DHL Enhances Commitment to Sustainable Logistics  

DHL Group is working with CATL, a battery and energy tech manufacturer, to reduce emissions from their global logistics operations. DHL will adopt CATL’s liquid cooling energy storage systems and energy management platforms in their facilities, along with battery swapping and superfast charging systems. The new technology will help DHL optimize energy consumption across operations and will play a key role in their goal of achieving net zero logistics by 2050. CATL will also utilize DHL as their preferred logistics provider, establishing a framework for how strategic partnerships can move global supply chains in a more energy-efficient direction.  

Tesla Sales Drop Double Digits in California  

The California New Car Dealers Association released its Q4 2024 report, announcing a 12% decline in Tesla deliveries with almost 27,000 fewer EVs sold in 2024. This marks the fifth consecutive quarterly decline in registrations for Tesla, further shaking their previous dominance in the market. Tesla held 60% of the California EV market in 2023 but only held a slight majority in 2024 at 52.5%. Despite the market leader faltering, the California ZEV market share was 22% in 2024, up from 21.7% in 2023, proving interest in EVs remains strong in the Golden State.  

Waymo’s AVs Safer than Human Drivers 

Findings from a new study indicate Waymo’s autonomous driving technology is safer than vehicles driven by humans. The research evaluated liability claims from over 25 million miles driven by Waymo, with only nine property damage claims and two bodily injury claims. Human-driven vehicles over the same distance have approximately 78 property damage claims and 26 bodily injury claims. The results are even more impressive in percentage format: Waymo’s autonomous fleet saw 88% fewer property damage claims and 92% less bodily injury claims. Of the few claims made, the study found Waymo vehicles had minimal responsibility in most incidents. Accredited findings like these are crucial in verifying the safety of AVs and scaling their adoption on broader scales.  

Mark Your Calendars for Impulsion 2025  

Propulsion Québec, the electric and smart transportation cluster, presents the 5th edition of Impulsion, the International Electric and Smart Transportation Summit. The event will take place on March 31 and April 1, 2025 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Does your organization want to get involved in the energy transition and transportation electrification? Seize this opportunity and attend Canada's largest EST Summit! Discover the ambitions and innovations of key players shaping our industry through multiple panels, workshops, strategic discussions, and networking sessions. More than 1,500 participants and over 70 local and international exhibitors, particularly from Sweden, the country of honor, are expected. Book your tickets here, and reach out to impulsion@propulsionquebec.com to learn more about exhibiting.  

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Nuvve selects Tellus as a key hardware supplier for its charging solutions, BusinessWire https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250130342850/en/Nuvve-Selects-Tellus-as-a-Key-Hardware-Supplier-for-its-Charging-Solutions  

ZM Trucks to launch US production in California in 2025, Transport Topics https://www.ttnews.com/articles/zm-trucks-us-production  

How CATL and DHL are working towards sustainable logistics, EV Magazine https://evmagazine.com/news/catl-dhl-expand-partnership-sustainable-logistics  

Tesla’s sales drop double digits in the US’ biggest EV market, while others are growing, Electrek https://electrek.co/2025/02/03/teslas-sales-drop-double-digits-in-the-us-biggest-ev-market-while-others-are-growing/  

Waymo’s AVs safer than human drivers, Swiss Re study finds, EV Magazine https://evmagazine.com/self-drive/waymos-avs-safer-than-human-drivers-swiss-re-study-finds  

Republicans can slow but not stop electric vehicles, experts say, The New York Times Trump and Republicans Cannot Stop Electric Vehicles, Experts Say - The New York Times  

Biden-Harris administration allocates $635M in EV charging grants, CBT News https://www.cbtnews.com/biden-harris-administration-allocates-635m-in-ev-charging-grants/  

EO charging selected as an approved partner for Shell fleet customers, EO Charging https://www.eocharging.com/stories/eo-charging-selected-as-approved-partner-for-shell-fleet-customers  

Shell Recharge exits the US EV charger software market, Electrek https://electrek.co/2024/12/30/shell-recharge-exits-us-ev-charger-software-market/  

Stellantis complies with the ZEV mandate for cars and vans, Stellantis https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/corporate-communications/press/stellantis-complies-with-the-zev-mandate-for-cars-and-vans  

Harbinger Motors raises $100M to fuel truck chassis growth, Transport Topics https://www.ttnews.com/articles/harbinger-truck-chassis  

Welcome New Members. Let’s Make an Impact Together.  

A warm welcome to new CALSTART member, Locus!  

NewsNotes 

Enso partners with i247 Group  

British tire manufacturer Enso has partnered with fleet solutions provider i247 Group to expand access to Enso’s EV-specific tires. The agreement enables the tires to be sold at several major retailers and provides mobile fitting services for fleet vehicles, increasing their accessibility and appeal for fleet owners. The only certified B Corp in the tire industry, Enso’s tires can extend EV range up to 10% and reduce particulate pollution by 35% compared to traditional tires. Coming off their recent strategic partnership with Uber, Enso is building their presence in the U.S. with plans for a carbon-neutral factory scheduled to open in 2027.  

RIZON Launches EV Dump Truck  

Earlier his week, medium-duty electric truck manufacturer RIZON (backed by Daimler) helped Canada deploy their first class 4 battery electric dump truck. The country has committed to a net-zero future by 2032, and Villamar Construction, based in Victoria, BC, is helping pave the way with their new RIZON. The manufacturer offers four models in Canada, each made with cold-weather performance in mind. A newer CALSTART member, RIZON has been garnering interest in the commercial truck market thanks to high-performing electric motors, high-speed charging capabilities, and a relatively low cost of ownership.  

GM Pilots Mobile Chargers Amidst Wildfire Crisis  

In the wake of wildfires racing across Southern California, GM has enacted several initiatives aimed at helping employees, customers, and communities affected by the fires. Starting February 1, GM will deploy mobile EV chargers across LA to support those who have lost access to charging infrastructure. The project features two additional CALSTART members: three liquid propane-powered chargers from Yoshi Mobility, and a mobile station from InCharge with five DC fast chargers. Along with charging support, GM is offering several financial and practical support programs for those impacted in SoCal.  

Hyundai and GM Consider Joining Forces  

Major OEMs Hyundai and GM are considering a partnership to re-badge Hyundai vehicles to supply to GM, in anticipation of slowing sales and potential policy changes in the U.S. Teaming up could be a way for both automakers to find success in an increasingly uncertain market. Not stopping at only one U.S. partner, Hyundai is also considering supplying their Ioniq 5 to robotaxi developer Waymo as they work on their autonomous technology offering.  

Turntide Technologies February 4th Webinar: Safer Battery Solutions  

New CALSTART member Turntide Technologies is holding a webinar on February 4th titled Safer Battery Solutions: How to Comply with New Regulations. This webinar will discuss new E.U. battery regulations on the horizon for vehicles and equipment. With these new regulations, designers and manufacturers have new challenges to solve including delivering safer battery solutions. These regulations are from the E.U. and include requirements around fire safety and thermal propagation, recycling, and battery passports. Register here! 

Welcome New Members. Let’s Make an Impact Together.  

A warm welcome to new CALSTART member: The Mobility House  

Range Energy Partners with ZF  

Electric-powered trailer manufacturer Range Energy has announced a partnership with ZF to accelerate development of the Range eTrailer system across North America. Utilizing ZF’s AxTrax 2 e-axle in Range’s eTrailers will increase efficiency, resulting in reduced emissions and extended range. ZF will also help Range build relationships with OEMs and component suppliers to speed deployment. Compatible with any tow vehicle, Range trailers can help fleets transition towards electrification with minimal disruptions.  

Rivian Opens Van Sales to Any Fleet 

Rivian Automotive is opening sales of their commercial vans to any fleet in the U.S., no longer exclusive to just Amazon. In 2019 Rivian announced plans to produce 100,000 electric vans for Amazon and has delivered ~20,000 so far. They’ve also changed the name from “Electric Delivery Van” to “Rivian Commercial Vehicle”, signaling a broader applications beyond delivery vehicles. The vans are still not available to individuals for purchase, although businesses can purchase as few as one vehicle, starting around $80k. Rivian is expecting to start delivering orders in April, so we might be seeing more vans on the road sooner rather than later.  

Revel Secures $60 Million to Build Chargers 

While the current and future status of federal funding for EV initiatives remains unclear, New York State has reaffirmed its commitment to electrification by awarding $60 million to electric rideshare and infrastructure startup Revel. The funding is a loan from the New York Green Bank, the state’s clean-energy investment fund, and will support building 267 charging stalls across nine new sites. The New York Governor’s office says 178 of the stalls should be active within the next 12 months, with the first sites near LaGuardia Airport, JFK Airport, and an impressive 60-stall site in Queens. The announcement shows that despite the current administration’s ongoing plans to reverse Biden-era climate policies, states still have considerable power in pushing the EV industry forward.  

Archive of IIJA and IRA Webpages  

In anticipation of the new administration, dozens of organizations have spent the past several months archiving information related to climate-related policy like IIJA and IRA. Along with the disbursement of IIJA and IRA funds being halted, a significant number of resources have been removed from federal websites. Atlas Public Policy has created a Federal Archives page with hundreds of webpages preserving fact sheets, program guidance, tool kits, and more.  

Upcoming Webinar: Unlock Transit Funding Before It’s Gone  

How can you help California’s transit agencies maximize their funding potential through HVIP and EnergIIZE programs? Don’t miss this CALACT & CTA Transit Talks webinar on February 19, featuring CALSTART experts Katrina Bayer, Hannah Hamilton, Aidan Anthony & Ian Cadger. 

Register here: Transit Talks Webinar: Unlock Funding Before It’s Gone – CALACT 

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Range and ZF expand electric trailer adoption, The EV Report https://theevreport.com/range-and-zf-expand-electric-trailer-adoption  

Rivian will now sell its commercial van to any fleet, starting at $79,900, Electrek https://electrek.co/2025/02/10/rivian-will-now-sell-its-commercial-van-to-any-fleet-starting-at-79900/  

Revel snags $60 million to build 267 EV chargers in New York, InsideEVs https://insideevs.com/news/750255/revel-new-york-charging-funding/  

Outlining the federal data archiving initiative, Atlas Public Policy https://climateprogramportal.org/2025/02/06/outlining-the-federal-data-archiving-initiative/  

Welcome New Members. Let’s Make an Impact Together.  

A warm welcome to new CALSTART member: Green Water and Power   

REE Automotive Trucks Bring Healthcare to Rural Communities  

Ree Automotive has partnered with Mission Mobile to supply a fleet of P7 electric trucks to bring healthcare services to underserved, rural communities in the U.S. Mission Mobile Medical is the world’s largest mobile health company and recently ordered and secured priority production of the P7, with the first delivery planned this year. With a fully flat chassis, the P7 is an ideal candidate for Mission Mobile to build out medical facilities on the trucks and provides REE’s x-by-wire system for enhanced maneuverability. Tali Miller, Chief Business Officer of REE, said, “This collaboration demonstrates how zero-emission vehicles can provide essential services efficiently and at scale, creating positive impact for our communities.”  

Ford Set New Sales Record in January 

At least one OEM is navigating the current market with some success: Ford set two new records for EV sales last month. They sold nearly 19,000 electrified vehicles (which includes hybrids and plug-ins), a new record for January. The automaker sold over 5,600 EVs in the states, and over 3,500 of them were Mustang Mach-Es. Compared to last January, Ford saw a 21.2% increase in overall EV sales and a 173% increase in Mach-E sales. Ford reported a 35% year-over-year increase in EV sales in 2024 and has kept the momentum in 2025 despite massive political changes dominating the news. These numbers could be a result of the new Ford Power Promise, which offers free hardware and installation of a Level 2 charger at home and robust customer education and support resources.  

Isuzu Announces New Factory in the U.S.  

Isuzu Trucks is building a new manufacturing facility in South Carolina to assemble battery-powered and ICE vehicles, aiming to be operational in 2027. The manufacturer sold a record 44,000 vehicles in North America last year and is hoping to further boost production capacity with a second facility in the states. This will be Isuzu’s first factory without conveyors or pits in their production line, which should help employees switch between ICE and EV assembly easily. 

BYD Reveals “God’s Eye” Tech and Talks Solid-State Batteries 

The world’s largest EV producer, BYD, might be leading the pack in technology as well as sales. Last week they announced a new advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) known as “God’s Eye”, and it’ll be accessible for even the most-affordable vehicles in their lineup. The most basic of the offering, the God’s Eye C system has 12 cameras, 5 mm-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic radars, while the more advanced A and B systems have LiDAR. It’s speculated the technology will be activated in existing cars and customers won’t have to pay to utilize it. Not stopping at one tech breakthrough, the CTO of BYD’s battery business said they’ve already produced their first solid-state cells and anticipate starting “mass demonstrations” in a couple years. Theoretically, solid-state batteries would be safer and more efficient than their liquid electrolyte counterparts, but widespread production and use is still years away.  

Daytona 500 Goes Electric  

ABB is helping NASCAR, an association synonymous with ICE vehicles, dip their toe in the electric revolution. The two powerhouses unveiled an EV prototype last year that debuted as a pace car at the Daytona 500 this past Sunday. ABB is also providing guidance and equipment for NASCAR’s IMPACT initiative, aimed at reducing the carbon footprint across operations by 2035. Along with the ABB vehicle, an electric Chevy Blazer was the first official EV pace car at this year’s Daytona 500, and NASCAR announced plans for deployment of 30 Level 2 chargers at Daytona International Speedway.  

Mark Your Calendars for Impulsion 2025  

Propulsion Québec, the electric and smart transportation cluster, presents the 5th edition of Impulsion, the International Electric and Smart Transportation Summit. The event will take place on March 31 and April 1, 2025 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Does your organization want to get involved in the energy transition and transportation electrification? Seize this opportunity and attend Canada's largest EST Summit! Discover the ambitions and innovations of key players shaping our industry through multiple panels, workshops, strategic discussions, and networking sessions. More than 1,500 participants and over 70 local and international exhibitors, particularly from Sweden, the country of honor, are expected. Book your tickets here, and reach out to impulsion@propulsionquebec.com to learn more about exhibiting. 

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Mission Mobile Medical and REE Automotive Collaborate to Transport Healthcare to Millions of Rural Americans, GlobeNewswire, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/02/13/3025759/0/en/Mission-Mobile-Medical-and-REE-Automotive-Collaborate-to-Transport-Healthcare-to-Millions-of-Rural-Americans.html  

Ford EVs Set New Sales Records in the U.S. in January, InsideEVs https://insideevs.com/news/749522/ford-ev-sales-usa-january-2025/?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--duFcHCWx2MHkvbNtvSWG9Eis9a03P3YxcmfWPPSzFM0CtnE5E4WwRAdPGye-c2XsiAeMRjY6fzLM62vd_TlONJbGF3A&_hsmi=346844685&utm_content=346844685&utm_source=hs_email 

Isuzu to Build New EV Truck Factory in the U.S., InsideEVs https://insideevs.com/news/750585/isuzu-trucks-south-carolina-ev-factory/  

BYD Beats Tesla Again as its ‘God’s Eye’ Self-Driving Tech Leapfrogs FSD, TheDrive, https://www.thedrive.com/news/byd-beats-tesla-again-as-its-gods-eye-self-driving-tech-leapfrogs-fsd  

BYD Has Already Produced its First Solid-State Cells, Electrive, https://www.electrive.com/2025/02/17/byd-has-already-produced-its-first-solid-state-cells/  

Daytona 500: ABB and NASCAR’s Electric Vehicle, Sustainability Magazine, https://sustainabilitymag.com/articles/daytona-500-abb-and-nascars-electric-vehicle