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Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Congress votes to rescind California vehicle emissions waiver
This story was originally published on Smart Cities Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Smart Cities Dive newsletter. The U.S. Senate passed three joint resolutions May 22 nullifying California's ability to set emissions standards for passenger cars, light duty vehicles and trucks that are stricter than national standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Auto and petroleum industry lobbyists targeted California's Advanced Clean Car II regulations, adopted in 2022, which require all new passenger cars, trucks and SUVs sold in the state to be zero-emission vehicles by the 2035 model year. Federal law set in 1990 allows 17 additional states and the District of Columbia to follow California's regulations. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, announced the state's intention to file a lawsuit blocking the congressional resolutions, which await the signature of President Donald Trump to become law. California's ability to set its own vehicle emissions standards stem from the 1967 Air Quality Act, passed at a time when smog and poor air quality often permeated the Los Angeles basin. While air quality in California has improved over the years, experts fear a setback from the Senate's action. 'Public health could potentially suffer as a consequence,' said Michael Kleeman, a professor at the University of California, Davis, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. 'This is, plain and simple, a vote against clean air to breathe," said Aaron Kressig, transportation electrification manager at Western Resource Advocates, in an emailed statement. He warned of potential lost days at school or work and premature deaths. 'Over 150 million people in the United States are already exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution,' Steven Higashide, director of the Clean Transportation Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in an emailed statement. 'The standards are based on the best available science, and were finalized with extensive public input.' Along with public health concerns, the debate around California's emissions waivers include policy, auto and petroleum industry resistance and debate over states' rights. Republicans argue that California overstepped its prerogative. 'The California waivers rules are an improper expansion of a limited Clean Air Act authority and would endanger consumers, our economy, and our nation's energy supply,' Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota said May 20 in the Senate chamber. Industry opponents of the emission waivers cheered the Senate's action. 'The fact is these EV sales mandates were never achievable,' John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an auto industry lobbying group, said in a statement. Bozella noted the automakers key concern: 'The problem really isn't California. It's the 11 states that adopted California's rules without the same level of readiness for EV sales requirements of this magnitude.' Petroleum industry leaders weighed in May 23 with a joint statement. 'The United States Senate delivered a victory for American consumers, manufacturers, and U.S. energy security by voting to overturn the prior administration's EPA rule authorizing California's gas car ban and preventing its spread across our country,' said American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers President and CEO Chet Thompson and American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers in a published statement. California and 10 other states formed a coalition to foster cleaner and more affordable vehicles, Newsom announced May 23. Led by the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of 24 governors, the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition said in a news release that it would 'consider next steps for our clean vehicle programs' and work to preserve the states' authority under the Clean Air Act. Participating states include California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. 'The fact remains that states have the legal right under the Clean Air Act to protect their residents from vehicle pollution,' Sierra Club Climate Policy Director Patrick Drupp said in an emailed statement. Recommended Reading Congress could soon revoke California's vehicle emissions standards Sign in to access your portfolio
Los Angeles Times
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Uses Innovative SaaS Platform to Manage Charging in Zero-Emission Fleet Transition
California Energy Commission grant supports installation of EV charge management software at Metropolitan A California Energy Commission grant could help Metropolitan Water District of Southern California in its transition to zero-emission vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grant funding awarded to BetterFleet allows the company to provide its charge management software to Metropolitan and other utilities, allowing them to test the software's ability to reduce electricity charges, optimize vehicle availability and help mitigate strain on the power grid, which is particularly crucial as large fleets across California continue to electrify. With 20 electric vehicles and 21 chargers installed at multiple Metropolitan facilities, this initiative aligns with the agency's Climate Action Plan. That plan sets a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach carbon neutrality by 2045, reinforcing the agency's commitment to sustainability while ensuring water reliability to millions of Southern California residents. Established in 1928, Metropolitan is the largest wholesale water provider in the United States, delivering water to 26 member agencies serving nearly 19 million people across six counties. Its extensive fleet includes specialized maintenance trucks, utility vans and passenger cars, each with unique charging needs. Using BetterFleet's charge management software, Metropolitan can monitor EV charging sessions in real-time, dynamically adjust charging schedules based on demand, respond to emergency power needs for other areas by quickly shutting off all chargers at once, and reduce electricity demand charges without compromising operational needs. The grant is part of a CEC Clean Transportation Program initiative – the Responsive, Easy Charging Products with Dynamic Signals initiative – that is designed to accelerate the deployment of user-friendly charging solutions that can respond to dynamic grid signals. 'Incorporating zero-emission vehicles is key to our broader carbon neutrality goals outlined in our Climate Action Plan,' said Liz Crosson, Metropolitan's chief sustainability, resilience and innovation officer. 'Using advanced charge management software will help us realize cost savings and maintain efficient operations while we transition to cleaner transportation.' Funding under this grant enables Metropolitan to test the BetterFleet platform on several of its chargers. The CEC funding also covers the cost of a new DC fast charging station for the fleet. 'Balancing the needs of the energy market with the needs of fleets is complex but vital. By leveraging our advanced charge management solution along with the CEC's support, Metropolitan can optimize its operations while minimizing the impact on the grid. This project sets up California for a sustainable transition to zero-emission fleets,' said Daniel Hilson, CEO of BetterFleet. BetterFleet's charge management system provides a user-friendly portal for Metropolitan staff to track vehicle charge levels, set smart charging schedules and receive real-time notifications about grid constraints or energy pricing. Machine learning algorithms and digital twin technology enhance the platform's predictive capabilities, accurately estimating how much time remains for each vehicle to charge, projecting vehicle range and enabling data-driven decisions for fleet dispatch. These features play a crucial role in containing operating costs – particularly electricity demand charges – while balancing the needs of Metropolitan's operations. Information was sourced from BetterFleet. To learn more, contact info@
