Energy & Utilities

Building out nationwide EV charging is taking longer than consumers think, Fuels Institute says

Permit approvals, government funding and knowing where to deploy charging stations are some of the many hurdles EV stakeholders face.

By Brett Dworski • Nov. 23, 2022

Austin to double e-bike rebates in 2023

The city increased the rebates to encourage more people, especially “historically underserved populations,” to buy and use e-bikes, a spokesperson for Austin’s publicly-owned utility said.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 22, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Vehicle Electrification

Cities and states are trying to harness the growing electric vehicle market to meet decarbonization goals while ensuring the rollout of these vehicles is being done equitably. Their efforts are aided by an influx of federal support.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Electric transit bus orders boom after FTA funds 1,100 buses

Cities, states and transit agencies need to plan ahead to transition their fleets to electric buses, as manufacturers struggle to keep up with orders.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 21, 2022

Tampa tries sidewalk solar panels as backup power for traffic lights

The Florida city started using solar sidewalks for backup power after 2017’s Hurricane Irma created lengthy power outages at intersections. It assessed the technology's performance this fall during Hurricane Ian.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 21, 2022

The 10 most future-ready cities in North America: report

Cities must invest more in digital and physical infrastructure to address today’s challenges but face several barriers, including a lack of public trust, a new report finds.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 15, 2022

With control of Congress unknown, clean energy advocates cheer state wins and press for climate action

So far, it appears Republicans failed to pull off an anticipated “red wave” and Democrats outperformed expectations, analysts say.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2022

Climate funding wins big on state and local ballots

Voters in many jurisdictions embraced spending on resilience projects, clean energy and other climate change mitigation efforts  — with one notable exception.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Nov. 9, 2022

Amazon rolls out Rivian EVs in more cities for holiday deliveries

The company has delivered more than 5 million packages to U.S. customers using the electric vans since July.

By Max Garland • Nov. 8, 2022

COP27 to spotlight implementation, finance for climate action

Even at the global stage, there could be insights on how to best go about decarbonizing U.S. cities from this month’s United Nations climate conference, experts say.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 7, 2022

Climate action ballot initiatives for Election Day 2022

Spending for transportation decarbonization, wildfire prevention, storm resilience and more are up for a vote next week in some states.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 1, 2022

Clean energy supply bottlenecks hit overburdened communities the hardest, utilities and advocates say

The Inflation Reduction Act and an equity focus should help reverse the trend, however.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • Oct. 27, 2022

For equitable building electrification, philanthropy-backed fund puts communities in the driver’s seat

Who designs the energy transition? As cities work to reduce building emissions and spur clean alternatives, the creators of the Equitable Building Electrification Fund believe that decision-making power needs to shift.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 26, 2022

Houston gets ultrafast EV charging at Phillips 66 flagship station

Built and installed by FreeWire Technologies, the fuel company says it’s the first ultrafast EV charging location at a gas and convenience store in the city.

By Brett Dworski • Oct. 17, 2022

Oakland tests electric transit buses for resilience in vehicle-to-building pilot

The California city will be the site for analyzing how zero-emission transit buses can maintain critical loads during emergency conditions.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2022

GM partners with Pilot, EVGo to launch massive convenience store EV-charging initiative

Convenience store chains are adding hundreds of EV charging stations, but the Pilot chain's goal to install thousands could signal the beginning of an EV charging arms race in that industry.

By Brett Dworski • Oct. 12, 2022

GM partners with utilities, solar and storage providers on vehicle-to-grid, home EV charging

General Motors hopes the new services will spur EV adoption while improving grid resiliency, it said as part of a broader business announcement Tuesday.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 11, 2022

Building EV charging through public-private partnerships

Cities and companies can work together to install charging stations along curbs, at multifamily housing, in parking lots and at public facilities, panelists said at Smart Cities Connect.

By Danielle McLean • Oct. 4, 2022

New York begins implementation of 2035 ban on new gas-powered cars and trucks, following California lead

Boosting sales of EVs in New York may require changing the law around how vehicles are sold, according to the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2022

Chicago passes updated building energy code to support decarbonization

Starting in November, new building designs must adhere to stronger energy-efficiency and electrification standards as the city seeks to mitigate one of its major sources of emissions.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 29, 2022

BP and Hertz to develop national EV charging network

The move sets the foundation for BP and Hertz to “drive the future of mobility and accelerate EV consumer adoption,” the companies said in a statement.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 29, 2022

EV charging network plans approved for all 50 states

The FHWA’s approval unlocks $1.5 billion in NEVI program funds through fiscal years 2022 and 2023 for all jurisdictions across the U.S., allowing the build-out of chargers covering about 75,000 miles of highway.

By Danielle McLean • Sept. 28, 2022

Demand on the rise for electric vehicle charging at multifamily properties

EV adoption will accelerate next year thanks to new tax credits and expanding options from automakers.

By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 22, 2022

California could phase out gas heaters by 2030 to cut smog

The home and building appliances are “an underappreciated driver of unhealthy air quality in California cities,” non-profit advocates say in a report Tuesday, as state regulators consider only allowing zero-emissions alternatives.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 20, 2022

City-wide modernization plan creates a $100M+ economic impact

How Sierra Vista, AZ created a sports tourism boom with sustainable infrastructure upgrades.

Sept. 12, 2022

New York City’s first vehicle-to-grid charging installation is live in Brooklyn

Project partners worked through engineering, regulatory and interconnection challenges to get the technology to market, Revel Chief Operating Officer Paul Suhey said.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 9, 2022