Here's What's Happening in California
New Green Stickers to Allow Partial-Zero Emission Vehicles in California's Carpool Lanes
January 1, 2012
Continuing its push for cleaner vehicles, California will begin offering green decals to owners of near zero-emission cars, allowing them to drive solo in the state's carpool lanes.
The vehicles that will qualify are not likely to be seen for a few more months. By design, there will not be the mad rush that came with the state's popular and somewhat controversial yellow decal program, which came to a close last June. That ticket program, which helped boost sales of the early Toyota Prius and Honda Civic gas-electric hybrid cars, dumped 85,000 single-occupant cars into the state's high-occupancy lanes, eliciting complaints from carpoolers and federal officials.
To qualify for the one of 40,000 decals avaiable, a vehicle must meet state standards as an Enhanced Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT PZEV). Those standards require manufacturers to offer 150,000-mile warranties on the emissions and energy storage systems. The 2012 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and 2012 Chevy Volt are expected to be the first cars that meet the standards.
State officials are calling the green sticker program the next logical step in California's push to be a national leader in low-emission vehicles. The program – combined with tax credits – will help compensate for the higher cost of many new-generation electric vehicles. Meanwhile, the state's even tougher, long-standing white decal program for zero-emission vehicles continues to grow. More than 15,000 Californians with the white stickers now drive solo in the state's carpool lanes, DMV officials said. The most popular white sticker car is the electric Nissan Leaf.
Port of Los Angeles Introduces Tool to Assess Global Warming at Port Facilities
November 29, 2011
Working collaboratively with technical experts from other poets worldwide in an effort to combat global warming, the Port of Los Angeles has developed a Carbon Calculator for ports to estimate greenhouse gas emissions from their operations and explore reduction strategies.
UPS Buys 100 Electric-Power Trucks for California Routes
August 26, 2011
The walk-in, 90-mile-range, delivery trucks will go into service early next year around Los Angeles and in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys.
The Ports of L.A. and Long Beach Are Trying Out a Truck That Runs On Electric Batteries Charged By A Hydrogen Fuel Cell
July 23, 2011
An El Segundo company aims to help the nation's busiest seaport complex advance its green technology efforts by providing zero-emission trucks for heavy-duty hauling.
Vision Motor Corp. has delivered a zero-emission truck to one of the port complex's most important cargo haulers, Total Transportation Services Inc. The Tyrano rig looks like any other big rig, but emits only water from the tailpipe. If it performs to expectations during an 18-month test, Total Transportation plans to order at least 100 more. Experts say the venture could set the stage for a new era in green cargo movement.
California Energy Commission Launches "Drive" website for Information on Alernative Fuels and Vehicles
July 15, 2011
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has unveiled "Drive", a new website providing industry professionals, fleet managers and consumers with information about greener transportation choices for the 21st century.
The Drive website details a wide range of transportation projects, from producing renewable fuels, to installing new fueling and charging stations for electric cars and other alternative fuel vehicles, to training the workforce that supports the ever-evolving transportation industry.
The new website presents a much needed, clear view of the state's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program. This landmark economic development program provides as much as $100 million annually in competitive grants and financial incentives to develop alternatives to fossil fuels. It leverages federal and private investment to create jobs in California.
Hyrogen Fueling Comes to San Francisco International Airport
June 30, 2011
Through state funding programs, California currently has the most rapidly expanding hydrogen fueling station network of any single state in the union, By 2012, about 22 stations will be open and operating.
The Airport Commission for the City and County of San Francisoc will contract with Linde LLC to construct the new stand-alone hydrogen fueling dispensor. At full demand it will provide approximately 240 kilograms of hydrogen per day, enough to fuel about 240 fuel cell vehicles daily. Based on surveys of automakers, more than 250 fuel cell vehicles should be operating in Northern California by 2014
City of Los Angeles Dedicates World's Largest LNG/LCNG Fuel Station
April 4, 2011
This station markes the City's fifth LNG refueling station to support is growing fleet of natural gas vehicles. It has a combined LNG fuel storage capacity of 60,000 gallons (four 15,000 gallon storage tanks), 6 LNG fuel dispensers, and 32 gallons per minute (equivalent to 2,600 SCFM) of CNG pumping capacity.
San Francisco Bay Area Air Regulators OK $3.9M for In-home, Roadside Car Charging Stations
February 23, 2011
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District said money will be distributed in the form of a rebate to residents who buy a new electric vehicle. Some 2,750 new in-home charging stations will be funded. The in-home stations are expected to be ready for installation over the next two or three months, as more people buy the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt.
The money was collected from California vehicle license fees and set aside to fund clean air vehicle programs. The money will also add 30 roadside stations to the more than 400 approved by the district last year. Thirty-six of these roadside stations will be "fast charging" stations, where drivers can get a quicker charge. The additional roadside stations should be finished by year's end. The company receiving most of the funding, ECOtality, will lead the other companies helping install the charging stations throughout the area
California Commits $19 Million More for Hybrid Truck Grants
February 22, 2011
California is going to fund hybrid truck and bus grants for a second year to the tune of $19 million – continuing a program the Golden State hopes will encourage commercial fleets adopt truck technology that reduces both fuel consumption and air pollution.
California's Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP), begun last year under the auspices of the California Air Resource Board(CARB), provide vouchers on a first-come first-served basis to help California-based fleets purchase medium- and heavy-duty hybrid vehicles. At least $2 million of the $19 million in total grant funding will be set aside for public fleets.
Fleets can reserve a voucher for up to $40,000 through a participating truck dealership at the time the vehicle is ordered, with the voucher then redeemed at the time of purchase. The federal government currently provides zero tax credits or incentives for hybrid trucks.
The HVIP program is managed by the Pasadena, CA-based Clean Transportation Technologies and Solutions (CalStart).
Board Approves Expansion of Clean Trucks Program
January 11, 2011
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the inclusion of smaller 'Class 7' trucks to the landmark Clean Trucks Program and penalties for "dray-offs" - the practice of switching cargo from a "clean" to a "dirty" - within the Harbor District.
Ports to Test New Technology to Cut Vessel Emissions
January 6, 2011
An innovative air pollution-reduction device called the “seawater scrubber” will be tested for the first time on a container ship visiting Southern California in a $3.4 million project co-sponsored by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and starting in spring 2011.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District Provides $5 Million for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Electric vehicle charging stations will be installed across the Bay Area region with the assistance of $5 million dollars in grant money offered by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
Funds for Electric Car Rebate May Run Out Fast
December 24, 2010
California consumers counting on a $5,000 state rebate for purchasing an electric car or other zero-emission vehicle may find that its not there when they go to collect. The Air Resources Board, which is offering the program, has $8 million in its coffers - enough to pay out incentives to about 1,600 buyers - well below the expected pace of sales for vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf now just hitting the market. And with the state in fiscal crisis, there's no guarantee that rebate funds intended for future years will actually be there.
State Eases Diesel Soot Crackdown, A Little
December 18, 2010
California Regulators delayed the state's pioneering crackdown on diesel soot from trucks and construction equipmen,t bowing to industry demands for relief during a stubborn economic recession. Even with the roll-back, the rules are the toughest in the nation and will cost the trucking and construction industries an estimated $3.8 billion. They will slash diesel soot emissions by half in four years and by 70% over the next decade.
California is the only state to require filters for existing big rigs and the retirement of older trucks. By 2023, no trucks older than the 2010 model year - which are 90% cleaner than older models because of new federal engine standards - may operate in the state.
Ford Focus EV Coming to West Coast
December 10, 2010
Ford has selected 19 cities for the initial roll out in 2011 including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Portland, and Seattle.
Port of Los Angeles Completes One Megawatt Solar Project on Rooftop of World Cruise Center
December 6, 2010
The Port of Los Angeles completed its World Cruise Center solar rooftop project, a 71,500 square foot, one megawatt system capable of generating approximately 1.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) energy grid.
The solar photovoltaic installation, which is expected to result in an annual $200,000 energy cost savings, is the first phase of a multi-location solar power program that will eventually produce 10 megawatts of solar system generation capacity. The $10.8 million project includes a total of 1.16 million square feet of rooftop solar panels, larger than the size of a football field. Three additional project phases are slated for completion over the next five years.
Port of Long Beach Reduces Truck Pollution by 80%
The Port of Long Beach's ambitious Clean Trucks Program has reduced air pollution from harbor trucks by nearly 80 percent as of January 1, 2010.
On New Year's Day 2010, the Port banned trucks with 1993 and older engines, and also barred nearly all trucks with 1994-2003 engines. The Clean Trucks Program will ban all trucks that don't meet 2007 emission standards by 2012. With the industry replacing vehicles much sooner than expected, the result is a major reduction in air pollution -- two years ahead of schedule. The Port's Clean Trucks Program has been awarded the IANA Intermodal Achievement Award by the Intermodal Association of North America. The influential trade group said the Clean Trucks Program has served as a model for seaports around the country.
