Future of Transportation

A Mediaplanet guide to EV Infrastructure & Logistics

Future of Transportation

Seth Leitman The Green Living Guy shares his hopes for the future of electric vehicles

Learn how Shell is making electric charging more accessible Meet the company driving the adoption of commercial EVs

DECEMBER 2021 | FUTUREOFBUSINESSANDTECH.COM

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Congress Should Deploy EVs To Save the Economy and the Climate Electric vehicles can reduce emissions and dramatically boost our economy. Congress should pass the Build Back Better Act to make us all better off.

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he transportation sector is the only part of our economy where emissions continue to increase each year. That pollution is worsening the climate crisis and creating severe health problems in our communities. Fortunately, real solutions are at hand — and, if we pursue emissions reduction in a smart way, we will also drive historic economic growth.

Electric vehicles (or EVs) have zero tailpipe emissions, and an overwhelming amount of research has

established that EVs have drastically lower carbon footprints than gas-powered cars. By electrifying our transportation sector, we can reduce our pollution in a way that creates millions of jobs and puts trillions of dollars back in Americans’ pockets, leaving us all better off.

An important start President Biden called for 50 percent of new cars sold in 2030 to be electric models, and he committed that the federal government — and its fleet —

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Joe Britton Executive Director, Zero Emission Transportation Association

The United States’ EV industry will be able to create more than two million goodpaying jobs.

would achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. If we act now, these efforts will put us on track to avoid $1.3 trillion in public health and environmental costs in the coming decades. In addition, the United States’ EV industry will be able to create more than 2 million good-paying jobs.

Congress has a pivotal role to play in accelerating this EV transition. The bipartisan infrastructure bill was an important start, providing funding for widespread, affordable EV charging infrastructure. Now, Congress must

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pass the Build Back Better Act to expand consumer incentives for EVs, including for used EVs and medium- and heavyduty EVs. The legislation will also help families and businesses install EV chargers in their communities, and the bill will make it easier to manufacture EVs in the United States.

With so many clear public benefits for our economy, climate, and public health, we can’t miss this chance to electrify our transportation sector, which will make all Americans better off than they are today. n

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Leading The Charge on Electric Vehicles

Infrastructure supporting a robust, consumer-friendly electric vehicle charging network is critical to meeting and increasing consumer demand for electric vehicles. lectric vehicles (EVs) are at an inflection point. Both the automotive industry and policymakers recognize the importance that EVs will play in advancing a cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation future — and what is at stake to ensure the infrastructure framework is in place to support this historic transition.

Strategies to incentivize consumer demand for EVs are paying off, resulting in encouraging sales trends. In Q3 of 2021, more than 168,500 electric vehicles were sold in the United States, up 82,000 units from the same period in 2020. This is thanks, in part, to the strides automakers have made in introducing a range of innovative new EV models,

including crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks, which are part of the nearly 130 models that will be available for sale by 2026. EVs are no longer just for consumers looking for a 4-door sedan.

Building success The public and private sectors are committed to building on this success and securing the future that EVs promise to deliver, as demonstrated by the shared goal of the automotive industry and the Biden administration of reaching a total of 40-50 percent EV sales by 2030.

To meet this ambitious milestone, automakers are investing $330 billion in vehicle electrification by 2025, and the new infrastructure law makes a significant down payment on building EV charging stations across the country.

And there is much more work ahead.

Some states are seeing exponential growth in the EV segment — California alone accounts for 40 percent of EV sales nationwide — and we hope to see this kind of growth in every corner of America in years to come. However, the act of charging your electric vehicle remains one of the biggest challenges for consumers making the switch to EVs. Even in states like California that are leading on EV charging infrastructure, long charging wait times, lack of signage, and inconsistent pricing structures can make the process of charging more difficult than that of refueling an internal combustion engine vehicle. Building a nationwide charging network that prioritizes the attributes consumers are looking for in charging stations will help

us better satisfy the current marketplace and encourage even more consumers to make the shift to electric vehicles.

Securing the future There are several key elements we must consider as we look at the future of public charging infrastructure. Firstly, chargers should be quick and convenient so consumers can efficiently get back on the road. Varying electric vehicle technologies and configurations should also be supported to serve the greatest number of vehicle owners.

Pricing and payment method should be standardized and easy to understand, and charging stations should be open and operational with the same reliability of a standard filling station.

Consumers, the economy, and the

planet will all benefit from policies that invest in electrification. Additionally, the nations that lead the development and adoption of innovative technologies, such as electrification, will also shape supply chains, define global standards, and, potentially, reshape the international marketplace.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the future of personal mobility. Technological advancement and innovation have already brought electric vehicles so far; with continued collaboration across various sectors, both public and private, there is no telling how much further we could go. n John Bozzella, President and CEO, Alliance for Automotive Innovation

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Shifting Into Sustainability: What Fleet Managers Should Prepare For

before any of this moves forward,” Neves says.

What’s more, industries that want to transition their fleets to EVs need not only consider installation of depots and chargers; they also need to consider facility management, utilities, construction, and project management. “We could be talking about everything from increasing the amount of power necessary to charge those vehicles to the orientation of the cars relative to the charging equipment,” Neves explains.

Fleet managers helped ensure you received your deliveries — whether food, prescriptions, or other goods — during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They’re the unsung heroes of the pandemic,” says Maria Neves, vice president of electrification and sustainability for Donlen, a fleet management company, and secretary treasurer of NAFA Fleet Management Association on the Board of Directors.

Now, Neves says, this crucial industry is undergoing a “sea of change” as more corporations and the federal government are pushing for their fleets to shift from gasoline fuel to electrification as adoption of sustainable practices grows. Yet the onus is on fleet managers to organize, institute, and execute this transition.

Keeping up “China and Europe are far outpacing us from a sustainability standpoint in the transportation industry,” Neves says.

“When it comes to instituting these sustainability measures, the corporations have all of these goals — and then it falls on the fleet manager to put them into practice.”

Neves notes that this process is more complicated than one might think. “It’s not just ordering vehicles where you can’t get vehicles because of chip shortages and other supply

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chain issues,” she explains, “but it’s also dealing with drivers that might be unfamiliar with electric vehicles.”

Complicated logistics For one, Neves said that drivers using electric vehicles, or EVs, now have

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to learn how to plan their route to accommodate for charging.

However, the total cost of adoption is not only the acquisition of the vehicles, but also the charging infrastructure and the changing of fleet policies as well, Neves says. Fleet managers

need to answer questions such as whether their fleet can charge at the most expensive time of day, and what the protocol is for materials collection or taxation if a driver with an EV and a home charger leaves the company. “It all has to be spelled out in fleet policies

Steady progress The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that President Biden recently signed could help jumpstart fleets’ shifts to electrification and sustainability — though it may not be enough. “It is going to depend on private industry to push us over the line,” Neves says.

She says this is an “exciting” time for fleet managers, “but there are lots of things to think about.”

“We’re going to get there,” she says, “and there are companies that are pushing us there, but they’re taking the lead and saying if you want to follow, follow, but you’re going to be left in the dust if you’re not going to follow.” n

Melinda Carter

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF IDEANOMICS

Shaping the Future of Clean Commercial Fleet Operations

Consumers have been adapting to electric vehicles, but the rollout has been slower for the commercial market.

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resident Biden recently signed an executive order to transition federal infrastructure to zero-emission vehicles by 2030. In the same timeframe, he wants half of all vehicles sold in the United States to be electric or plug-in vehicles. His $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan is poised to spend $7.5 billion on charging stations for electric vehicles (EV), and there will likely be incentives for both consumers and commercial fleets to switch to EV. It’s clear the EV transition is happening, and one company, Ideanomics, is leading the way.

“From California to Kuala Lumpur, Ideanomics is accelerating the transition to

commercial electric vehicles,” says Alf Poor, CEO of Ideanomics.

Their cutting-edge solutions can help fleet operators reduce both the total cost of ownership and harmful greenhouse gas emissions. EV is an environmentally cleaner option, as commercial vehicles idle a lot and contribute harmful diesel into the air — and in the long term, it’s a cheaper way to do business since it saves on fuel costs and maintenance.

“If you’re a commercial fleet operator, your business and the problems you’re trying to solve are the same if you’re in Beijing, Berlin, or Boston,” says Poor. “You have a cargo hold or a passenger hold that makes you money. And you need the vehicle to

be on the road because otherwise, you’re not making money.”

“You need reliability, you need performance, you need to manage fuel costs, and many other things because you transport people or goods.”

Ideanomics’ subsidiaries and investments are focused on three key pillars: vehicles, charging, and energy.

Vehicles Solectrac, an Ideanomics subsidiary headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, provides climate-smart electric tractors — 100 percent battery powered — helping lead the transition to zero-emission agriculture and utility operations.

“An electric tractor is extremely green, capable of outperforming the

diesel and it’s much cheaper to run,” says Robin Mackie, president of Ideanomics mobility. “It’s a very attractive opportunity for small and large operators and we’re working with a number of them to shape what this technology is going to look like in the future.”

The Solectrac e70N electric tractor, which is equivalent to a 70HP diesel tractor, doesn’t produce harmful emissions but has all the power farms and vineyards need. It’s four-wheel drive, has instant torque with only one moving part, and provides 4-8 hours of operation from a single charge.

U.S. Hybrid, an Ideanomics subsidiary based in Torrance, CA specializes in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of zero-emission powertrain compo-

nents for electric, hybrid, and fuel cell transportation applications. It powers some of the most innovative zero-emission commercial vehicles in the world, including the first all-electric street sweepers currently operating in NYC and Tokyo. These vehicles are also due for deployment in California in 2022.

Charging Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification (WAVE), another Ideanomics company, is a leading developer of highpower inductive charging solutions for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

Benefits of the wireless charging systems include reduced maintenance, improved health and safety, and expedited energy connection.

WAVE is working on a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) electrified powertrain project to develop the 1-megawatt wireless charging system for Class 8 electric trucks. Their technology — 12 WAVE wireless chargers over 100 square route miles — has helped power the Antelope Valley Transit Authority in northern Los Angeles County, the largest battery-electric bus fleet in the United States.

The WAVE system features fully automated hands-free charges to vehicles during scheduled stops, eliminates battery range limitations, and enables fleets to achieve driving ranges that match that of internal combustion engines. The wireless in-route charging maintains battery life and facilitates greater route lengths with smaller batteries.

A project at the Port of Los Angeles will power 10 Class-8-yard trucks with 125kW WAVE chargers. WAVE also powers the tram tour at Universal Studios.

The transition to commercial EV will significantly accelerate in the next five years. With innovative technologies and new solutions like Vehicle-as-aService and Charging-as-a-Service, the Ideanomics team is shaping the future of electrification. n Kristen Castillo

Learn more about Ideanomics at ideanomics.com.

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Debunking EV Infrastructure Myths

How Electric Charging Solutions Are Supporting the Energy Transition Journey

PHOTO: COURTESY OF SHELL

Half of all new passenger vehicles sold in the United States by 2030 will be powered by electricity.

That’s the goal of the Biden administration as part of the country’s participation in the global Paris Agreement, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Now Shell, one of the world’s largest energy suppliers, is supporting this transition by offering new EV charging services — Shell Recharge & Shell Recharge Solutions — that’re convenient and easy to use.

Their goal is to operate over 500,000 charge points globally by 2025. They want to become one of the largest electric charging solutions providers worldwide. Currently they operate over 80,000 electric car charge points.

“Consumers might recognize the brand as a gas station today, but we hope that they’ll start to recognize the Shell Recharge brand as well and see Shell as a Mobility station that meets all customer needs whether fueling, recharging, resting, or refreshing themselves,” says Lisa Carr, the chief marketing officer for Shell’s Downstream North American Mobility business.

Shell Recharge stations will be at gas stations and other locations, such as commuter lots and retail parking lots. They’ll be convenient and have amenities, such as nearby restaurants and retail.

“The charging network that we’re building is going to be suitable for all types of vehicles,” says Tammy Gasan-Dzhalalova, Shell’s Americas head of Downstream eMobility Business, noting there will be level two charge posts, as well as direct current fast charging (DCFC) posts for quicker charges depending on location of a charge post.

The rollout, which has already started in Los Angeles and Sacramento, will continue to expand in urban areas and across highway corridors supporting EV owners and EV intenders.

Kristen Castillo

To learn more, visit shell.com/EV.

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AutoMobility LA and the LA Auto Show bust common EV myths. However, the biggest myth surrounding EVs isn’t range anymore — it’s inadequate infrastructure.

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eople doubt whether the existing power grid can handle the demand if everyone goes out and buys an EV. They think we’ll need to add a bunch of coal-burning power plants to power all those nice green EVs, decimating any potential benefit.

However, this isn’t at all true.

Firstly, many parts of the world use clean hydroelectric energy which makes this argument moot. The U.S. Department of Energy has a convenient calculator that tells you the emission benefits of an EV based on power generation in your area. It turns out that no matter where you are, the carbon emission over the entire lifecycle of an EV from cradle to grave is less than a gas-burning car. That means an EV’s contribution to pollution and greenhouse gases is smaller than a gasoline

vehicle even when the power supplying the EV comes from coal.

Secondly, consumers suddenly embracing EVs won’t take down the grid. EV charging usually happens at work during the workday or at home overnight, and thus can be spread out over many hours. Most EV charging is during off-peak times where the grid demand is lower. In fact, millions of EVs can be added to the grid without any additional power plant capacity. Millions of EVs attached to the grid will actually help buffer it from high-demand blackouts, helping to sustain our existing power grid.

On the other side of the inadequate infrastructure myth is the belief that the infrastructure doesn’t exist and EVs can’t be an acceptable alternative until charging stations are as common as gas stations.

Because almost all the drives we take are short (the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates Americans travel 40 miles per day), EVs will mostly charge at home or work. That means we’ll be able to use EVs for the vast majority of our travel without even considering charging infrastructure.

Incidentally, that charging infrastructure amounts to 60,000 stations across the United States and Canada and continues to grow daily. Although there will always be remote routes that may require advanced planning to refuel, most of our vacations, road trips, and visits to grandma can be managed by a concentration of charging stations at expressway hot spots. n Andy Gryc, Third Law, Los Angeles Auto Show Consultant

The Green Living Guy Talks Electric Vehicles Electric vehicle expert and green living activist Seth Leitman sees environmental and financial benefits to EVs.

lectric vehicles (EVs) aren’t the future — they’re already here.

Six major carmakers — BYD, Ford, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo — have pledged to phase out gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035, and several states have passed laws banning the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2030.

Seth Leitman — aka Green Living Guy — thinks the only barriers to a tran-

sition to renewable energy on a national and global scale are pretty fundamental ones. “Political will,” he says. “Also, people listening to me — I mean that.”

Living green Leitman, an electric vehicle expert and president of the Greater Hudson Valley Electric Auto Association, has been known as the Green Living Guy since 2005, when he began his media empire focused on sustainability.

“I realized how international institutions were basically screwing the envi-

ronment for energy,” he says. “I believed in solar and wind but knew I needed to do more. I became Green Living Guy when I was leaving a partnership with an energy company. A buddy of mine suggested I create a ‘Green Living something’ brand. I said, when working for the New York Senate and talking green, some people would say ‘uh oh here comes that guy.’”

Benefits of EVs Leitman is bullish on both the financial and environmental benefits of EVs.

“Electric cars take only two years to go carbon negative, assuming 12,000 miles per year of travel,” he notes. “Gas cars and even fuel cells today don’t come close!”

In fact, EVs produce about onethird of the carbon dioxide per mile as a traditional car with an internal combustion engine, and EVs are cheaper to maintain. “The maintenance costs for EVs are really next to nothing,” Leitman says, noting the exception of the car’s tires, which are comparable in price. The lower-cost maintenance

means that EVs are cheaper to own over time despite typically higher purchase prices. However, that initial investment can often be offset since EVs qualify for federal tax credits of up to $7,500 as well as potential state and city incentives.

Leitman describes the EV industry as “cutthroat,” but sees great potential.

“When collaboration gels, there’s nothing like it — greatness happens.” n

Jeff Somers

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3 Reasons Why Property Managers Should Consider Adding EV Amenities Residential landlords are in an “amenity war,” using everything from refrigerated lockers to concierge services and top-line gym equipment to attract top-tier tenants.

he newest in-demand amenity for tenants is quickly becoming the convenience of a home charging station for their zero-emission car. Is it time for multifamily property owners to hop on board? Here are three reasons commercial properties should consider adding EV amenities.

1. Future-proof your properties As electric vehicles become increasingly commonplace in environmentally conscious Southern California, the demand for at-home chargers continues to grow. EV-driving residents have many choices and will choose the rental community that offers the services they need and want. In some markets, multifamily property owners may already be losing tenants and rental income by not installing chargers.

In a recent Pew Research Center survey, 39 percent of U.S. adults said they

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are likely to buy an electric vehicle as their next car purchase. This consumer shift mixed with California governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order banning the sale of gas vehicles as of 2035 is sure to keep the demand for EV vehicles growing. By installing EV charging stations now, landlords can prepare their property for the future while attracting and retaining more tenants now.

2. Take advantage of rebates, grants, and tax credits The State of California is striving to enable the deployment of 250,000 EV chargers by 2025. To accomplish this goal, the state offers a wide range of financial support, but these incentives will not last indefinitely.

For example, the Southern California Incentive Project offers rebates of up to $80,000 for a DC fast charger purchase and installation with a total of $29 million in available funds.

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39 percent of U.S. adults said they are likely to buy an electric vehicle as their next car purchase.

Southern California Edison also offers Charge Ready programs for multifamily property owners, including a turnkey installation program that uses SCE funds to not only design and install EV charging stations, but also operate and maintain the stations after installation for qualifying participants. Edison also performs all necessary meter infrastructure work at no cost.

As California gets closer to reaching its EV charging station goal, incentives like these are likely to decrease. The landlord who provides their tenants with shared-use residential charging stations can stay ahead of their competition and take advantage of these generous incentives while they last.

3. Increase property value and revenue In the short term, property owners can increase revenue by billing tenants for EV charging station use, either by assigning chargers to individual drivers or by using a payment system for

shared use. In the long term, commercial property investors will pay more for properties that have done the leg work to future-proof their properties. This will be especially true when incentives are no longer available to offset the cost of installing EV charging stations.

The bottom line More and more people want to live in green communities and are willing to pay higher rents for the privilege. By installing shared use charging stations on their properties, real estate investors are making their residences attractive to future tenants while complying with emerging laws and building standards.

Early adopters will have a competitive advantage over landlords who do not recognize the importance of providing this vital amenity. n Alexandra Alvarado, Director of Marketing and Education, American Apartment Owners Association

Considering Going Electric?

First Ask an EV Driver Thinking about purchasing or leasing an electric car? The only way to get the real story is to speak directly to an electric vehicle (EV) driver.

EV owners are the most knowledgeable resources when it comes to questions like how much it costs to charge, what the maintenance costs are, and whether to go all-electric or plug-in hybrid. They love to share their real-world driving experiences, and there are many places to find these willing information sources — even if you don’t know one personally.

The best electric car tips will come from an EV driver in your community. They can tell you if your local electric utility has special rates to help keep your electric bill low when you plug in, or what the costs were like to install solar. If you both live in an apartment, they can share how they got charging installed at their apartment community. They can also describe the availability of public charging stations and how to access them.

Word of mouth It’s getting easier to find a local EV driver. In September 2021, cumulative sales of electric cars in the United States hit $2.13 million,

and word-of-mouth advertising is one prominent reason why EV sales have steadily increased. In one study of 5,000 Tesla Model 3 owners, 99 percent said they would recommend the car to family and colleagues. Such high remarks prove the success of a word-of-mouth model, given that Tesla doesn’t advertise.

If you don’t already know someone who knows someone, there are a few places to find a knowledgeable EV driver. The all-volunteer nonprofit Electric Vehicle Association was founded on the premise of sharing the benefits of driving electric one-onone in their communities and in a zero-pressure environment. There are 100 chapters throughout the United States, and their events and meetings are free.

You can also use public charging locator apps like Plugshare to point you to the closest public charging station — often a grocery store, shopping center, or business parking lot — and meet drivers pulling in for a charge. They’ll often be willing to answer your questions, and you’ll soon realize that hearing these real-life experiences will make you confident that your next car will be electric. n April Bolduc, President, Electric Vehicle Association, myeva.org

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Electric Trucks Are Good for the Climate as Well as Their Drivers The trucking industry is vital to the U.S. economy but disastrous to the earth’s climate, which is why the industry must shift to more sustainable vehicles and equitable hiring practices.

More than ever, truck drivers are critical to our economy. More than 3.5 million dedicated drivers take to the roads each year, delivering essential goods to communities across the nation. The trucking industry hauled 72.5 percent of all freight transported in the United States in 2019, equating to 11.84 billion tons.

While fundamental to our economy, diesel trucks are also in service much longer than most passenger vehicles, and these heavy-duty trucks are considered the largest mobile source of nitrogen oxide, a pollutant linked to heart and lung disease. Moving goods throughout our nation is an essential service, but it can be done cleaner, healthier, and more equitably with broad adoption of electric trucks.

Plug In America Offers Programs to Help Drivers Go Electric

Electric avenue Electric trucks charged on any power grid in the United States are better for the climate than any diesel truck, according to an analysis released by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The UCS found that there are many trucks whose operating characteristics are well suited for electrification. Two-thirds of U.S. trucks travel 20,000 miles or less each year — an average of 80 miles per day if driven five days per week and 50 weeks per year — well within the operating range of battery electric trucks operating on a single charge.

In another bold move to tackle climate change, California recently passed the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation, requiring automakers to sell more electric trucks starting in 2024, which is estimated to put 300,000 electric trucks on the road by 2035. Truck electrification in California has the potential to add more than $100 billion to California’s gross state product through 2050 and can support thousands of familysustaining jobs in manufacturing and construction.

Heavily trafficked areas like California’s 710 highway disproportionately bear the effects of diesel truck pollution. Low-income communities and communities of color situated next to these truck routes are more vulnerable to pollution-induced lung diseases, including in California’s South Coast Air Basin which is plagued by some of the worst air in the nation due to diesel truck pollution.

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Plug In America, PlugStar, and Drive Electric Earth Day help consumers learn about the benefits of EVs and make the switch.

Workers’ rights We must also recognize that truck drivers in some sectors of the industry are among the most exploited workers in the United States. Drivers are often victims of “misclassification,” in which employers avoid paying taxes, wages, and benefits by classifying drivers as independent contractors. This practice is rampant in port trucking and segments of package delivery and long-haul trucking. From an environmental and equity perspective, misclassification makes it harder for drivers to upgrade to cleaner trucks, burdens them with compliance costs, and leaves the parent company off the hook. We can move to electric trucks in a way that ensures drivers earn a living wage, while creating more good jobs in the burgeoning electric truck market.

According to the California Air Resources Board, there are more than 70 different models of zero-emission vans, trucks, and buses that already are commercially available from several manufacturers. Most trucks and vans operate less than 100 miles per day and several zero-emission configurations are available to serve that need. As technology advances, zero-emission trucks will become suitable for more applications. Most major truck manufacturers have announced plans to introduce marketready zero-emission trucks in the near future.

Now is the time to plug into electric trucks across our nation to create high-quality jobs, reduce pollution, and improve the health of all the communities the trucking industry serves.

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JB Tengco, Western States Director, BlueGreen Alliance

Getting informed For those new to EVs, a great place

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lug In America is a nonprofit organization with a variety of resources that help consumers switch to an electric vehicle (EV) powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity.

This will reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, result in better public health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

EVs are beneficial to the environment, fun to drive, and oftentimes cheaper to own. The cars are easier to maintain (for example, you never need an oil change again) and don’t require expensive trips to the gas station. Going electric benefits the driver, their community, and the nation at large.

to start is a Drive Electric Earth Day event. Throughout April, dozens of in-person and online events give EV enthusiasts and beginners alike the opportunity to interact with EVs in a fun, non-sales environment. Attendees can test drive vehicles, talk to current EV owners, and see why more than 2 million Americans have already switched to electric!

Interested buyers can then go to PlugStar.com and find valuable resources to begin their EV journey.

From start to finish, consumers can find the exact EV they are searching for based on their budget, lifestyle, and other preferences. PlugStar also provides information on incentives (such as tax credits and rebates), charging (including home charging equipment and finding an electrician), and dealers

trained and certified by Plug In America. This seamless experience provides people with everything they need to know to drive electric.

Plug In America also offers an EV Support Program through which prospective electric vehicle drivers can connect one-on-one with experts to have their questions answered, including questions about charging and incentives.

From Drive Electric Earth Day to PlugStar to the EV Support Program, Plug In America has the information drivers need to make the switch to electric in the most efficient way possible. Visit PlugInAmerica.org, DriveElectricEarthDay.org, and PlugStar.com for more information. n Belinda Cai, Communications Association, Plug In America

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setting their emissions as they work toward larger sustainability goals, such as what Zum is doing with the Zum Net Zero Initiative. Through this initiative, Zum is 100 percent carbon neutral on all its rides in 2021 even as it works towards its commitment to 100 percent electric vehicles by 2025.

PHOTO: ZUM

The Future of Student Transportation is Green

School districts can take responsibility for the health of the planet through sustainable student transportation initiatives.

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id you know that transportation accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States?

What may surprise you even more is that the student transportation industry is a particularly egregious offender, with over 90 percent of the nation’s 500,000 school buses running on diesel and emitting 8.4 million metric tons of greenhouse gas annually — equivalent to the annual energy use of more than 1 million homes.

Not only does this destroy our planet, but it’s also hurting our children.

Research shows that air pollution around schools is linked to poorer student health and academic performance.

It doesn’t have to be that way. The technology and resources exist to make student transportation more sustainable, both in the short term and the long term. The question is: how?

Increasing efficiency In the short term, one of the quickest ways to be more sustainable is to

rethink utilization. The U.S. school bus fleet is double the size of all other mass transit combined, but it is riddled with inefficiencies, from circuitous routes to near-empty vehicles and one-sizefits all schedules. To increase efficiencies in their routes, schools need to revisit the traditional school bus model and its associated routes. This can be done by strategically adjusting route paths and lengths, considering school start/end time shifts, and re-assigning appropriately sized vehicles based on the number of students on

each adjusted, optimized route. This way, routes in less populated areas with only a few students can be served with a smaller vehicle — like a van or SUV — with a smaller carbon footprint than a full bus.

Another immediate way to reduce the impact of existing vehicles is to take the school buses — and other vehicles that traditionally spend most of their lifetimes stalled or parked — and repurpose them for after-school activities and field trips. At the same time, fleets can also look into off-

Reimagining school transit Longer term, school districts can take it a step further and reimagine student transportation as an energy creator rather than limiting themselves to greener energy depletion. For those needing a way to convince their districts that the transition is worthwhile, two major selling points are electric vehicles’ environmental benefits — due to the reduction in air pollution — and cost-effectiveness, reducing energy costs by 80 percent and maintenance costs by 60 percent.

While we’re at it, how about turning idle buses into batteries? Even with the efficiency increases gained by using buses for after-school activities and field trips, there will still be times when school buses sit idle. Imagine a world where we could make productive use of this idle time and repurpose buses to serve as a battery and provide power back to the grid.

Believe it or not, this technology is already in development! At Zum, we recently partnered with AutoGrid’s Virtual Power Plant technology (VPP) platform on just that. Together, we will work to create over one gigawatt of flexible capacity, the equivalent of powering more than 1 million homes for 1-4 hours when the electricity grid is overloaded. And this is only the beginning!

The world is changing, and we at Zum believe that student transportation has the power to lead the charge in creating a better planet and future for our children. We look forward to continuing to work toward this goal as we transition to an all-electric fleet by 2025 and move forward with our sustainability partnerships.

To learn more about Zum’s approach to sustainability in student transportation, go to https://www. ridezum.com/sustainability.html. n This has been paid for by Zum. Ritu Narayan, CEO and Founder, Zum

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