Electric cars can advance environmental justice — here’s how

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The global auto industry has begun a historic shift from gas- and diesel-fueled cars to electric vehicles. President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan seeks to speed up this transition by requesting billions of dollars to modernize the electric grid and build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations.

Evidence shows that many Americans are eager to transition to EVs and participate in a clean energy economy. In a recent nationally representative consumer survey, 71 percent of drivers surveyed said they were interested in getting an electric car. But 48 percent said that lack of access to public charging infrastructure was holding them back, and 43 percent cited vehicle cost as a disincentive.

My research focuses on ways to make cities more sustainable, healthy and equitable places to live. In my view, making EVs and charging infrastructure accessible to all drivers is crucial for achieving clean transportation and energy justice.

Keeping the Biodiesel Industry Safer

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Sam Carbis founded the Aluminum Ladder Co. in 1930 with the idea of helping American workers and firefighters—the early pioneers of first response—stay safe and efficient on the job, whether it was building homes, repairing equipment, or saving lives. Today, Carbis’ mission carries on as his namesake company, Sam Carbis Solutions Group LLC, continues to offer fall protection and safety solutions to the world.

Carbis, a fourth-generation family-owned business headquartered in Florence, South Carolina, is today a global leader in customized bulk loading access equipment and turnkey systems for truck, rail, and marine applications across all industries. Carbis is the only company in North America that designs and manufactures both access equipment and loading arms, ensuring they work together without interference. The company fabricates its industrial equipment in its manufacturing facility in Darlington, South Carolina, just minutes from its headquarters and engineering hub.

With decades of engineering expertise and a commitment to quality, Carbis Solutions delivers innovative safety systems that meet the highest industry standards. Its comprehensive solutions include gangways, loading racks, fall prevention platforms, and specialized access equipment designed to improve efficiency and worker protection in industrial environments. Additionally, Carbis Solutions integrates industrial coating technology into its equipment, ensuring durability and resistance to harsh environmental conditions, extending product lifespan, and maintaining optimal safety performance.

Carbis Solutions serves a diverse range of industries, including oil and gas, chemical processing, food and beverage, aerospace, and manufacturing. Its expert team collaborates closely with clients to develop tailored safety solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, ensuring compliance with OSHA, ANSI, and other regulatory requirements.

Beyond its advanced product offerings, Carbis Solutions is known for its exceptional customer service and commitment to long-term partnerships. The company provides on-site assessments, engineering support, and training to help businesses maintain the highest levels of safety and productivity.

As workplace safety regulations continue to evolve, Carbis Solutions remains at the forefront of innovation, delivering customized access solutions that protect workers and streamline operations. Whether ensuring secure access to tank trucks, railcars, or marine vessels, Carbis Solutions is dedicated to providing the highest level of protection for industries worldwide.

Propane Autogas Provides Energy Supply Resiliency

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If there’s one thing this last year has shown us, it’s that it doesn’t take much to disrupt a business. Between extreme weather events, supply chain shortages, and even cyberattacks, interruptions in energy source availability can lead to catastrophe.

For instance, earlier this year, a winter storm crippled Texas, causing a massive electricity generation failure that left 4.5 million homes without power. More recently, a gasoline pipeline cyberattack on the East Coast halted shipments of up to 2.5 million barrels per day. In some states like North Carolina, more than 65% of gas stations were without fuel, and consumers began to panic across the country.

For fleets that rely on a rigid energy source, these situations should serve as a stark warning that when disaster strikes, they may be less likely to successfully navigate its challenges. Energy resiliency, sustainability, and diversification are becoming required strategic approaches for fleet operations. Propane autogas is a portable, clean energy source that not only keeps fleet operating smoothly every day, but also during times of crisis.

Propane Autogas Provides Energy Supply Resiliency

Posted by & filed under National.

If there’s one thing this last year has shown us, it’s that it doesn’t take much to disrupt a business. Between extreme weather events, supply chain shortages, and even cyberattacks, interruptions in energy source availability can lead to catastrophe.

For instance, earlier this year, a winter storm crippled Texas, causing a massive electricity generation failure that left 4.5 million homes without power. More recently, a gasoline pipeline cyberattack on the East Coast halted shipments of up to 2.5 million barrels per day. In some states like North Carolina, more than 65% of gas stations were without fuel, and consumers began to panic across the country.

For fleets that rely on a rigid energy source, these situations should serve as a stark warning that when disaster strikes, they may be less likely to successfully navigate its challenges. Energy resiliency, sustainability, and diversification are becoming required strategic approaches for fleet operations. Propane autogas is a portable, clean energy source that not only keeps fleet operating smoothly every day, but also during times of crisis.

Driving Behaviors and Gallons

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Following and complementing its Prime the Pump initiative, Growth Energy is launching a consumer campaign to increase awareness of the environmental benefits of E15. The goal is to trigger more sales of E15 to consumers who want to make a small change for a big Earth impact. Ideally, they’ll fill up with E15 and also demand more access to it.

Growth Energy’s Emily Skor, CEO, and Elizabeth Funderburk, vice president of communications and public affairs, speak enthusiastically about their new endeavor, named Get Biofuel, and the goals they’re setting for it.

“What this campaign does is appeal to the emotion of wanting to do something in a small way that can benefit the environment,” Funderburk says.

“I’m really excited about it,” Skor adds. “The growth opportunity for the industry is going to be when E15 is the standard fuel offering nationwide. In order to get to that place, we’ve got a full throttle industry effort and you really have to pursue three different things.”

The urban, low-speed EV is having a moment

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When Tesla unveiled its original luxury electric sports car, the Roadster, back in 2006, the company upended the idea of what electric vehicles could be. Prior to the emergence of the sleek and powerful Roadster, EVs were dismissed as essentially slow, tiny electric golf carts.

It turns out the EV evolution is coming full circle, at least in some regions in the world, reports Bloomberg.

In China, a 10-foot-long minicar called the Wuling Hongguang Mini — made by General Motors and Chinese automakers SAIC and Guangxi Automobile — is topping 250,000 in total sales. That makes it the best-selling EV in the country, outperforming Tesla’s Model 3 and others.

Young families are buying the car because at around $5,000 it’s cheap, it’s easy to drive, park and charge, and it’s fun to personalize with a Crayola box of color options and stickers from the likes of Pokemon and Hello Kitty. The car is reportedly ubiquitous in the Chinese city of Liuzhou, which has chargers all over the place; the city offers free parking and charging to support the growing EV market.

It’s Official: US Juices Clean (Or Green) Hydrogen Race With New “Energy Earthshots”

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It seems like only yesterday that a mysterious new program called Energy Earthshots was in the works for the US Department of Energy, and everybody was wondering what that could possibly be. The curtain has now lifted and the answer is clean hydrogen. If you’re thinking why clean hydrogen and not green hydrogen, that’s a good question. The answer could make fossil energy stakeholders very happy or very, very sad.

Hyundai upgrades world’s first mass produced hydrogen heavy truck

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Hyundai Motor Company has released images of its newly upgraded XCIENT Fuel Cell, the world’s first mass-produced, heavy-duty truck powered by hydrogen. With design and performance updates, Hyundai’s zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle will become even more attractive to corporate fleet customers all over the world. Hyundai will begin production of 2021 XCIENT Fuel Cell in August this year. Services like Truck repair near me would be essential for truck drivers all over the world.

“Hyundai Motor is leveraging more than 20 years of experience in fuel cell technology to further its vision of an eco-friendly hydrogen society,” said Jaehoon (Jay) Chang, CEO and President of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor Company. “With 2021 XCIENT Fuel Cell, Hyundai will contribute to the widespread adoption of commercial vehicles powered by hydrogen.”

As Hyundai pushes the boundaries of eco-friendly transportation with its upgraded XCIENT Fuel Cell, the need for reliable maintenance and repair services for hydrogen-powered trucks becomes increasingly crucial. Just as Hyundai pioneers advancements in fuel cell technology, ensuring the seamless operation of these cutting-edge vehicles requires expert care and attention.

Truck drivers worldwide rely on efficient and knowledgeable auto repair services to keep their fleets running smoothly, and companies like Blue Wrench Auto stand at the forefront of this essential support network. Blue Wrench, with its dedication to excellence and specialization in heavy-duty vehicle maintenance, emerges as a trusted partner for fleet operators embracing Hyundai’s 2021 XCIENT Fuel Cell and other hydrogen-powered trucks. With a deep understanding of the unique requirements of eco-friendly commercial vehicles, Blue Wrench offers comprehensive servicing, diagnostics, and repairs to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Similarly, diesel-powered trucks continue to play a vital role in the transportation industry, necessitating expert care and maintenance to keep them operating efficiently. As technology in diesel engines evolves, the need for specialized services becomes more pronounced. Companies like G&R Diesel provide this essential expertise, ensuring that diesel vehicles maintain peak performance and reliability. Whether it’s routine maintenance or addressing more complex issues, diesel specialists are crucial for extending the lifespan and enhancing the performance of these robust vehicles.

Hyundai has upgraded both the design and performance of XCIENT Fuel Cell, adding to its competitive edge for a better driving experience. The updated exterior design expresses the vehicle’s dynamic and eco-friendly performance. Decorated with a linear and bold ‘V’ shape of chrome details and multi-dimensional mesh patterns, the new radiator grille reflects the high-tech fuel cell truck’s unrivalled presence on the road, while serving its own technical function. The blue point color surrounding the grille and the decal graphics vividly visualizes the use of eco-friendly hydrogen energy.

What’s delivering electric fleets? FedEx and ChargePoint weigh in

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Forever taking the fossil fuels out of delivering goods, from the long haul to the last mile, can go a long way toward reducing carbon emissions on a meaningful scale. What is attracting more companies to pursue electric fleets, and what’s holding back more of them from ditching the diesel?

“We’re seeing almost every day, it seems like, new product announcements, partnerships, joint ventures, significant investments being made,” said Ben Sharpe, senior researcher at the International Council on Clean Transportation, speaking at the VERGE Electrify virtual event.

Legacy big-rig makers including Volvo, Daimler, Cummins and Peterbilt are aggressively bringing electric vehicles to market, as are a wide range of startups such as BYD, Proterra, Orange EV and GreenPower. Meanwhile, one of the Biden administration’s earliest big announcements this year was its goal to electrify federal fleets.

ADD Systems appoints director of customer support

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Advanced Digital Data Inc. (ADD Systems) promoted Andy Katsigiannis to director of customer support and hardware operations. His appointment follows the retirement of Roger Keyser, vice president of customer support and hardware operations.

Keyser retires after nearly 40 years with ADD Systems. He joined the company in 1982, only nine years after its start. He went from being the only trainer on the road to overseeing ADD’s complete customer support process, including hardware operations. Keyser was integral in the formation of ADD’s support teams, the company says.

“Roger has done an amazing job over the past 39 years,” says Bruce Bott, president of ADD Systems. “ADD customers and ADD employees have truly benefited from his expertise and his guidance. He’s done an equally phenomenal job preparing his department and all of ADD for his departure. He will be missed.”