These 2 companies want to make transitioning to zero-emission fleets easy

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Electric truck specialist Tevva has announced a new partnership with European energy giant Vattenfall designed to make it easier for businesses to switch to a zero-emission vehicle fleet and curb their transport-related emissions.

The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vattenfall Network Solutions that will see the two firms explore the feasibility for providing a “complete zero-emission transport solution.”

The alliance could see the firms provide businesses with energy infrastructure and sustainable electricity and hydrogen supply solutions, alongside Tevva’s long range electric vehicles (EVs).

Tevva specializes in range extension technologies for large electric trucks, which allows them to make use of grid electricity while also having the option to switch to a hydrogen and fuel cell enabled engine to meet the “unique full-day, long-distance duty cycles of freight trucks.”

BAE, Plug Power to Collaborate on Hydrogen-Powered Solutions for Electric Buses

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BAE Systems Inc. is collaborating with Plug Power, a supplier of hydrogen engines and fueling systems, to offer hydrogen-based electric propulsion systems for transit bus fleets.

The companies will work together to offer transit operators in North America an all-inclusive, scalable system to reach zero emissions, providing required site, vehicle, and service solutions. As part of the collaboration, BAE Systems will integrate Plug Power’s fuel-cell engines into its electric drive systems to power the bus, which will increase efficient, reliable, and emission-free options in transit.

Aemetis receives permits for ‘Carbon Zero’ renewable fuels plant

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Aemetis Inc., a renewable natural gas and renewable fuels company focused on negative carbon intensity products, announced that the company has received 19 permits granting the Authority To Construct (ATC) from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District related to the Aemetis ‘Carbon Zero’ renewable fuels project in Riverbank, California.  Each permit states a specific set of equipment and the conditions for operation of each unit.

“The Authority To Construct air permits are a significant permitting milestone for the construction of the Aemetis renewable fuels biorefinery at the 142-acre Riverbank Industrial Complex,” stated Eric McAfee, chairman and CEO of Aemetis.  “The engineering, application and review process required several years of work by our technical team with the support of several environmental consultants.  The collaborative, supportive approach taken by the regional air district enabled this process to move forward at a steady pace,” added McAfee.

Toyota unveils EV series and 2050 carbon neutral goal

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Toyota has become the latest global auto giant to announce sweeping plans to expand its line-up of electric vehicles (EVs) and decarbonize its operations over the coming decades.

The Japanese auto giant has been facing mounting criticism in recent years over its perceived failure to match the growing number of car manufacturers to announce ambitious EV plans, as it instead sought to build on its position as a leader in the hybrid market.

However, last week it announced the launch of Toyota bZ, its newly established series of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), as it unveiled a concept version of the Toyota bZ4X at the Auto Shanghai motor show.

The move came as the company also pledged to achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2050 as part of a new “home planet” strategy. “In the course of our global business activities, Toyota will promote electrification strategies that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions throughout the entire lifecycle of a vehicle, while consulting with governments on how to improve the environment for the promotion of electrification,” the company said in a statement. “In addition, we will review and disclose information to confirm our public policy engagement activities are consistent with the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement by the end of this year, and will strive to provide enhanced information disclosure so that as many stakeholders as possible can understand our activities.”

ExxonMobil, Global Clean Energy Expand Renewable Diesel Agreement

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ExxonMobil and Global Clean Energy have expanded their five-year agreement to increase ExxonMobil’s purchase of renewable diesel up to 5 million barrels per year.

ExxonMobil will be the exclusive buyer of renewable diesel from Global Clean Energy’s biorefinery in Bakersfield, Calif., which is on schedule to begin production in early 2022. The renewable diesel leverages Global Clean Energy’s patented camelina crop, which can significantly reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“Our expanded agreement with Global Energy reinforces ExxonMobil’s longstanding efforts to support society’s ambitions for lower-emission fuels,” says Ian Carr, president of ExxonMobil Fuels and Lubricants Co. “Through our growing relationship, we remain focused on bringing renewable fuels to market that make meaningful contributions to help consumers reduce their emissions.”

Renewable Natural Gas Gains Momentum as Trucking Fuel

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Progressively tougher clean air mandates and the increasing corporate focus on environmental sustainability could signal a larger role for natural gas — especially renewable natural gas — as a trucking fuel, experts said.

Although much of the industry’s conversation about alternative fuels has turned to electric-powered trucks in recent years, advocates for renewable natural gas, or RNG, point out that the fuel is capable of reaching net negative emissions of greenhouse gases by removing more carbon from the air than it creates.

RNG projects, unlike fossil fuel natural gas production, capture methane from existing food waste, animal manure, wastewater sludge and garbage, then repurpose it as a clean, green energy source, according to the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas.

South Carolina invests in 235 propane-fueled school buses

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The South Carolina Department of Education will receive $23.6 million for 235 new, propane-fueled school buses with funding from the second round of the state’s share of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust.

The Department of Education also committed $87,400 to build two new propane fueling stations for the expanded propane school bus fleet throughout the state. The school districts expected to receive buses include: Aiken, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester County School District Two, Greenville, Horry, Lexington School District One, Richland School District One, Richland School District Two and York School District Four.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman and South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) Director Ray Farmer announced the state’s total $24.54 million investment in school buses and public transit.

Nikola, TA-Petro Partnership Looks to Expand Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure

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Nikola Corp., through its Nikola Energy division, and TravelCenters of America Inc. (TA-Petro), a publicly traded operator of full-service travel centers in the U.S., have agreed to collaborate on the installation of hydrogen fueling stations for heavy-duty trucks at two existing TA-Petro sites.

The collaboration is a first step for the parties to explore the mutual development of a nationwide network of hydrogen fueling stations. The collaboration is subject to negotiation and execution of definitive documentation acceptable to the parties.

“Our collaboration in southern California will form a basis for building an expanded network of hydrogen fueling stations for Nikola vehicle customers and for industry use overall,” says Pablo Koziner, president of energy and commercial at Nikola. “This collaboration forms an essential part in delivering the hydrogen-based ecosystem required to advance zero-emission solutions for commercial trucks.”

Fortistar Providing Comprehensive RNG Services with Merger of Portfolio Companies

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Fortistar LLC says two of its portfolio companies, Fortistar Methane Group (FMG), a developer of renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities, and TruStar Energy, a supplier of natural gas refueling solutions for the transportation sector, are merging under Opal Fuels LLC to form a new, fully integrated renewable fuels supply company for North America.

“In the nearly 30 years since founding Fortistar, I have never been more excited about the opportunities ahead,” says Mark Comora, president of Fortistar LLC. “Amid wildfires, heat waves, hurricanes and other extreme weather that punctuated a tumultuous 2020, the world is now more determined than ever to address climate change. Opal will help decarbonize the U.S. transportation industry – which generates the largest share of annual greenhouse gas emissions – by supplying sustainable energy fueled by RNG.”

Love’s, Cargill JV Developing Complete Renewable Diesel Pipeline

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The Love’s Family of Companies and Cargill have entered into a 50/50 joint venture to produce and market renewable diesel – a green fuel experiencing rising demand.

The joint venture – Heartwell Renewables- will result in the construction of a new production plant and more than 50 jobs in Hastings, Neb. The plant will have the ability to produce approximately 80 million gallons annually of renewable diesel.

As part of the joint venture, Cargill will provide feedstock in the form of tallow, a rendered animal fat co-product following protein processing. Once the diesel is produced, Musket, the commodity trading and logistics arm of the Love’s Family of Companies, will transport and market the product in the U.S. Heartwell Renewables will be the only entity of its kind to both produce and market renewable diesel all the way to the retail pump.