The US school bus system, with almost half a million buses, is the country’s most extensive mass transit system, carrying over 21 million children to school daily. This post explores the opportunities that electrifying this vast fleet presents for states and electric utility companies to achieve positive health, environmental, and economic development outcomes. Continue reading »
Advocates, government staff, and bicycle enthusiasts from across the state gathered to discuss the growing world of e-bikes, the benefits of electrified mobility, and the remaining challenges to wider adoption. Continue reading »
Minnesota is one of a few Midwestern states considering clean transportation standard (CTS) legislation to reduce the carbon intensity of fuels used in the transportation sector. Similar bills are also under consideration in Michigan and Illinois. If passed, a CTS would build upon Minnesota’s recent commitment to 100 percent clean electricity and secure the state’s position as a regional and national clean energy leader. Recent analysis shows how such a policy could drive investment in and adoption of clean fuels in Minnesota, including by supporting the deployment of more electric vehicles. Continue reading »
Transportation emissions remain the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions nationwide. Regulatory actions and policy proposals at the federal and state levels aim to reduce these emissions. The federal government recently announced updated regulations requiring vehicle manufacturers to reduce emissions from the vehicles they produce, and automakers can meet these requirements by producing cleaner gas cars and more electric vehicles. Although meaningful, vehicle regulations alone will not be sufficient to achieve necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollution. Continue reading »
Decarbonizing the transportation sector will require a multi-pronged approach, and GPI is pursuing various strategies, including promoting electrification and low-carbon fuels. However, to achieve our vision of an equitable net-zero carbon economy, we also must also advance shared and active mobility. Continue reading »
The Great Plains Institute (GPI), in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) and with support from the US Department of Energy (DOE), just launched the newly developed R&D GREET Train-the-Trainer program. GREET, which stands for Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies, is a life cycle analysis tool, and R&D GREET is a specific model. Continue reading »
The Great Plains Institute (GPI) launched the community engagement phase of its Electric Vehicle Education for All initiative in February 2024, subcontracting with three community-based organizations to carry out the engagement. Our initiative seeks to deeply engage frontline and historically marginalized communities within the Twin Cities area to learn firsthand how they perceive electric mobility, identify electric mobility literacy gaps, and provide educational materials to increase access to electric mobility benefits. Continue reading »
This spring, the US Environmental Protection Agency marked a significant advancement toward achieving air quality improvements across the country by establishing the most stringent greenhouse gas regulations for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to date. The new standards address the critical need to reduce emissions from these vehicles. Continue reading »
On March 20, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final vehicle standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. These rules are meant to reduce air pollution by limiting vehicle tailpipe emissions. The regulations will allow American consumers to choose more cost-effective, eco-friendly vehicles, resulting in annual savings on fuel and upkeep expenses. Continue reading »
Important progress to establish the first clean transportation standard (CTS) program in the Midwest continues, with Minnesota and Illinois currently taking the lead. In both states, legislative committees recently held hearings to discuss CTS bills. Here is what you need to know: Continue reading »
