A fourth-grade student from Hirayama Elementary School in Fresno, California, is being celebrated for his quick thinking and bravery after alerting staff to a fire that ultimately consumed his school bus, reported Your Central Valley news.

William Ruiz was one of four students riding the Clovis Unified School District bus home when he heard a strange noise coming from beneath the vehicle. “Well, I did hear like a steam, I heard like a pop,” Ruiz told local news reporters.

According to the article, smoke began rising from under the bus, and Ruiz didn’t hesitate to act. “So, I told the bus driver, ‘Smoke! Smoke!’” he said. “And the bus driver, he looked under there and said, ‘That’s not smoke, that’s fire.”

The driver immediately pulled and reportedly attempted to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher. When it failed, he quickly evacuated the children.

“We all [got] out, and it was like catching flames,” said Ruiz via the news report, adding that two student backpacks were burned. The fire, which reportedly started in the engine compartment, rapidly spread and engulfed the entire bus. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

On Oct. 2, Ruiz was honored with a “Super Hira Award” from his school for “showing heroic qualities like kindness and bravery.”

His mother, Valerie Ramos, added via the article that she couldn’t be more proud. “We tell him to speak up all the time, whether it’s bullying or if you see something, always tell an adult,” she said. “It feels great. Good job, William.”

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Related: Michigan Middle School Student to Receive NAPT Heroism Award
Related: Georgia School Bus Driver Named “Hidden Hero” After Saving Student’s Life
Related: Missouri Students Learn School Bus, Fire Safety During Back-to-School Bash
Related: Arkansas School District Thanks Driver for Quick Response During Bus Fire

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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposed an emergency action to continue enforcing engine emissions regulations because it says federal government efforts to undo them could result in the sale of vehicles that are not certified to any standard.

As California’s lawsuit continues against the Trump administration, challenging the presidential executive order in January directing federal agencies to terminate state emissions waivers and a resulting revocation of those waivers through the Congressional Review Act (CRA) signed into law in June, CARB said it wants to provide regulatory certainty and flexibility to manufacturers. For school buses and trucks, manufacturers could meet the Omnibus Low-NOx regulation adopted in 2020 or the previous regulation that met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency levels set in 2010. The CRA this spring revoked three waivers, one of which allowed CARB to set a new level of 0.05 g/bhp-hr of NOx.

The public had five business days from Monday’s announcement to weigh in on CARB’s intent to enact its Emergency Vehicle Emissions Regulations by filing comments with the state’s Office of Administrative Law.

The emergency regulations do not address the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which the CRA also revoked an EPA waiver for.

“The amendments would confirm that, until a court resolves the uncertainty created by the federal government’s actions, certain antecedent regulations (displaced by Advanced Clean Cars II and Omnibus) remain operative (as previously adopted) with the caveat that CARB may enforce Advanced Clean Cars II and Omnibus, to the extent permitted by law, in the event a court of law holds invalid the resolution purporting to disapprove those waivers,” the proposal reads.

In other words, manufacturers would be able to continue certifying engines under either the earlier-adopted emissions standards or the more stringent standards.

CARB noted that most engine and vehicle manufacturers have already planned on or achieved compliance with the more stringent emissions requirements. But CARB also warned that manufacturers choosing to certify to previous emissions levels assume the risk of having engines out of compliance with regulations, should current legal cases brought against the Trump administration go in California’s favor.

Cummins spokeswoman Drew Blair told School Transportation News that it was premature to respond in detail to CARB’s proposal, as it was not final. But she added Cummins is following the issue closely.

“Cummins is focused on delivering products with the power and performance our customers need to get their jobs done, while also meeting emissions requirements,” she commented. “We also will continue to advocate for national standards to bring clarity to our business and customers and ensure efficient and affordable products are available to power their needs.”

Earlier this month, a group of vehicle manufacturers led by Daimler Truck North America, the parent company to Thomas Built Buses, filed a suit against CARB, claiming the agency would need to re-enact previous legislation before it could enforce earlier emissions regulations.

“In the event the vehicle manufacturer’s claims were deemed correct … then CARB must take immediate action to maintain a stable vehicle market in the state and prevent the sale of vehicles into the state that would not be certified to either set of standards …,” CARB writes. “… Otherwise, in light of these unprecedented circumstances, there may remain questions — for the first time since CARB’s program began decades ago — as to whether any California standard is in effect.”

A Daimler Truck spokesperson said Wednesday the company could not comment on CARB’s proposal.

International, the parent to IC Bus, signed onto the Daimler Truck lawsuit. An International spokesman declined comment because the litigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, CARB said Tuesday 23 percent of new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales in 2024 were zero emissions, more than double the minimum statewide requirement. The data is based on 30,026 zero-emission trucks, buses and vans reported to CARB by manufacturers. School buses are included in the reporting.

It was the fourth year in a row that ZEV sales increased. More than 57,000 ZEVs have been sold in California since 2021.

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Related: California Doubles Down on Zero-Emission Vehicles with Renewed Affordability, Adoption Priorities
Related: Despite Federal Funding in Peril, California State Funding for EVs Continues
Related: CARB Uses $33M in Funding to Target Other Zero-Emissions School Travel
Related: NASDPTS Revises Illegal School Bus Passing Count After California Fixes Error
Related: California School Bus Driver Teaches Lessons of Compassion Through Music

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A little over two years ago we first heard of the Telo, a pickup truck with qualities and stats that seemingly make no sense. It has four doors, five seats, is all-electric, makes up to 500 horsepower, can go 350 miles between charges, and fits a full 4×8 sheet of plywood in the bed, all while taking up the footprint of a Mini Cooper. This week, it’s reached a new funding goal of $20 million and is one step closer to reality.

Read: $30K Ford Electric Truck Coming In 2027 Is Seriously Bad News For Slate

Announced by Drew from Telo on YouTube, the $20 million concludes what the company calls Series A funding. That cash is going to go into production tooling. The next step after the tooling is set up is to build production-intent prototypes. Telo is also going to expand the team and partner with an existing contract manufacturer.

From Prototype To Reality

Getting the mini truck with a big personality to market will then require federalization, crash testing, and certifications. It’s hoping that state-of-the-art manufacturing, off-the-shelf parts usage, and collaborating with existing manufacturers will not only speed up development but help that $20 million go further than it would otherwise.

One More Thing

We’ve all watched the automotive industry promise a lot and deliver very little. Think of things like the Cybertruck, Faraday Future, Level 3 Driving from Stellantis, and more. Along those same lines, brands have promised specific prices and then ended up having to jack those prices up before launch. Telo might just be the outlier there.

Originally, it was aiming for a starting price of $49,995. Now, it says it’s targeting a starting price of $41,520. That may or may not sound more attainable than Slate’s sub-$20,000 claim for its bare-bone electric truck, which was later adjusted to $27,500 after the federal EV tax credit disappeared.

Either way, that’s only worth believing when and if it actually happens, but it’s noteworthy. Arguably, that price is still too high to get people excited since Federal EV incentives are dead in just a few days.

Nevertheless, should the Telo make it to market, it might just be cheap enough to be an attractive option in a sea of trucks that are too big, too fuel-thirsty, and far more expensive. Of course, if Ford actually builds a $30,000 EV truck, the Telo might find itself without a market.

It👏🏼Fits👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/nQxAUzpIAa

— TELO Trucks (@TELOtrucks) August 11, 2025

FOSTER CITY, Calif. and TEANECK, N.J., – As the 2025 school year gets under way in New Jersey, the students in Teaneck, Midland Park, and Ramsey public school districts will be breathing easier as they enjoy the ride in fully-electric Type B school buses operated by D&M Tours. The zero-tailpipe emission buses, manufactured by Motiv Electric Trucks and upfitted by Van-Con, Inc. will replace aging gasoline buses. The project was developed and managed by Climate Change Mitigation Technologies LLC (CCMT).

“With the start of the new school year, these new buses are on their routes, picking up and dropping off school children safely and sustainably,” said Tim Palomba, CEO of D&M Tours in Paterson, New Jersey. “These children and their communities will benefit greatly from the Motiv-Van-Con electric buses which dramatically reduce noise and air pollution in the bus “cabin” as well as in the multiple communities along the routes. Zero-emission buses are especially important for the Type A and B school buses that Van-Con makes because they are often used to transport special needs children, who generally spend a greater amount of time on a school bus than the other students.”

The four electric Type B school buses feature Motiv’s proven EPIC 4 platform and Van-Con’s safe and durable school bus body. Each bus eliminates idling, noise and vibrations as well as tailpipe pollution and CO2 emissions, providing students a healthy, quiet and safe ride to school. The routes serviced by this project, like many school transportation routes, are ideal for electrification due to their local, repetitive, predictable nature and the fleet’s ability to charge overnight at a central depot.

Editor’s note — The “New Jersey Type B” is a subclass of Type A school buses the state uses when the vehicle weighs more than a10,000 pounds GVWR.

D&M tours will replace four older gasoline buses, avoiding up to 3,000 gallons of fossil fuel and related costs annually. Over the 15-year useful life of the project it is estimated that the Motiv electric buses will log 1,134,000 miles and eliminate over 2 million pounds of tailpipe emissions.

In addition to the health benefits, there are significant economic benefits to the district. According to an analysis from the Electric School Bus Initiative, an electric school bus can save the district more than $100,000 in lifetime fuel and maintenance savings compared to an equivalent diesel bus.

The school buses will travel between D&M’s fleet depot in Paterson to students in Teaneck, Midland Park, Ramsey, and multiple communities in between, providing health benefits all along the way. Research has shown prolonged exposure to poor air quality increases rates of heart disease, impaired lung function and lower IQ levels. Paterson accounts for 62 percent of all asthma Emergency Room visits in Passaic County, but only accounts for 29 percent of the Passaic County’s population. Children in Passaic County under the age of 5 have an asthma rate that is 65 percent higher than the New Jersey statewide average.

“This is a wonderful representation of our Better Trucks, Better World vision. Replacing aging diesel school buses with clean, electric alternatives represents exactly the kind of meaningful health and environmental progress we’re working to accelerate as we expand the presence of our class 4 electric truck platform,” said Scott Griffith, CEO of Motiv Electric Trucks. “Students, drivers, and the communities these buses serve will all benefit from the elimination of harmful diesel emissions, while D&M Tours gains the operational advantages and cost savings of electric.”

“We are pleased to deliver these buses to one of our best customers as he helps lead the school bus industry into the next century,” said Jim Anderson, President of Van-Con, Inc. “These four buses are the first four of a total of 29 electric school buses we are building with Motiv for districts and contractors across New Jersey.”

“Climate Change Mitigation Technologies LLC (CCMT) appreciates the opportunity to partner with D&M Tours, Inc., Van-Con, Inc., and Motiv to deliver the first fleet of electric school buses built in part in New Jersey,” said James Sherman, CEO of CCMT. He noted that “CCMT’s integration of the buses, DCFC chargers, and OCPP charge management software gives D&M the operational control of charging, real-time economic transparency of charging costs, and management reports it needs. I am pleased to report that the electric school bus fleet, chargers, and control software integration worked seamlessly all summer long.”

Other project partners include the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) which provided funding for the project, Vanore Electric, Inc., which was the electrical contractor for the project; PSE&G, which helped expedite the project, and Grid Link, Inc., which was the OCPP/charge management software system provider.

A ribbon-cutting event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 11 am at the D&M Tours facility at 20 Shady Street in Paterson, NJ. Persons interested in attending may contact jsherman@ccmtdg.com for an invitation.

About Motiv Electric Trucks
Founded in 2009, Motiv is a privately held company headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Motiv is a leading manufacturer of medium duty, zero-emission electric trucks and buses, producing a range of vehicles, including step vans, shuttle buses, box trucks, and work trucks, designed to eliminate tailpipe CO2 emissions and particulate matter, while offering drivers and passengers a more comfortable, healthier and safer ride.

Motiv’s combination of operational cost savings and environmental performance helps customers meet emissions and pollution standards as well as achieve their own net-zero, ESG or other climate impact-related pledges and commitments.

On August 15, 2025, Motiv and Workhorse Group Inc. (Nasdaq: WKHS) entered into a definitive merger agreement to combine in a transaction that will create a leading North American medium-duty electric truck OEM. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to approval by Workhorse’s shareholders and other customary closing conditions.

More information about the company’s products and services is available at https://www.motivtrucks.com.

About Van-Con, Inc.
Van-Con, Inc. is a 50 year old New Jersey company founded on the principle of safety first. Starting with Paul Anderson, Sr. back in 1973 and continuing today under Jim and Linda Anderson, Van-Con, Inc. has been a school bus innovator from the start. This means being one of the earliest proponents for school bus safety standards, development of the first 16 passenger Type A school bus, and one of the first school bus body builders to offer ADA compliant wheel-chair lifts. Today, Van-Con, Inc. manufactures a variety of Type A and B school buses and there are literally hundreds of Van-Con school buses on the road with scores of customers across New Jersey. Van-Con, Inc. is located in Middlesex, NJ. www.vanconbus.com

About Climate Change Mitigation Technologies LLC (CCMT).
CCMT is the leading low, zero, and negative carbon fuels and fleets project development and management firm in New Jersey that provides advisory services and also delivers design-build fully operational charging or fueling infrastructure. CCMT has delivered hydrogen and electric truck and bus fleet projects and is currently working on renewable natural gas (RNG) projects for public and private fleets. Among CCMT’s completed projects are the 2021 delivery of 5 BYD garbage trucks to the Jersey City DPW; the 2022 delivery of 10 BYD terminal tractors to the Red Hook Container Terminal in Port Newark, NJ; the 2025 delivery of 2 BYD garbage trucks and 3 Motiv senior citizen shuttle buses to Woodbridge Township, NJ; the 2025 delivery of 1 BYD garbage truck and 2 Motiv commuter “HOP” shuttle buses to Hoboken, NJ; and the 2025 delivery of multiple Motiv dry goods box and cold plate last mile delivery trucks to the Elizabeth Board of Education.

About D&M Tours, Inc.
D&M Tours, Inc. has been in business for over 25 years and is one of the largest private school bus contractors in northern New Jersey and a leader in the drive to more sustainable fuels and school buses. The D&M fleet consists of diesel, gasoline, propane, and now electric school buses. D&M is trusted to serve some of the largest and smallest school districts in New Jersey including Paramus, Teaneck, and other public and private schools. D&M is also a pillar of the local Paterson, NJ community, providing a source of employment for dozens of drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, yardmen, and others whom together make D&M one of the safest and cleanest operators in the business.

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No state buys more electric vehicles than California, but some drivers might now think twice after Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed he won’t offer financial incentives to replace the soon-to-disappear tax credits program.

Related: Would You Buy An EV After The Tax Credit Expires?

President Trump’s decision to axe the previous Biden administration’s $7,500 of tax credits against an EV purchase means the nationwide subsidies will cease at the end of this month. Some Californians, clean air campaigners, and several automakers had hoped Newsom would step in to offer state aid to replace the federal incentives, something he himself had previously pledged. But last week, he told reporters it was unaffordable.

No Safety Net from Sacramento

“We can’t make up for the federal vandalism of those tax credits [by the Trump administration],” Newsom said at a press conference when asked what he was planning to do about replacing the expiring credits.

“But we can continue to make the unprecedented investments in infrastructure,” he continued, highlighting that the state now has over 200,000 public chargers compared with only 120,000 gas pump nozzles.

Newsom claimed in 2024 that he would step in to replace the federal EV aid if it was ever eliminated, but following through on that promise has proved impossible due to California’s growing budget deficit. An earlier state subsidy program ended there in 2023, though after Newsom’s latest speech, his office reportedly said it could be reintroduced next year, potentially by using cash generated by California’s carbon-trading scheme.

A Broader Fight Over Clean Air

In addition to railing against Trump’s work to sabotage California’s nearly 60-year fight to clean up automobile pollution, Newsom slammed GM and other automakers. He accused them of being complicit in the push to block California’s ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles set to take effect in 2035.

“GM sold us out, Mary Barra sold us out,” he said, tying the dispute over incentives to a larger battle about California’s right to set environmental standards.

Meanwhile, EV sales have heated up in recent weeks as automakers and buyers rush to take advantage of the closing tax credit window. Hyundai recorded a 72 percent rise in US sales of electric cars last month compared with August 2024.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – HopSkipDrive today announced its new Hub-and-Spoke offering is available across the country to help school transportation officials select effective school bus pickup locations, paired with a network of drivers in small vehicles to help students connect at these centralized stops.

This unique offering is designed for a changing school transportation landscape. It combines HopSkipDrive’s proprietary AI-driven transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI, with a network of new drivers in small vehicles called CareDrivers, local caregivers who complete the HopSkipDrive 15-point certification process.
HopSkipDrive, a technology company solving complex transportation challenges supporting more than 13,500 schools, developed this offering in direct response to findings from the 2025 State of School Transportation Report. In the context of increased nationwide bus driver shortages, school administrators report growing numbers of students who qualify for free transportation. At the same time, these transportation staffers agree centralized pick-up and drop-off options can be a solution.

“Schools can use RouteWise AI to design efficient routing and stops that best utilize a system’s existing drivers while increasing bus rider utilization,” explained Joanna McFarland, CEO and Co-Founder of HopSkipDrive. “HopSkipDrive CareDrivers can then efficiently and safely bring students from multiple different locations to centralized bus stops. Leveraging our expertise in centralized transportation with partners like Tolleson Union High School District, we’ve transformed this offering with AI to meet current needs for out-of-district, choice policy, and highly mobile students.”

Confirmation of A Need for New Solutions
HopSkipDrive partnered with the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs to release a September State of School Transportation survey of more than 500 school administrators:

● While 90% of school administrator respondents reported rising or stagnant numbers in the number of students who qualify for free, school-provided transportation, 81% of this audience said school bus driver shortages are a problem.

● A majority (73%) favor organizing centralized pick-up and drop-off locations for students using school buses and allowing schools or districts to use school-arranged supplemental school transportation services such as cars and vans (65%).

How the Hub-and-Spoke Model Works
RouteWise AI provides transportation plan scenarios for Denver Public Schools and other districts, building cost-effective multimodal transportation systems utilizing buses and/or small vehicles. It will identify centralized bus stop hubs and efficient bus routes, resulting in 40% capital savings, 46% increased efficiency or 17% more on-time arrivals, and delivering solutions for bus driver shortages.

Once these hubs and bus stops are identified, school district clients can lean on HopSkipDrive’s network of safe, vetted drivers in small vehicles to transport students to those centralized stops. In turn, school buses can run quicker, more efficient routes with higher utilization. School districts interested in working with HopSkipDrive can request more information here.

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a technology company that solves complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, equity, and care. HopSkipDrive is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and an industry-leading transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI.

HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly-vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 13,500 schools across 17 states, with nearly 1,300 school districts, government agencies, and nonprofit partners. More than five million rides over 95 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

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SAN DIEGO, Calif.– Netradyne, a global leader in AI-powered road safety and fleet management solutions, today announced the launch of its Customer Obsession Tour in honor of the company’s 10th anniversary. The nationwide road tour will showcase Netradyne’s holistic, AI-powered platform for connected fleet performance, bringing driver-first innovations to life, engaging customers across major metro areas, as well as featuring the company’s advanced video telematics technology that empowers drivers and elevates fleet operations.

On the Road with Netradyne

The tour will kick off at Netradyne’s San Diego headquarters, then travel across the nation with stops in Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston, before heading to the Midwest to visit multiple customers in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois, continuing to the East Coast and concluding back on the West Coast.

Along the route, the Netradyne team will connect with fleet leaders and drivers, as well as participate in industry events, while the Netradyne RV will operate as a mobile demo center, offering customer, prospects and media hands-on access to the company’s innovative-leading solutions along with exclusive previews of next-generation technology. At each stop, Netradyne will also capture customer stories that showcase how Netradyne is driving safer practices and transforming commercial fleet operations.

“Ten years ago, we set out to harness the power of AI with a driver-first philosophy. Today, that vision has evolved into an advanced, holistic platform that helps fleets optimize performance, reduce risk, and—most importantly—save lives,” said Netradyne CEO and co-founder Avneesh Agrawal. “Netradyne is shaping the future of connected fleet safety and management on a global scale, but our greatest achievement remains the trust of the customers and drivers who’ve been with us every mile. This tour is our way of celebrating those partnerships and the progress we’re driving together.”

A Decade of Impact and Innovation
Founded in 2015 by CEO Avneesh Agrawal and CTO David Julian, Netradyne has grown from an inspired vision into a global leader in fleet management and video-based safety. Today, the company serves thousands of customers, hundreds of thousands of vehicles and millions of drivers across the U.S., Japan, Canada, Mexico, Germany, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and India.

Over the past ten years, the company has:
Analyzed more than 25 billion vision-based driving miles, an unparalleled dataset for understanding and improving road safety, powering the most advanced AI-driven video technology on the market. · Surpassed 100 million DriverStars events, reinforcing its commitment to positive reinforcement and safer roads at scale.

Earned consistent industry recognition for AI innovation, including Forbes AI50 and the AI Breakthrough Awards, cementing its role as a technology leader in connected fleet safety and performance.

Evolved into a holistic AI-powered platform, delivering insights that go beyond safety to include compliance, fuel efficiency, and overall fleet optimization.

“As we celebrate 10 years, there is no better way to mark the milestone than by hitting the road to thank our customers and drivers in person,” said Adam Kahn, Chief Business Development Officer at Netradyne. “This tour isn’t just about showcasing our technology, it’s about celebrating the fleets and drivers who rely on it every day to stay safe, keep goods moving, and make our roads better for everyone.”

In addition to live events, Netradyne will share tour updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and customer stories across Netradyne on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and our newsroom, giving audiences everywhere a front-row seat.

Media, customers, and partners interested in participating in the Customer Obsession Tour and experiencing the future of AI-powered fleet management and road safety are encouraged to contact Netradyne at press@netradyne.com for interview opportunities, event access, and technology demonstrations.

About Netradyne:
Netradyne® provides AI-powered technologies for fleet management and safer roads. An award-winning industry leader in fleet safety and video telematics solutions, Netradyne empowers thousands of commercial fleet customers across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific to enhance their driver performance, reduce risk, and optimize operations. Netradyne sets the standard among transportation technology companies for enhancing and sustaining road safety, with an industry-leading 25+ billion miles vision-analyzed for risk and an industry-first driver scoring system that reinforces safe behaviors. Founded in 2015, Netradyne is headquartered in San Diego with offices in San Francisco and Bangalore.

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A new report reaffirms California’s commitment to zero-emission vehicle adoption and deployment despite attempts by Congress and the Trump administration to remove federal waivers that provide the state authority to cut pollution levels within its borders and elsewhere.

The state currently is involved in multiple lawsuits challenging the administration’s efforts to revoke the waivers approved by the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency and others.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) released the report last week in response to Gov. Gavin  Executive Order N-27-25 in June that directs CARB and several other state agencies to recommend strategies that make clean transportation more affordable, reliable and accessible. ​The report outlines strategies to expand the adoption of Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) across all vehicle types, including school buses, as part of the state’s broader effort to combat air pollution and climate change. ​

The report highlights California’s leadership in clean transportation, noting that the state has already surpassed its goal of deploying 2 million ZEVs. ​With 56 ZEV manufacturers operating in the state and nearly 178,000 public or shared private electric vehicle chargers installed, California is setting the pace for the nation. ​

However, the CARB report notes that five of the 10 most polluted cities in the U.S. are in California, and millions of residents still live in areas with dangerously high ozone levels, especially in the Los Angeles area and the San Joaquin Valley. ​

To address these challenges, CARB recommends actions across six key areas: Private investment, incentives, infrastructure, fuel pricing, regulations, and procurement. CARB seeks to sustain the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program that utilizes credits from 200 participating companies and from utilities to subsidize clean fuels like renewable diesel and to continue taking advantage of other existing funding programs. It recommends backfilling the federal clean air vehicle tax credits that are set to expire at the end of next month and providing “reliable and consistent funding” to the agency and the California Energy Commission for ZEV deployment and infrastructure incentive programs.

Noting that infrastructure remains one of the largest barriers to ZEV adoption, the report highlights the need for increased reliability of and access to EV chargers, including timely repair. CARB also recommends streamlining permitting processes and utility energization timelines. This includes implementing flexible service connections and other strategies to eliminate delays in EV charging installation.

CARB also calls for unlocking the benefits of V2G by improving the energization process to enable vehicles to power homes and businesses or to export power to the grid during peak demand periods. This includes developing utility rates “that align EV charging and discharging with grid needs” and establishing incentives to automakers that build EVs that can provide backup power. CARB also writes that standards are needed for chargers to enable the use of vehicle-grid integration.

School buses are directly impacted by the state’s push for ZEV adoption. The report emphasizes the need for incentives and infrastructure to support the transition to zero-emission buses. ​For school districts, this could mean additional access to funding programs that make it easier to replace aging diesel buses with electric or even hydrogen-powered alternatives. ​Additionally, CARB says the focus on building reliable charging infrastructure could alleviate concerns about fueling capacity and range limitations. ​

For companies operating school buses, the report’s recommendations present both opportunities and challenges. The emphasis on private investment through programs like the LCFS could provide financial incentives for operators to transition their fleets. ​Additionally, the state’s focus on workforce development could help create a pipeline of skilled workers to maintain and operate ZEVs. ​

However, the transition will require careful planning. CARB states operators will need to navigate new regulations, invest in charging or fueling infrastructure and ensure their fleets meet the state’s reliability and durability standards. Collaboration with state agencies and local governments will be key to overcoming these hurdles.

The CARB report also notes 17 other states and the District of Columbia have chosen to adopt at least part of California’s vehicle standards. The demand in these states for clean transportation collectively represents 40 percent of the nation’s new light-duty vehicle market and 25 percent of the nation’s new heavy-duty vehicle market, which are three to four times that of California alone. In addition, three of these states have established complementary regulations similar to California’s LCFS to further advance the clean vehicle market.

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Related: EPA Proposal Seeks to Eliminate GHG Regulations for Vehicles, Engines
Related: Update: Congress Shifts Tide in Regulatory Demands for Clean Energy
Related: CARB Uses $33M in Funding to Target Other Zero-Emissions School Travel

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LOS ANGELES, Calif., – HopSkipDrive, a technology company that solves complex school transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, access and care, welcomes the 2025-2026 school year with industry-leading technology for schools, riders and caregivers.

HopSkipDrive is proud to solve school districts’ biggest transportation needs through individualized, specialized rides to school to supplement traditional yellow buses. The company provides access to safe and reliable drivers in small vehicles, called CareDrivers, as well as a substantial supply of wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) and vetted Rider Assistants. To provide even more personalized, dedicated support ahead of this back-to-school season, HopSkipDrive has also expanded its support teams.

“HopSkipDrive is here to help with school districts’ long to-do list to help students safely get to school on-time and ready to learn,” said Joanna McFarland, HopSkipDrive CEO and Co-Founder. “School districts are adjusting to changing funding models, exploring how transportation can solve chronic absenteeism, understanding how a multimodal mix can increase access, and addressing the rising numbers of students who move frequently or who experience homelessness or displacement.”

Client testimonials, such as one from a Spokane school district lauding “wonderful customer service, and kind and caring drivers,” illustrate why transportation officials and administrative leaders from 10,000 schools across 17 states utilize HopSkipDrive as a part of their student transportation tools. No matter the hour or day of the week, and in as quickly as six hours, schools rely on HopSkipDrive’s signature approach to safety, reliability, and flexibility.

New Innovations Add to On-Time Arrivals Success To-Date

Since HopSkipDrive’s earliest days, the company has considered on-time arrivals key to providing a safe and reliable ride, strategically implementing new technology and processes.

Earlier this year, the company rolled out a new feature to rapidly identify nearby drivers who are able to substitute and fulfill a ride with just a few minutes’ notice if common transportation issues like a flat tire, sickness, or traffic occur. This innovation continues HopSkipDrive’s relentless work to-date to arrange timely rides, and has resulted in a 7% increase in on-time arrivals, with 95% of rides arriving within approximately 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time.

This and other advancements underscore the company’s commitment to offering the most flexible school transportation options to work towards ensuring students can reach their education goals.

Support for the Entire School Transportation Experience

HopSkipDrive has bolstered the teams and training behind its industry-leading safety measures and innovations for the upcoming school year, focusing on how best to support transportation officials, CareDrivers, caregivers and riders.

School transportation teams can now book a wide variety of transportation solutions using RideIQ, the HopSkipDrive ride management platform. Centralized transportation teams use it to rapidly and seamlessly book or modify rides through the CareDriver network, or to schedule local professionals with specialized vehicles like WAVs. At the school on-site level, staff can utilize Daily Queue’s customized views to see the day’s vehicles’ scheduled arrival times and corresponding details like color, model, license plate and more .

In addition to these features, HopSkipDrive has continued its investment in dedicated support efforts for all users of the platform, with new offerings for riders and caregivers:

● For parents and caregivers: A new dedicated team will support parents in both English and Spanish, who are new to the HopSkipDrive platform, answering questions and providing guidance on what to expect.

● For riders: HopSkipDrive has launched a dedicated rider support line, enabling riders to reach HopSkipDrive’s Safe Ride Support team during a ride if needed. In addition, for riders who need to be met by an adult at pickup or dropoff, the company has launched an enhanced process enabling school districts to designate specific protocols and identify adults to ensure pickup and dropoff are safe and smooth.

These efforts build on HopSkipDrive’s existing world-class support efforts that includes new, specialized trauma-informed training from NOVA (National Organization for Victim Assistance) to enhance the Trust & Safety and Safe Ride Support teams’ work serving students with diverse needs.

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a technology company that solves complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, access, and care. HopSkipDrive is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and industry-leading transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI.

HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 10,000 schools across 17 states, with over 600 school district partners. More than 5 million rides over 95 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

The post HopSkipDrive Welcomes New School Year with Industry-Leading Technology, Enhanced Support appeared first on School Transportation News.

Traffic in California isn’t often pleasant, but it was even worse than normal on Saturday night. Drivers on the southbound side of the 5 freeway saw something rare: a semi truck fully engulfed in flames that spread to new Teslas on the attached trailer. It took crews several hours to get the conflagration under control.

Road users reported the fire at around 5:35 p.m. local time. Based on the video of the scene, it appears as though the fire began on the truck itself and spread. In some footage, it’s clearly growing in and around the cab. Later on, it spreads up to the Tesla Model Y directly above the cab. From there, it seems that it worked its way back, damaging all but two cars on the trailer.

More: Xiaomi Says It’s ‘Totally Normal’ For Its New SUV’s Brakes To Catch On Fire

According to SignalCV, authorities confirmed that the driver escaped without injury. California Highway Patrol officers issued a SigAlert for two hours just before 6 p.m., but that ended up lasting far longer. At 10 p.m., it was still telling locals to expect a two-hour backup in the area. Some vehicles had to sit for so long that they ran out of fuel on the highway.

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No doubt, the lithium-ion batteries onboard made putting the fire out harder than usual. Notably, it’s unclear at this point what started the fire to begin with. One person who claims to have seen the fire early on said that it began near the back tires of the truck. Reviewing topography from the area also shows a steep decline of several hundred feet on I-5 just before the location of the parked semi.

While we can’t be definitive, the combination of that statement and the steep decline suggests that overheated brakes could’ve played a role in the initial fire. At this point, we’ll have to wait for authorities to release additional information. We’re just happy that everyone escaped without injury.

https://t.co/XV0uOVqzzd pic.twitter.com/GkWjrykVo3

— Robert Garcia (@firechiefanf) August 17, 2025

Credit: FireChiefANF

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Netradyne, a global leader in AI-driven road and fleet safety solutions, today announced the appointment of Smita Sanadhya as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Tom Schmitt as Chief Operating Officer (COO). These two key leadership appointments come at a pivotal time of growth for Netradyne, as the company leads the industry in advancing fleet safety by fostering accountability and engaging drivers through positive reinforcement.

As Chief Financial Officer, Smita Sanadhya will lead Netradyne’s global financial strategy. Sanadhya brings 25 years of multinational finance leadership experience, having most recently served as CFO at Abnormal AI and SVP of Financial Planning and Analysis at Okta, where she played a key role in scaling the company to over $2B in revenue. Smita also spent over 11 years at Microsoft across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and contributed to the company’s transformation from on-prem to a cloud-forward, subscription-based business. Her career spans additional finance and leadership roles at HP, Gap Inc., Twentieth Century Fox, and GE Capital.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Netradyne at such an exciting time in the company’s journey,” said Sanadhya. “Netradyne has an impressive track record of innovation and customer success, and it’s now poised to scale to its next stage of growth and maturity. I’m excited to contribute my experience to this next chapter and to work alongside a dynamic, talented team that is deeply committed to building a strong safety culture and empowering drivers through positive feedback.”

In a coordinated move, Tom Schmitt will transition into the newly created role of COO, having served as Netradyne’s CFO since 2021. Schmitt’s leadership played a central role in defining Netradyne’s financial and operational foundation, and as COO he will now focus on driving operational efficiency throughout the organization to support Netradyne’s rapid growth and global expansion. Prior to joining Netradyne, Schmitt served as CFO, COO, and other senior finance roles at various technology companies, including Postclick and Salesforce.

“It’s been a privilege to help shape Netradyne’s financial strategy over the past few years. As we enter this pivotal chapter, I’m excited to work more broadly across the organization to scale our operations, strengthen cross-functional execution, and accelerate the delivery of customer value,” said Schmitt. “Netradyne is redefining what’s possible in fleet safety and AI, and I look forward to contributing to the company’s mission in new and meaningful ways.”

These leadership changes mark a pivotal moment in Netradyne’s journey, as the company continues to expand its cutting-edge technology to enhance safety and efficiency for commercial fleets worldwide.

“As we position Netradyne for our next phase of growth, Smita’s global experience, paired with Tom’s proven operational leadership, are the right combination to guide us forward,” said Avneesh Agrawal, CEO and co-founder of Netradyne. “Together, they’ll help us scale with focus and lead the industry into the future.”

About Netradyne:
Netradyne provides AI-powered technologies for safer roads. An award-winning industry leader in fleet safety and video telematics solutions, Netradyne empowers thousands of commercial fleet customers across North America, Europe, and Asia to enhance their driver performance, reduce risk, and optimize operations. Netradyne sets the standard among transportation technology companies for enhancing and sustaining road safety, with an industry-leading 20+ billion miles vision-analyzed for risk and an industry-first driver scoring system that reinforces safe behaviors. Founded in 2015, Netradyne is headquartered in San Diego with offices in San Francisco and Bangalore.

The post Netradyne Strengthens Leadership Team with New CFO and COO Appointment appeared first on School Transportation News.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -Phoenix Motor Inc. (OTC PINK:PEVM), a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses and electrification solutions provider for medium-duty vehicles, today announced the appointment of John Walsh as President of Phoenix Motor and Chief Executive Officer of PhoenixEV, the Company’s U.S.-based commercial EV brand focused on light, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles built in America for the American market. Denton Peng remains Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Motor, continuing to lead the Company’s overall strategic direction, innovation roadmap, and global operations.

“We’re excited to welcome John to our team,” said Denton Peng, CEO of Phoenix Motor. “He brings a deep understanding of the transit and EV markets, along with a demonstrated ability to scale high-growth transportation companies. With more than three decades of experience and a record of operational excellence, we’re confident John will help PhoenixEV accelerate its mission to deliver clean, quiet, and intelligent mobility solutions across the U.S.”

Walsh is a seasoned executive with over 35 years of leadership in the transit and electric mobility industries, most recently serving as President of EO Charging Americas, where he led commercial fleet electrification efforts across North America. He previously held key leadership positions at Proterra as Chief Commercial Officer, where he drove record electric transit bus sales and led the Transit, Powered, and Energy business units. Walsh also served as President and COO of Davey Coach, President of REV Bus Group, overseeing nine business units including ENC and Collins School Bus, and CEO of MV-1/VPG, a specialty OEM serving the paratransit market.

“I’m honored to join Phoenix Motor at such an important inflection point,” said Walsh. “PhoenixEV has a remarkable legacy in electric transportation, and with our coast-to-coast operations, industry-leading EV platforms, and deep customer relationships, we are poised for strong growth. I look forward to working with our team to strengthen execution, build backlog, and deliver outstanding zero-emission products for our partners and communities.”

Walsh will be responsible for driving PhoenixEV’s business strategy and execution across its expanding U.S. footprint, with a focus on growing market share in the zero-emission transit and commercial fleet sectors, scaling production capabilities, and accelerating customer adoption of Phoenix’s electric mobility solutions.

About Phoenix Motor Inc.
Phoenix Motor Inc. is redefining commercial transportation with smart, zero-emission electric vehicles. Through our two brands – PhoenixEV (America manufacturing for America market) and EdisonFuture (International resources for international market) – we deliver a full range of heavy-, medium-, and light-duty EVs, from transit and shuttle buses to delivery vans and trucks.

With cutting-edge electric drive systems and seamless integration of autonomous driving technologies, Phoenix is driving the future of sustainable transit, logistics, and community mobility in the U.S. and beyond. Learn more at phoenixev.ai.

The post Phoenix Motor Appoints Industry Veteran John Walsh to Lead US Operations PhoenixEV; Walsh named President of Phoenix Motor and CEO of PhoenixEV appeared first on School Transportation News.

CAMPBELL, Calif., – ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of EV charging solutions, today announced Safeguard Care, a new service offering that provides end-to-end reliability monitoring of ChargePoint charging stations. The program, available now in six launch markets, utilizes a network of trained service providers to routinely inspect chargers, identifying and repairing many common issues while onsite.

“ChargePoint continues to develop innovative solutions that ensure EV charger reliability, from anti-vandalism measures to monitoring our hardware from our network operations center. Safeguard Care further demonstrates our commitment to delivering a reliable charging experience,” said JD Singh, Chief Customer Experience Officer of ChargePoint. “As the original manufacturer of the chargers, we are able to ensure the highest standards of service and support. With Safeguard Care, we are giving station owners and EV drivers peace of mind knowing that chargers will be in pristine working order.”

Safeguard Care, combined with ChargePoint AssureÒ, is an ideal solution for charging providers with high traffic and distributed charging stations, such as municipalities, parking garages and workplaces. It is particularly beneficial for station owners who do not have their own dedicated staff to inspect and maintain their stations on a regular basis. Each Safeguard Care visit includes a visual inspection of the charging station and the physical area around the chargers, cleaning, minor repairs or adjustments if necessary, and a test charge to validate functionality after the completion of repairs. Any issues the Safeguard Care inspector cannot address on site will be escalated directly to ChargePoint support for follow up.

For more information about Safeguard Care, please visit: https://www.chargepoint.com/businesses/services.

About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc
ChargePoint has established itself as the leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging innovation since its inception in 2007, long before EVs became widely available. The company provides comprehensive solutions tailored to the entire EV ecosystem, from the grid to the dashboard of the vehicle. The company serves EV drivers, charging station owners, vehicle manufacturers, and similar types of stakeholders. With a commitment to accessibility and reliability, ChargePoint’s extensive portfolio of software, hardware, and services ensures a seamless charging experience for drivers across North America and Europe. ChargePoint empowers every driver in need of charging access, connecting them to over 1.25 million charging ports worldwide. ChargePoint has facilitated the powering of more than 16 billion electric miles, underscoring its dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and electrifying the future of transportation. For further information, please visit the ChargePoint pressroom or the ChargePoint Investor Relations site. For media inquiries, contact the ChargePoint press office.

The post ChargePoint Launches Safeguard Care to Proactively Ensure EV Charger Reliability appeared first on School Transportation News.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Netradyne, an award-winning SaaS company setting the standard for safer fleets with the industry’s first AI-powered positive driver recognition system, today announced a significant driver safety achievement: over 100 million DriverStar events have been awarded to professional drivers around the globe. This milestone reflects the strong adoption of Netradyne customers for the Driver•i, safety platform, with Netradyne leading the growing industry shift toward positive recognition as a powerful catalyst for reducing accidents and improving driver safety, engagement, and retention.

Unlike traditional safety models that emphasize violations or risky events, DriverStar focuses on recognizing and reinforcing proactive, safe driving habits as they happen. Built into Netradyne’s Driver•i safety platform, the program utilizes real-time analysis and edge computing to capture positive behaviors and reward drivers for consistent, responsible performance, helping fleets establish a culture rooted in accountability, motivation, and continuous improvement.

What is a DriverStar? Recognizing Safer Driving in Real Time
Drivers are awarded DriverStars for demonstrating strong safety habits while driving. Two of the most common examples include:
Creating Space: When a driver increases their following distance or changes position on the road to avoid potential hazards.
Streaks: Recognizing drivers for completing consecutive days or miles of safe, incident-free driving (examples: distracted, speeding, following distance, and traffic signal compliance)

These recognitions aren’t just a pat on the back. Netradyne’s analysis of customer data reveals that fleets with higher DriverStar activity exhibit fewer risky behaviors and lower overall accident rates.

Recognition that Makes a Difference
Awarding DriverStars is based on a simple yet effective idea: rewarding good behavior motivates drivers to maintain consistency. Instead of focusing only on what went wrong, the program highlights what’s going right. Fleets that use DriverStar often report: Higher driver engagement and morale. Better retention of their safest drivers. A cultural shift toward proactive safety and personal accountability.

“Recognition of safe driving is a reflection of where culture is shifting,” said Avneesh Agrawal, CEO of Netradyne. “It shows us that safety isn’t just managed from the top down—the drivers themselves own it. And that changes everything.”

Patented Innovation Driving Industry Change
Netradyne’s commitment to recognizing positive driving is grounded in nearly 10 years of acknowledging positive drivers and a robust foundation of intellectual property and patented technology that identifies, analyzes, and rewards positive driving events. This innovation reinforces the company’s belief that building safer fleets starts by recognizing what’s going right, not just what’s going wrong.

Changing Industry Perceptions with Innovations Rooted in Positive Recognition
DriverStars are part of Netradyne’s growing portfolio of patented safety innovations, which are redefining how fleets view safety leadership. By focusing on performance-based coaching and morale-building, Netradyne helps fleets challenge outdated narratives and spotlight the drivers who are actively shaping a culture of safety on the road.

Customer Quotes:

Boyle Transportation, Michael Lasko, VP of Safety and Quality, Trucking & Logistics
“I believe wholeheartedly in Netradyne’s DriverStar Streaks, especially the 25 consecutive stops, 50 consecutive stops, and 75 consecutive stop sign stops. There is a clear connection between low scores and accident frequency; the GreenZone Score is an excellent indicator of risk,” said Michael Lasko, VP of Safety and Quality at Boyle Transportation & Skelton Truck Lines. “Netradyne does an outstanding job of identifying risky behaviors that we previously weren’t identifying with other providers. So, things like positive recognition, from DriverStars that Netradyne has. Our prior experience there was not positive. It was all negative.”

Kutzler Express, Inc. Erin Mitchell, COO
“We’ve got some drivers who installed the app on their phones so that they can understand better how the system works. They think it’s an exciting technology, and it is fun for them to earn DriverStars and be in the Green Zone. They’ve really embraced the safety and gaming aspect of the system,” said Erin Mitchell, COO at Kutzler Express, Inc. “I think that’s a positive interaction around safety, and the culture of safety is what’s exciting. The drivers love the competition, and they love knowing how they’re performing.”

Halvor Lines:
Kendra Payette, Halvor Lines, Senior Safety & Training Manager
“At Halvor Lines, we’ve always believed that safety should be a source of pride, not punishment. With Netradyne’s DriverStar program, our drivers aren’t just monitored—they’re recognized for their skill and decision-making,” said Kendra Payette, Senior Safety & Training Manager at Halvor Lines. “This approach has transformed how our team engages with safety, leading to measurable improvements in performance. Recognizing positive behaviors builds momentum, boosts driver confidence, and fosters a strong culture of accountability. It’s more than technology – it’s a tool that empowers our people.”

Mike Purdun, Halvor Lines, Driver:
“Getting DriverStars feels like someone’s finally noticing the things we do right. Creating space, slowing down, making good calls—it matters, and now it counts for something,” said Mike Purdun Commercial Fleet Driver at Halvor Lines. “It’s a good feeling to be recognized, not just called out when something goes wrong. It motivates me to keep doing things right every mile I drive.”

About Netradyne:
In 2015, Avneesh Agrawal, CEO, and David Julian, CTO, co-founded Netradyne, an award-winning industry leader in AI-powered fleet safety and video telematics solutions. Headquartered in San Diego, with offices in San Francisco and Bangalore, India. Thousands of commercial fleet customers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and India trust Netradyne’s over 850 employees worldwide. Netradyne’s flagship product, Driver i, delivers cutting-edge HD video safety and management technology powered by advanced AI that analyzes every minute of drive time with up to 99% accuracy, recognizing risky and safe driving behaviors. With over 20 billion vision-analyzed driving miles, Netradyne sets the industry standard for fleet safety, empowering commercial fleets of all sizes to enhance driver performance, reduce risk, and optimize operations. Netradyne is dedicated to improving road safety and efficiency through innovative technology, revolutionizing the transportation industry. For more information about how DriverStar is reshaping fleet safety through positive reinforcement, visit www.netradyne.com.

The post Positive Reinforcement Takes the Wheel: Netradyne Customers Awarded Over 100 Million DriverStars appeared first on School Transportation News.

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The post You’ll Be Unable To Guess Pornstar Kayleigh’s Secrets appeared first on Alternative Energy HQ.

Updated Western Solar Plan to guide responsible development in 11 Western states WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior today announced an updated Western Solar Plan to help guide efficient and environmentally responsible solar energy permitting on public lands across the West. ?The plan will guide the siting of solar energy proposals in areas with fewer resource conflicts,  advance the nation’s growing clean energy economy, help lower energy costs …

The post Interior Department Finalizes Framework for Future of Solar Development on Public Lands appeared first on Alternative Energy HQ.

Farm Foundation’s Meet Your Farmer podcast featured A.G. Kawamura in season 1, episode 4.

A.G. is a third-generation farmer in Southern California and operates Orange County Produce with his brother. He served as California Secretary of Agriculture from 2003 to 2010. He is founding chair of Solutions for Urban Agriculture, which grows produce for area food banks. He is involved in many other organizations, including as founding co-chair of Solutions from the Land, and with Farm Foundation as a Roundtable Fellow since 2011, and currently serving on the Farm Foundation Board of Directors. He also serves on the board of Western Growers.

In this episode, A.G. discusses what it means to be a landless farmer, his work to solve food insecurity, and some of the dynamics of the fresh produce industry that are not widely known.

Listen to the episode.

Music: “Country Roads” by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay

Reach us at communication@farmfoundation.org.

The post Farm Foundation’s Meet Your Farmer Podcast with A.G. Kawamura appeared first on Farm Foundation.

By Joel Jaeger, Katrina McLaughlin, Lori Bird and Karl Hausker   Building a clean, reliable, cost-effective power grid will require many different types of energy. The bulk will come from solar and wind; but since these aren’t available 24/7, 365 days a year, they must be paired with a smaller amount of clean, “firm” power that’s always available when needed. …

The post Next-Generation Geothermal Can Help Unlock 100% Clean Power appeared first on Alternative Energy HQ.

This article is a paid promotion and the Energy News Network is not responsible for its contents.

Reliable hot water is critical for restaurants for preparing food and washing dishes and equipment, as well as hand washing.

However, water heating is one of the biggest energy users in restaurants. Heating water for restaurant use accounts for 16% of all commercial gas usage in California. Food service buildings are among the highest intensive energy users on a per-square-foot basis, largely because of their hot water usage. Foodservice operations may soon feel the pressure to electrify. The California Air Resources Board is analyzing proposed zero-emission GHG standards for new space and water heaters. It is currently planned for consideration in 2025 with any implementation beginning in 2030, and would only be applicable to the purchase of new equipment

Doing so will be difficult, particularly for existing restaurants. Many food service operations, especially small and independent businesses, do not have the space for the size of a storage tank that would be required for a heat pump water heater. Restaurants in California, as with most states, are legally required to have sufficient hot water to meet all these demands under peak conditions.

In response to these challenges, an emerging technology, the heat pump-assisted water heater, is gaining traction. It is designed to meet this existing gap between what the market needs and the cost and challenges of installing available heat pump water heaters. It is geared to meet the needs of existing food service businesses that want to be able to transition to a heat pump while still retaining the benefits of their current water heating system.

With funding from CalNEXT — California’s statewide emerging technology initiative — the TRC Advanced Energy team recently published a report, “Market Potential for Heat Pump Assisted Hot Water Systems in Foodservice Facilities.” This report, which TRC Advanced Energy developed with research support from Frontier Energy and Energy Solutions, assesses the benefits and challenges of adopting heat pump-assisted water heater technology for a range of food service establishments.

“Heat pump-assisted water heaters are a solution that we have available today,” said Amin Delagah, Associate Director of Research and Consulting for TRC Advanced Energy, an environmental services provider. “Heat pump water heater adoption rates in restaurants are still very low due to a lack of familiarity, space and electrical capacity requirements and primarily, the health department water heater sizing regulatory barrier, but the heat pump assist concept is a solution that we can move forward today to overcome these barriers.”

The heat pump-assisted water heater, as its name suggests, is designed to operate in series with an existing water heater, which makes it attractive for restaurants that do not want to overhaul their current system completely. During down times for the business, the existing heater would maintain the recirculation temperature of already heated water in its system. During off hours, the heat pump-assisted water heater would produce sufficient hot water to restock the system. Because the existing heater is already large enough to meet food service needs during business hours, the heat pump-assisted water heater system can be built to fit the available space, even if it is undersized.

The benefits of using a heat pump-assisted water heater are similar to those of a heat pump: improved energy efficiency and possibly lower long-term energy costs, although cost issues largely depend on the type of system being replaced. Natural gas fuel, which is used by 90 percent of food service operations for water heating, is currently cheaper than electricity in most of California.

Heat pump systems also provide cooling as a byproduct, which could be useful to counteract kitchen heat.

Heat pump-assisted water heaters are designed to address the big disadvantage of heat pump water heaters for restaurants — the longer time needed to heat the water from cold. One workaround is a much larger tank, but floor space is typically at a premium in restaurants, making this workaround unappealing for many food service operations. For a heat pump water heater to meet health department requirements, it would need a much bigger tank than its gas-fired counterpart (because the gas-fired water heater can heat water faster).

Heat pump-assisted water heaters may also be cheaper to install than a conventional, retrofitted heat pump water heater system, and the heat pump-assisted water heater does not need to meet these sizing regulations because the legacy water heater still functions as a backup system. At this point, the technology is still emerging and has not been installed commercially, but the authors estimate that initial costs for the heat pump water heater that acts as the assist, including installation, could range between $6,000 to $20,000. This amount, while significant, is still much cheaper than what it could cost a full-service restaurant to install a heat pump water heater capable of meeting water demands, which could well exceed $100,000.  

“The costs for heat pump assisted heat pumps are largely driven by the electrical work and the space required, and there may be incentives available to offset these,” Delagah said.

Another benefit is that because the heat pump-assisted water heater is a backup system, it does not require health department approval, making the process simpler.  

Both heat pump water heaters and heat pump-assisted water heaters also have the additional operational benefit of being able to benefit from time-of-use rates and the additional cooling they could provide for kitchens.

“This year in October, it was 95 degrees in the Bay Area,” Delagah said. “There are new California OSHA rules on the books for indoor temperatures — if your facilities are over an 82°F temperature indoors, you have to provide cooling centers for employees. That’s becoming an emerging concern for restaurants to meet a new heat illness standard.”

On the downside, the higher upfront costs will likely still be a significant barrier to the adoption of heat pump-assisted water heaters, even if they are relatively less expensive than heat pump water heaters.

One big hurdle is that health departments, by and large, are not familiar with the technology — and may be more resistant to its approval. The relatively high price of electricity in California, compared with gas, may be another barrier. 

Yet regulations and the need to decarbonize are moving closer, with California’s 2030 deadlines for reducing its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, in comparison with 1990 levels. Restaurants are well positioned to be the public face of doing their part.

“This is great equipment for restaurants that are thinking about positioning themselves for where things are going in terms of air quality regulations,” Delagah said. “If you’re a chain restaurant, you should probably be trying this out, kicking the tires a bit, and preparing for what your solution is going to be when there is a mandate.”

To learn more about this project, read the report on the CalNEXT website, calnext.com  

About CalNEXT: CalNEXT is a statewide initiative to identify, test, and grow electric technologies and delivery methods to support California’s decarbonized future. CalNEXT is funded by the ratepayers of California investor-owned utilities and provides a means for studying emerging technologies and energy-efficiency innovations that have the potential to save energy via utility programs and/or market support.

Article written by Emily Pickrell, Energy Solutions

Commentary: Heat pump-assisted water heater technology could make big lift is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

A new study on behalf of Milliken has identified the top U.S. states for sustainable energy production. The rapid rise of the sustainable energy sector worldwide has been one of the most important technological and economic stories of recent years. Continued urgency to mitigate the impact of climate change has spurred governments and companies to speed the transition …

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