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Electric school buses in Oakland will help stabilize the grid

Electric school buses in Oakland will help stabilize the grid

Startup Zum has launched the U.S.'s largest all-electric school-bus fleet in Oakland, using these buses as grid-supporting batteries to improve both transportation and energy reliability.

Jeff St. John reports for Canary Media.

In short:

  • Zum deployed 74 electric school buses in Oakland, aiming to cut harmful emissions and reduce air pollution.
  • The buses use vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology to charge during off-peak hours and discharge power when the grid is stressed.
  • Federal and state incentives helped fund the project, but only 2% of U.S. school buses are electric.

Key quote:

"PG&E was able to step up to the challenge and deliver the energy to power these buses — and we were able to do it a year early."

— Patti Poppe, CEO of Pacific Gas & Electric

Why this matters:

Electric school buses reduce emissions and can support the grid when demand spikes, lowering reliance on fossil fuels. However, expanding this model faces hurdles due to high costs and limited infrastructure.

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Automakers reduce focus on electric vehicles amid slower adoption

Automakers reduce focus on electric vehicles amid slower adoption

Major automakers are slowing down their electrification plans, citing lower-than-expected consumer demand for EVs, even as sales continue to grow.

Tim Stevens reports for Canary Media.

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California's first hydrogen-powered train brings clean energy to rail travel
Credit: Astrid/Pixabay

California's first hydrogen-powered train brings clean energy to rail travel

The Zero-Emission Multiple Unit, a hydrogen-powered passenger train, will soon operate in Southern California, marking a significant step toward clean energy in U.S. rail travel.

Jules Feeney reports for The Guardian.

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A 1960s effort to ban gas-powered cars offers lessons for today
Credit: Pexels/Pixabay

A 1960s effort to ban gas-powered cars offers lessons for today

In the late 1960s, California Senator Nicholas Petris nearly succeeded in banning gas-powered cars, a battle echoing today’s climate debates.

Scott W. Stern reports for Grist.

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Extreme heat is damaging America's transportation infrastructure
Credit: Pixabay

Extreme heat is damaging America's transportation infrastructure

Record heat in summer 2024 is straining America’s infrastructure, causing issues like stuck bridges and buckling roads, and disrupting transportation systems.

Suyun Paul Ham writes for The Conversation.

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Outdated US rail system faces increasing delays from extreme weather
Credit: Pixabay

Outdated US rail system faces increasing delays from extreme weather

Amtrak’s aging infrastructure struggles to maintain operations as climate change causes more frequent extreme weather events, leading to record delays.

Minho Kim reports for The New York Times.

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Hawaii agrees to a zero-emission transportation deadline

Hawaii agrees to a zero-emission transportation deadline

Hawaii has reached a legal settlement with young climate activists, requiring the state to achieve zero emissions in its transportation sector by 2045.

Dharna Noor and Lois Beckett report for The Guardian.

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