EVs

Carpool Lane Sticker

Second Attempt at Renewal for California's Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program

New legislation would continue the Clean Air Vehicle program after Jan. 1, 2019 to allow zero and near-zero emission vehicles to continue to qualify for carpool lane stickers in the Golden State.

July 10, 2017 - Santa Monica Daily Press

Volvo Makes History in Embrace of Electric Vehicle Technology

In a major announcement that could shake-up the auto industry, Volvo Cars declared it will initiate a gradual divorce from autos solely powered by internal combustion in two years. The Chinese-owned company wants to reduce its environmental impact.

July 6, 2017 - The New York Times

Charging Anxiety, Not Price Anxiety, the Biggest Impediment to Electric Vehicle Adoption

California legislators hoping to entice motorists to purchase electric vehicles with more generous rebates or other perks are missing the real obstacle for many consumers, according to a new study on electric vehicle charging.

July 6, 2017 - KPCC

Electric Cars

Electric Vehicle Fees: Where's the Controversy?

Some may find it silly to get worked up over an annual fee of about $100 to pay for road maintenance when electric vehicle purchasers receive a $7,500 federal tax credit, on top of generous state perks, but electric vehicle supporters object to them.

March 9, 2017 - Vox

Electric Car

Uncertain Future for Electric Vehicles if Fuel Efficiency Standards Relaxed

The U.S. EPA has signaled that it will withdraw an earlier decision to maintain the 54.5 miles per gallon target. Should that happen, a major casualty will be electric vehicles, according to one prominent EV advocate interviewed on NPR.

March 8, 2017 - NPR

Gas Pump

U.S. Gasoline Consumption Might Decline Despite Love Affair with SUVs

Gasoline consumption in the U.S. peaked in 2007, but began climbing in late 2014 with the decline in gas prices. Last year almost set a new record, but increases in gas prices, fuel efficiency and more EVs could reverse the direction—but when?

January 24, 2017 - Oil Price

Empty Carpool Lane

2016: Year of the Sports Utility Vehicle

Last year set two notable vehicle records. First, the most cars ever sold, at 17.54 million. Second, light trucks accounted for almost 61 percent of all sales. Sales of more fuel efficient car fell, though electric vehicle sales increased.

January 10, 2017 - The Drive

Chevy Bolt

How Detroit Beat the Silicon Valley to the Breakthrough Electric Vehicle

It costs less than $40,000 and gets over 200 miles to a charge. The Tesla Model 3? Yes, and also the Chevy Bolt, which goes to market first. A New York Times technology columnist writes that 'size matters' when it comes to innovation.

September 26, 2016 - The New York Times - Technology

Tesla

How Tesla Is Killing California's Electric Car Market

Sometimes market-based systems don't work as intended. This appears to be the case with the California Air Resources Board's program of awarding credits to zero emission and near zero emission vehicles. Tesla's success is bad for the market.

August 21, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Electric Cars

Legislation Will Increase Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate in California

With comprehensive legislation to enable California to continue its powerful agenda of tackling climate change in peril, a Southern California assemblywoman will introduce legislation to tackle the specific issue of sales of electric vehicles.

August 16, 2016 - Digital Trends

Bus Stop Winter

Will New Transportation Technologies Affect Lower Income Households?

Kevin Cashman, a Truthout researcher, asks in this op-ed if lower income people will not only be left out from the transportation technology revolution, e.g., EVs, AVs, car-hailing, but will they be hurt by it?

August 8, 2016 - Truthout

Vanpooling the Green Way

Vanpooling in a gasoline powered vehicle is heavily polluting, according to Green Commuter, a new car share and vanpooling service that rents all-electric vehicles, such as the Tesla Model X.

August 1, 2016 - Auto Rental News

Car Share

Good News on Car Sharing

Car sharing networks that allow the vehicle to be returned to any location were found to have the impact of removing seven cars for each rented car in San Diego in a three-year study released July 19.

July 27, 2016 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Gas Pump

EPA Report: Auto Manufacturers Will Meet 2025 Fuel Economy Standards

A new EPA report indicates that auto manufacturers will meet fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards relying largely on gasoline powered vehicles. Or will they? While likely to fall short of 54.5 mpg, they will come close enough.

July 25, 2016 - U.S. D.O.T. Press Release

Electric Car

Hybrid and Electric Cars Take a Downturn in the Used Car Market

It's not just Americans favor SUVs and light truck over compact cars, but that a majority of EV and hybrid owners who have traded in their cars are opting for all-gas vehicles, and that spells trouble for meeting President Obama's climate goals.

June 27, 2016 - The New York Times - Science

Bakersfield and Fresno Sign

California Road Charge Pilot Launches July 1; Gas Tax Increase Still Needed

Two notable transportation developments occur in California on July 1. First, a pilot road charge program begins—5,000 motorists will be charged by the mile driven. Second, the gas tax drops by 2.2 cents. An analysis by ITEP looks at both.

June 24, 2016 - Tax Justice Blog

Electric Cars

Gas and Diesel Cars Could Be Banned in Norway by 2025

Norway's four major political parties appear to agree to a ban on gasoline and diesel-powered passenger vehicles by 2025. And they are not alone. Efforts are also underway in The Netherlands and India, according to the news site Electrek.

June 13, 2016 - Electrek

The Greening of Large Trucks Begins at California's Ports

A Planetizen blog post by Casey Brazeal asks, "When will the trucking industry electrify?" Three truck manufacturers and electric truck builder BYD Motors are now in competition thanks to a $23.6 million state grant to the South Coast Air District.

May 9, 2016 - Fleet Owner

Are State Rebates Necessary for Electric Vehicle Sales?

Campaigners for the Sierra Club's electric vehicle initiative make the case that New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo needs to offer a state rebate of $2,000 to $4,000 to make EVs more attractive to car buyers now that he's phasing out coal power.

February 17, 2016 - Sierra Club Compass

Mobile Apps Provide the Ultimate Guide to Los Angeles

Get this guide for 21 apps and services for enjoying the city of Los Angeles to its fullest, whether you're a resident or a visitor.

February 17, 2016 - Netted

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.