Welcome back for another edition of Fluid Truck’s EV News Rewind!

Follow along as we journey through exciting developments in all things electric, including vehicle exchange programs in Colorado, sustainable transportation expansion at PepsiCo, ASU, and Hertz, and revolutions in EV charging that you won’t want to miss.

Tesla powering PepsiCo’s electric fleet

The North American Council for Freight Efficiency recently profiled PepsiCo’s Sacramento distribution facility as part of their Run on Less Electric-Depot fleet study. The facility, designed to help the food and beverage giant reach its goals of 75% and 100% reduction of carbon emissions by 2030 and 2040 respectively, includes 21 Tesla semis, a fleet of electric yard tractors and Ford eTransit service vans, and solar-powered EV chargers.

Backed by the powerful Tesla semis, the Sacramento facility has been able to cover various routes, ranging from city transportation and regional runs to long-haul routes of up to 450 miles. 

Their massive chargers have been able to keep the trucks moving, regenerating 95% of power in just 20 to 30 minutes.

Colorado launches vehicle exchange program

Are you based in Colorado and interested in switching from gas to electric transportation?

With the help of a vehicle exchange program launched at the end of August, you may be able to receive up to $6,000 in return for trading in your gas-powered vehicle.

The statewide program offers “point-of-sale rebates of $6,000 toward the purchase or lease of a new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle or $4,000 in discounts for a used one.” Designed to make EVs more accessible to lower income citizens, the incentives are limited to Colorado residents in certain income-qualified programs that vary from county to county.

Sustainable transport options increase at ASU

Upon the opening of campus doors in September, Arizona State University will incorporate five new EV charging stations in the Mill Avenue Parking Structure, each with the capacity to charge two vehicles at the same time. These additional ports raise the total number of charging stations on campus to 120. 

These efforts are part of the university’s active shift toward sustainable transportation. Additional changes include converting ASU’s gas-powered fleet to EVs with the installation of another 42 new EV chargers to power the new string of vehicles.

Juxta announces autonomous EV charging station stores

Juxta, a global tech startup looking to revolutionize the future of retail and convenience stores, has announced plans to create fully autonomous EV charging stations that double as convenience stores. Dubbed the Juxta Nomad, these shops will provide fueling, food, and drinks to drivers without the need for staff assistance.

Juxta explains that the stores will also be easy to install in urban areas, with each Juxta Nomad becoming fully operational within 12 hours of installation.

New approach to EV charging could lower installation time by 40%

With decarbonization initiatives on the rise, commercial fleets are desperately in need of cost-effective solutions to the often-expensive process of EV charger installation. At Fluid Truck, we know as well as anyone else that installing EV chargers takes time, money, effort, and utility resources.

In early August, intelligent power management company Eaton announced a new approach to charger installation unlike any the industry has seen thus far.

‍Eaton's Green Motion EV charging hardware will simplify the installation process by “eliminating costly cable runs and major modifications to existing parking and conveyor structures.” 

Backed by this new hardware, commercial fleets can incorporate charging equipment without the need for excessive concrete modifications to their existing facilities.

Ford unveils EV chargers for commercial fleets

Despite growing incentives for EV adoption, the lack of availability when it comes to EV charging infrastructure remains as a constant barrier, especially for commercial fleets.

Ford Pro has recently come up with their own solution to the problem in the form of a new line of commercial EV chargers. The lineup will include four new types of chargers: a 180kW DC fast charger, a 240kW DC fast charger, a 48 amp Series 2 AC Charging Station, and an 80 amp Series 2 AC Charging Station.

With these new chargers, businesses of all sizes can quickly and easily power their fleet vehicles without having to take the time to construct dedicated fast charging stations.

Hertz continues to expand EV fleet with new models

Having signed purchase agreements with a number of automakers, Hertz has been steadily expanding its supply of EVs for some time. In alignment with a commitment to purchase 175,000 EVs from GM between 2022 and 2027, Hertz has announced that it will soon be offering rental customers two new additions to its all electric rental fleet: the Cadillac Lyriq luxury SUV and the Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup.

Providing EVs as readily accessible rental options for residential and commercial customers may help with the general adoption of electric transportation. With companies like Hertz and Fluid Truck, both individuals and businesses can experience an electric vehicle without the overhead of purchasing it themselves. Want to try an electric van or pickup truck? Just download the Fluid Truck app and find one near you. 

In a collaboration video, Hertz CEO Stephen Scheer and GM CEO Mary Barra shared their excitement for the future of EVs, with Barra commenting, “There is so much more to come with EVs. I'm super excited about the opportunity for people to have their first EV experience with Hertz, especially in a GM vehicle. I see it as a launch point to really growing EV adoption.”

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