Tesla's New Charging Hub Coming to NYC & Regent’s Seaglider Prototype Cleared for Testing

1. Tesla Invests in NYC Charging Infrastructure:

New $18M Acquisition:

Tesla has purchased a 40,000-square-foot parking lot in Queens, New York, for $18 million. This strategic move will potentially bring 55 new Superchargers in one site as Tesla vehicles grow in NYC especially for ridesharing.

Expansion Amidst Congestion:

The new Supercharger location aims to reduce traffic at existing sites, helping ease the congestion caused by the city's push for EVs.

More here

2. Regent Seaglider Cleared for Testing:

USCG Approval Achieved:

Regent Craft’s Viceroy seaglider has received the U.S. Coast Guard's approval for navigational safety risk assessment, allowing for full-scale testing in Rhode Island. This is a pivotal step towards demonstrating the craft’s capabilities with human passengers. Regent expects testing to begin by the end of the year.

Innovative Transportation Technology:

The Viceroy combines the speed of an aircraft with maritime functionality, flying just above the water and reaching speeds of up to 180 mph. This breakthrough could significantly impact how we approach short-distance travel over water. I recall speaking with Regent's leadership a couple years ago, and I'm excited to see this development.

More here

Major Milestones in Green Transportation: Maersk and NYC Government Lead the Way

Exciting developments in the green transportation sector highlight a significant push towards accelerating sustainability. Here's a recap of two major pieces of news that dropped this past week:

1. Maersk’s Green Shipping Leap and Headwinds:

The Alette Maersk, the first container vessel powered by green methanol, made history by crossing the Pacific Ocean (China to Los Angeles). However, the shipping industry faces some serious headwinds as the vessel faced a lack of available green fuel upon arrival in the U.S.

During the day-long ship naming event on Tuesday, Maersk called for increased government support and regulatory frameworks to make green fuels more affordable and widespread. This push aligns with the company's goal to transition to net-zero emissions by 2040 and support broader adoption of clean shipping technologies.

The company currently operates five ships on green methanol and plans to add 20 more. Since the ships are dual-fueled, they can continue operations even if a port does not have green fuel available, as traditional fossil-based fuels can be used for refueling.

Learn more here


2. NYC’s $15 Million EV Charging Expansion:

New York City has secured a $15 million federal grant to launch the nation’s largest curbside EV charging program. This initiative will install 600 new Level 2 chargers, with over half in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and build 32 solar-powered ports in city parks.

The expansion supports the city’s “Green Rides” initiative, aiming for 100% electric or wheelchair-accessible for-hire vehicles by 2030, and is expected to cut 8,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Both projects underscore the urgent need for innovative solutions and supportive policies to accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation.

Learn more here.

The Federal Aviation Administration announces $291 million funding round across 36 aviation projects

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced a groundbreaking $291 million funding round across 36 projects from its Fueling Aviation's Sustainable Transition (FAST) grant program to boost sustainable aviation. Here's a quick breakdown of the funding:

🔹 $244.5M for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) across 36 projects supporting SAF development and ecosystems

1. 7 Tier 1 projects for SAF studies to identify infrastructure needs;
2. 15 Tier 2 projects to build infrastructure for SAF production, transportation, blending, and storage;
3. 13 low-emission technology category 1 projects to develop low-emission aviation technologies; and
4. 1 low-emission technology category 2 project.

So what's the impact:

1. Accelerated SAF Adoption: The $244.5 million dedicated to SAF projects will significantly advance the production and infrastructure necessary for sustainable aviation fuels, leading to a faster transition from traditional jet fuels to cleaner alternatives.

2. Technological Advancements: With $46.5 million allocated to low-emission aviation technologies, the industry will see breakthroughs in propulsion systems, aerodynamics, and electric aircraft, paving the way for more efficient and eco-friendly air travel solutions.

3. Infrastructure Development: The funding supports critical infrastructure improvements, including SAF production facilities and supply chain enhancements, which will bolster the availability and scalability of sustainable aviation fuels, driving broader industry adoption.

Sustainable aviation is more than possible, especially in our lifetime. We need shovels in the ground and investments turning into projects that scale.

More information here.

The Unexpected Twist in Electrifying Ridesharing Services - Nausea

As the electric vehicle (EV) industry continues to capture headlines regarding consumer sentiment and U.S. EV adoption, another emerging trend could be negatively impacting the industry.

Although I’m not on TikTok, I’ve noticed a developing trend, even firsthand, where riders experience nausea during Uber rides—primarily in Tesla vehicles—and some are even canceling any rides that show up as an EV. Of course, for all the complaints, there are hundreds of riders who either don't experience anything or enjoy their ride.

However, here’s a snippet: https://lnkd.in/e3Bckpjg

This issue stems from regenerative braking and a noticeable lack of driver education on managing it. Thus, ridesharing platforms need to improve driver education for those operating EVs for the first time.

The industry seems to be underestimating the impact of first-time experiences on non-early adopters of new technology. We’ve seen similar issues with EV charging uptime and reliability.

Initially, ridesharing was seen as a great way to introduce riders to EVs, but it may be backfiring if the industry doesn't get a handle on this issue. I’ve also personally encountered and heard about these issues:

1. I’ve been in several EVs where the driving caused me to feel nauseous.

2. Friends have shared that they refuse to use electric Ubers due to this issue.

3. Others have mentioned they dislike EVs after having a similar experience while renting or riding in them.

Interestingly enough, I've heard less complaints about motion sickness from Revel passengers. It might be because those drivers are more full-time employees of Revel and receive greater training on EVs early on.

So, what can be done to address this issue? Here are three solutions:

1. Ride-Comfort Adjustments: Implementing a feature within ridesharing apps that allows passengers to select a ‘comfort mode’ for EV rides could be beneficial. This mode could adjust driving patterns/settings on regenerative breaking to prioritize a smoother, more gradual ride for those sensitive to motion changes.

2. Enhanced Driver Training: Uber drivers operating Tesla and other EVs should receive specialized training on the unique characteristics of regenerative braking and how to manage them. This training should include techniques to ensure a smoother ride and minimize sudden stops that contribute to motion sickness.

3. Passenger Education: Providing passengers with brief educational materials or in-app notifications about what to expect during their EV ride could help. Understanding regenerative braking and how to mitigate its effects might reduce discomfort and improve their overall experience.