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]]>Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Stakes and Breaks
As CALSTART’s Federal Policy Director, Levi Kamolnick works at the center of national efforts to advance clean and efficient transportation. Recently, he supported congressional engagement around Surface Transportation Reauthorization, including the bipartisan Padilla-Davids letter urging continued investment in electrification.
In this Q&A, Levi shares insights from the front lines of the reauthorization process, how congressional support is taking shape, what priorities matter most for the industry, and what stakeholders should watch as negotiations move forward.
Note: At the time of writing, hopes of meeting the Sept. 30 deadline were fading. There may well be a push to move the deadline to next spring.
To start us off, can you give a quick overview of Surface Transportation Reauthorization and why this particular cycle is so important for the future of our transportation sector?
LK: Surface Transportation Reauthorization is the process Congress goes through roughly every 5 years to set national transportation priorities and fund core infrastructure programs. These bills support roads and bridges, mass transit, and other transportation investments across the country.
These are 5-year spending bills that are very expensive, so the stakes are high, and they are always passed on a bipartisan basis. The current package being negotiated is of great significance because the previous package, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, made historic investments in infrastructure supporting electric vehicles and alternative fuels. Congress now has a huge opportunity to build on that foundation and continue investing in a more resilient and competitive transportation system.
CALSTART has already played an important role in building congressional support for electrification funding in the next reauthorization bill, including support for the Padilla–Davids “Dear Colleague” letter. Can you take us behind the scenes of that effort and share how it has shaped conversations in Congress so far?
LK: Anyone working in this space knows the past year has been a challenging policy environment for the low- and no-emission vehicle industry. But the encouraging news is that there remains strong support for electrification priorities on Capitol Hill.
Senator Padilla and Congresswoman Davids were enthusiastic about demonstrating that support through a “Dear Colleague” letter focused on electrification priorities in the upcoming reauthorization. CALSTART helped support that effort by encouraging members of Congress to sign on.
Like many things on Capitol Hill, success often comes down to getting in front of the right offices and building momentum. I’m very encouraged that 90 members of Congress ultimately co-signed the letter, sending a strong signal that there is still meaningful support for continued investment in transportation electrification.
CALSTART has identified several major priorities, from strengthening the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) and National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula (NEVI) programs to lowering costs for fleets. Which priorities do you see as most transformative and why?
LK: Each program serves a different role in building out the charging ecosystem.
One of the biggest benefits of NEVI is the national interconnectivity it created by investing charging infrastructure in places the private sector might not otherwise prioritize. CFI, on the other hand, created opportunities to right-size charging capacity designed for higher-volume use cases.
As Congress considers the next round of funding, many of these programs may evolve in structure or scope. The key is focusing on the broader goals we are trying to achieve.
Right now, one of the biggest challenges is scaling charging capacity for heavier-duty vehicles. Expanding funding and policy support in that area could have a significant impact on accelerating fleet electrification.
The reauthorization process involves numerous committees, negotiations, and timelines in both the House and Senate. From your perspective, what are some of the lesser-known dynamics that shape the package, and where does CALSTART see the biggest opportunities to make an impact?
LK: One aspect of the process that often gets overlooked is the length of time for which Congress ultimately decides to fund the bill.
Congress is currently working toward a 5-year package, but that timeline is not guaranteed. In the past, Congress has opted for shorter timeframes, depending on the political environment. In 2012, for instance, lawmakers negotiated a 3-year bill because that’s what proved politically feasible at the time.
Short-term extensions are also sometimes used as stopgaps. Regardless of the final timeline, the key point is that negotiations are actively underway and the process is moving forward, which means there’s real opportunity to shape the outcome.
Looking ahead, what should stakeholders across states, fleets, and utilities, as well as the public, be watching for as Congress negotiates the next Surface Transportation Reauthorization?
LK: At the highest level, people should watch for signals such as committee hearings, bill markups, and major headlines that reflect the status of negotiations.
While public activity has been relatively limited so far, we know discussions are happening behind the scenes. For stakeholders with major priorities in this space, the time to begin engaging is now.
For those looking to follow the process more closely, it can also be useful to track what committee members are introducing. Sometimes, smaller “marker bills” sponsored by members ultimately become part of larger legislative packages.
As negotiations take shape, there will likely be key moments when stakeholder engagement can help influence the direction of the final package. Surface Transportation Reauthorization will shape the direction of U.S. transportation investment for years to come, and this is an important moment for stakeholders across the transportation ecosystem to stay engaged in the conversation.
This interview is the first in our Policy in Action series exploring how policy and industry collaboration are shaping the future of mobility.
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]]>The post Tesla Finally Has Its First Semi-Truck and It’s Already a Hit With Truckers | March 19, 2026 appeared first on CALSTART.
]]>Tesla Finally Has Its First Semi-Truck and It’s Already a Hit With Truckers
Surprisingly, Tesla is winning over a hard-to-please and influential group—truckers. Truckers who drove it in pilot tests say they loved features including a centered driving position, faster charging and longer range for about $100,000 less than other battery-electric trucks.
A prolonged freight downturn, rising labor costs and trade uncertainty caused by tariffs have prompted truckers to delay buying new vehicles. That made them less likely to invest in battery-electric trucks that cost three times more than diesel rigs, take hours to charge and can only travel about 200 miles.
That said, a California program that gives trucking companies grants to buy zero-emissions vehicles sold out quickly when it reopened last year, said Niki Okuk, director of trucks and off-road at Calstart, the nonprofit that administers the program. She credits interest in buying the new Tesla Semi.
Over the past six months, trucking companies in California secured grants totaling $195 million for 1,002 Semis, according to Calstart.
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]]>The post Response to Trump Administration Lawsuit Targeting California’s Clean Car Authority | March 18, 2026 appeared first on CALSTART.
]]>Response to Trump Administration Lawsuit Targeting California’s Clean Car Authority
CALSTART Media Contact: Sasha Tenenbaum, [email protected], 917-887-0146
PASADENA, CA — On Thursday, March 12, the Justice Department announced a new lawsuit on behalf of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that aims to block California’s ability to set stricter-than-federal emissions standards for cars. The lawsuit is part of the Trump administration’s “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” initiative and targets both existing and future clean car rules, including standards that have been in place since 2012.
The administration has framed the lawsuit as an effort to lower vehicle costs for consumers, arguing that stronger emissions standards increase prices.
In response, CALSTART CEO Michael Berube issued the following statement:
CALSTART CEO Michael Berube
“Affordability isn’t just about the sticker price; it’s about what families pay every month to keep their vehicle on the road. Fuel costs remain one of the largest expenses in a monthly household budget, and predictability provides needed stability.
“At the same time, American companies are continuing to invest in clean transportation technologies to stay competitive globally and lead in the next generation of innovation and efficiency. Policy headwinds may slow the transition, but they won’t stop it.
“CALSTART will continue to engage with industry and lawmakers in support of a stable, competitive, and affordable clean transportation system.”
About CALSTART
CALSTART brings the clean transportation industry together to accelerate innovation and grow the market. Bridging government and industry with support from our members and partners, we scale affordable clean transportation options that cut air pollution and curb climate change.
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]]>The post POLITICO Pro Q&A: CALSTART CEO Michael Berube | March 16, 2026 appeared first on CALSTART.
]]>POLITICO Pro Q&A: CALSTART CEO Michael Berube
The Trump administration’s assault on electric vehicles and fuel-efficiency standards has given rise to existential questions about the future of clean transportation in the United States. A former administration insider is among those leading the fight to keep green wheels moving forward.
CALSTART CEO Michael Berube joined the California-headquartered nonprofit, which works with businesses and governments to accelerate clean transportation, in November, after spending nine months as a senior Department of Energy official during President Donald Trump’s second term. His departure came after nearly a decade in Energy’s sustainable transportation wing, a tenure that spanned four administrations.
Also seen in POLITICO.
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]]>The post NJ Transit planned electric bus expansion. Then Trump stepped in | March 11, 2026 appeared first on CALSTART.
]]>NJ Transit planned electric bus expansion. Then Trump stepped in
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]]>The post Zeroing in on Zero-Emission Buses: March 2026 Edition | March 10, 2026 appeared first on CALSTART.
]]>Zeroing in on Zero-Emission Buses: March 2026 Edition
Updated annually, Zeroing in on Zero-Emission Buses (ZEBs) provides the number of funded, ordered, delivered, and/or deployed transit ZEBs within the United States. This definitive, data-driven report offers the only comprehensive nationwide ZEB dataset and delivers insights that inform market investment, accelerate technology deployment, and support strategic transit planning and decision-making.
The latest Zeroing in on ZEBs report shows that zero-emission transit buses are a steadily expanding nationwide market. As of July 2025, more than 8,100 full-size and nearly 1,400 small ZEBs have been funded, ordered, delivered, or deployed, representing sustained double-digit growth despite procurement delays, supply chain constraints, and policy uncertainty. Adoption is spreading across regions, vehicle technologies, and use cases, signaling that transit agencies are making pragmatic, repeatable decisions regarding technology, infrastructure, and fleet modernization.
Coverage also seen in Metro Magazine, Mass Transit, Smart Cities Dive, Bus Magasinet, Planetizen, EV Magazine, E+ E Leader, H2 View, and Sustainable Bus.
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]]>The post ZEB Growth Spreads Into Southeast and Midwest; Florida and Texas Now Rank Among Top ZEB States, Signaling Broader Market Growth | March 10, 2026 appeared first on CALSTART.
]]>ZEB Growth Spreads Into Southeast and Midwest; Florida and Texas Now Rank Among Top ZEB States, Signaling Broader Market Growth
The report shows that ZEBs are moving beyond coastal leaders, underscoring sustained investments in advanced vehicle technologies by transit agencies.
CALSTART Media Contact: Jennifer Smith, [email protected]
PASADENA, CA — Steady and sustained zero-emission bus (ZEB) adoption continues to grow nationwide despite ongoing procurement challenges, long vehicle lead times, and a constrained domestic manufacturing base, according to CALSTART’s updated Zeroing in on ZEBs report. This annual market update details the number of funded, ordered, delivered, and/or deployed transit ZEBs within the United States as of July 2025.
Key findings in this year’s report include:
- As of July 2025, a total of 8,116 full-size ZEBs have been funded, ordered, delivered, or deployed, representing 16 percent growth over the July 2024 count.
- Nearly 1,400 small ZEBs have been adopted nationwide, representing 20% of year-over-year growth.
- Full-size ZEB adoption remains geographically widespread.
- California continues to lead the nation (1,933 battery-electric buses and 690 fuel cell electric buses), followed by New York (829), Washington (521), Florida (519), and Massachusetts (292).
- Notable year-over-year increases were observed in California, Washington, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
- Battery-electric buses remain dominant (7,261 full-size vehicles have been adopted nationwide, representing a 13 percent increase from the previous reporting year), but fuel cell buses gain traction as agencies diversify their zero-emission mix.
- Fuel cell electric buses surged 49 percent nationwide, outpacing overall ZEB growth.
- During the reporting period, fuel cell electric bus adoption reached 855 vehicles nationwide.
- Growth was supported by new vehicles entering the market and fleet expansions in states with existing hydrogen programs and fueling investments.
- California remains the largest market, followed by Nevada (52), New York (15), Illinois (14), and Ohio (14).
- More than 1,000 new ZEBs were added despite supply chain and manufacturing constraints.
ZEB Distribution by State
Mike Hynes, Deputy Director of Transit, CALSTART
“The data clearly shows ZEBs are no longer confined to early-adopter markets,” stated CALSTART’s Deputy Director of Transit, Mike Hynes. “We’re seeing sustained deployment nationwide — from traditional leaders like California to fast-growing states like Florida and Texas — even as agencies navigate longer timelines and a constrained domestic supply environment. That signals a durable market shift driven by transit agencies making long-term operational decisions. Continued progress and deployment at scale will depend on stable funding, flexible implementation pathways, and policies that support domestic manufacturing.”
As reported, U.S. public transit agencies are continuing to add ZEBs into their business operations as part of broader efforts to modernize fleets, reduce transportation-related emissions, and improve air quality in local communities. Long-term policy frameworks that provide funding flexibility and phased-in implementation approaches prove critical to continued deployment. And with the support of grant programs — like the Low or No Emission (Low No) Program and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — vehicle and infrastructure incentives, and regulatory outlines, the ZEB market will continue its momentum.
Regardless of constant and growing challenges, including recent policy changes, the report confirms that ZEB adoption continues to expand across the country, signaling market opportunities for vehicles, infrastructure, and the workforce. Moving forward, progress will depend on offering and protecting funding opportunities, supporting domestic manufacturing capacity, and ensuring that transit agencies have the resources they need to advance the deployment of clean vehicle technologies.
Background
This report defines ZEBs as Class 3 and above battery-electric or fuel cell electric transit buses. Full-size ZEBs are defined as Class 7 or 8 transit buses that are 30 or more feet in length, and small ZEBs are defined as Class 3–6 transit buses that are shorter than 30 feet in length.
This report is based on CALSTART’s 30+ years of clean transit leadership and includes thorough data collection and detailed analysis from credible sources, including CALSTART’s leading transit subject matter experts.
Transit agencies, universities, and private entities developing vehicle and infrastructure technologies alike will find that this insightful report is a digestible, valuable resource that can help drive economic and job growth and advance clean transportation nationwide.
Hop on board CALSTART’s website today for more information on current bus initiatives.
About CALSTART
A mission-driven industry organization focused on transportation decarbonization and clean air for all, CALSTART has offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California, Florida, and Europe. CALSTART is uniquely positioned to build the national clean transportation industry by working closely with its nearly 200 member companies and building on the lessons learned from the major programs it manages for the State of California. CALSTART manages more than $1 billion in vehicle incentive and technical assistance programs in the United States and is leading a global effort to build the zero-emission commercial vehicle market.
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]]>The post CALSTART, a clean transportation technology alliance in the United States: More than $100 billion in investment is still being implemented in the U.S. electric vehicle market | March 10, 2026 appeared first on CALSTART.
]]>CALSTART, a clean transportation technology alliance in the United States: More than $100 billion in investment is still being implemented in the U.S. electric vehicle market
On March 10, Michael Berube, CEO of CALSTART, a clean transportation technology alliance, pointed out at the 2026 International Battery Technology and Innovation Application Summit: “If you look at the recent news headlines, a question naturally arises: Is the United States still investing in electric vehicles? ”
He said that various news headlines are reporting that the U.S. industry has announced about $50 billion in asset write-downs for electric vehicles, “but what the report does not fully reflect is that the industry has invested more than $160 billion at an extremely high rate in the past three years.” In other words, more than $100 billion of investments are still being made in the U.S. electric vehicle market and will continue in the coming years. Michael said. (Interface News reporter Gao Jing)
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]]>The post Everyone wants a piece of the budget | March 5, 2026 appeared first on CALSTART.
]]>Everyone wants a piece of the budget
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
The messiest fight will likely be over the greenhouse gas reduction fund, the coveted pot of revenue generated through emissions auctions that bankrolls a range of climate programs.
While much of the roughly $4 billion in annual GGRF dollars is already accounted for, lawmakers carved out $1 billion in discretionary funding when they extended cap and trade last session. And much like last year, Newsom wants to earmark most of that funding — $750 million — to backfill a budget shortfall at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“The fire issues are real and to be addressed, but we thought that the Legislature had spoken on the matter, and that it would be done differently,” said Michael Berube, CEO of CALSTART, a nonprofit that represents automakers and clean fuel companies. “I don’t know how much money in the end would be available, but we think there would be funds to do both light-duty incentives and also continue to support the medium- and heavy-duty trucks.”
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]]>The post CALSTART CEO Town Hall Recap: Industry Coverage and Conversation | March 3, 2026 appeared first on CALSTART.
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CALSTART CEO Town Hall Recap: Industry Coverage and Conversation
On Thursday, February 19, CALSTART’s President and CEO Michael Berube hosted his first town hall to discuss the evolving clean transportation landscape, the implications of federal and state policy shifts, his vision for CALSTART, and more.
CALSTART members are invited to attend exclusive webinars like the CEO Town Hall to receive insights, creating a forum for member stakeholders to engage in timely conversation about issues, trends, and events impacting our industry right now.
To start off, Michael began by briefly discussing his background, before moving onto a high-level conversation about clean transportation. He emphasized the importance of continuing to advance technology in the industry, as well as ensuring that clean transportation options are affordable for all.
Continue reading below to get a glimpse into the high-level discussion from our town hall event:
Possible Setbacks and Solutions
Michael acknowledged the setbacks that might block the adoption of clean transportation, including regulatory uncertainty, funding volatility, infrastructure bottlenecks, and shifting federal priorities. To navigate these headwinds, he emphasized CALSTART’s role in anticipating risks, aligning stakeholders, and helping shape durable solutions that sustain market momentum. We can identify these obstacles and issues thanks to our partners, including CALSTART staff, member companies, and external stakeholders.
These partners are working directly with the technology, vehicles, and programs driving the industry forward. Their experience gives us clear insight into emerging barriers and market gaps, enabling us to develop informed, actionable solutions.
Collectively, this collaboration strengthens the industry’s ability to sustain momentum, regardless of shifting policy or market conditions.
(From left to right) CALSTART’s Alissa Burger, Alex Pfeifer-Rosenblum, Jacob Richard, Michael Berube, Lily Paul, Leah Thill, Trisha Dello Iacono, Ellie Adadevoh, and Katie Tomaszewski at the Women of Electric Vehicles Reception on the sideline of the Forth Roadmap Conference 2025. Photo: Michael Sarnacki.
Big Picture
Transportation is essential — it’s embedded into every facet of our lives.
As Michael explained, “It has challenges, that, if we want to have an overall sustainable future, we have to address.” From Michael’s perspective, we can develop transportation options that work for people while also being affordable. By combining technology and a proper business model, we can make moves to try and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance toward net-zero goals.
Incentives are also highly useful for businesses, bringing newer technology, products, and offerings into the mix, which can then be used to push us closer to our goal of net-zero emissions.
Regulations and Policies
Another key driver of clean transportation progress is smart, well-designed regulation. Michael noted that durable policy frameworks, when paired with incentives and deployment data, create market certainty, enable long-term investment decisions, and provide a level playing field for businesses. In a period of federal uncertainty, state and regional leadership will remain especially important in sustaining momentum. That stability is what enables businesses to invest, innovate, and scale with confidence.
A BYD electric vehicle on a production line in Brazil. Source: BYD.
Global Perspectives
Michael also pointed to industries in China, Europe, and North America as examples of rapid transformation in the industrial manufacturing sector in clean transportation. Several of these countries are currently finding ways to curb the use of harmful materials in manufacturing, which will ultimately help the clean transportation industry and its stakeholders. This progress continues even as the U.S. navigates regulatory uncertainty and shifting federal priorities, reinforcing that global clean transportation momentum is not slowing.
This town hall recording is available to all CALSTART members. Not a member?
Contact Rachel Baker at [email protected] to join — you’ll gain access to this recording and receive invites for future webinars.
Not a Member? Consider Working With Us
As our collaborations and partnerships continue to evolve, we want to hear from you. If you or your organization are interested in joining CALSTART in our movement to advance clean transportation, we encourage you to explore your options.
You can:
- Join CALSTART’s membership program to gain access to top-level initiatives, resources, and events (like Michael’s town hall);
- Join a working group in your area of interest/expertise, such as the Electric School Bus Network;
- Get involved with our Policy Action Group to discuss changes in federal and state policy initiatives; or
- Subscribe to our Compass newsletter to keep up with the latest in clean transportation news.
We also encourage you to explore our website to discover the various ways you can get involved outside of the options listed above. We would love to have you join our efforts.
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