Iowa is working with five other states to study the availability of alternative fuel along Interstate 80, reports Radio Iowa. A federal grant will help determine where electric vehicles can be charged and where compressed natural gas is available. Drivers of electric vehicles are said to suffer from “range anxiety,” as there are long stretches of road where there are no charging or fill stations. For now, Iowa only has three
electric vehicle
May 30, 2019
Seneca Cos. partners with ChargePoint to add EV fueling options
Des Moines-based Seneca Cos., a supplier and services provider to the retail petroleum industry, announced this week that it has partnered with ChargePoint, a California-based electric vehicle (EV) charging station network. As a signature partner, Seneca will represent ChargePoint’s entire product line and provide product support throughout Seneca’s footprint in the Midwest, South and Mountain regions. The partnership allows Seneca to integrate ChargePoint into its fueling market offerings in both
April 30, 2019
Iowa state board allows sale of electric vehicle energy by the kilowatt-hour
Iowa utility regulators will allow retailers to sell energy for electric vehicle charging by quantity — a move some advocates say marks a win for the state’s budding electric vehicle infrastructure, reports the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Last year, officials with the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott requested that the utilities board allow energy to be sold by the kilowatt-hour, which was prohibited by state law. Mark Schuling, Iowa’s consumer advocate,
February 28, 2019
Iowa DOT suggests $130 annual fee for electric vehicles
Five members of the Iowa House have signed off on the idea of charging a new fee to the owners of electric vehicles and a new, per-kilowatt-hour tax at public charging stations, reports Radio Iowa. The Iowa DOT has recommended a $130 annual fee for electric vehicles, which is higher than what’s being charged in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri and Nebraska. Drivers of gas-powered vehicles pay the state fuel tax, which
February 21, 2019
The need for charging stations is clear, but who should own them is not
In Illinois, there’s widespread agreement that drivers need access to more charging stations if the state is going to electrify its transportation system. The question of who owns them — and who profits from them — is an open debate, reports Energy News Network. Utilities, private developers, and business owners are all expected to play a role in building out the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure, but recent comments submitted to
November 2, 2018
Iowa 80 Truckstop seeks to offer electric vehicle charging stations – without public utility regulation
The Iowa Utilities Board is considering regulations around electric vehicle charging stations after Alliant Energy protested the Iowa 80 Truckstop’s plans to offer stations, reports the Midwest Energy News Network. Under the Iowa 80 Truckstop’s proposal, customers would be charged for each kilowatt hour put into a vehicle; Alliant Energy, the truckstop’s electric utility, claims that selling by kilowatt hour would be illegal under a tariff change, and proposed customers
August 30, 2018
Tesla shows off all-electric semi to Ruan, customers in Des Moines
Representatives from Tesla Motors visited with team members of Ruan Transportation Management Systems and several Ruan customers in Des Moines this week for a preview of Tesla’s electric-powered tractor-trailer. Ruan in January reserved five of the new semis for delivery and testing next year. Prototypes of the semi have been traveling the country, making stops with key companies that have invested in the all-electric semis expected to be released in
May 2, 2018
Winnebago launching all-electric commercial vehicles line
Forest City-based Winnebago Industries announced the launch of an all-electric commercial vehicle platform, the Corridor Business Journal reported. Winnebago plans to develop an electric-powered chassis to use on 33- and 38-foot RVs in partnership with Motiv Power Systems Inc. The vehicles are suited for short range commercial uses, like mobile medical clinics, mobile classrooms and other outreach vehicles. Road testing reveals an expected range of 85 to 125 miles on a
