Clean Transport & Energy News Roundup (E-Bus Charging, CA EV Proposal, AAA EV Charging, India & Chile Solar…)

In this edition of the clean transport and energy news roundup, we’ve got news about an e-bus charging calculator, California’s EV market share proposal, AAA’s EV charging trucks, the ethanol/high octane debate, a zero emissions Three Peaks Challenge, solar training shortfalls, Chile solar auction prices, and more.

[CleanTechnica isn’t the only Important Media site to cover clean energy & transport news, and if you’re looking for more stories on electric mobility, bicycles, solar and wind energy, and other related issues, we’ve got them at sites such as Solar Love, CleanTechies, Planetsave, Bikocity, Gas2, and EV Obsession. We also host a large cleantech group on LinkedIn, called CleanTechies Around The World.]

CARB has an e-bus charging calculator:

As a means of supporting the state’s growing electric bus market, the California Air Resources Board recently released a new downloadable tool online that allows you to easily estimate electricity costs that accompany battery-electric bus deployments in California.

California’s 15% EV market share proposal gets discharged:

Only a week after being publicly proposed, California Democratic Assemblywoman Autumn Burke’s proposal that 15% of all new cars sold in the state be emissions-free by 2025 has been scuppered, according to recent reports.

AAA’s EV charging trucks are “seldom used”:

[AAA] decided to add service trucks to areas where electric cars are most popular — Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, and Orlando. Each truck has an onboard generator capable of recharging any electric car. Each has plugs and adapters for CHAdeMO, CSS, or Tesla Supercharger standards. Much to the surprise of AAA, however, the trucks have been used less often than anticipated.

Family’s Tesla Model X saves them in crash with GMC Yukon:

Jonathan Braman was driving with his family in a Tesla Model X this last week when it was plowed into by a clueless clod piloting a gargantuan GMC Yukon. The SUV ran a red light (can you say “distracted driving,” boys and girls?”) and sheared off most of the Tesla’s right front corner before coming to a stop.

Tesla drivers take on Three Peaks Challenge, with a zero emissions twist:

This year on October 15 and 16,  five teams driving Tesla Model S sedans will compete in the Three Peaks Zero challenge. Alex Furness-Smith, one of the organizers, says, “Our primary objective with doing the event really is about highlighting that an electric vehicle can take on a challenge that involves long distances within a restricted time scale.” The route between the three peaks will allow stops at several Tesla Superchargers along the way. Alex thinks it can be done, but traffic and weather often play havoc with the best laid plans.

US drivers interested in new safety tech features:

Nielsen has released the results of a survey taken by 11,886 US consumers last spring which shows that interest in safety features such as rear camera mirrors, low speed collision avoidance systems, and blind spot detection systems has increased lately. In general, the survey shows drivers are primarily interested in technology that contributes to safer driving, followed by connectivity, comfort and convenience functions, driver assistance, and fuel efficiency.

EPA takes on the ethanol/high octane debate:

Speaking to a conference of automotive industry executives and engineers recently, Chris Grundler, director of the EPA’s office of transportation and air quality, said his agency realizes that fuels have a role to play in enabling automakers to meet tougher fuel economy and emissions regulations. The EPA has been collecting relevant data about ethanol for a number of years.

Cap-and-trade revenue will help low income bike share programs in California:

Presently, California’s plan for zero emissions and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are integrating cap-and-trade revenue to help stop air pollution in specific clean transportation programs. Following last year’s carsharing programs in low-income neighborhoods, the EPA now allows cap-and-trade revenue to fund California disadvantaged neighborhood bikeshare projects.

Solar training programs can’t keep up with demand:

It’s happening in America, in Canada, and all around the world. People are getting the training and education they need to transition from jobs in the fossil fuel industry to jobs in solar power and other renewables. The transition to clean energy will bring with it tens of thousands of new jobs in North America alone.

Chile’s solar auction sees prices fall below 3 cents per kWh:

Spanish solar energy company Solarpack Corp Technologica has just submitted the lowest bid ever to supply electricity to customers in Chile — 2.91 cents per kilowatt-hour. That price is even lower than the 2.99 cents per kilowatt-hour recently recorded at an energy auction in Dubai. The average retail price of electricity in the US is 12 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Gamesa India lands 170 MW wind turbine order:

Gamesa India has secured another repeat order from a leading Indian renewable energy IPP and has further strengthened its position as the leading wind turbine manufacturer in the country.

Sungrow to supply 150 MW solar inverters to Mytrah Energy:

Sungrow will supply inverters for 150 MW of solar capacity to Mytrah Energy. The inverters will be installed at solar power projects coming up in the states of Telangana and Punjab.

Andhra Pradesh sets 3 GW solar-wind hybrid capacity target:

The southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has become the first one to response to the central government’s plan to set up large-scale solar and wind energy hybrid projects.

SunLink partners with India’s Ganges Internationale in 1.4 GW solar joint venture:

The US-based manufacturer of trackers for solar power modules SunLink has announced a joint venture with an Indian manufacturer of mounting structures. SunLink will work with Ganges Internationale to supply equipment for 1.4 GW of solar power capacity in India.

Enel Green Power commissions 97 MW Chilean solar project:

Enel Green Power has commissioned yet another solar power project in Chile, strengthening its position as a major developer in one of the fastest growing renewable energy markets in South America.

First Solar commissions 130 MW solar capacity in India:

US-based solar module manufacturer First Solar has announced commissioning of two solar projects totaling 130 MW in the southern states of India through its Indian subsidiary, First Solar Power India Pvt. Ltd.

India allocates 270 MW solar capacity in Odisha:

The results of the first major solar auction in the state of Odisha have been declared and Odisha has finally joined the long and rapidly expanding list of Indian states where large-scale solar power projects will come up under the central government policy.