The EC Tech Desk is a monthly resource compiled by the EC’s technical services team that aims to curate transportation electrification’s most relevant news, tools, and resources in a brief, readable format.
Vehicle News
Photo Credit: Orange EV
- Class 8 terminal electric truck manufacturer Orange EV announced its deployed fleet has registered 10 million hours of operation across its customers. With multiple units surpassing 30,000 hours with their original lithium iron phosphate battery, this acts as a proven case for electrifying terminal tractors.
- Hyundai announced it will continue its manufacturing facility near Savannah, GA. This shows Hyundai’s commitment to investing in the U.S. EV market and keeping its pledge to create 8,500 jobs on the site by 2031.
- Ford lowered prices for its 2026 F-150 Lightnings by up to $4,000 while providing additional trims with increased range. Order windows for fleets are now open for the electric pickup truck.
- Slate has officially confirmed its flagship model will have access to Tesla Superchargers. The company also announced its partnership with RepairPal, which allows consumers to find certified service and repair centers. These features create a very competitive, user-friendly, and affordable option for budding EV drivers.
Charger News
Photo Credit: Electrify America
- Electrify America partnered with Google Maps to display its charger data in real-time. This allows drivers to see a station’s up-to-the-minute charger availability, connector types, charging speeds, and operational status.
- DCFC Hubs: New York City unveiled its Bronx DC fast charging hub for residents and taxi drivers. The new installation, located in an underserved community, offers low- and moderate-income households an opportunity to go electric, especially when the state’s EV incentives are taken into account.
- The National Association of Counties has awarded Lilypad EV a national contract for EV charging equipment and related services. Through its Public Promise Procurement program, a cooperative purchasing effort, counties across the nation will be able to benefit from the lowered rates.
- Charging equipment manufacturer Wallbox and flexible energy charging software company Bidirectional Energy announced their partnership in launching a bidirectional charging pilot. Open to 180 homes in California and Connecticut for Kia EV9 owners, the program provides participating customers with incentives for charger and installation costs: up to $8,800 in California and up to $10,800 in Connecticut. Pilots such as this pave the way for consumers to save even more by switching to electric.
- EV charging company It’s Electric was awarded $1,1 million by the California Energy Commission to develop and commercialize a curbside vehicle-to-grid EV charger. With parking scarce in some communities, this product will offer a novel way to charge. The company will develop the charger in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Delaware, and is expected to be available to a wider market by 2028.
- EV charging contractor ChargerHelp! partnered with Plug In America and Paren to release the 2025 EV Charging Reliability Report. Examining over 100,000 charging sessions across 2,400 North American chargers, the report found three main factors contributing to declining reliability: aging infrastructure, compatibility gaps, and short-term fixes. The report also covers how 71 percent of charging sessions are successful and that 1.6 million Americans will purchase EVs this year. To learn more, view the report here.
Electric School Bus (ESB) News
- Massachusetts’ Lawrence Public School District cut the ribbon on its 25 ESBs, 10 electric minibuses, and their charging site. Through a partnership with Zenobē and NRT Bus, the buses were placed into service for the 2025 school year, bringing a quieter and healthier ride for students.
- Thomas Built debuts its first Type D ESB, Wattson. Formally known as the Saf-T-Liner eHDX2 Wattson, the high-capacity, square-bodied ESB offers 150-mile range with a 246 kWh lithium-ion battery and offers 120 kW DC fast charging as a vehicle-to-grid capable vehicle. Its order window is open now, with first deliveries set for early 2026.
Cool Tool Pool
- DRVE Tool: The EC and its developer, Atlas Public Policy, released DRVE Tool v2.05. The DRVE Tool is the EC’s free, turnkey, total cost of ownership fleet analysis application. Since its creation, it has analyzed the electrification potential of more than 1.5 million vehicles, helping fleet managers make a case for electrifying their fleets. This quarterly update includes the following:
- Federal tax credits 30D and 45W were updated to be optional settings inputs
- A link was added to DriveEVFleets, a turnkey, one-stop, online procurement portal providing public entities and nonprofits with equal access to competitively bid on EVs and charging infrastructure.
- A survey link was included for users to submit standardized feedback and bug reports
Download the DRVE Tool for free today! For any questions or to receive technical support through Drive EV Fleets, please contact drve@electrificationcoalition.org.