ARPA fund spending shows regional differences in local government priorities, researchers say

Large cities and counties have spent the largest share of state and local fiscal recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act on government operations. But their spending on other priorities diverges from there, researchers found.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 23, 2023

EV charging infrastructure is “inadequate and plagued with non-functioning stations”: J.D. Power

Roughly one in five public charging attempts fails, with 72% of them attributed to equipment issues. “Just adding stations isn’t the answer ... we need to make sure those stations are reliable,” one J.D. Power executive said.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 22, 2023

Chicago adopts citywide equity and resiliency plan

The We Will Chicago plan aims to address eight issue areas, including housing and economic development, in its 40 goals and 150 objectives. 

By Michael Brady • Feb. 21, 2023

Tesla to make some of its EV chargers public as White House announces rules for national charging network

The rules will require federally funded chargers to be built in the United States, beginning with final assembly and some manufacturing processes.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2023

Smart city conferences to attend in 2023

The tenth Bloomberg CityLab — a global cities summit — will take place in Washington, D.C., this fall.

By Michael Brady • Updated Sept. 5, 2023

Insulating existing buildings with low-carbon and carbon-storing materials can reduce emissions: report

“Deep energy retrofits” that use certain insulation systems can turn existing buildings into storehouses of carbon instead of emitters of greenhouse gases, according to an RMI report.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 9, 2023

House bill aims to create lending institution for infrastructure projects

The Federal Infrastructure Bank would work with state and local partners on private infrastructure investments via loans and loan guarantees, helping finance work such as transportation projects and broadband connectivity.

By Jennifer Goodman • Feb. 8, 2023

FBI thwarts neo-Nazi plot to attack Baltimore Gas & Electric substations, ‘completely destroy’ city

Two suspects were charged in federal court in Maryland with plotting to attack utility substations with firearms. Experts say the plan could have resulted in widespread power outages.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 7, 2023

Minnesota may soon require 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040

The bill also calls for utilities to generate at least 55% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2035. Waste incinerators in environmental justice areas would not count as clean energy.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 7, 2023

2023 Smart Cities Outlook

In the year ahead, city leaders will face economic headwinds while tackling the housing shortage and changes in travel behavior and decarbonizing transportation and buildings.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 1, 2023

ChargePoint, Stem strike EV charging and battery storage deal for highway corridor fast-charging networks

Combining charging, battery storage and AI-driven energy management will save money for EV site operators, the companies say.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 1, 2023

10 US cities ready for a ‘smart city future’

Tomorrow’s smart cities will have robust technology and green infrastructure, along with strong tech job markets, according to a report from real estate technology company ProptechOS.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 1, 2023

How green building policy could evolve in 2023

After reducing energy use in buildings, cutting embodied carbon is next on the green policy agenda for state and local leaders, potentially prompting a shift from concrete and steel to materials like timber or straw, experts say.

By Adina Solomon • Jan. 26, 2023

Tesla sets sales record as safety concerns mount

California banned automakers from advertising self-driving capabilities that still require a driver in control, while NHTSA is investigating Tesla’s Autopilot system.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 26, 2023

Mayors partner with Hertz on rental EVs and public charging

Shell also recently announced it’s buying charging network operator Volta in a $169 million deal, and electric charging equipment supplier Tritium is getting its largest-ever order from BP.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 20, 2023

Electric vehicles near ‘tipping point’ in 2023

Key developments for EV adoption this year include implementing federal incentives, developing a national charging network and addressing utility issues, according to transportation, energy and real estate professionals.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2023

Nearly all US mayors worry about climate change’s local effects: report

Mayors said their regulatory powers, especially building codes and zoning, are their most effective tools to address climate change. But they are reluctant to limit residents’ behavior or the use of old technology.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 19, 2023

Electric vehicle sales soared in 2022, followed by more charging stations

Most public chargers are found in suburban locations while multifamily dwellings lag far behind in charging infrastructure. 

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 17, 2023

4 trends that could shape smart cities in 2023

These overarching trends affect the decisions communities are making around transportation design, street space, housing and revitalizing downtowns that have struggled with fewer office workers.

By Smart Cities Dive Team • Jan. 13, 2023

DOT, DOE secretaries tout agency cooperation under decarbonization blueprint

DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm laid out the impact of new federal dollars and policies in the shift to EVs, while another federal official urged caution.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 12, 2023

Michigan chief mobility officer: ‘States need to write the playbook’ on EV charging

States could ease the EV charging rollout by helping local governments update regulations and institute best practices, panelists said at CES.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 10, 2023

Federal agencies share ‘blueprint’ for transportation decarbonization

Energy, environment, housing and transportation regulators teamed up on strategies to realize a 100% clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with nods to micromobility, zoning reform and more.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 10, 2023

Revel to expand EV fast chargers across NYC

After building a “superhub” in Brooklyn, the electric mobility company is planning more across other boroughs, a move it hopes will greatly expand the city’s capacity for accessible fast charging.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 9, 2023

New York City replacing hundreds of fleet vehicles with EVs

The city will purchase the zero-emission vehicles through a $10.1 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant, adding to the more than 4,000 EVs already in the municipal fleet

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 9, 2023

Updating local regulations may ease EV charging rollout

Improved regulations make it easier for developers to “know what they’re getting into,” said one transportation planner.

By Kalena Thomhave • Jan. 4, 2023