New Calstart Program to Help Transition to Clean Vehicles

Calstart has launched a program to help medium-duty fleets transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Cal Fleet Advisor (CFA) is a portal and program that makes it easier for fleets to move to zero-emission vehicles and to meet the state’s requirements for reducing the sales and use of internal combustion engines.

Cal Fleet Advisor will serve as a personal, interactive alternative to traditional formats such as websites, workshops, and mailers.

Addressing Confusion Around Electrification

Developed in partnership with California Air Resources Board, CFA addresses the confusion experienced by medium- and heavy-duty fleet operators as they begin to investigate the numerous resources, options, and requirements involved in transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.

CFA offers a centralized point of contact for fleets, helping them with various aspects of adopting zero-emission vehicles for their operations.

This includes:

• Identifying suitable vehicles.
• Securing financing.
• Acquiring the vehicles.
• Effectively deploying them.

CFA also assists fleets with tracking, collecting, and filing necessary documents, while providing support, guidance, and a smooth transition to zero-emission technologies.

Focusing on Independent Owner-Operators

While CFA is open to all fleets in California, its primary emphasis is assisting smaller businesses and independent owner-operators.

The main objective is to provide support to underrepresented populations and those located in disadvantaged communities who may lack the necessary time or resources to thoroughly research and implement the steps involved in transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.

The program is specifically designed to cater to the requirements of the drayage community, which is subject to more stringent decarbonization timelines compared to other transportation sectors in California.

Cal Fleet Advisor aims to deliver an equitable solution that adapts to fleets at various stages of the zero-emission vehicle transition process.

By understanding the unique profile of each fleet, Cal Fleet Advisor will tailor a strategy that best suits their individual needs when it comes to transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.

Calstart also recently launched an interactive tool to help fleets better understand and analyze the zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle market.

The Zero-Emission Technology Inventory Data Explorer allows users to filter, explore, compare, contrast, and visualize data about zero-emission truck and bus models.