Edison’s Transportation Electrification team (Cherish Smith, Sage McLaughlin, Ali Walling, Meghan Weinman, Simon Horton, and Imani Love) attended the ACT Expo on May 1-4, 2023. Photo Credit: Sage McLaughlin

While Anaheim is typically synonymous with the Land of Disney, this week an alternative crowd dominated the Southern California city.

With more than 11,000 clean transportation stakeholders, fleet operators, and industry experts in attendance, the 2023 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center served as a striking reminder that the transition to clean fuels is no longer a thing of the future: it is here and it is now.

Edison Energy’s Transportation Electrification team spent four days taking in the latest innovations, technological advancements, and opportunities in the world of clean fuels. Here are our top takeaways:

1. There is consistent growth across the electric vehicle industry

Consultants, vehicle operators, car manufacturers, sales representatives, and independent companies came prepared with questions, suggestions, and genuine interest and curiosity. After chatting with a few new and veteran ACT attendees, it was clear that the electric vehicle (EV) movement has come a long way. The growth of the conference was indicative of the increasing interest in the clean fuels arena, further spurred by the passage of recent regulations. This includes California’s Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF), which mandates that automakers sell only medium- and heavy – duty (MHD) zero-emission vehicles beginning in 2036.

The event provided a platform for Edison Energy to speak with many of the 275+ vendors in attendance, including manufacturers – many of whom are in the process of solidifying firm vehicle delivery dates and production schedules.

Photo Credit: Sage McLaughlin

While the sales and procurement of EVs remains strong, planning and deployment still pose a challenge from an implementation perspective. Most organizations are not independently equipped to handle full turnkey installations, which is where Edison Energy can become a key player in a company’s fleet transition to electric.

2. Emerging EV technology continues to gain momentum

As a result of the significant increase in political, social, and economic investments, the demand for innovative engineering and design of EVs – and their infrastructure – has also risen. Edison Energy experienced firsthand several of the many emerging EV technologies on display on the ACT exhibition floor, including battery swapping; portability and recharging; strategy improvements to distribute energy via vehicle to grid, home, or business; and automated vehicle and ferry charging, along with the unveiling of Velocity Vehicle Group’s medium-duty electric truck, RIZON.

While showing promise, everything that glitters under conference center lights is not gold. As with any newer technology, challenges have emerged around product availability, cost of maintenance, and part replacement, as well as the need to ensure that there are enough skilled laborers to respond in a timely manner to repair requests, both regionally and statewide.

Photo Credit: Sage McLaughlin

3. Networking? Think location, location, location…

California is the leader in transportation’s transition to cleaner fuels, spurred by the hundreds of in-state organizations and progressive government officials leading the charge. The geographic location of the conference created the perfect backdrop for diverse perspectives and an open exchange of ideas among thought leaders and experts from across the clean transportation sector. In addition, the event provided an opportunity for Edison Energy to develop new potential partnerships and opportunities to foster relationships with existing clients. The ability to collaborate with stakeholders across the industry in pursuit of the common goal of a cleaner, healthier environment – particularly in a region where ideas have become a reality – not only creates reassurance, but a sense of excitement around the future of clean transportation.

Photo Credit: Sage McLaughlin

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