Zenobe/Member Symposium/Isuzu/ZESBI and HVIP

Audio: 

https://open.spotify.com/show/5tLFTApN7Rz6e9XryEaR77?si=bf7873cbe4854a5f  

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newze/id1797582892 

https://sites.libsyn.com/563770 

 

This week’s content: May 2nd, 2025 

 

Mark Your Calendar for the CALSTART Member Symposium, May 13-14th  

CALSTART’s 2025 Member Symposium is moving to Seattle! Join us at the Washington Athletic Club May 13-14th to engage with CALSTART staff, our member companies, and our Board and Investment Council members. Through a happy hour, paneled sessions, and other networking opportunities, come learn about where the industry is heading from key stakeholders helping shape it. Register here! 

 

 

Zenobē Expands Fleet Financing Platform  

Fleet electrification and battery storage specialist Zenobē is providing 7Gen, a Canadian startup, CA$48 million in debt financing to scale operations. This marks the largest private EV debt financing in Canada and demonstrates Zenobē’s confidence in commercial EVs as an asset class. 7Gen is a leading Canadian EV and charging infrastructure leasing company, helping commercial fleets integrate zero-emission solutions as a viable alternative to internal combustion engines. 7Gen will use the funds to finance 400-500 new commercial EVs bundled with charging solutions, while refinancing a portion of its current fleet. Founded in 2017, Zenobē has helped transform the public transport sector by introducing large-scale fleet electrification backed by innovative debt financing and residual value data. They provide end-to-end fleet electrification solutions to public and commercial fleet operators, including the provision and financing of vehicles, charging infrastructure, and a battery managed service. Headquartered in the UK, Zenobē supports thousands of EVs across the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.  

 

Check out NewZE, the audio version of NewsNotes, to hear directly from folks at Zenobē on this announcement and other projects they’re working on!  

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6WHegZQWtW9ZJGdWU3esiX?si=33adb1ed88f34cd6

 

 

Fontaine Modification Leads Fuel Cell Consortium  

Fontaine Modification is leading a consortium of companies to develop a Class 6 fuel cell electric truck for “middle mile” delivery logistics. Fontaine is responsible for assembling the fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) on a straight truck chassis at its flagship center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Fontaine’s Director of Sales and Business Development, David Brosky, says they’re on track to complete a pilot unit this summer. The unit will then undergo independent track testing before heading to a large commercial fleet for a trial period on regular routes. The middle mile segment can run across distances of 300-500 miles, making a fuel-cell system a better zero-emission option compared to battery electric.  

 

 

Isuzu Launches Electric Pickup Truck  

Earlier this week Isuzu announced their first electric pickup truck, the D-MAX EV, has entered mass production, with the first units shipped to Europe in the third quarter of 2025. By the end of the year, production will begin for UK models with sales starting next year. Isuzu says the new EV pickup will “match the performance of existing diesel models” with high towing capacity and payload. Its dual-motor powertrain allows it to match the performance of the D-MAX diesel model, which is already sold in over 100 countries.  

 

 

California Awards $500 Million in Funding for 1,000 Zero-Emission School Buses 

The State of California has awarded $500 million to school districts and other educational agencies to buy zero-emission school buses and chargers. Administered by CALSTART, the Zero-Emission School Bus Incentive (ZESBI) program—a collaboration between the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC)—will help deliver 1,000 electric school buses and supporting charging infrastructure statewide. 

 

 

HVIP Hits Record Growth as Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Market Expands 

We’re excited to share the latest on HVIP's impact on sustainable transportation. Voucher redemptions have surged 177% from 2023 to 2024, with early 2025 data showing even more zero-emission vehicles hitting the roads as fleet electrification accelerates across the state. 

 

February 2025 Highlights:  

• More than 200 zero-emission trucks and buses deployed in a single month  

• Over $31 million in redeemed vouchers  

• Record-breaking participation from public agencies and small businesses 

 

HVIP provides point-of-sale discounts to make zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) more affordable and accessible for California fleets and businesses. Over the last 15 years, HVIP has provided over $754 million to help 2,000+ participating fleets purchase clean vehicles at lower costs. These medium- and heavy-duty vehicles—from delivery vans to school buses to freight trucks—have logged 340+ million cleaner-air miles, significantly reducing carbon emissions across the state. 

 

See how HVIP is transforming transportation–read the full story. 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events: 

The Evolution of Axial Flux Motor Technology – Webinar hosted by Turntide Technologies  

May 6th, 9:00-10:00am CST  

Think axial flux motors require one-off manufacturing and are too pricey to apply? The evolution of axial flux motor technology rewrites this narrative. Join this webinar, featuring a live demo, to learn more about how these motors can evolve your electric or hybrid system for any vehicle or equipment, decrease your total cost of ownership, and provide high torque and power. 

Register here: https://turntide.com/events/webinar-the-next-generation-of-axial-flux-motor-technology/  

 

Register Now for Smart & Sustainable Mobility Week 2025!  

You’re invited to the Smart & Sustainable Mobility Showcase in Philadelphia, PA on May 13, the PANYNJ Fleet Sustainability Expo in Newark, NJ on May 14, and the NYC DCAS 36th Annual Equipment & Vehicle Show in New York, NY on May 15! 20 Québec-based companies will display their vehicles, technology, and equipment alongside SEPTA, the City of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Department of Aviation, PANYNJ, MTA, NJ Transit, NYC DCAS. Roundtables and breakout session themes include green campuses, future rail propulsions, company pitch sessions, fleet across cities, alternative fuels, fire safety for EVs, and microgrids & mobile charging.   

• Smart & Sustainable Mobility Showcase with SEPTA & the City of Philadelphia – May 13th, Philadelphia, PA. Register here!   

• Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Fleet Sustainability Expo – May 14th, Newark, NJ. Register here!   

• NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services 36th Annual Equipment & Vehicle Show – May 15th, New York, NY. Register here! 

 

Join us on June 18 for the Zero-Emissions Showcase + Ride & Drive! 

Mark your calendar for an unparalleled opportunity to experience the future of clean transportation technology. Our Zero-Emissions Showcase + Ride & Drive on June 18 brings together industry leaders, manufacturers, and policymakers committed to creating a sustainable future. The event is in Anaheim, CA! 

REGISTER NOW 

Our past Ride & Drive events have featured over 70 class 2b-8 trucks, buses, vans, and off-road equipment--offering you the chance to test drive and explore cutting-edge zero-emissions technology firsthand. 

 

 

Zenobē Expands its North American Fleet Financing Platform with CA$48M Debt Financing for Canada’s 7Gen, Zenobē,  https://www.zenobe.com/news-and-events/zenobe-debt-financing-canada-7gen/  

 

Fontaine Modification Leads Supplier Consortium to Develop and Deploy Fuel-Cell-Electric Class 6 Truck, GlobeNewswire, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/28/3069326/0/en/Fontaine-Modification-Leads-Supplier-Consortium-to-Develop-and-Deploy-Fuel-Cell-Electric-Class-6-Truck.html  

 

 
Isuzu’s First Electric Pickup is Here and it’s a Beast: Meet the New D-MAX EV, Electrek, https://electrek.co/2025/04/29/isuzus-first-electric-pickup-is-here-its-a-beast-meet-d-max-ev/  

 

California Awards $500 Million in Funding for 1,000 Zero-Emission School Buses, California Energy Commission, https://www.energy.ca.gov/news/2025-04/california-awards-500-million-funding-1000-zero-emission-school-buses