Gladstein, Neandross and Associates (GNA) and the University of California at Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering – Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) have launched the Low and Zero Emission Readiness (LAZER) Initiative.
This new collaboration will support organizations – including transit agencies, refuse operations, trucking carriers, delivery fleets, school districts and municipalities – in evaluating the real-world economic and environmental benefits of advanced transportation technologies: e.g., battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, natural gas, propane, renewable fuel, and autonomous and connected technologies.
The LAZER Initiative aims to help commercial fleet operators and their suppliers validate the economic, environmental and operational impacts of advanced technology platforms and alternative fuel powertrains on a full life-cycle basis.
“We are excited to expand upon our capabilities and work side-by-side with the CE-CERT team to offer laboratory and in-use emissions testing to further validate the performance and durability of vehicles as their use in commercial fleet operations is increased,” says Erik Neandross, CEO of GNA, a consulting firm specializing in market development for alternative fuel vehicle technologies.
“When introducing a new product to the market, very significant capital investments are required for research, development, testing, optimization and certification,” notes Kent Johnson, research faculty for CE-CERT. “The LAZER initiative will provide OEMs with unique access to CE-CERT’s world-class laboratories and a team of technical experts that can help design and implement durability and emissions test protocols; identify compliance and reporting requirements; and navigate the approval process required to commercialize engines, fuels, hybrid-drive systems and after-treatment technologies.”
GNA and CE-CERT have a history of working together on projects for a range of public and private organizations, including several active projects on behalf of the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Port of Long Beach.
Electric 18-wheeler trucks? We don’t have the engines for them. We don’t have the batteries for them. We have an electrical grid that has brown outs in the summer due to air conditioning needs and we’re going to add electric 18 wheelers to that grid? The rest of the world, especially India and China need to improve their pollution NOW or choke to death. They have less electric grid than the US. The range of electric trucks is short and it takes a long time to recharge them. What about Natural Gas? We use existing internal combustion engines produced by… Read more »