Why did Calstart rebrand as Catalyst Mobility? September 21, 2026 No Comments 4 Mins Read The newly renamed nonprofit will mix with Forth in 2027 because the clean transportation nonprofit expands its programs and presence beyond California. After greater than three a long time as Calstart, the clean transportation nonprofit modified its name to Catalyst Mobility on Sept. 14. President and CEO Michael Berube announced the name change in the course of the Forth Roadmap Conference. He also announced that Forth, a nonprofit focused on transportation electrification, will mix with Catalyst Mobility at first of 2027. Calstart was founded in California greater than 30 years ago and has since expanded its work nationally and internationally. In a Q&A with Automotive Fleet, Berube said the organization's geographic reach and the expansion of the clean transportation industry influenced the name change. "The name 'Calstart' not tells the complete story - I really Like This Car is not starting, and neither is clean transportation. The technology is prepared and proven, the partnerships between industry and government are sustainable, and I really Like This Car at the moment are a world organization with more influence and capability than ever before. With this in mind, and with inspiration from its revitalized mission and vision, I really Like This Car created a reputation that might reflect its scope and maturity within the industry." What changes under Catalyst Mobility? Catalyst Mobility has adopted a renewed mission focused on programs, policies and technologies related to wash transportation. Berube said the name change doesn't represent a departure from the organization's previous work. "Its recent name and brand higher reflect the scope and impact of its work today, however the purpose that has driven I really Like This Car from the start stays the identical. I really Like This Car is here to advance and speed up clean transportation, to assist construct a future where clean, equitable, and reasonably priced mobility solutions move all people and goods. What's changing is its ability to pursue that mission at a greater scale, with broader expertise, stronger partnerships, and an expanded reach." Calstart Names Michael Berube as Recent CEO Forth will turn into a part of Catalyst Mobility initially of 2027. Forth's work includes electric vehicle and charging infrastructure programs in addition to programs involving agriculture and micromobility. The mix is anticipated to offer the organization access to additional funding sources and expand its programs and technical assistance. Catalyst Mobility also plans to ascertain a regional office in Portland, Ore., where Forth is headquartered. "By aligning its complementary strengths and missions, I really Like This Car is creating one among the most important and most broadly representative clean transportation organizations on the planet. This recent nonprofit can have greater access to diverse funding streams, while offering comprehensive programming and technical assistance on a world scale. The mix with Forth also allows Catalyst Mobility to expand its national footprint within the Pacific Northwest with a regional office in Oregon, where Forth's headquarters is situated." Policy priorities are changing. Berube said changes in federal incentives and regulations are affecting the organization's policy priorities, while states proceed to pursue their very own clean transportation policies. Fleet Forward Conference Introduces One-Day Passes for 2026 "This market has had a fair proportion of ups and downs. The federal incentive landscape has shifted, which has made the regulatory environment more difficult. At the identical time, states have been propelling the industry forward by driving policy into motion. In turn, our policy priorities are adjusting to that reality." He said the main focus is on the conditions needed for fleets and businesses to adopt zero-emission transportation. "The query isn't whether zero-emission transportation will grow, but how we create the market conditions, infrastructure, and regulatory certainty essential for American fleets and businesses to compete in that transition." Right-Sizing vehicles and charging. For industrial fleets operating Class 2b and heavier vehicles, Berube identified matching vehicles and charging infrastructure to duty cycles as an area of opportunity. "Right-sizing the vehicle and the charging infrastructure to the actual duty cycle is one among the largest opportunities fleets still underestimate. Generally, operators don't need as many chargers, as high-powered chargers, or as much vehicle range as they assume they do." Berube identified total cost of ownership, infrastructure, policy, and outreach and education as the identical 4 broad barriers to adoption that fleets faced three years ago. He said progress has been made inside those categories. "The 4 categories of barriers we faced three years ago remain the identical: total cost of ownership, infrastructure, policy, and outreach and education. What has modified is the pace of progress against each of them. As vehicle technology continues to enhance, those barriers will keep coming down." John Boesel Recognized at 2025 Fleet Forward Conference

CALSTART and Forth combine to form Catalyst Mobility. The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods. September 14, 2026 2 min to read * CALSTART has rebranded itself as Catalyst Mobility, reflecting its focus on clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions. * Forth, a nonprofit dedicated to transportation electrification, will merge with Catalyst Mobility in 2027 to enhance shared missions and capabilities. * The merger will allow Catalyst Mobility to expand its reach with new funding opportunities and a regional office in Portland, Oregon. *Summarized by AI CALSTART's President/CEO, Michael Berube, announced that CALSTART will rebrand under a new name: Catalyst Mobility, effective immediately. The name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move all people and goods. Berube also announced that Forth, a national nonprofit advancing transportation electrification, will combine with Catalyst Mobility at the start of 2027. By bridging shared missions, programs, and partners, officials said the nonprofit will have greater access to diverse funding, grants, and public contracts; a larger pool of networking contacts; and a stronger footprint in the Pacific Northwest with the launch of a regional office in Portland, Oregon, near Forth's headquarters. One organization, one mission. As one organization, Catalyst Mobility will help scale the clean transportation industry globally by advancing innovative programs, forward-thinking policies, and breakthrough technologies that expand mobility choices and accelerate market transformation. "For more than three decades, this organization has existed to catalyze a cleaner, more competitive transportation industry with our members and partners," Berube said. "This new name does not change who Metro Magazine is. It sharpens how Metro Magazine show up for the next chapter by highlighting how Metro Magazine is Building Clean Transportation Together. "Everyone deserves access to clean, affordable transportation, and we're building the organization needed to make that a reality," added Jeff Allen, executive director of Forth. "With the combination of Forth and CALSTART, we strengthen our ability to create a transportation system that is equitable and works for everyone." Ad Loading... Building to today. For more than 30 years, CALSTART has worked with industry, government, and community organizations on clean transportation programs and initiatives. The organization said its work and geographic reach have expanded over that period, prompting a change in its name and organizational structure. CALSTART has worked on clean transportation initiatives in the U.S. and internationally, including programs involving vehicle technologies, infrastructure, and transportation policy. Forth has also developed electric vehicle and charging infrastructure programs across the U.S., along with work involving emerging transportation applications in areas such as agriculture and micromobility. Its membership network spans six industry sectors, with its programs focused on transportation electrification, partnerships, and access to transportation technologies. The two nonprofits have now joined to form Catalyst Mobility, bringing their programs and industry networks under a single organization. The organizations said the combination is intended to expand their work in clean transportation and coordinate efforts across their respective programs and partnerships. Under the Catalyst Mobility name, the organization will continue working with industry, government, community organizations, members, and other partners on transportation technologies, infrastructure, and related programs in the U.S. and internationally. Quick answers. *Summarized by AI Ad Loading...

CALSTART to partner with New York and New Jersey Port Authority to promote use of zero-emission drayage trucks. Home > The nation - truck driving job news > CALSTART to partner with New York and New Jersey Port Authority to promote use of zero-emission drayage trucks. Reading Time: 4 minutes NEW YORK CITY - CALSTART and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) announced a pair of incentive programs totaling $45 million to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission drayage trucks and terminal tractors, alongside the essential charging infrastructure needed to power them at the Port of New York and New Jersey. CALSTART stated in a recent media release that, commencing this fall, it will serve as the program designer and administrator for the Clean Truck Incentive (CTI) Program and Green Drayage Accelerator (GDA), looking to drive zero-emission commercial fleet adoption across the East Coast's busiest seaport. The release stated that CTI will deploy up to $39 million in point-of-sale vouchers for the purchase of zero-emission drayage trucks, yard tractors, and supporting charging infrastructure. The $5 million GDA program aims to award up to five electric truck charging hubs within 10 miles of the Port Authority's seaport facilities (or marine terminal facilities). The programs are designed to advance the Port Authority's sustainability goals by accelerating cleaner technologies while providing port operators with affordable, discounted electric vehicles and charging options. "They complement a multitude of other sustainability initiatives at the seaport as the Port Authority looks to encourage all links in the supply chain, including ocean carriers, container terminals, and trucking companies, to adopt greener operations," the release stated. "The agency has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, including helping its wide universe of operating partners, tenants and contractors to reach the same goal in the same timeframe." "Drayage operators are the backbone of this port, keeping freight moving day and night from our terminals to warehouses and businesses across the region," said Port Authority Port Director Bethann Rooney. "We know that any shift towards cleaner operations must happen through real support and partnership, rather than top-down mandates. We're making zero-emission trucks and terminal tractors more affordable for the operators who keep this port running, backed by the charging infrastructure they'll need to power them." To ensure transparency and measure long-term impact, CALSTART will build and launch dynamic tracking dashboards for both initiatives. These tools will monitor deployment, vehicle performance, and charger utilization across port operations before being fully transferred to the Port Authority in 2028. Port Authority and CALSTART staff will conduct outreach with the trucking community through in-person and online presentations and informational pamphlets over the coming weeks. "Deploying zero-emission trucks at scale requires pairing accessible vehicle incentives with reliable, high-capacity charging," said CALSTART Executive Vice President of California and Regional Market Acceleration Alycia Gilde. "By combining flexible financial support with streamlined program administration, our partnership with the Port Authority lowers the barrier to entry for drayage operators, modernizing the East Coast supply chain while delivering immediate, tangible air quality improvements to local port communities." The programs are funded through a $451 million grant awarded to the Port Authority through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Ports Program, the largest sustainability grant in Port Authority history. Beyond the CALSTART-administered programs, the grant will also fund the deployment of electric cargo handling equipment at marine terminals and the installation of vessel shore power infrastructure to allow container ships to plug in while at berth and shut down their auxiliary engines. A separate $3 million EPA planning grant will fund the creation of a Port Community Advisory Council. Subrecipients of the overall award will also be positioned to pursue workforce training and job creation efforts tied to the clean energy sector. "The trucks that move through our gates don't stop there. They fan out to warehouses and distribution hubs across the region, carrying the goods that power our economy," said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole. "This $45 million partnership with CALSTART puts zero-emission trucks, terminal tractors, and charging infrastructure within reach for the operators who serve this port every day. Cleaner trucks here mean cleaner air not just for our port facilities, but for every community along the routes these trucks travel." Discover more The programs will further strengthen the Port Authority's wide-ranging, ambitious sustainability agenda. Through its comprehensive net-zero roadmap, the agency has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 while assisting the broad ecosystem of operating partners, tenants and contractors in reaching the same goals in the same timeframe. At the seaport, these efforts have taken several forms. The Truck Replacement Program provides financial incentives to trucking companies that swap out older, higher-emission engines for newer, cleaner ones. The Clean Vessel Incentive program similarly rewards ocean carriers that voluntarily reduce speed near the port, cutting air emissions and conserving fuel in the process. The agency has also built emissions requirements into its marine terminal rules and regulations, mandating that terminal operators shift to zero-emission cargo handling equipment as it becomes commercially available, a move designed to build market demand and push the industry toward further innovation. Additionally, the continued expansion of the seaport's on-dock ExpressRail system allows goods to move to the Midwest, New England, and eastern Canada more sustainably than trucking alone. The agency also opened an electric truck charging station at Port Newark last year, with four super-fast chargers located at the truck welcome center at Marlin and Kellogg streets. The port's tenants have pursued their own sustainability initiatives as well, among them Port Newark Container Terminal's recently completed solar installation. Progress toward the Port Authority's emissions goals is documented in the seaport's latest 2024 Air Emissions Inventory and Efficiency, which shows sulfur dioxide down 98 percent and both nitrogen oxide and particulate matter down more than 83 percent from 2006 baseline levels, even as cargo volume climbed nearly 71 percent over the same period. The new programs are also part of a broader push to streamline and improve conditions for the truckers who serve the port, alongside upgraded public restrooms, better roadway paving and striping, new wayfinding and navigation signage, and stronger channels for feedback between drayage drivers and port staff. Meanwhile, the ongoing Port Street Corridor Improvement Project is reworking and modernizing one of the port complex's key interchanges, aiming to make operations safer and more efficient for the thousands of trucks that pass through daily. "The Port Authority has committed to reaching net-zero by 2050, and we can't get there without bringing our tenants, contractors, and partners like the trucking community along with us," said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia. "These new incentive programs make it financially realistic for drayage operators to switch to zero-emission trucks and yard equipment. Paired with other industry-leading programs and regulations, we're making sure we back up our ambitious sustainability commitments with real action." Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.