Daimler quadrupling lithium-ion capacity: Daimler officially broke ground yesterday on a lithium-ion battery plant it says will be one of the largest in the world. German chancellor Angela Merkel joined Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche and other officials for a tour of existing plant in Kamenz, near Dresden, that will quadruple production once the second plant is finished in mid-2018. Combined, the Kamenz plants will cover about 861,000 square meters. Along with powering EQ all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids, the plant will supply Mercedes-Benz Energy storage units and 48-volt on-board power systems. The Germany automaker is putting about $560 million into the new plant. The number of employees working there will double to more than 1,000 by the end of the decade. The plant will be sustainably powered from a combined heat and power plant and a photovoltaic solar plant in combination with stationary battery storage units. “The automotive industry is facing a fundamental transformation and we see ourselves as the driving force behind this change. The battery factory in Kamenz is an important component in the implementation of our electric offensive. By 2022, we will have more than ten purely electric passenger cars in series. We also continue to drive forward the hybridization of our fleet. Under the EQ brand, we are creating a holistic ecosystem for e-mobility,” Zetsche said.
Sustainable Fleet Certificate: NAFA Fleet Management Association just released a listing of fleet managers who’ve earned a Sustainable Fleet Certificate. Fleet managers can now utilize the certificate to make a strong addition to their overall accreditation. Launched in April, the program was developed through a partnership between NAFA, Calstart, and NC State University. It’s been designed to educate fleet professionals in proven methods to develop sustainable fleet initiatives along with the skillset needed to meet their sustainability goals. Special recognition was given during the association’s recent annual conference in Tampa.
NAFA developed the Sustainable Fleet Certificate program in response to a need uncovered after NAFA launched its Sustainable Fleet Accreditation Program (SFAP).
“It is clear fleet managers are extremely interested in our accreditation program,” NAFA President Bryan Flansburg said, “but many don’t know how to start a sustainable program for their fleet operations. This training provides all this information and guidance and will be a strong feeder into our accreditation program.”
The first-ever recipients of NAFA’s Sustainable Fleet Certificates are:
- Martin Biffin, Principal Mechanical Engineer, Government of Bermuda Public Works
- Mike Bisogno, CAFM, Director, Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Fleet Management Services
- Anthony Bowe, Fleet Management/Shop Supervisor, State of Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Michele L. Bowles, CAFS, Fleet Manager, Washington Gas Light Co.
- Ray Brisby, CAFM, Fleet Manager, Calgary Fire Department
- Richard Callis, CAFM, Sr. Analyst, Enterprise Fleet Management, Charter Communications
- Mike Camnetar, CAFM, Director of Fleet Partnership Solutions, Element Fleet Management
- Jeffrey Carter, Fleet Manager, Portland General Electric
- Patti Earley, CAFM, Fleet Fuel Specialist, Florida Power & Light
- Antoine Elias, Lead Senior Plant Engineer, Br. C.A.T. International Co. LTD
- Robert Ellingsworth, CAFM, Fleet Manager, State of Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Donald Eta, Director, Fleet Management Services, City of Vaughan, Ontario
- Marie Gianetti, Insurance Coordinator, Varian Associates, Inc.
- Scott Glew, Manager, Fleet Services, Town of Richmond Hill, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
- Brad Hawthorne, Deputy Director, City of San Diego, Fleet Operations Department
- Nina Hoffert, CAFM, Fleet Manager, City of Lakewood
- Alia Khouri, Deputy Director, City of San Diego Fleet Services
- James Laverty, CAFS, Manager, Vehicle Pool, University of Alberta, Canada
- Gary Lentsch, CAFM, Fleet Manager, Eugene Water & Electric Board
- Zachariah McLawhorn, Deputy Director, State of North Carolina, Motor Fleet Mgmt. Division
- Quintonio Ratteray, Mechanical Superintendent, Government of Bermuda Public Works
- William Rogers, DPW – Fleet Services Administrator, Indianapolis Fleet Services
- Rick Sikes, CAFM, COO, CarbonBLU
- Michael Simonds, Fleet Manager, City of San Diego Fleet Operations Department
- James Tillman, Director, Business Development EV Services and Battery Storage, MaxGen Energy Services
- Katherine Vigneau, CAFM, Professional Development Strategist, KMVS Fleet+ Consulting
- Mike Wilkinson, Fleet Supervisor, Denver Water
- Mike Wilson, CAFM, Strategic Fleet Management Specialist, Element Fleet Management
In order to earn a Sustainable Fleet Certificate, individuals had to attend a full-day training session for which they received a comprehensive study guide. The study guide provided the basis for the course materials, as well as the exam on which individuals were tested. Those who successfully completed the exam at the end of the training session earned a Sustainable Fleet Certificate.
NAFA is working to offer the sustainable certificate training in autumn 2017. For information about NAFA’s Sustainable Fleet Accreditation Program and future training events as they are released, please visit www.nafasustainable.org.
