Calstart, the Pasadena-based zero-emission vehicle industry consortium, now has a new name: Catalyst Mobility. And it has gotten a little larger after merging into its organization an Oregon nonprofit working to advance the electrification of transportation.
These are the most significant developments for the 34-year-old consortium since Michael Berube took over as chief executive late last year, replacing longtime chief John Boesel.
In an interview, Berube said the rebranding more truly reflects what the organization is about.
“We are the spark that accelerates things, makes things happen,” Berube said of the name change, which took effect on Sept. 14.
Calstart was founded in 1992 by a group of some 40 member companies and organizations with a mission is to serve as a catalyst for the clean transportation industry. It now has more than 200 members.
Over the years, the consortium has facilitated deals to further the deployment of electric vehicles and related infrastructure, such as charging stations. It also administers the distribution of state and federal grants to offset the cost of commercial zero emission vehicle purchases, among other things.
‘Engine for clean transportation’
Historically, California has been the focus for many of its programs and deals.
“California has long been the engine for clean transportation technology,” Berube said. “Now, we have to scale up so that the rest of the country and the rest of the world can come along with us.”
Simultaneously with the rebranding announcement, Catalyst Mobility announced it has merged into its organization Portland, Oregon-based Forth, a much smaller nonprofit that is focused on advancing clean transportation.
Berube said Forth has roughly one-tenth the 260 employees of Catalyst Mobility and would add about 20% to Catalyst Mobility’s revenue.
“Both organizations have complementary missions, with different member bases, different geographies and somewhat different programs,” Berube said in the interview. “We believe we will be able to achieve more together.”
He said that Forth and its chief executive, Jeff Allen, reached out to Calstart a few months back.
“They were at a point where they needed more scale, either through organic growth or merging with another organization,” he said.
The newly named and expanded Catalyst Mobility has retained the Pasadena headquarters of the former Calstart.
