EDITOR'S CHOICE

The Road To Cleaner Cars: Why US Progress Must Not Stall

20 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"...latest evidence from the 2024 EPA Automotive Trends Report is clear: this country can protect public health and save consumers at the pump through technological innovation, well-designed policy, and steady progress over many years

"It was once again American innovation that is credited with launching the world's transition to electrification...Policies over the past four years have provided a needed boost to American competitiveness...

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Level 2 Charging @ Home Considered the "Holy Grail" By EV Drivers

20 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"Fellow EV drivers were quick to recommend installing a home charger but suggested fitting a Level 2 (L2) EV rather than a Level 1 (L1) charger...The L1 charger uses a 120V outlet and won’t charge an EV as quickly as the L2, which uses a 240V connection.

"In real terms – depending on the make and model of the car – an L2 can provide between 15 to 40 miles of range per hour, compared to an L1 that offers just three to five miles per hour."

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The Cybertruck Is Banned In The UK, But Not For The Reason You'd Expect

20 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"...the sharp edges of the Cybertruck can't satisfy the European regulation...This effectively means that for the unique EV pickup to legally roam the streets of the U.K. (and Europe), it would either need to be extensively redesigned or the current laws would need to be modified.

"...drive the Tesla Cybertruck legally...known as a category C1 driving license...allows them to operate vehicles that...weigh more than 3,500 kg."

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It's Going To Be A Bumpy Road To EV Adoption, Study Shows

19 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"...adoption of battery electric vehicles is a bifurcated path where the minds of consumers and manufacturers are set in different directions... Consumers appeared to be the most bullish about EV adoption

"While 72% of U.S. consumers said they are likely or very likely to consider an EV as their next purchase, only 31% of Japanese consumers expressed the same intentions...EV sales in the U.S continued to surge in 2024, increasing 7.3% from 2023 to 1.3 million units."

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Experts Weigh In On Claim That Electric Cars Have A Mining Problem: 'These Problems Have Always Existed'

19 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

The International Energy Agency estimated that electric cars use 381 pounds more of minerals such as lithium, nickel, and copper compared to internal combustion engine cars.

"However, scientists found that the mineral use for electric cars in the long run is actually far lower than gasoline and diesel's mineral usage when accounting for oil needed for fuel-burning cars...The majority of battery minerals used in cars are likely to be recycled."

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Is Electric Car Charging Any Better In 2025? Here's What Owners Say

19 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"...the number of EVs on U.S. roads has tripled since 2021 to more than 5 million by the end of last year...It's no longer just early adopters or techies up-to-speed on all things EV, but regular folks who can't always tell a kilowatt from J.J. Watt.

"At these water coolers of the electric world, we've talked about cars or commiserated about the dodgy state of (non-Tesla) charging...They don't need to know as long as their car does its job"

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Can-Am Surprises With Launch Of Naked And Dual-Sport Electric Motorcycles

19 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"...pair of bikes will roll out with 8.9 kWh battery packs, putting them on the lower end of battery capacities these days. Those battery packs offer an estimated city range of 100 miles (160 km) or 90 miles (145 km)...The batteries fall just below the capacity of models offered by LiveWire...but above Zero Motorcycles’ entry-level electric rides...The bikes also share a 47 hp (35 kW) electric motor..The bike is priced at US $13,999..."

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Who Owns Polestar and Where Its Cars Made?

16 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

While its corporate headquarters are located in Gothenburg, Sweden, with an R&D facility housed in the U.K., until recently, all of Polestar's production has been based in China...After the Polestar 1 came the Polestar 2, also built in China...

"As of August 14, 2024, the Polestar 3 will be built in South Carolina, as well as in its Chinese factory...the move to U.S. production for the Polestar 3 will help the company avoid tariffs applied to Chinese EV imports."

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Solid-State Batteries: The Promise and the Perplexities

16 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"Solid-state batteries have emerged as a promising contender to revolutionize energy storage...widespread adoption of this technology faces significant hurdles...While the potential of solid-state batteries is undeniable, several challenges hinder their widespread adoption...Achieving high ionic conductivity within the solid electrolyte remains a critical challenge...The manufacturing process...is complex and currently expensive..."

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New York Is Now Coming For Your Fast And Heavy Electric Bikes

16 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"New York Govenor...Hochul proposed in her State of the State address yesterday that Class 3 electric bikes weighing over 100 lb (45 kg) be excluded from existing electric bicycle regulations and instead be treated more like mopeds.

"Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes can reach a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) on motor power...New York State has stricter Class 3 limits that provide for speeds up to just 25 mph..."

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Molten Salt Nuclear Reactor In Wyoming Hits Key Milestone

16 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"In Kemmerer, Wyoming, the Naughton Power Plant has been burning coal to provide electricity since the 1960s...plant would be shut down by 2025...it is the site where Natrium, America's first coal-to-nuclear project...US Department of Energy...gave the company an $80 million grant in October 2020 as part of its Advanced Reactor Demonstration Project program...The permit allows TerraPower to begin building the non-nuclear portions of its plant.."

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Island 1,200 Miles Off The Southwest Coast Of Africa Is Now Home To The World's Most Remote EV Charging Point

15 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"Subaru UK partnered with Easee, a Norwegian EV charger brand, to set up the world's most remote public EV charging point in St Helena...The isolated island is a part of the British Overseas Territory and is mainly inhabited...the same place where Napolean was exiled..likely why Subaru UK sent a Solterra EV as part of its test...The island currently has four more electric vehicles that can benefit from the newly installed EV charging point."

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