EDITOR'S PICK

5 Forecasts Early Climate Models Got RIght

18 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Early climate models from the 1960s accurately predicted key warming patterns - Arctic amplification, faster land heating, and nighttime temperature rise. Developed by pioneers like Syukuro Manabe, these models proved surprisingly robust. Their success boosts confidence in today's forecasts, which warn of accelerating disruption. What's worrying isn't just the warming - it's how fast it's unfolding, with risks to ecosystems, infrastructure, and global stability.

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That $1-trillion Tesla Pay Package For Elon Musk Isn't As Bad As You Think. It's Worse

18 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Tesla's proposed $1 trillion pay package for Elon Musk ties rewards to extreme goals like an $8.5 trillion market cap and mass deployment of robotaxis and humanoid bots. Critics say it's not just excessive—it's structurally reckless, concentrating power without time-commitment safeguards and risking distorted priorities. The LATimes argues this isn't bold innovation, but a governance failure with long-term risks to shareholders and corporate accountability.

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The EV You've Never Heard Of That Outsold Tesla

18 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Geely's Geome Xingyuan, a compact EV hatchback priced under $10,000, became China's top-selling car in H1 2025, outselling Tesla's Model Y and BYD's Seagull. Its name means "Prosperous origin," fitting for a vehicle reshaping mass-market electrification. With 204,940 units sold, the Xingyuan thrives on affordability, urban design, and domestic loyalty. Though unknown in the West, it signals China's growing influence in global EV strategy and the rise of scalable, low-cost platforms.

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Toyota Built An App To Hack Plug-In Hybrid Owners' Brains And Make Them Actually Charge Their Cars

17 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Toyota developed the ChargeMinder app to encourage plug-in hybrid owners to charge their vehicles more consistently. Using behavioral science techniques like personalized reminders, gamification, and educational quizzes, the app increased user satisfaction and improved charging habits. In Japan, it boosted peak renewable charging by 59%, while U.S. trials saw a 10% rise in charging frequency and a 16-point jump in satisfaction.

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Volvo XC70 PHEV: A Battery-First Hybrid That Redefines the Segment

17 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Volvo's XC70 PHEV redefines plug-in hybrids with up to 200 km (124 mi) of EV range from a 39.6 kWh NMC battery, plus fast charging and bi-directional power. Its P1–P3 drivetrain pairs a 1.5L turbo engine with dual motors for seamless series-parallel operation. Built on Volvo's SMA platform, it launches first in China, with Europe expected next. The XC70 signals a battery-first strategy bridging hybrid autonomy and full electrification.

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