EDITOR'S CHOICE

An EV Road User Charge Is Looming. Could It Slam The Brakes On Australia's Clean Car Transition?

25 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

As Australia's electric vehicle fleet grows, the government is considering a road user charge to replace dwindling fuel excise revenue. A proposal from New South Wales suggests a fee of 2.97 cents per kilometre for battery EVs, with collection potentially based on distance driven. Critics worry this will hinder the clean transport transition, arguing the charge should apply to all vehicles, not just EVs.

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Rivian R4 And R5 Will Be Lower-Cost 'Siblings' Than R2 And R3, CEO Says

25 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe reveals R4 & R5 EVs in early concept stage as "sibling set" sharing new platform, priced lower than upcoming R2/R3 models ($45K starting). While Tesla's Musk calls cheap EVs "pointless" without autonomy, Rivian pursues full-line automaker strategy with mainstream affordable EVs. No engineering teams assigned yet - purely conceptual stage.

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Charted: Global EV Adoption (2019 vs. 2025)

24 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

Global sales of electrified vehicles (EVs) soared from just 9% of the market in 2019 to 43% in the first quarter of 2025. This dramatic increase is largely propelled by China, which accounts for 57% of global battery-electric vehicle registrations. Consequently, the market share of traditional combustion engine vehicles has fallen from 91.2% to 56.7% in the same period, highlighting a rapid shift in consumer preference toward electric and hybrid options.

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Electric Vehicle Taxes by State, 2025

24 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

As EV adoption grows, states face declining gas tax revenue and are responding with varied policies. Forty states now impose higher annual registration fees on EVs - ranging from $50 to $260 - to offset lost fuel taxes. Seventeen states offer purchase incentives, while some also tax EV charging. A few states have launched per-mile VMT programs to better link road use to funding. The landscape reflects tension between promoting EVs and maintaining infrastructure budgets

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How to Use Your EV as a Home Backup Power Source

23 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

EVs can serve as emergency power sources during outages. While the 12V auxiliary battery offers limited backup for small devices, bidirectional EVs (like the F-150 Lightning or Kia EV9) can power homes for hours or days. Non-bidirectional models require complex retrofits. Home batteries remain the most reliable option. Choosing the right setup depends on your energy needs and vehicle capabilities.

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China EV Crossroads: Investor Optimism vs. Industry Fragility

23 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

Chinese EV makers like Nio and XPeng face a paradox. Stocks are rising as investors bet on innovation, yet fundamentals look fragile. Reports show unsold inventory piling up, delayed supplier payments exceeding 200 days, and dependence on subsidies and debt. Optimism reflects faith in long-term growth, but sustainability hinges on converting production into real demand.

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Cadillac's Elevated Velocity Concept Signals GM's Electric Ambitions

22 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

Cadillac's Elevated Velocity concept EV showcases GM's bold push into electric luxury and performance. With off-road capability, immersive wellness tech, and autonomous features, it signals GM’s intent to electrify beyond sedans - targeting aspirational, versatile segments. As Cadillac eyes a 2030 all-electric goal, this concept underscores GM's commitment to redefining EV identity through innovation and design.

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Carbon Dioxide Isn’t What You Think It Is

22 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

Science journalist Peter Brannen reframes carbon dioxide not as a villain but as an essential molecule that has shaped life and Earth's history through the global carbon cycle. His book highlights how CO₂ has modulated climate, driven evolution, and enabled civilization. Yet current fossil-fuel–driven CO₂ emissions are unprecedented in speed, potentially threatening stability built over deep time.

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We Could Get Most Metals For Clean Energy Without Opening New Mines

21 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

Recycling existing materials - such as mine waste, used electronics, and batteries - can supply most of the metals needed for clean-energy technologies, potentially avoiding new mining operations and reducing environmental and social impacts. Leveraging innovations in circular economy strategies and policy shifts toward reuse offers a sustainable alternative to traditional mining.

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Africa: The Green Transition's Surprising New Home

21 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

Africa emerges as unexpected renewable energy leader, "leapfrogging" fossil fuels with 60% of world's best solar resources. Kenya targets 100% renewables by 2030, Ethiopia builds largest hydro project. Chinese clean tech exports up 153%. By 2030, renewables will account for 80%+ of new capacity. Economic necessity drives energy independence through domestic clean sources.

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Cybertruck Insurance Dilemma: Tesla's Challenge Ahead

21 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

Tesla's Cybertruck faces an insurance crisis as major providers like GEICO and Hanover rescind coverage due to high repair costs, limited production data, and underwriting challenges. Owners report cancellations and steep premiums, while Tesla's own insurance offers partial relief in select states. The issue threatens future sales and highlights the gap between bold design and real-world support, leaving buyers uncertain and Tesla under pressure to respond.

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The Lithium Wars: EnergyX, Tesla, and the Race to Reinvent Battery Supply

20 Aug 2025 | Synopsis

EnergyX and Tesla are racing to reshape lithium supply chains. Energyx's modular LiTAS™'s system extracts lithium from brine with high efficiency, while Tesla builds a $1B acid-free refinery in Texas. Smackover, AR is EnergyX's likely launch site, offering infrastructure and proximity to EV markets. Meanwhile, sodium-ion batteries emerge as a low-cost alternative, potentially disrupting lithium demand but not replacing it. The future of batteries is diversified, fast, and fiercely competitive.

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