EDITOR'S PICK

America Has Likely Reached Peak Gasoline Consumption

10 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

"Americans love using gasoline, and we've historically been in a pattern where we ended up using more of it every year...I would argue that this pattern is broken.

"But gasoline consumption peaked in 2018 at 392 million gallons per day in 2018 according to the U.S. EIA...Given the economic and demographic headwinds, however, they would have to slow to a stop or even reverse in order to get back to 2018 demand levels sometime this decade."

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We Thought Automakers Would Give Up On Hydrogen. BMW's Betting On It

10 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

"Toyota will provide its third-generation hydrogen fuel cell for the production car—that's the same stack Toyota showed off in its hydrogen-powered Hilux concept...the vehicle would be an existing model with a hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain option added on...BMW's plant in Munich is reportedly built to accommodate hydrogen on the production line

"...it's hard to ignore hydrogen's rocky existence in the U.S."

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Zion National Park Rolls Out Fully Electric Shuttle Bus Fleet

10 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

" The [30] EV shuttles will replace propane-powered buses that have carried an estimated 95 million visitors up and down Zion Canyon since 2000...around three people per car, that means there were 30,000 less cars in the park.

"The project cost around $37 million, with $33 million coming from the U.S. Department of Transportation...rest came from local county governments, the Zion National Park Forever Project and other grants and donations."

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The World's Largest Wind-Powered Cargo Ship Just Made Its First Delivery Across The Atlantic

06 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

"When a new cargo ship set sail from France to New York last month, loaded with hundreds of pallets of champagne, wine, and cognac...French startup that designed the ship...argues that sailing cargo ships can viably compete with container ships running on fossil fuels.

"At around 265 feet long, the vessel is a little bigger than the Cutty Sark...Around 95% of the time...the ship can rely entirely on sails.

"After they deliver wine and spirits from France to the U.S., the ships will travel to South America to pick up coffee to take back to Europe."

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Why Public EV Chargers Almost Never Work as Fast as Promised

06 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

"At US public stations promising charging speeds of 100 kW or higher, the average delivered charge was only 52 kW in 2022...disconnect - largely a reflection of battery power's idiosyncrasies - is leaving many US drivers guessing as to when, why and by how much their charge is being throttled...

"For starters, an EV itself can only suck up electrons so quickly. Of the 55 electric models now available in the US, half charge above 200 kW and only five can charge at 350 kW."

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Nimble Electric Minivan Goes Big On Cargo Hauling

06 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

"Elm Mobility is a new last-mile delivery initiative launched by Prodrive Advanced Technology and Astheimer Design to bring an electric minivan – currently dubbed Evolv – to market. The collaboration has already designed and built a working demonstrator in just 12 months, and is now eyeing 2028 for the start of production.

"The Evolv vehicle is destined to roll within the L7e category in Europe (roughly the equivalent of a NEV in the US)."

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EV Charging Stations Boost Spending At Nearby Businesses

06 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

"Charging stations for electric vehicles are essential for cleaning up the transportation sector. A new study by MIT researchers suggests they're good for business, too...The spending bump amounts to thousands of extra dollars annually for nearby businesses, with the increase particularly pronounced for businesses in underresourced areas.

"The study's authors hope the research paints a more holistic picture of the benefits of EV charging stations, beyond environmental factors."

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VW Considers Historic German Plant Closures; Has "0ne, Maybe Two" Years To Turn Around

06 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

"Volkswagen is considering its first ever plant closures in Germany, with the brand's chief financial officer Arno Antlitz saying during a meeting with plant workers that the brand has 'one, maybe two' years to turn its fortunes around...Volkswagen is reportedly facing a loss of demand of around 500,000 cars – a figure Antlitz says is equivalent to around two factories-worth of output.

"Volkswagen AG CEO, Oliver Blume, added that 'there are no more cheques coming from China."

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Lucid Air GT Drives Way Over 500 Miles In Highway Range Test

03 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

"...Kyle Conner managed to drive the 2025 Lucid Air Grand Touring well over 500 miles, making it the longest-range EV the channel has ever tested....By the end of the highway range test, Conner was using only dim parking lights to save a bit of the 12-volt battery, already having surpassed 520 miles and still going.

"Lucid is majority-owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which holds a 59.4 percent stake in the U.S. company..."

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Electric Vehicle Interest Hits Record In New US Study Thanks To Discounts, 28% Say Next Car Will Be EV

03 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

"New discounts on EVs are helping to bring the price of an EV closer to gas-powered vehicles...28% of new-vehicle shoppers saying they are 'very likely' to consider a battery electric vehicle for their next purchase...battery-powered electric vehicle monthly retail sales were 9.2% for June and July.

"Mass market and premium BEVs are at and above parity with gas-powered alternatives - from a cost of ownership standpoint..."

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Norway's Electric Car Sales Set New World Record

03 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

"Electric car sales in Norway took a 94% share of the market in August - a new world record...Boosted by the Tesla Model Y, which accounted for 18.8% of sales...Norwegians bought 10,480 new EVs in August, bringing the total to 68,435 since the start of the year.

"By comparison, electric cars represented 12.1% of new car sales in the EU in July, behind petrol cars at 33.4%... If this trend continues, we will soon be on our way to achieving our goal of 100% zero-emission cars by 2025."

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Hydrogen Or Battery? World-First Train Glides Along On Either

03 Sep 2024 | Synopsis

'Stadler Rail has developed a fleet of train cars that can run on either hydrogen or battery power for branch rail services...

Stadler's "Flirt H2 train zipped along for 46 hours, traveling 2,803 km (1741.7 miles) on a single tank of hydrogen....a single hydrogen-powered car can travel 700 km (435 miles), while the dual set-up will make it 1,000 km (621 miles).

The RS Zero is a particularly lightweight vehicle that enables emission-free operation on secondary routes."

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