EDITOR'S PICK

Stanford Researchers Warn Against Charging Electric Vehicles At Home Overnight

07 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"By 2040, an estimated 300 million charging connectors will be required globally to meet EV demand... If current trends persist, with the majority of charging occurring at home overnight, peak electricity demand could surge by up to 25%...shifting charging to daytime hours, particularly during periods of abundant solar energy, could alleviate grid stress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

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What China's Critical Mineral Ban Means For The US

06 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"This week, China banned exports of several critical minerals to the US, marking the latest move in an escalating series of tit-for-tat trade restrictions...immediately banned exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and so called “superhard materials” used heavily in manufacturing...may also further restrict sales of graphite

"US Geological Survey study found that outright bans on gallium and germanium by China could cut US gross domestic product by $3.4 billion."

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Big Oil Told 70 Years Ago That Fossil Fuel Emissions Could Impact 'Civilization'

06 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"Since the 1950s, oil and gas companies have repeatedly used front groups to influence public opinion, block clean air regulation, and stall climate action.

"...strategy, designed to protect oil and gas producers from local air pollution controls, led to WSPA members being informed in 1954 of a far greater potential danger resulting from their operations: global climate change."

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How Long Will An EV Last Before It Has To Be Replaced? A Guide To Electric Car Battery Life

06 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"Modern EVs are designed to last 15-20 years, comparable to or even longer than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles...EV batteries are typically considered at the end of their life when they drop below 70 to 80 per cent of their original capacity.

"However, advancements in battery technology suggest that many EVs now sustain their performance well beyond this capacity threshold..."

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No Apps, No Swipes - Every EV Will Get Supercharger-Like Charging In 2025

05 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"...one of the best parts of EV ownership is the fact that it’s such a convenient, easy experience...outside of Tesla Superchargers and the much smaller Rivian Adventure Network, on-the-road EV charging can be an inconsistent experience in the US

"PKI is provided by a company called Hubject [in Europe], which verifies charging sessions on European public chargers...[US] EVs that support Plug & Charge will finally have a Tesla-like charging..."

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Ultra-Wideband Wireless Simplifies EV Batteries

05 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"Replacing these wiring harnesses with wireless systems could boost the amount of energy a battery pack can hold, and simplify assembly...NXP has developed the first ultra-wideband wireless battery management system for electric vehicles. It encodes data in low-energy wireless pulses across a 500-megahertz range for short-range, high-bandwidth communication...system can send data four times as fast, reaching up to 7.8 megabits per second."

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As Renewables Rise, The World May Be Nearing A Climate Turning Point

05 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"Climate pollution caused by burning fossil fuels hit a record 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024, marking a 0.8% rise from the previous year...Global consumption of coal, oil, and gas all increased, though coal and oil saw less than 1% growth...While global emissions have yet to reach a clear 'peak'...there are signs that this turning point could be on the horizon...

"Emissions from wealthy countries have been declining, but these efforts must accelerate, and financial support for developing countries."

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Climate Scientists: Concept Of Net Zero Is A Dangerous Trap

05 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"Carbon reduction technologies and geoengineering should be seen as a sort of ejector seat that could propel humanity away from rapid and catastrophic environmental change...

"...policymakers and businesses appear to be entirely serious about deploying highly speculative technologies as a way to land our civilisation at a sustainable destination. In fact, these are no more than fairy tales."

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Electra Showcases Hybrid Electric Aircraft in DOD's Thunderstorm 24-4

02 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"During the three-day event, Electra's EL2 prototype aircraft conducted live overflights, offering hundreds of DoD attendees from all branches and venture capital investors a firsthand experience of its low acoustic signature [of 55 db].

"The demonstration also highlighted the aircraft's versatility across multiple missions such as MEDEVAC, CASEVAC, and quiet ISR, as well as the ability to charge equipment at the edge as a mobile power generator."

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Lucid 'On Track' to Produce Over 10,000 EVs Annually in Saudi Arabia

02 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

In September 2023...the facility started operations with Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) assembly, using vehicle kits pre-manufactured at Lucid's main factory in Arizona...in January 2024, the company began construction on an expansion to transform the plant into a Complete Build Unit...Lucid projected that its manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia could generate up to $3.4 billion in value over a 15-year period with annual production reaching 150,000 at peak.

"Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) stake in Lucid has recently surpassed 60%."

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Stress Test: Making Electric Cars Safe

02 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"TUV Sud...a branch of the German certification and inspection body - located outside of Turin, Italy - takes batteries, motors, inverters, and everything else that operates at high voltage in a zero-emission car and subjects it to all kinds of stress to assess its safety and performance...the stress test cycle developed by TUV Sud takes place under simulated environmental conditions."

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EVs Help Vehicle Emissions Drop To Historic Low In The U.S.

02 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"EVs and PHEVs brought huge climate wins for the transportation sector in 2023. Emissions are down, fuel economy levels are up."

"Now a combination of pro-EV regulatory framework, compliance by automakers and increasing adoption from consumers is helping turn the tide...real-world new-vehicle CO2 emissions dropped to a record low of 319 grams per mile for MY2023 vehicles, an 18-point reduction...Fleetwide fuel-economy levels for new vehicles reached a record 27.1 miles per gallon, a 1.1 mpg increase compared to the year before."

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