EDITOR'S CHOICE

California's eVTOL Air Taxi Startups Face Daunting Hurdles Ahead of LA28 Olympics Launch

27 May 2025 | Synopsis

eVTOL developer and operator is hoping to provide air taxi service for the Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles, transporting passengers above the city's congestion. However, among the obstacles they need to surmount is, first of all FAA certification of the aircraft themselves, establishing pilot training and licensing standards, and defining operational guidelines.

Additionally, vertiports need to be located and built and air traffic control procedures established.

Read Full Story

Researchers Take A Step Toward Carbon-Capturing Lithium Batteries

26 May 2025 | Synopsis

Li-CO₂ batteries could be a two-in-one solution to the current problems of storing renewable energy and taking carbon emissions out of the air. They absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into a white powder called lithium carbonate while discharging energy.

"...scientists noticed something interesting about this CO₂ contamination: It improved the battery's amount of charge...the technology has a few issues. The batteries don''t last very long."

Read Full Story

India's Car Economy Leaves the Middle Class Fuming

23 May 2025 | Synopsis

To ease an unfair tax burden, policymakers should look to 21st-century China, not 20th-century America.

"At 6 million-plus kilometers (4 million miles), India's road network is now the second largest in the world after the US..For intercity travel, India's template ought to have been 21st-century China, not 20th-century America...A still-small, car-owning middle class (fewer than one in 10 households) is feeling squeezed by the $7 billion it pays in tolls every year."

Read Full Story

10-lb Electric Outboard Works Like A Carbon Fiber Oar With Prop Drive

23 May 2025 | Synopsis

"The Temo 450 Carbon carries like a canoe paddle, but instead of manual muscle power, it tasks an integrated propeller drive with delivering up to 200 watts of propulsive power. At just 10 lb (4.6 kg), it's one of the sleekest, easiest ways of putting motor power to water.

"...after the 80 minutes of cruise time are up, users will have to charge the full drive for roughly 4.5 hours back to full...Temo estimates 60 minutes of runtime when going full power."

Read Full Story

Last Diesel Bus To Be Made In Australian State Leaves Production Line, All Electric From Now

23 May 2025 | Synopsis

"Each electric bus produced at the Volgren facility has the capability to travel up to 300 kilometres on a single charge and saves around 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year...8 electric buses have already been built Volgren's Malaga facility and are now servicing Perth CAT routes, while 18 EV chargers have been installed at the Elizabeth Quay Bus Station..The state government has also promised to allocate an additional $61.9 million in the upcoming state budget to shift manufacturing to fully electric."

Read Full Story

Electra's EL9 Hybrid-Electric Ultra Short Achieves Breakthrough Wind Tunnel Performance, 7X Greater Lift than Conventional Aircraft

23 May 2025 | Synopsis

"Electra's blown wing design delivers the high lift needed for takeoff and landing in just 150 feet. This is 10 percent the distance typically required by conventional aircraft of the same size.

"...the tests demonstrated lift coefficients greater than 20 - 7X greater than the 2.5-3 range typical of unblown wings...EL9's approach and landing profile meets all FAA Part 23 safety and stall margin requirements."

Read Full Story

Volvo Produces Electric Articulated and Bi-Articulated Buses in Brazil

21 May 2025 | Synopsis

the Volvo BZRT, is available in both articulated and bi-articulated formats and is designed to support high-capacity urban transport systems, particularly Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) networks...electric bi-articulated version measures 28 metres in length and can accommodate up to 250 passengers.

"The bus is powered by two 200kW electric motors... paired with a two-speed automated transmission...chassis supports up to eight battery packs, with a combined capacity of 720kWh."

Read Full Story

Tornadoes Knocked Out My Home Power For Days, But My Rivian Became A Backup Energy Savior

21 May 2025 | Synopsis

"...the Rivian R1S offers a slew of power ports to fit various needs, whether it's while driving, out in the wild, or providing backup power to your home...To power my garage fridge... I simply ran an extension cord from the truck's rear 120V plug

"I only drained about 25 miles of range from the battery after powering my fridge and other devices for days...Not only was I impressed by how much stored energy I had at my disposal, but it was also incredible how easily I could access the BEV's two 120V plugs and abundant USB-C ports."

Read Full Story

Now There's Proof That the Fossil Fuel Industry Uses Cultural Sponsorships to Block Climate Action

21 May 2025 | Synopsis

"...the American Petroleum Institute (API) sponsored a workshop for Pennsylvania Girl Scouts, featuring "activities that mimicked work in the energy industry..." America's most powerful oil lobby likely did not tell the Girl Scouts, however, was that API had hosted the seminar as part of its mission to cultivate "nontraditional local allies"

"Big Oil exploits its partnerships with some of America's most trusted institutions, to greenwash its image, block progress on climate safety, and avoid accountability..."

Read Full Story

MAN Becomes First European Manufacturer To Launch Fully Electric Coach

21 May 2025 | Synopsis

Built on the foundations of MAN's Lion's City E chassis, the new electric coach will set a record for sustainable transport technology in Europe.

"Europe’s first electric coach can fit up to 61 passengers, with no restrictions in place for luggage volume...The first stages of development will see the electric coach head to short and medium distance operators, including shuttle services, works transport and city trips."

Read Full Story

CATL Battery Swap Electric Semi Tech Cleans Up The "Messy Middle"

19 May 2025 | Synopsis

"...the goal was to advance the adoption of battery swap technology in the heavy truck segment. To that end, CATL revealed a new, standardized battery pack it's calling 75#

"..a dozen heavy truck, terminal tractor, and heavy equipment manufacturers to develop more than 30 battery swap-enabled electric vehicles capable of running on 75#....300 battery swap stations serving heavy trucks in 13 core regions in China by the end of 2025."

Read Full Story

Despite Backlash, More States Are Considering Laws To Make Big Oil Pay For Climate Change

19 May 2025 | Synopsis

"This year, 11 states, from California to Maine, have introduced their own climate Superfund bills. Momentum is growing even as Vermont and New York’s laws face legal challenges by fossil fuel companies...big fossil fuel companies were...not paying their fair share for the climate crisis that they've caused

"...New York's law...sets a funding target ahead of time by requiring certain fossil fuel companies to pay a total of $75 billion, or $3 billion per year over 25 years."

Read Full Story