EDITOR'S PICK

Have Volkswagen Unions Blocked The €20,000 Electric Car?

01 Nov 2024 | Synopsis

"...investigation by...Motor1 Germany.. [the powerful IG Metall ] union ...blocked production of a low-cost city car, which was to be developed by exploiting savings within the Renault group as part of the Twingo project.

"...other VW group cars such as the Cupra Raval and the Skoda Epiq, will in fact find their cradle in Spain... Renault is pressing ahead with its plans to launch the car in 2026 at a price of €20,000..."

Read Full Story

Hyundai's New FCEV Concept: Bold Design, Efficient Fuel Cell Tech

01 Nov 2024 | Synopsis

"With a targeted driving range of over 650 km and a maximum motor output of 150 kW, the INITIUM aims to redefine the capabilities of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

"...primary challenges facing the widespread adoption of FCEVs is the limited availability of hydrogen refueling infrastructure. Hyundai has taken proactive steps to address this issue by equipping the INITIUM with a FCEV-specific route planner."

Read Full Story

Elon Musk's Relentless Trolling Of Democrats Is Tarnishing Tesla

01 Nov 2024 | Synopsis

"...mercurial billionaire's fawning support of a Republican candidate who promises to roll back environmental progress is a dilemma for a company whose core buyers identify as climate-conscious Democrats...46% of people in the market for an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle identify as Democrats, while only 21% and 25% of buyers of those vehicles say they are Republicans...California Public Employees’ Retirement System...review its investment."

Read Full Story

Spain's 'Monster' Floods Expose Europe's Unpreparedness For Climate Change

31 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"...regional government's brief message, which warned of heavy rainfall...came too late for many who found themselves trapped in low-lying homes, shops and roadways that were quickly overwhelmed by rapidly moving floodwaters...floods in Greece, Belgium and Germany in the past few years served as further warnings...The fingerprint of climate change on the storm that hit Spain this week has not yet been measured."

Read Full Story

Researchers Uncover Promising Side Effect Of Solar Farms: 'Opportunity To Provide A Net Benefit'

31 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"Scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory have found that solar farms can also help reverse the decline in pollinator populations...Argonne National Laboratory found that "conscious design" of solar farms can boost pollinator numbers after studying two sites in Minnesota. With native plants surrounding the installations helping to encourage the presence of birds and bees, pollinator numbers tripled in just four years."

Read Full Story

5 Takeaways From an Actually Pretty Solid Quarter for EV Sales According to HeatMap

31 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"...the supposed EV sales slump isn’t real...overall growth rate has slowed somewhat...electric vehicles sales have been steadily rising amid a negative narrative, and they rose yet again in the third quarter of 2024.

"Carmakers sold 346,309 of them from July to September, a 5% increase over the second quarter of this year and an 11% jump year-over-year...

Read Full Story

California Reaches 22% BEV Market Share

31 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"California has reached a record of 22% market share for battery-electric vehicles (BEV) and over 40% if you account for PHEVs and HEVs.

"This marks a full year of registration declines for Tesla in California, leaving the "alternative powertrain door" open for traditional automakers. Manufacturers and dealers have embraced this shift, expanding their share of battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales to 40.2 percent as consumers increasingly turn to exciting, new electric vehicle (EV) options."

Read Full Story

GM CEO Mary Barra On The Politics Of EVs, The Future Of AVs, and Moving Away From China

30 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"I never thought the propulsion of a vehicle would become a political issue...former President...has railed against EVs and claimed, wrongly, that there is a mandate...General Motors's goal is to just keep providing great vehicles, keep supporting the charging infrastructure to be more robust...[customers] want affordability with the right range. And that sweet spot is really 300 miles

"... competing for EV market share in China is a "race to the bottom".

Read Full Story

Report: Confronting Car Dependence Won't Just Help With Climate Change; It's a $6.2 Trillion Opportunity

30 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"Making driving truly optional can save the planet - and save American households trillions of dollars.

'Freedom to Move,' states that giving Americans the freedom to choose among multiple modes of travel is 'key to the climate transition'..slashing vehicle miles traveled by about 27 percent from 2035 to 2050...America wouldn't have to build about $201 billion in new energy infrastructure that would be necessary to power millions of electric cars and the gas-powered cars that would still be produced as the fleet transitions."

Read Full Story

Why Aren't We Driving Hydrogen Powered Cars Yet? There's A Reason EVs Won.

30 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"The answer is very simple: economics...falling cost of batteries and the upsides of a preexisting fueling infrastructure...have propelled battery-electric cars well into the lead.

"What makes hydrogen passenger cars altogether costlier than their battery-electric counterparts is the lack of fueling infrastructure, energy-conversion inefficiencies, and the price of the fuel at the pump..."

Read Full Story

Overcoming The Electric Vehicle Adoption Challenge

30 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"The price gap between EVs and internal combustion engine vehicles remains a critical hurdle for many consumers, particularly in Western markets, where government subsidies are declining.

"...subsidies can temporarily drive demand, they fail to provide the necessary foundation for long-term growth...governments should prioritize infrastructure investment...Public-private partnerships are emerging as a vital strategy for overcoming the infrastructural challenges facing EV adoption."

Read Full Story

Authoritarianism Is On The Rise. Is Climate Change To Blame?

29 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"Although it's difficult to prove that climate change contributed to the ascent of these strongmen, political scientists, economists, and psychologists have found evidence that the dangers of global warming can push individuals, and nations, in an authoritarian direction...

"Researchers have long noticed that natural disasters like floods, droughts, and wildfires can help autocratic politicians consolidate power."

Read Full Story