EDITOR'S CHOICE

Air Pollution Responsible For 180,000 Excess Deaths In Tropical Cities

10 Apr 2022 | Synopsis

"

According to the study, the increase in the number of people dying prematurely from exposure to air pollution was highest in cities in South Asia, in particular Dhaka, Bangladesh (totalling 24,000 people), and the Indian cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Surat, Pune and Ahmedabad (totalling 100,000 people).

The researchers say that while the number of deaths in tropical cities in Africa are currently lower due to recent improvements in healthcare across the continent resulting in a decline in overall premature mortality, the worst effects of air pollution on health will likely occur in the coming decades.

"

Read Full Story

Heavy EVs Are Going to Kill Us All

10 Apr 2022 | Synopsis

"Consumer Reports found that many EVs have better stopping distances than their gas counterparts. But it depends on the vehicle. Most of their tests involved "lighter" EVs. A lot of the heavier stuff has horrible braking distances. Car and Driver tested the Lucid Air and recorded a 163 foot stop from 70; an Audi RS e-tron needed nearly 48.77 m. Motor Trend recently tested the Hummer EV and while its 41.76 m stopping distance from 60 is better than these cars, it was still three feet worse than a GMC Sierra 3500. "

Read Full Story

Nissan's New Battery Tech Sounds Awesome, But It Can Kill You

10 Apr 2022 | Synopsis

"...according to Kazuhiro Doi, (Nissan) corporate vice president in charge of advanced battery research, the new tech might be even more dangerous than the battery packs currently popular within the industry. ''Energy density is double, so you have a potential bomb that's more dangerous,'' said Kazuhiro san. The good news is that Nissan believes that it has solved most of the inherent risks, but it comes with a massive time penalty."

"The process (of hand assembling the prototype solid state cells) is so tediously slow that Nissan is currently producing only 50 of these pouches per month, and according to Kenzo Oshihara, deputy general manager for innovative battery production engineering, an average car will need about 5,000."

Read Full Story

The Sinking Of The Felicity Ace Was A $500 Million Tragedy

10 Apr 2022 | Synopsis

"...the shipping industry is starting to implement new regulations and restrictions. It makes complete sense, considering the loss of the Felicity Ace cost around $500 million.

"The Felicity Ace belonged to Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), which has already gone on record stating that it won't transport used EVs anymore. Hybrids are fine, but used battery-powered full-electric vehicles are no longer welcome.

"London-based law firm, Watson Farley & Williams, recently released a report on the topic. It clearly states that there is no evidence to suggest that EVs are more likely to burn than ICE cars. But it is widely known that they burn a lot hotter and for much longer than an ICE car."

Read Full Story

R8 Switch + Modular E-Cycle Goes from Urban Commuter to Edgy Sports Bike Instantly

09 Apr 2022 | Synopsis

"The R8 Switch + electric bike is yet another concept that gives us a good look at the probable form of EVs without being too complicated or hard to imagine as being feasible in real-life conditions. The bike designed for the urban lifestyle is a personal project resulting from a need the designer experienced."

Read Full Story

Pennsylvania Governor Appeals Court Order Blocking Carbon Plan

09 Apr 2022 | Synopsis

Gov. Tom Wolf's administration is asking the state's highest court to let the centerpiece of his plan to fight climate change take effect and make Pennsylvania the first major fossil fuel state to adopt a carbon pricing policy.

The regulation had been scheduled to be published Saturday, making it official. But the lower court sided with leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature who contend the regulation is illegal.

The plan has won approval from regulatory bodies.

Read Full Story

Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki Roll Out Swappable Electric Motorcycle Batteries, But It's Really Just a Gogoro Competitor

09 Apr 2022 | Synopsis

Together with Japanese petroleum company Eneos, the Big Four have now launched a new Battery As A Service (BaaS) for their swappable battery packs. The swapping service, known as Gachaco, also looks like a Gogoro setup in costume.

To be fair, there are several competing battery swapping standards for these small 1-2 kWh battery packs. Kymco has their own system, Silence has a neat wheeled battery system, and Rayvolt even recently showed off their own wheeled swappable battery for electric mopeds starting with the BullX.

But Gogoro has become the de facto standard as it has surpassed a million battery packs produced and is now quickly spreading across Asia's largest motorcycle markets of India, China and Indonesia.

Read Full Story

Climate Bill Accelerating Maryland's Shift From Fossil Fuels Set to Become Law

09 Apr 2022 | Synopsis

A bill to accelerate Maryland's transition away from fossil fuels will become law, setting goals to cut the state's greenhouse gas emissions 60% below 2006 levels by 2031 and virtually eliminate the state’s carbon footprint by 2045.

The legislation had been widely expected to appear on a list of vetoes Gov. Larry Hogan presented Friday evening, ahead of the General Assembly's adjournment for the year on Monday. Hogan had called it a "reckless and controversial energy tax bill" as soon as floor debate began in the Senate last month, though it doesn't actually include any tax policies.

But the Republican is allowing the measure to become law, a step environmentalists have said puts Maryland back into the forefront of states taking action to combat climate change, caused by a buildup of emissions in the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels.

Read Full Story

Aston Martin's Creative Chief Says the Valhalla is Just the Beginning of Luxury EVs

09 Apr 2022 | Synopsis

"Supplementing this new V8 engine is a 150kW/400V battery hybrid system utilising a pair of E Motors; one mounted on the front axle and the other on the rear axle. The electric system contributes a further 204PS for a headline combined power output of 950PS. When driven in EV mode, battery power is directed exclusively to the front axle. In other driving modes battery power is split between front and rear axles, the percentage sent to each axle constantly varies according to driving demands. The Valhalla also boasts an all-new 8-speed DCT transmission."

Read Full Story

China-Built All-Electric Smart SUV Hits the Road with Claimed Range of 273 Miles

08 Apr 2022 | Synopsis

"

The Smart #1 is expected to be priced at between £30,000 and £35,000 as a rival to the Hyundai Kona EV and Volkswagen's all-electric ID.3.

Riding on 19 inch wheels, it is powered by a 200 kW (272 PS) electric engine, the rear-wheel drive it has a top speed of 112mph.

Weighing 1820 kg it is 4270mm long with a wheelbase of 2750mm.

The rear boot can increase from 273 litres to 411 litres thanks to a slidable rear bench seat.

"

Read Full Story