EDITOR'S CHOICE

Robert Downey Jr. Will Turn His Car Collection Green In Downey's Dream Cars

21 May 2023 | Synopsis

"40 years after realizing his passion for cars, [Downey] made a large enough fortune to amass an extensive collection of vehicles...But here's the catch...RDJ looked at his collection and decided to modify it to have less of an impact on the environment...that's why he's going to electrify his first-generation Corvette...He's also going to convert one of the cars to run on biodiesel...his Buick Riviera GS will be transformed into a hybrid."

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Chevy's Not Taking Any Chances With Bolt Battery Packs

21 May 2023 | Synopsis

"It turns out that GM's battery software errs far on the side of caution for Bolts and Bolt EUVs after the fire recall...A GM engineer came out to the dealership and gave the pack a second look, recommending a pack replacement.

"As for the driver, GM is taking very good care of them as well...Without needing to add any new hardware, [GM] found a way for the battery management system and the vehicle's computer to work together."

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Circular Economy Solution Gives Electric Vehicle Batteries A Second Life

21 May 2023 | Synopsis

"TREASoURcE’s mission [is] to create systemic circular economy solutions for currently underutilised or unused plastic waste, end-of-life electric vehicle batteries, and bio-based waste and side streams...The aim of the [two Norwegian] demonstrations is to gain more insight into the second life and functionality of batteries and the ways in which stationary batteries can balance electricity demand."

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Why Aren't EVs Staying In the US Fleet As Long As Gasoline Models?

21 May 2023 | Synopsis

"...of the nearly 2.3 million EVs registered in the U.S. between 2013 and 2022, about 6.6% have left the fleet, while about 5.2% of other vehicle types have left the fleet over the same time frame...The study doesn't suggest why EVs are leaving the fleet at a faster rate, but it likely isn't due to battery degradation or durability...Insurance could well be the issue, or part of it, as insurers are far too eager to completely write off EVs...

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Why You Can't Get A Right-Hand Drive Tesla Model X Or S Anymore

21 May 2023 | Synopsis

Since Tesla has not explicitly explained why it canceled all RHD orders of its Model S and Model X, the move could be related to excessive inventories on the automaker's part...Tesla sold about 100,000 Model S and Model X units in 2017, but the numbers slowly dwindled when the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y entered the fray...Tesla hasn't slowed down production, leading to a surplus of inventory for the Model S and Model X left-hand drive variants."

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New Report Reveals the Troubling Reason More Men Own Electric Vehicles Than Women: 'You Have To Think [It] Through'

20 May 2023 | Synopsis

"Several factors play into the EV purchase gap...One is price: while EVs tend to be cheaper to maintain than gas-powered vehicles, they cost more upfront...Since women make less money than men on average, women are less likely to buy an expensive vehicle.

"EV chargers can often be isolated at the far ends of parking lots or in unpleasant neighborhoods. This creates a safety issue for women."

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Honda Won't Sell Gasoline Mowers in the US Anymore

20 May 2023 | Synopsis

"Dealers were notified that gasoline-powered mower production would come to a halt in September 2023. The remaining inventory will subsequently be offered through 2024 until sold out. Despite the end of production, Honda plans to continue parts and service support...

"its electric mowers and trimmers have received solid reviews in overseas markets. It could yet re-enter the American mower market by bringing in electric models from overseas."

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Oil Companies Owe the World Trillions In Climate Reparations. This Study Calculates the Exact Cost

20 May 2023 | Synopsis

"A new study published in the journal One Earth suggests how to calculate exactly how much they owe...Between 2025 and 2050, based on a survey of hundreds of climate economists, the total economic damages from climate change is estimated at a staggering $99 trillion; nearly $70 trillion of that can be attributed to fossil fuel emissions.

"Though the numbers are large, they're smaller than most company profits. Exxon, for example, made $56 billion last year."

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First Closed-Loop Metal-Recycling Technology Offers Sustainable Future for a Battery-Powered World

20 May 2023 | Synopsis

"Aqua Metals' closed-loop metal-recycling process is revolutionizing metal sourcing and disposal - and eliminating the negative side effects of EV battery production.

"Aqua Metals' process obtains critical metals from spent, shredded lithium-ion batteries - also called "black mass." This material is run through a filter press, which removes graphite and any remnants of aluminum; then, the copper is electroplated.

"Lithium hydroxide is recovered directly with the patent-pending, closed-loop, electro-hydrometallurgical (metal-recovery) process"

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First US-Canada EV Charging Corridor Unveiled to Address Range Anxiety Issues

20 May 2023 | Synopsis

"The nearly 900-mile corridor will stretch from Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Quebec City, Quebec, tapping into the 75,000+ miles of alternative fuel corridors in the United States. The corridor will feature DC fast chargers approximately every 50 miles (80km), with most of the chargers on the Canadian side of the border.

"The US Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes US$7.5bn in federal funding to help build a national network of 500,000 public EV chargers."

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