EDITOR'S PICK

Why The Automotive Industry Doesn't Need A 900-Mile EV Range From A Solid-State Battery

16 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"Solid-state batteries are gaining traction in the automotive industry due to their numerous advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries...One major advantage is their increased energy density, allowing for longer driving ranges on a single charge...Toyota, even advocate for 900-mile ranges from solid-state batteries. But is this really necessary?...a 300-400 mile range is already quite substantial for most daily commuting needs..."

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Airbus 'Will Be Ready' To Develop Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft By 2035 Goal: CEO

16 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"Hydrogen emits only water when burned or used to produce electricity, giving it promise as a means by which the aviation industry can cut carbon emissions

"Airbus Americas CEO Jeffrey Knittel says several years of evaluation has left Airbus more sure of the technology..."We're going to make a decision on whether it's a fuel cell or a [direct-burn propulsion system]" in 2026 or 2027.

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GOP-Controlled House Passes Bill Targeting California's EV Mandate

16 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"The legislation...would bar states from limiting the sales of gas-powered cars and rescind any federal approvals for states to do so that were issued since the start of 2022...The bill does not explicitly mention California.

"...legislation is not expected to advance or become law...the bill represents another point where Republicans can criticize the Biden administration as energy policies..."

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New Research Predicts EVs Will Outpace ICE Vehicle By 2030

15 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"According to research by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), EV sales are growing exponentially, and companies are already building enough battery and EV factories for EVs to dominate global car sales by 2030. EVs will account for between 62% and 86% of sales by 2030, adding that in China, it would be at least 90%

"research forecasts that this cost will fall to $60-$90 per kWh by 2030, and battery energy density will rise by 4% annually."

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Around the World on Solar Lift

15 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"Solar Airship One will be powered by green alternatives to fossil fuels. The airship proposed would normally have a range of 1,000 kilometers (540 nm), but by layering the top half of the envelope with solar film from which to draw energy by day - and packing hydrogen fuel cells to deliver juice to the airship’s motors at night - the pilots plan a nonstop, unrefueled circumnavigate about the equator...

"The planned flight will cover 40,000 kilometers (21,598 nm) and take 20 to 30 days"

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A Mass Climate Mobilization Is Taking Place Sunday. Here's Why It's Urgent.

15 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"In the wake of the hottest summer on record, climate advocates have organized a 'March to End Fossil Fuels' in New York City as part of the wave of global mobilizations with the aim of putting an end to the poisons that are killing the planet.

"Amid this crucial mobilization, the climate movement is working hard to expose the roots of this crisis and chart an alternate course...producing and burning fossil fuels to produce energy is responsible for about 90 percent of all CO2 emissions."

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Rep. Khanna and UAW President Demand 'New Model' That Puts Workers, Climate Over Profits

15 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

In OpEd "Khanna and UAW president Shawn Fain wrote that "the climate crisis and income inequality are the two greatest challenges facing our generation...

"...the federal government will likely spend more than $300 billion on electric vehicle subsidies by 2031...That money must be invested in high-road, green American manufacturing jobs that create broad-based prosperity for working-class communities."

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Climate Change: BlackRock, HSBC, Hong Kong Officials Urge Firms To Seize 'Biggest Investment Opportunity Out There"

15 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"Asset manager BlackRock sees the transition to net zero as 'the single biggest investment opportunity out there over the next decade'

"About 200 environmental, social and governance-themed funds are now authorised by the Securities and Futures Commission...'Companies are increasingly realising that the business case for the energy transition is strong" [according to] managing director...co-head of climate change in the Asia-Pacific at HSBC.

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Why The Transition To Electric Cars Looms Large In UAW Talks With Big 3 Automakers

14 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"...although EVs are not explicitly at the heart of the union negotiations, they are affecting them in all kinds of ways...The debate is not about whether automakers should transition to EVs...The United Auto Workers union is not trying to resist this transition.

"...the transition made it more crucial that both assembly line workers and battery workers...have pay benefits and guarantees as good as autoworkers used to have."

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Charging Ahead: New Electrolyte Goes Extra Mile For Faster EV Charging

14 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

A team of battery scientists [at Oak Ridge National Lab] recently developed a lithium-ion battery material that not only recharges 80% of its capacity in 10 minutes but keeps that ability for 1,500 charging cycles.

"... new formulations of lithium salts with carbonate solvents to form an electrolyte that maintains better ion flow over time and performs well when high current heats up the battery during extreme fast charging..."

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Stellantis Will Reduce EV Battery Weight By Half

14 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"...opening of the Stellantis Mirafiori battery technology center in Italy's Turin, the automaker announced that it intends to reduce electric vehicle battery weight by 50%...Stellantis will introduce new battery technologies and more efficient cell packaging to reduce weight by half before 2030...Part of its plan to reduce weight involves using lighter, cheaper lithium-sulfur batteries..."

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Humans Have Crossed 6 of 9 ‘Planetary Boundaries’

14 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"Human activity is turning Earth into a world that may no longer adequately support the societies we've built...The new study marks the second update since the 2009 paper and the first time scientists have included numerical guideposts

"...Carbon dioxide levels are included in the framework...so are biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, changes in the use of land and fresh water and the presence of the crucial elements nitrogen and phosphorus."

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