EDITOR'S CHOICE

China's Auto Industry Shows Why GM and Ford Are Stuck in a Catch-22

16 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"Battery-electric vehicles' penetration of new car sales in China is set to finish 2023 at roughly 25%...automaker profit margins have declined as their core market has given up ground to battery-powered cars...Profit margins should be rising for car companies when industry volumes are strong. But the bulk of the gains are accruing to EVs..

"...the crux of the problem for Ford (F) and GM (GM). If they don?t invest aggressively in EVs, they risk losing market share and seeing profitability erode. And if they invest in EVs - which both are - there is no guarantee they will win against upstarts such as Tesla and Rivian..."

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There's An Affordable EV Out There Displacing Twice As Much Oil As Electric Cars

16 Sep 2023 | Synopsis

"Compared to electric passenger cars, e-buses, and e-trucks, it’s electric bikes and trikes that are displacing the most oil usage - more than twice all of those larger EVs combined.

"Electric bikes are more than 10x more efficient than electric passenger cars, meaning the same amount of battery needed for a 20-mile commute in an electric car could power an e-bike for over 200 miles...a 2019 Belgian study found that a mere 10% shift in car drivers to bike riders resulted in a 40% reduction in road traffic."

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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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