EDITOR'S PICK

Transition to EVs Will Lead to 'Fundamental Transformation' of Global Auto Industry, IMF Says

24 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"...recent World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said the transition to electric vehicles will have 'far-reaching' effects on production, investment, global trade and employment.

"According to the IMF, transportation was responsible for 36 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2022...Speeding up the global move toward EVs would change the industry, especially if China remains the export and production leader in front of European and U.S. rivals."

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Ford CEO Admits He's Been Driving A Chinese Electric Sports Car For Six Months

24 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"The Xiaomi car, which now exists, and it's fantastic... they sell 10,000, 20,000 a month, they're sold out for six months, that is an industry juggernaut...

"I try to drive everything we compete against... Specs can tell part of a story, but you've got to get behind the wheel to truly understand and beat the competition.

"Fundamentally, though, it's sound practice. In the words of Sun Tzu: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."

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Zero Labs Electrifies Classic Land Rover Series 109, Celebrating Retro Design With "Anti-Cyber Truck"

23 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"The Los Angeles-based company has already electrified iconic vehicles like the Ford Bronco, the Ford F-250, and the Defender 110...Since launching Zero Labs, we've received over 80,000 order requests

"...performance upgrades include adjustable ride height control, an auto-sensing rack-and-pinion steering, 600HP dual-motor configuration, and a range of over 250 miles...Only 25 units of the...Series 109 will be available in 2025."

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E-Wheeling and Dealing: A New Age of Public Service

23 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"Many governmental entities are getting on board with Vision Zero, Complete Streets, and climate mandates, but struggle with implementation.This is where the role of a transportation planner is irreplaceable.

"...call-in approach"...means I do my research, work to build consensus, ask for feedback, and monitor impacts...For new technologies, it's important to check sources and know where real research is done..."

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Electric Vehicles, An Election Issue With Long-Term Implications

23 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"Trump, meanwhile, has made misleading claims about possible vehicle mandates...Voters' choice in November may ultimately decide if valuable government incentives remain available...regardless of who wins, the transition to electric vehicles is almost certain to continue...electric vehicle sales nationwide in the third quarter of 2024 found sales were up 11% year over year.."

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Essay: How Progress Creates Its Own Obstacles

23 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"The world really is getting better. So why don’t people believe it?"

"Progress is an unusual state of affairs. It is not the default...you could argue that the biggest evidence against the narrative of progress is all in our heads...The US economy has not in fact gone down the tubes, and we are, in fact, making real progress on cutting carbon emissions...our political system make transformational change so difficult to achieve."

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How A Hurricane Proved EVs Are Sturdier Than Gas-Powered Cars

22 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"Flood damage spells trouble for every component of your vehicle from the engine to the interior to the electrical components... Water doesn't compress, so you wind up with bent rods as the engine tries to push the cylinders...remember that flood water isn't just water. It's salt, sand, and debris.

"Hurricane Ian saw 21 EVs catching fire after their batteries were submerged in saltwater back in 2022. This number turned out to be much lower than expected , but the risk is still there."

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Lifting The Veil On Tens Of Billions In Oil Company Payments To Governments

22 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"...reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission...reveal payments made by extractive companies...The disclosures detail tens of billions of dollars in taxes, royalties and other payments

"The disclosures detail tens of billions of dollars in taxes, royalties and other payments...revealing in the U.S. is that we are likely getting a bad deal...Exxon reported paying nearly five times more in taxes to the United Arab Emirates - $5.6 billion."

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This Is How Electric Vehicles Win, One School Bus At A Time

22 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"Aside from savings on fuel and maintenance, owners can squeeze even more value from their fleets by sharing the energy stored in their EV batteries. The question is exactly how much value is to be gained

"...14 projects are expected to result in a V2G 'best practices' implementation toolkit for utilities and fleet managers...the US Army...is looking into the idea of assembling electric vehicles, hybrids, and/or conventional vehicles into instant microgrids."

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1.3 Million US Made Solar Panels, 875 MW - Orion Solar Farm Goes Live In Texas

22 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"...the three new [Orion Belt] solar farms combined have 1.3 million solar panels manufactured in America by First Solar...at its Perrysburg, Ohio facility...22,800 tons of structural steel for the entirety of the project was sourced from Gerdau steel mills located in Midlothian, Texas, and Cartersville, Georgia.

"...85 percent of that electricity will go to power Google data centers in Ellis County..."

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Atlantic Aviation Preparing Manhattan Heliport for Electric Air Taxis

21 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"FBO network Atlantic Aviation is preparing to install charging stations for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis...its terminal at the East 34th Street Heliport (6N5) on the Manhattan waterfront...The location is a hub for trips in and around New York City and handles flights for New York University’s Langone Health Center...Atlantic said it is working with Joby, Archer, and a third partner, Beta Technologies."

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Hydrogen Chase Boats Follow in Wake of America's Cup Designs

21 Oct 2024 | Synopsis

"Unlike normal boats, when the Chase Zero boat 'takes off' it rides above the waves...hydrogen fed into two Toyota fuel cells which produce the electricity to power its motor and batteries. The design was a spin-off from the giant America's Cup sailing boats, which now lift above the water on foils.

"They basically produce no emissions at all and what's dumped in the water is fresh water... They foil at 30-35 knots cruise..."

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