EDITOR'S CHOICE

French Researchers Make Shocking Discovery After Examining Vineyard Grown Under Solar Panels

02 Jan 2025 | Synopsis

"Instead of replacing farmland with solar arrays, agrivoltaics allows farmers to continue earning money via farming while also earning money from leasing that land to solar companies.

"In France...two pilot programs in the south of France...involved growing grapes for winemaking... reported...the experiment also actually increased yields...The yield of Chardonnay grapes increased by 60%, followed by Marselan at 30% and Grenache blanc at 20%."

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Passengers Threatened And Harassed In Driverless Taxis Feel 'Powerless' To Protect Themselves

30 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"...flip side to autonomous vehicles; the absence of a driver has emboldened harassment and threats towards passengers traveling alone...three women [in] dangerous situations that the driverless taxis put them in.

"If a rider feels their personal security is threatened while riding, they can reach out to 911 via the Waymo One App...Riders can also change their destination or add stops at any time in the app...

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China Hits EV Target 10 Years Early, Still Hasn't Reached 2020 Nuclear Target

30 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"...China Society of Automotive Engineers laid out a roadmap for how the country was going to achieve 50% of all cars sold in 2035 being fully electric, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen...projections from HSBC, UBS, Morningstar, and Wood Mackenzie, that’s actually going to happen in 2025

"The nation's wind energy capacity reached 281 GW, far exceeding the target of 210 GW. Solar power saw even more dramatic growth..."

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How Sustainable Is Cycling, Really? An Expert's Take

30 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"We asked ultra-distance cyclist and sustainability expert Dr Ian Walker how bikes can best help the planet.

"...avoiding car ownership is a key step, as the embodied emissions from manufacturing a car are significant. An e-bike can often replace a second car..cultural assumption that driving is the default, normal way to travel, while alternatives like cycling and public transport are dismissed...Replacing short car trips with cycling is space efficient, healthier, and fosters sustainability."

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French Company Unveils Game-Changing Electric Truck That Could Rival Tesla Semi - And It Has Unbelievable Range

30 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

Renault...E-Tech T trucks will have a single-charge range of 375 miles, approximately the distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco...specifically rivals the Tesla Semi's range of 300 to 500 miles...Renault has had hybrid and electric trucks on the market since 2009, with its mass production starting in 2020...its electric truck customers have saved 32,000 tons of carbon dioxide pollution...Orders for the E-Tech T will open in mid-2025.

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'Like Your Tesla Rental? Want To Keep It?' Hertz Is Trying To Unload Its Tesla Cars On Renters

27 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"Tesla fleet boosted Hertz's customer satisfaction, but issues soon arose when Tesla cut prices...Hertz...relies on fleet value for its financial health...To mitigate losses, Hertz announced plans to sell about 20,000 Teslas

"...recent Hertz renter shared...offer that the rental company sent him about keeping his Tesla Model 3 after his rental...Hertz offered him to buy the 2023 Model 3 with 30,000 miles for just short of $18,000..."

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What Are The Implications Of $66/kWh Battery Packs In China?

27 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"Power Construction Corporation of China drew 76 bidders for its tender of 16 GWh of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery energy storage systems (BESS), according to reports. Bids averaged $66.3/kWh, with 60 bids under $68.4/kWh.

"A full BESS price of $66 per kWh is going to be a bit higher for an EV battery pack...China will also put those battery packs into Chinese built EVs and ship them overseas...undercut western car manufacturers significantly even with tariffs."

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One In Four UK Drivers Mulling Over Buying An Electric Car Next Year Amid Growing Interest - 'Immense Potential'

27 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"...a survey revealed that 30 per cent of motorists are ready to embrace electric vehicles, despite ongoing challenges around costs and charging infrastructure.

"Regional differences emerged in attitudes toward EV adoption. In urban areas, 31 per cent of drivers said they would consider an electric vehicle as their next car. Rural communities showed more resistance to the switch, with only 28 per cent open to purchasing an EV..."

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Hidden Costs, Rusting Relics: Decommissioning Wind Turbines In The US

27 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"...U.S. Wind Turbine Database contains more than 74,695 wind turbines built since 1980, spread between 1,699 wind power projects in 45 states...Many 1st- and 2nd-generation turbines with capacities between 0.5 and 1 MW are being retired and decommissioned as newer models...take their place.

"On average, 3,000-9,000 blades are being taken out of service per year in the United States, and that number is expected to increase to 10,000-20,000 blades per year by 2040."

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Nissan And Honda Announce Plans For Merger: Here's What To Know

23 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

The two carmakers signed a memorandum of understanding that allows them to continue discussions about integration via a joint holding company...they could become the third-largest auto group in the world...Mitsubishi Motors...will announce if the company will join the merger by the end of January.

"Honda and Nissan also manufacture vehicles in the U.S. Honda has 12 manufacturing plants in the U.S, where it makes automobiles, power equipment and aircraft engines."

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Circumnavigating The Globe Solo On An Electric Motorcycle

23 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

"Roman Nedielka rode his [stock 2023 Zero DSR/X] all-electric motorcycle around the world...Circumnavigating the world on electric motorcycles proves the point of maturity of electric motorcycles...rode 42,000 km / 26,000 miles starting and ending in Jakarta, Indonesia, circumnavigating the globe...in the Australian outback [he] made 300 km on one charge, in mountainous Tibet or cold USA...in winter and snow...about 230-250 km."

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Are EVs Useless In Winter? A Guide To Getting The Most Out Of Your Electric Car In The Cold

23 Dec 2024 | Synopsis

Low temperatures reduce battery capacity and range...In extreme cold, the charging points can also be affected and the result can be a considerably slower charging time

"Models with heat pumps and advanced thermal systems perform better...Thanks to well-designed thermal systems, models like the Hyundai Kona Electric can even exceed their official rated range in cold temperatures."

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