EDITOR'S PICK

The Copper We Need May Already Have Been Mined. Here's How To Get It Into Global Supply Chains

14 Sep 2026 | Synopsis

Rising global copper demand for electrification can’t be met by new mines and recycling alone. Vast amounts of copper are already mined but stranded in low-grade rock deemed uneconomical. Using bioleaching - microbes that dissolve rock to release trapped copper - mines can economically recover this metal today. Enhanced by modern sensing and cloud tech, copper recovery turns existing site waste into a fast, low-cost third pillar of global supply.

Mission Efficiency - Volkswagen Presents the World's Most Efficient Near-Production Electric Car

14 Sep 2026 | Synopsis

Volkswagen's Mission Efficiency prototype sets three records: 0.158 drag coefficient, 6.48 kWh/100 km ideal-use consumption, and 7.51 kWh/100 km real-world efficiency. Using MEB+ tech from the ID. Polo, solar roof assist, lightweight design, and advanced aerodynamics, it becomes the most efficient near‑production EV, completing 1,278 km on a single charge with 164 km remaining.

AI, Robotics and the Coming Economic, Military, and Political Revolutions

11 Sep 2026 | Synopsis

AI and robotics could trigger sweeping economic, military and political revolutions. Automation may boost productivity while displacing workers and concentrating wealth. Autonomous weapons could transform warfare and deterrence. Nations that master the technologies may gain major strategic advantages, while those that lag risk dependency. The challenge: governing this transformation and sharing its benefits.

US Auto Alliance Demands Ban On Chinese Rivals: Cite Data Privacy, National Security

11 Sep 2026 | Synopsis

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing major automakers like GM, Ford, and Toyota, is urging the U.S. Congress to pass the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026. The legislation seeks a permanent ban on Chinese-made connected vehicles, software, and hardware over data privacy and national security concerns. The push aims to prevent Chinese brands from acquiring significant market share in the U.S., citing their rapid growth in regions like Australia.

Test of Single Donut Lab Solid-State Battery Cell Shows Promise with Caveats

11 Sep 2026 | Synopsis

Finnish startup Donut Lab developed a solid-state battery cell reaching 805 Wh/L (and 409 Wh/kg), beating the 800 Wh/L benchmark used in Lucid's EVs. Tested by Finland's VTT Technical Research Center, the verified single cell shows immense potential for light, high-range batteries. However, because tests were limited to ideal lab conditions, scaling to mass production, maintaining multi-cycle durability, and overcoming high manufacturing costs remain major hurdles before real-world automotive use.