EDITOR'S PICK

If You've Got An EV, Google Maps Is About To Become Much More Valuable

22 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"In addition to building more charging stations, companies can make driving an EV easier by building apps that help drivers find chargers

"Google is developing a feature that can find nearby chargers with updated information about how many ports are available and their charging speed...The updates include a tool to help drivers find nearby chargers with real-time information about availability and charging speed."

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First Student Charges Past Three Million Electric School Bus Miles - First in North America to Surpass Milestone

22 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"The latest milestone comes just eight months after First Student crossed the two-million mile mark, representing another major achievement for the company's rapidly growing electric school bus fleet and a sign of increased adoption of zero emission student transportation.

"At three million miles, First Student electric school buses have driven the equivalent of 120 trips around the world...company pushes toward its goal of transitioning 30,000 diesel school buses to electric by 2035."

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Liebherr Electric Excavator Reaches Million Ton Milestone, Scores More Orders

22 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"...Liebherr electric excavator reached a major operational milestone earlier this month when it moved its one millionth tonne of dirt.

"...after its initial 90 day “break-in” period operating at partial capacity...it's operating at full speed at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek mine in Western Australia...re-powered Liebherr R 9400 E electric excavator operates off blend of renewable solar power and a 6.6 kV substation pumping electrons re-powered Liebherr R 9400 E electric excavator operates off blend of renewable solar power and a 6.6 kV substation pumping electrons through more than two kilometers of high voltage trailing cable."

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"We're Not Shoving Anything Down Anyone's Throat,' Bill Ford Says About Its EVs

19 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"The Ford family scion says that political uncertainty is complicating his business."

"...the Ford executive said that the Blue Oval expects the move to electrification to have its hurdles, but unclear policy decisions by made it hard to envision a clear path for the industry at large.

"Despite what many detractors would like to believe, Ford strongly insists that car companies, like the one that bears his last name, are not trying to force you into an electric car."

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You Can Power Your Home For 21 Days With A Chevy Silverado EV And GM's New Bidirectional Charger

19 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"The Silverado will be equipped with V2H bidirectional charging technology. With an enormous 200 kWh battery pack that can provide up to 10.2kW of power flow

"Customers can purchase GM Energy's V2H bundle through current GM mobile brand apps. It's initially rolling out in five states - California, Florida, Michigan, New York, and Texas – with plans to expand over time...At $7,299, the bundle doesn't come cheap."

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Volvo And CATL Have Big Plans For Old EV Batteries

19 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"Volvo suppliers will take apart the batteries to use over 90% of the key materials like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and others...CATL will then use the materials to make new EV batteries that will be used to power its new electric cars...The partnership aims to further reduce the carbon footprint of EVs by recycling key battery materials.

"Volvo aims to reduce CO2 emissions per average vehicle by 75% by 2030."

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ARPA-E Invests In Technology That Uses Plants To Mine Metals Instead Of Digging - Here's How It Could Revolutionize Mining Industry

19 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"This approach is much easier on the environment, producing less air, water, and soil pollution and destroying less of the natural landscape.

"...set aside $10 million for research and development of "phytomining," a revolutionary process that uses living plants to extract metals from the ground...a tiny handful - 750 species...are "hyperaccumulators," plants that intentionally absorb a lot of a lot of metal from the soil."

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Plastics Industry Heats World 4 Times As Much As Air Travel, Report Finds

19 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"...according to the paper from scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory... emissions are equivalent to those of about 600 coal plants - about three times the number that exist across the U.S... if plastic production remains constant, by 2050 it could burn through nearly a fifth of the Earth's remaining carbon budget

"The researchers found that more than 75 percent of the greenhouse gases generated by plastics are released in the steps before plastics compounds are assembled"

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For America, There's No Easy Answer to Chinese EVs

18 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"Supercheap electric cars or an American industrial renaissance: Pick one."

"Chinese electric vehicles - cheap, stylish, and high quality - should be a godsend to the Biden administration...Biden's team starts from the premise that decarbonizing the U.S. economy will be a decades-long effort requiring sustained political buy-in from the public.

"Keeping out Chinese EVs now, in other words, may be necessary to save the planet later."

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The US Now Has a Fast EV-Charging Station for Every 15 Gas Stations

18 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"Almost 600 public fast-charging stations were switched on for US drivers in the first three months of the year, a 7.6% increase over the end of 2023. There are now almost 8,200 quick-turn EV stations across the country, or one for every 15 gas stations. Tesla is responsible for slightly more than one quarter of them.

"BloombergNEF estimates that annual worldwide public-charging revenue will rise to $127 billion by 2030, with Tesla on track to with Tesla on track to account for $7.4 billion of that."

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How Design-Savvy Electric Boats Are Shaping the Future of Yachting

18 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"Battery-powered boats have come of age, thanks to collaborations with luxury automakers, creative design, and improved performance and range."

"Improvements in hull design, drive trains, management systems, and even the addition of solar panels have led to electric-powered craft with high-level fit and finish and stylish design...It's not just a simple case of retrofitting an existing hull with electric motors and heavy lithium-ion batteries. It has to be engineered together to work effectively."

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ZeroAvia's New Turbocharged Hydrogen Fuel Cell Makes Zero-Emission Flights A Possibility

18 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"These high-temperature fuel cells operate with direct air cooling, eliminating the need for heavy water cooling systems. This approach reduces weight and streamlines the system design, making it more suitable for aviation applications

"Significant improvements have also been made to the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a critical component of fuel cells. Breakthroughs in catalysts and electrode materials have been achieved to enhance performance and efficiency, ensuring the fuel cells can meet the rigorous demands of aviation."

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