Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Global EV Sales Surge 27%, Legacy Automakers Race to Electrify

2025-08-16

Global electric vehicle (EV) sales surged 27% year-over-year in the first seven months of 2025, reaching over 10.7 million units. China led the charge, while Europe also saw robust 30% growth. North America lagged, with the US facing policy headwinds. Data from the UK reveals a dramatic shift, with legacy automakers like Ford significantly boosting EV sales – a 324% increase for Ford in the first half of 2025. Ford's ambitious $5 billion plan to produce affordable EVs in the US, targeting a $30,000 price point, signals a major push towards electric mobility. However, not all legacy automakers are experiencing similar success, highlighting the challenges of this transition.

(cleantechnica.com)

Tech

Google Bets Big on CO2 Batteries, Challenging Tesla's Megapack

2025-07-27

Google announced a partnership with Energy Dome, an Italian energy storage startup, investing in their innovative CO2-based long-duration energy storage (LDES) system. This system uses compressed liquid CO2 to generate electricity, offering storage durations of 8-24 hours, significantly exceeding current lithium-ion batteries. The move aims to bolster renewable energy integration, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and power Google's data centers and other high-energy facilities with cleaner electricity. This technology promises to revolutionize energy storage, posing a challenge to lithium-ion battery giants like Tesla, and offering new opportunities for global energy transition.

(cleantechnica.com)

Tech CO2 battery

Solar Panel Installation Gets a Robotic Upgrade

2025-05-03

In Australia, a solar panel installation robot from Shanghai-based Leapting Technology is revolutionizing the industry. This commercially deployed robot boasts an impressive installation rate of 60 panels per hour, three to five times faster than human crews. Using AI and SLAM technology for autonomous navigation and precise placement, the robot significantly increases efficiency, reduces labor costs, and shortens project timelines. While the robot has limitations regarding terrain and environmental conditions, its ability to handle high temperatures and labor shortages offers a significant advantage, pointing towards an automated future for solar construction.

(cleantechnica.com)

Tech

Hydrogen Buses: A Failing Experiment?

2025-04-19

Multiple European cities have experimented with hydrogen buses, but the results have been disappointing. High manufacturing and operating costs, coupled with an unstable hydrogen supply chain, have led to many projects being scrapped or scaled back. Several cities have switched to more affordable battery-electric buses. While a few cities have achieved some success using industrial byproduct hydrogen or building their own green hydrogen production plants, these cases are difficult to replicate and face challenges such as hydrogen leaks. The EU continues to invest heavily in hydrogen projects, but their economic and environmental benefits are questionable. In the future, low-carbon hydrogen may play a role in specific industrial sectors, but its potential as a major transportation fuel is diminishing.

(cleantechnica.com)

Tech

Tesla's Solar Business: A Stunning Decline

2025-04-09

Following Tesla's 2016 acquisition of SolarCity, its rooftop solar business has significantly underperformed expectations, experiencing a continuous decline. The article reveals that Tesla's solar installations have fallen for multiple consecutive quarters since Q4 2022, with the company ceasing to publish the figures. Analysis suggests Tesla's solar business is a shadow of its former self post-acquisition, raising concerns about the broader clean energy sector.

(cleantechnica.com)

Tech

Pakistan's Solar Surprise: From Fragile State to Clean Energy Giant

2025-04-08

In 2024, Pakistan, a nation long associated with conflict and instability, unexpectedly surged to the forefront of global solar adoption, importing a staggering 22 gigawatts of solar panels in a single year. This remarkable achievement wasn't accidental. Two decades of gradual improvements in governance and a pragmatic approach to energy policy laid the groundwork. Capitalizing on plummeting solar panel prices and rising fossil fuel costs, Pakistan streamlined regulations, reduced tariffs, and facilitated rapid solar adoption. While challenges remain, such as utility revenue shocks, Pakistan's clean energy transformation offers a valuable lesson: even fragile states can achieve rapid clean energy progress through effective governance and seizing global market opportunities. The story extends beyond solar, encompassing wind, hydro, and storage, showcasing a transition driven by economic pragmatism and quiet competence.

(cleantechnica.com)

Tech Solar Power

Why Hydrogen Buses Are Still a Thing (and Why They Shouldn't Be)

2025-03-14

Numerous transit agencies initially opted for hydrogen fuel cell buses, only to discover they are far more expensive and less reliable than battery-electric alternatives. This article explores the cognitive biases and institutional blind spots that led to this costly mistake. Over-reliance on persuasive narratives, a lack of in-house expertise on emerging technologies, and a narrow focus on daily operations are highlighted as key factors. The article also points to flawed cost projections for hydrogen and an underestimation of battery technology advancements as contributing causes. The conclusion emphasizes the need for evidence-based decision-making to avoid similar errors in the future.

(cleantechnica.com)

Tech hydrogen fuel cells battery electric buses

Heat Pumps Surpass Gas Furnaces in US Sales: A Clean Energy Win?

2025-01-25

Heat pump sales in the US surged 37% in the first 11 months of the year, outpacing gas furnaces to become the most popular heating appliance. This 21% year-over-year increase is driven by their superior efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and technological advancements enabling use in colder climates. While installation costs remain high ($17,000-$30,000), government incentives (like the Inflation Reduction Act) and growing consumer awareness are boosting adoption. However, price, compatibility issues, and concerns about grid reliability remain barriers. Future growth hinges on effective communication highlighting long-term savings and improved home comfort.

(cleantechnica.com)

Tech heat pumps

Waymo Robotaxis: Significantly Safer Than Human Drivers

2025-01-05

Swiss Re, a global reinsurer, analyzed data from Waymo's autonomous driving program and found that Waymo robotaxis are substantially safer than human-driven vehicles, even those equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Across 25.3 million fully autonomous miles, Waymo's system showed an 88% reduction in property damage claims and a 92% reduction in bodily injury claims compared to the expected rates for human drivers. This significant safety improvement surpasses even the benefits offered by modern ADAS features. The research highlights the potential of autonomous vehicles to create safer roads.

(cleantechnica.com)

Tech autonomous vehicles road safety