Fossil Fuel-Funded Groups Harass Scientists Blocking Offshore Wind

2025-08-27
Fossil Fuel-Funded Groups Harass Scientists Blocking Offshore Wind

A Brown University report exposes how fossil fuel-funded groups and their lawyers use legal battles and disinformation to impede the development of clean, affordable offshore wind energy on the US East Coast. These groups employ deceptive environmental claims, such as protecting North Atlantic right whales, to delay or cancel wind projects, thus protecting the fossil fuel industry's interests. One law firm even threatened Brown University to suppress research findings. The report highlights the connections between fossil fuel companies, the political right wing, and disinformation networks, and their obstruction of climate action. This incident underscores the challenges of energy transition and the pressures faced by academic research.

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Archer's Midnight eVTOL Achieves Record-Breaking Flight

2025-08-25
Archer's Midnight eVTOL Achieves Record-Breaking Flight

Archer Aviation announced a significant milestone: its Midnight eVTOL aircraft completed its longest piloted flight to date, lasting 31 minutes and covering over 55 miles. The flight primarily tested conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) capabilities, showcasing impressive speeds exceeding 126 mph and nearing 150 mph in recent tests. This achievement marks substantial progress toward FAA certification in the US and commercial operations in the UAE. United Airlines' CFO witnessed the flight, highlighting the aircraft's quiet operation and the maturity of Archer's program.

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Solar and Wind Power Dominate US Electricity Generation Growth

2025-08-24
Solar and Wind Power Dominate US Electricity Generation Growth

Solar and wind power accounted for nearly 91% of new US electricity generating capacity added in the first five months of 2025. Solar has been the leading source of new capacity for 21 consecutive months. FERC forecasts show solar capacity is poised to surpass coal and wind within two years, becoming the second largest source after natural gas. The rapid growth of renewables is displacing coal and nuclear power, and closing the gap with natural gas.

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Tech

Massive Solar + Storage Project Powers Up in California, Boosting LA's Clean Energy Goals

2025-08-11
Massive Solar + Storage Project Powers Up in California, Boosting LA's Clean Energy Goals

Arevon Energy's Eland Solar-plus-Storage Project in Mojave, California, is now fully operational. This massive project boasts 758 MWdc of solar capacity and 300 MW/1200 MWh of battery storage, comprising 1.36 million solar panels and 172 lithium iron phosphate batteries. Eland will power over 266,000 homes annually and provide 7% of Los Angeles's electricity needs, significantly advancing the city's goal of 100% clean energy by 2035. The project created roughly 1,000 jobs and is expected to contribute over $36 million in local government payments over its lifetime.

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Tech

Tesla's Autopilot Deception: Withheld Data and Misleading Authorities

2025-08-04

Tesla lost a wrongful death lawsuit involving Autopilot this week, and trial transcripts reveal the company withheld critical evidence and misled authorities. Minutes after the crash, Tesla's servers received a collision snapshot, yet they claimed the data didn't exist, directing police to retrieve irrelevant information. Plaintiffs eventually obtained the complete data from Tesla's servers, proving Autopilot was engaged and failed to issue warnings. The court found Tesla 33% liable, highlighting serious issues with Autopilot's safety and transparency.

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Tech

Hyundai's US Sales Soar, IONIQ 5 Sets Record

2025-08-04
Hyundai's US Sales Soar, IONIQ 5 Sets Record

Hyundai's US sales surged 15% in July, reaching a record 79,543 vehicles, driven by strong EV performance. The IONIQ 5 had its best-ever month, with sales up 71% to 5,818 units. Upgrades including extended range, improved infotainment, and Tesla Supercharger compatibility boosted its appeal. The launch of the three-row IONIQ 9 further strengthens Hyundai's EV lineup. Despite tariff challenges, Hyundai remains optimistic about a new US-South Korea trade deal.

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Tech

Peak Energy Deploys First US Grid-Scale Sodium-Ion Battery

2025-08-02
Peak Energy Deploys First US Grid-Scale Sodium-Ion Battery

New York-based Peak Energy has shipped its first sodium-ion battery energy storage system, marking a threefold achievement: the US's first grid-scale sodium-ion battery system; the world's largest sodium-ion phosphate pyrophosphate (NFPP) battery system; and the first megawatt-hour scale system using passive cooling. This innovative design eliminates fire risks associated with active cooling systems, resulting in lower operational costs and improved reliability. The company projects shipping hundreds of megawatt-hours of its system within the next two years and is building its first US cell factory, slated for 2026 production.

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Tech

Mercedes-Benz is Road Testing EVs with 600+ Mile Range Solid-State Batteries

2025-07-25
Mercedes-Benz is Road Testing EVs with 600+ Mile Range Solid-State Batteries

Mercedes-Benz is pushing the boundaries of EV technology by road testing prototypes equipped with solid-state batteries, boasting a range exceeding 600 miles. Developed in collaboration with Factorial Energy and utilizing a modified EQS prototype, these batteries promise a 25% range improvement over current models. While a full market launch is targeted for 2030, Mercedes aims for series production before the year's end. This significant advancement, utilizing a safer and more efficient sulfide-based solid electrolyte, positions Mercedes at the forefront of the solid-state battery revolution, alongside other major players like Hyundai, Stellantis, and even those already mass-producing EVs.

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Tech

Self-Driving Scooter? Omoway's Omo X Redefines Electric Two-Wheelers

2025-07-13
Self-Driving Scooter? Omoway's Omo X Redefines Electric Two-Wheelers

Omoway, founded by ex-Xpeng executives, launched the Omo X, an electric scooter boasting automotive-grade autonomous features. The Omo X, showcased in Jakarta, autonomously drove onto the stage using its "Halo Pilot" system, which includes adaptive cruise control, remote summoning, self-parking, and automatic reversing. Beyond autonomous driving, it features collision warning, emergency brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, and V2V communication. Its modular frame adapts to various riding styles. Launching in early 2026 at approximately €3,500, it targets a market above entry-level but below premium e-scooters. While innovative, its success hinges on balancing advanced tech with the affordability and practicality prioritized in key markets like Indonesia, where it's initially launching.

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Tesla's Oasis Supercharger: A Decade in the Making, Finally Off-Grid

2025-07-06

Tesla has finally launched its long-promised Oasis Supercharger station in Lost Hills, California. This massive station boasts 11 MW of solar panels and 39 MWh of battery storage, enabling off-grid operation. While Tesla initially promised solar and battery-powered Superchargers years ago, this project represents a significant step towards sustainable energy. The 168-stall station (half currently operational) is one of the world's largest, but new legislation may hinder future similar projects.

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Volvo Trucks Surpasses 5,000 Electric Semi Deliveries, Leaving Tesla in the Dust

2025-07-06
Volvo Trucks Surpasses 5,000 Electric Semi Deliveries, Leaving Tesla in the Dust

While Tesla's Semi truck has been making headlines (mostly for delays), Volvo Trucks quietly delivered its 5,000th electric semi-truck. Since delivering its first electric semi in 2019, Volvo's electric trucks have logged over 100 million miles, significantly reducing CO2 and NOx emissions. Volvo boasts a 47% market share in the European heavy electric truck segment, holding the top spot for five consecutive years. Although its US/Canada share is slightly lower at 40%, Volvo's significantly higher sales numbers compared to Tesla highlight its dominance in the electric commercial vehicle market.

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BYD's Seal EV Achieves Nearly 1200-Mile Range with Solid-State Batteries

2025-06-20
BYD's Seal EV Achieves Nearly 1200-Mile Range with Solid-State Batteries

BYD is testing solid-state batteries in its Seal EV, a Tesla Model 3 competitor. Initial tests show a potential range of nearly 1200 miles (1875 km). After over a decade of research, BYD announced road tests in 2025 and plans to begin production vehicles with solid-state batteries in 2027, aiming for mass production by 2030 at a cost comparable to current lithium-ion batteries. The Seal is expected to be the first model to feature this technology, boasting high energy density and fast charging capabilities, bolstering BYD's global EV market dominance.

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Tesla's Robotaxi Launch: A Dangerous Game of Smoke and Mirrors?

2025-06-17

Tesla's upcoming Robotaxi launch in Austin, Texas, raises serious safety concerns. Elon Musk's repeated promises of full self-driving have consistently fallen short. This Robotaxi plan utilizes geofencing and remote operation, a stark contrast to previous promises, and raises doubts about its safety and scalability. Competitor Waymo already operates successful Robotaxi services in multiple cities, highlighting Tesla's rushed and opaque approach. The launch appears more like a PR stunt to maintain the illusion of Tesla's self-driving leadership than a genuine technological breakthrough.

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Tech

Mitsubishi Launches Innovative Battery Swap Network for EVs and Trucks in Japan

2025-06-16
Mitsubishi Launches Innovative Battery Swap Network for EVs and Trucks in Japan

Mitsubishi, partnering with Ample and Yamato Transport, is deploying a revolutionary battery swap network in Japan for electric cars and Fuso commercial trucks. This multi-year pilot program will feature over 150 swappable electric vehicles and 14 battery swapping stations in Tokyo, showcasing a "five-minute charging" solution. The initiative aims to overcome the downtime associated with traditional EV charging, boosting vehicle uptime and providing a potential emergency energy source for the grid. Backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the project utilizes Yamato Transport for real-world delivery operations, demonstrating the practicality of this technology for commercial fleets.

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EVs Reduce More Than Just Tailpipe Emissions: Brake Dust Cut by 83%

2025-05-28
EVs Reduce More Than Just Tailpipe Emissions: Brake Dust Cut by 83%

A new study quantifies how much EVs help reduce not only harmful exhaust emissions but also other types of pollution from personal vehicles. The study found that electric vehicles, thanks to regenerative braking, reduce brake dust by up to 83%, significantly more than hybrids or plug-in hybrids. While EVs may have slightly higher tire wear, the overall reduction in non-exhaust emissions is substantial because brake dust is far more likely to become airborne. The study recommends prioritizing public transport, walking, and cycling, alongside EV adoption, and developing more durable tires and brake pads.

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Wisk Aero and NASA Extend Partnership to Accelerate Autonomous Flight

2025-05-22
Wisk Aero and NASA Extend Partnership to Accelerate Autonomous Flight

Wisk Aero, a developer of all-electric autonomous aircraft, announced a renewed five-year research partnership with NASA. This collaboration aims to establish advanced air mobility standards for integrating autonomous aircraft into the National Airspace System (NAS). The focus will be on leveraging NASA's simulation and Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) environments to accelerate the development of their Gen 6 autonomous systems, with the goal of safe and efficient autonomous passenger flights by 2030.

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Tesla's Robotaxi Launch in Austin: Delays and Safety Concerns

2025-05-15
Tesla's Robotaxi Launch in Austin: Delays and Safety Concerns

Tesla's planned June launch of its robotaxi service in Austin is reportedly delayed, with crucial driverless testing yet to begin. This falls far short of Tesla's long-standing promises of full self-driving capabilities. The actual plan relies on a limited, geo-fenced area with human teleoperation assistance. While Tesla claims its 'Supervised Full Self-Driving' system has undergone area-specific training, its mileage between disengagements lags behind competitors like Waymo. More concerning is the absence of driverless testing, raising serious safety questions and highlighting Tesla's apparent lag in autonomous driving technology.

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Tech

Tesla Solar Roof: From Ambitious Vision to Niche Product

2025-04-20
Tesla Solar Roof: From Ambitious Vision to Niche Product

Tesla's solar roof, once touted by Elon Musk as a key to accelerating solar adoption, has fallen short of its ambitious promises. High costs and slow production hampered its rollout. While not entirely abandoned, Tesla now relies on third-party installers, significantly reducing its own involvement. The solar roof has evolved into a niche, high-end product, far from the revolutionary technology initially envisioned.

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Tech Solar Roof

Tesla's Canadian Incentive Grab: Strategy or Chaos?

2025-04-11
Tesla's Canadian Incentive Grab: Strategy or Chaos?

Tesla is embroiled in controversy over its application for millions of dollars in Canadian electric vehicle incentives. The Canadian government froze $43 million in payments after Tesla submitted applications for 8,653 vehicles in the 72 hours leading up to the incentive deadline – an abnormally high number. Tesla claims these were simply backlogged applications, but hasn't specified how many were backdated. The incident raises questions about Tesla's Canadian operations management, CEO Elon Musk's actions, and the increasingly strained relationship with the Canadian government, alongside its deteriorating public image in Canada.

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California Surpasses Gas Stations in EV Chargers

2025-03-31
California Surpasses Gas Stations in EV Chargers

California has reached a major milestone: 178,549 public and shared private EV chargers, exceeding the number of gas nozzles by 48%. Governor Newsom highlighted this achievement, contrasting California's pro-EV stance with federal policies. The California Energy Commission estimates over 162,000 Level 2 and nearly 17,000 DC fast chargers, plus an estimated 700,000+ Level 2 home chargers. A $1.4 billion investment plan is expanding zero-emission infrastructure, including projects like the Fast Charge California Project installing DC fast chargers in public spaces.

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Tech

Electric School Buses Fuel V2X Market Boom

2025-03-31
Electric School Buses Fuel V2X Market Boom

Electric school buses are driving significant growth in the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) market, poised to double capacity to 40 megawatts by 2025, according to a new Wood Mackenzie report. Their predictable schedules, large batteries, and downtime make them ideal for V2X applications. However, challenges remain, including unclear utility interconnection processes and a lack of compensation mechanisms. While European energy companies are forming partnerships to explore V2X business models, mass adoption hinges on standardizing charging protocols and reducing hardware costs. Many 2025 passenger EVs will feature vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities, a stepping stone to broader AC V2X adoption.

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Tesla's Vision-Only Autopilot Fails Spectacularly in New Test

2025-03-16

Tesla's controversial reliance on cameras for its Autopilot system has been dealt another blow. A new video by YouTuber Mark Rober pits a Tesla Model Y against a lidar-equipped vehicle in various conditions. The results? While the Tesla Autopilot stopped for a mannequin in clear conditions, it faltered in fog and heavy rain, and was completely fooled by a fake road painted on a wall. This starkly contrasts with Elon Musk's claims of imminent Level 5 autonomy. The test highlights the limitations of a vision-only approach compared to the superior performance of lidar, especially in challenging weather, leaving Tesla's Autopilot firmly at Level 2.

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Solar Power Surpasses Coal in the US: A Clean Energy Victory

2025-03-15
Solar Power Surpasses Coal in the US: A Clean Energy Victory

A new report from Ember reveals that in 2024, wind and solar power accounted for 17% of total US electricity generation, exceeding coal, which dropped to a record low of 15%. Solar power saw the fastest growth, increasing by 27% and surpassing hydropower. While natural gas also experienced significant growth, solar's expansion was even more rapid, aided by advancements in battery technology that enable better management of fluctuating solar output. California and Nevada both exceeded 30% solar power in their electricity mix. Despite slower wind growth, it still generated significantly more power than solar. The report emphasizes the need for faster clean energy development to meet rising electricity demand, highlighting solar and wind as crucial components of this transition.

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Tesla's German Nightmare: Musk's Politics Tank Sales

2025-03-14

A survey of over 100,000 Germans reveals that 94% won't buy a Tesla. This is disastrous news for Tesla, whose sales have plummeted in the crucial European market. In 2024, despite a 27% surge in overall EV sales, Tesla saw a 41% sales drop in Germany. The first two months of 2025 saw a further 70% decline. Industry experts blame Elon Musk's meddling in German elections and support for the far-right AfD party. Musk is under investigation in Europe, and his reputation in Germany is severely damaged. A new survey shows only 3% of respondents would consider buying a Tesla. German consumers are clearly rejecting the brand.

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Tech

Tesla Cybertruck Deliveries Halted Due to Falling Trims

2025-03-14

Tesla Cybertruck deliveries are on hold due to reports of trims falling off the vehicles. Many owners are reporting issues on forums and social media, prompting a "containment hold" by Tesla. The problem centers around the Cybertruck's flimsy cantrail trim, a decorative piece along the roofline. This isn't the first time; Tesla recalled 11,000 Cybertrucks last June for similar trim issues. The hold appears to have started last weekend, with delivery appointments canceled. Tesla hasn't issued a public service bulletin, but internal information suggests battery pack issues may also be a concern.

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Trump Tariffs: The Impact on Tesla – Debunking the Myths

2025-03-06
Trump Tariffs: The Impact on Tesla – Debunking the Myths

Despite the rosy outlook painted by some Tesla fans, the reality is that President Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada will negatively impact Tesla. Data reveals that Tesla sources over 20% of its parts from Mexico, with additional components coming from Canada. This means the recently delayed (again, for another month) tariffs will inevitably increase Tesla's production costs, affecting vehicle prices and profitability. Tesla's stock reaction to the tariff delay further underscores this impact. Elon Musk's close relationship with Trump, and his seeming inaction against the tariffs, adds a layer of complexity. The long-term effects may extend beyond mere cost increases, potentially damaging US business relationships with Canada and Mexico.

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Tech Trade War

NYC's Free E-bike Swap Program for Delivery Workers

2025-02-15
NYC's Free E-bike Swap Program for Delivery Workers

NYC's Department of Transportation is launching a free e-bike trade-in program for delivery workers. Workers who earned at least $1500 in 2024, reside in one of the five boroughs, and own a non-compliant e-bike or moped can exchange it for a new UL-certified e-bike with a spare battery. This initiative aims to improve safety for delivery workers often using uncertified, cheaper vehicles. The program has limited spots and will use a lottery system if applications exceed availability. The application deadline is March 10, 2025.

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Tesla's European Sales Crash: Model Y Transition and the Musk Effect

2025-02-12
Tesla's European Sales Crash: Model Y Transition and the Musk Effect

Tesla's January sales in Germany plummeted nearly 60% year-over-year, mirroring a broader European slump. The downturn is attributed to the Model Y transition and negative sentiment surrounding Elon Musk's political actions. While the overall German auto market declined only 2.8%, the electric vehicle market grew by 53.5%, highlighting Tesla's unique challenges. While Tesla will likely cite the Model Y transition, the 'Musk effect' is undeniable, potentially impacting the entire EV industry.

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Tech

Importing Chinese Electric Mini-Excavators: A First-Hand Account

2025-02-04
Importing Chinese Electric Mini-Excavators: A First-Hand Account

A blogger recounts his experience importing a shipment of Chinese-made electric mini-excavators. Initially seeking affordable electric options for his parents' Florida property, he found a lack of suitable machines in the US market. He turned to China, sourced machines, and made improvements to suit North American users. His small business now ships these excavators across the US. The article details the import process, from ordering and shipping to inspection, comparing the excavator's price and performance to competitors, highlighting its eco-friendly, economical, and convenient aspects.

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HD Hyundai's Hydrogen-Powered Excavator: A Cool Concept, But Is It Practical?

2025-02-01
HD Hyundai's Hydrogen-Powered Excavator: A Cool Concept, But Is It Practical?

HD Hyundai is unveiling its production-ready HW155H, a 14-ton hydrogen fuel cell-powered wheeled excavator, at Bauma. This quiet, zero-emission machine boasts an eight-hour operational lifespan between refills. While the concept won a Platinum Prize at the LACP Inspire Awards, the article questions the long-term practicality of hydrogen power in construction fleets compared to the anticipated all-electric HW155E.

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