In today’s EGEB:
BMW made a number of electric vehicle announcements on Tuesday as the carmaker looks to accelerate its EV plans. But those plans still don’t involve making their own batteries, much to the chagrin of German government officials.
German company Akasol, which makes lithium-ion batteries for a wide range of vehicles, announced its plans to open a new manufacturing facility in the metro Detroit area.
A barely-disguised Arnold Schwarzenegger touts the “benefits” of gasoline to customers who are interested in electric cars in a fun new ad that aims to increase electric vehicle adoption. But for many EV buyers, the anti-selling EV tactics used by car salesmen might hit too close to home.
In today’s EGEB:
Hyundai is reportedly developing a compact SUV on the new platform that it’s building exclusively for electric vehicles.
BMW has introduced a few new digital features for its plug-in hybrids that aim to encourage — and even incentivize — electric driving on the vehicles. The technology could have big implications as the world shifts away from fossil fuel vehicles.
BMW debuted its ‘Power BEV’ concept vehicle at the company’s NEXTGen event today — a 720-hp trial vehicle that’s designed to push technical limits with three ultra-powerful electric drive units.
In today’s EGEB:
Used Nissan Leaf batteries are already being used for energy storage in one European stadium, and they may be used in a few other stadiums at some point in the future.
Film composer Hans Zimmer, famous for his work on Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy, The Lion King and more, has been tabbed by BMW to develop drive sounds for the carmaker’s future electric vehicles.
General Electric will demolish a California natural gas-fired plant with 20 years remaining in its useful life, deeming the plant “uneconomical” as inexpensive solar and wind grab a larger share of power in the state.
In today’s EGEB:
In this edition of Climate Crisis Weekly:
H55, a spinoff of solar-powered flight project Solar Impulse, announced it has successfully completed a flight with an all-electric two-seater airplane which it sees as a “stepping stone” for electric VTOLs and flying taxi development.
Jaguar Land Rover is planning to launch its electric XJ replacement on a new electric-capable platform that may be used in an all-electric Range Rover, as well.
In today’s EGEB:
Volkswagen’s “new direction” in the US is already in full swing as the company has unleashed a blitz of ads during the past few weeks, with one constant — the ID. BUZZ electric bus, still just a concept vehicle that’s three years from production.
Fisker doesn’t plan on fully revealing a “drivable prototype” of its electric SUV until this December, but company chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker has been releasing a number of teaser images of the EV on Twitter in recent days.
Thailand’s Energy Absolute is looking to grab the early lead in the country’s EV market through a number of fronts, and it’s already received 4,500 orders for its Thai-designed and built Mine Mobility EV.
In today’s EGEB:
The Environmental Protection Agency, failing in their sole duty to protect the environment, has moved ahead with its plans to replace the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, as EPA Administrator and former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler signed the final so-called “Affordable Clean Energy” rule into effect today.
New York lawmakers have agreed to pass the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CCPA), an ambitious bill that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85% by 2050, with the rest of the state’s emissions offset by other projects for “net zero emissions in all sectors of the economy.”
The world will get about half of its electricity from solar, wind, and battery storage by 2050, according to a new report.
