Developed and periodically updated by Michael Sivak, Sivak Applied Research. Last updated on September 16, 2024. The new values since the previous update are in blue. The changes are in percent relative to the corresponding month in 2019. They are adjusted for population (all but price of gasoline) and for... Read more →
A research team led by UCLA materials scientists and chemists has designed a new ultrafine platinum nanocatalyst with embedded cobalt oxide clusters that could make fuel cells more durable, nearly doubling the projected lifetime target set by the US Department of Energy (DOE). A study outlining the findings was published... Read more →
Yole Group: power electronics industry facing rapid expansion in manufacturing capacity; consolidation phase will follow
15 September 2024
In 2023, the global power electronics market—including discrete devices and modules—was valued at US$23.8 billion. In its Status of the Power Electronic Industry, 2024 edition Yole Group projected the market to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% from 2023 to 2029 to US$35.7 billion in 2029. The discrete market, valued... Read more →
Swedish hybrid-electric airplane maker Heart Aerospace unveiled its first full-scale demonstrator airplane, marking a major milestone in the development of its regional hybrid-electric aircraft, the ES-30. Built almost entirely in-house at Heart’s Gothenburg facilities, the demonstrator reflects the company’s strategy to develop the design and production processes simultaneously. With a... Read more →
As part of their ongoing commitment to lower the carbon intensity of their operations, Chevron Shipping Company (Chevron), a subsidiary of Chevron USA and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) announced an agreement to install Wind Challenger, a hard sail wind-assisted ship propulsion system developed by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding together, to... Read more →
Berzelius unveils high-performance pure silicon anode enhanced by OCSiAl single wall carbon nanotubes; 400 Wh/kg cell energy density
14 September 2024
Berzelius, a developer and manufacturer of silicon anodes, unveiled high-capacity pure silicon anodes with zero graphite. These anodes enable battery cells to achieve an impressive energy density of 400 Wh/kg while maintaining exceptional power capabilities. This was made possible through the integration of OCSiAl’s single wall carbon nanotubes, resulting in... Read more →
DoD awards $4.22M to Rare Earth Salts to increase production of terbium and other rare earth elements
14 September 2024
The Department of Defense announced a $4.22-million award to Rare Earth Salts in Nebraska for developing and expanding production of terbium oxide from recycled fluorescent light bulbs. Terbium is an essential element for rare earth magnets in many key defense systems. This effort is funded through the Defense Production Act... Read more →
$21M available to install electric vehicle fast chargers along major travel corridors across New York state
14 September 2024
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced $21 million is now available to install electric vehicle fast chargers along major travel corridors across New York State. Funded by a federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) grant, the state’s new competitive Upstate NEVI Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) program supports the expansion... Read more →
Benchmark: Spodumene prices fall to their lowest levels since August 2021
14 September 2024
Spodumene prices fell to their lowest levels since August 2021 in early September, trailing the steep drop in prices of lithium chemicals in recent months, according to Benchmark. Spodumene FOB Australia prices have fallen 14.4% so far this year to $818 per tonne in the assessment period ending 4 September,... Read more →
EVgo and GM to deploy 400 fast charging stalls at flagship destinations
13 September 2024
EVgo announced that it is expanding upon its work together with GM by deploying 400 fast charging stalls at flagship destinations in major metropolitan areas across the US. With features such as 350kW fast chargers, ample lighting, canopies, pull-through stations and security cameras, the flagship stations will address the growing... Read more →
Lotus has launched a new ultra-luxury variant of its electric hyper-SUV Eletre, Eletre Carbon, in North America. Building on Lotus’ existing hyper-SUV, Eletre Carbon is the highest-performing and dynamic model of the Eletre. The car has been designed specifically for the US and Canadian market to meet what Lotus says... Read more →
Gevo to acquire ethanol plant and CCS assets of Red Trail Energy for $210M
13 September 2024
Gevo, a developer of net-zero hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the ethanol production plant and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) assets of Red Trail Energy for $210 million. The Adjusted EBITDA from Red Trail Energy ethanol and CCS assets, when combined with Adjusted EBITDA... Read more →
Federal interagency team releases SAF progress metrics; $12M to advance integrated biorefinery technologies
13 September 2024
An interagency team led by the US Department of Energy (DOE), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and US Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge: Metrics Dashboard Fact Sheet. The Metrics Dashboard Fact Sheet summarizes actions and progress to help... Read more →
Allison Transmission equips SwRI hydrogen ICE demo truck showcased at COMVEC
13 September 2024
Allison Transmission announced the integration of the Allison 4000 Series transmission with a Class 8 truck equipped with a Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) displayed by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) at SAE International’s Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress (COMVEC) in Schaumburg, Illinois. The H2-ICE vehicle demonstrates emissions control capable of outperforming... Read more →
ZF and Infineon develop AI algorithms to optimize software and control units for driving dynamics as part of the EEmotion project
13 September 2024
The ZF Group and Infineon Technologies AG have jointly developed and implemented AI algorithms for the development and control of vehicle software as part of the EEmotion project. The AI algorithms developed in the project, proven in a test vehicle, control and optimize all actuators during automated driving according to... Read more →
Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH introduced a new automotive-compliant photorelay designed for 400V battery-related control systems. The TLX9152M features a minimum output withstand voltage (VOFF) of 900V to support applications such as battery and fuel-cell control, as well as battery management systems (BMS) in electric vehicles (EV) where it can be... Read more →
Hyundai and GM sign memorandum of understanding to explore collaboration on vehicles, supply chain and clean-energy technologies
13 September 2024
General Motors and Hyundai Motor signed an agreement to explore future collaboration across key strategic areas. GM and Hyundai will look for ways to leverage their complementary scale and strengths to reduce costs and bring a wider range of vehicles and technologies to customers faster. Potential collaboration projects center on... Read more →
bp and Iberdrola announce final investment decision for largest green hydrogen plant in Spain
13 September 2024
bp and Iberdrola have giventhe green light for construction of a 25 MW green hydrogen project at bp’s Castellón refinery which is expected to be operational in second half of 2026. The plant will convert 200 GWh/yr of Iberdrola’s renewable energy into green hydrogen that will contribute to bp’s decarbonization... Read more →
Rho Motion: China first country to sell more than 1M EVs in a month
12 September 2024
China sold more than one million EVs in August 2024, breaking the previous record set in December 2023 by 70,000 vehicles, according to research-house Rho Motion. The European market is down 4% so far this year compared to the same period last year; the first-time sales growth has turned negative... Read more →
China-based Geely Auto showcased its new global model, the Geely EX5, at 2024 Automechanika Frankfurt. Designed to cater to diverse international markets, the EX5 is built on the Geely Electric Architecture (GEA) and features a minimalist design to appeal to users worldwide. It is available in both left-hand and right-hand... Read more →
Allison Transmission and Cummins will integrate and certify a Cummins B-Series engine with the Allison eGen Flex electric hybrid propulsion system for the transit market. The integration will meet the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3 and provide a reliable low emission propulsion solution in... Read more →
Stellantis is investing more than $406 million in three Michigan facilities to support its multi-energy strategy and confirmed that the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) will be the company’s first US plant to build a fully electric vehicle. The Ram 1500 REV, the company’s first battery-electric light-duty pickup truck launching... Read more →
CARB launches new $242M assistance program for low-income Californians for zero-emission vehicles
12 September 2024
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) launched a new $242-million effort, the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), which will prioritize low-income Californians who need grants and loan assistance to get a zero-emission vehicle. With nearly 2 million zero-emission vehicles sold in California and clean cars representing 25% of total new... Read more →
California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) awarded more than $32 million in federal funds to install, operate and maintain 458 direct-current fast chargers (DCFC) along interstates and highways across the state. The funds come from the $5-billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which... Read more →
SLB announced that it has proven its solution for sustainable lithium production at scale at its demonstration plant in Clayton Valley, Nevada. The proprietary integrated solution combines SLB’s subsurface expertise with surface engineering of advanced technologies that include direct lithium extraction (DLE). It produces lithium 500 times faster than conventional... Read more →
Solid-state battery technology company Factorial Inc. introduced Solstice, an all-solid-state battery set to achieve an energy density of up to 450Wh/kg. Solstice incorporates a novel dry cathode design for more efficient and sustainable production. Solstice compliments Factorial’s FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) for automotive and other electric mobility applications while... Read more →
ARPA-E awarding $18M to 9 projects for deployment of hydrogen detection systems; H2SENSE
11 September 2024
The US Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced $18 million for 9 projects that seek to detect and quantify hydrogen emissions throughout the supply chain to maximize the climate benefits of hydrogen production. Current global hydrogen production is roughly 100 million metric tonnes per year and,... Read more →
DOE issues notice of intent for funding to advance hydrogen and fuel cell technologies
11 September 2024
The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced a notice of intent for potential funding to accelerate the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of affordable clean-hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to drive national decarbonization. DE-FOA-0003438) The potential funding will focus on advancing technologies for hydrogen production, hydrogen infrastructure, and fuel cells,... Read more →
Volvo Group Venture Capital invests in aifleet
11 September 2024
Volvo Group Venture Capital AB is investing in the US-based company aifleet, a trucking company leveraging AI technology focusing on truck utilization and driver satisfaction. Founded in 2020, aifleet operates in the US full-truckload (FTL) segment of the trucking industry, where a truck’s full capacity is bought to ship larger... Read more →
Volvo is increasing the use of low-CO2-emission steel in its trucks. This steel is produced with recycled material and fossil-free energy and will be used in tens of thousands of Volvo trucks starting next year. Volvo was the world’s first truck manufacturer to introduce this type of steel in its... Read more →
Methane emissions increase by 20% in 20 years
11 September 2024
The newly released Global Methane Budget 2024 highlights methane emissions from human activities have increased by 20% in the past two decades. Methane is one of three core greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. It lasts in the atmosphere for just a few decades, which is shorter when compared... Read more →