The Government of Canada is awarding $1.2 million to GreenNano Technologies Inc. (GNT), a company based in Toronto, to scale up production of a new lightweight wood-fiber–based composite material to create automotive parts using an innovative process. Cam covers made at GNT. The project will combine wood pulp with polymers... Read more →

Singaporean-based tonnage provider Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), has appointed GoodFuels to supply biofuel bunkers for its 2010-built 47,377 deadweight tonne MR tanker M/T Pacific Beryl. The successful bunkering, which took place on Friday, 9 October in Dutch waters, is in line with EPS’ Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Policy. The... Read more →

In September 2020, the EU passenger car market registered the first increase of the year, according to figures from the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA). Registrations grew by 3.1% last month to reach 933,987 new cars sold across the European Union. The four largest markets, however, posted mixed results.... Read more →

A Canadian startup has launched an INDIEGOGO funding campaign to support the development of the VEGAN electric self-charging solar tricycle. The VEGAN is a lightweight multipurpose hybrid electric-self-charging solar tricycle. The team has not yet produced a working demo for their concept. The team projects that the high-efficiency vehicle will... Read more →

Canada investing $20M in Terrestrial Energy to support development of Integral Molten Salt SMR Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Hon. Navdeep Bains, announced a $20 million investment in Terrestrial Energy to accelerate development of the company’s Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) power plant. This is the first such... Read more →

The US Department of Energy (DOE) approved a multi-year cost share award to a new special purpose entity named Carbon Free Power Project, LLC, (CFPP) an entity wholly owned by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS), that could provide up to $1.4 billion to help demonstrate and deploy a 12-module,... Read more →

Recycling Technologies, a specialist plastic recycling technology provider; Neste, the leading provider of renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and a forerunner in drop-in renewable and circular chemical solutions; and Unilever, the consumer goods manufacturer, will collaborate to develop further and to harness chemical recycling to recover and to reuse plastic... Read more →

General Electric (GE) announced it is setting a goal to achieve carbon neutrality for its facilities and operational greenhouse emissions by 2030. This commitment does not address the emissions associated with its products (Scope 3). GE has recently announced that it is pursuing an exit from the new-build coal power... Read more →

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced more than $27 million in funding for 12 projects that will support the development of advanced plastics recycling technologies and new plastics that are recyclable-by-design. As part of DOE’s Plastics Innovation Challenge, these projects will also help improve existing recycling processes that break... Read more →

General Motors announced its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center will be known as Factory ZERO, reconfigured to an all-electric vehicle assembly plant. The name Factory ZERO reflects the significance of this facility in advancing GM’s zero-crashes, zero-emissions and zero-congestion future. Factory ZERO will be the launchpad for GM’s multi-brand EV strategy. The... Read more →

In an entirely new approach to making lithium-ion batteries lighter, safer and more efficient, scientists at Stanford University and the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have reengineered one of the heaviest battery components—sheets of copper or aluminum foil known as current collectors—so they weigh 80% less and immediately... Read more →

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected two US-based teams to receive $160 million in initial funding under the new Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). ARDP, announced in May, is designed to help domestic private industry demonstrate advanced nuclear reactors in the United States. DOE is awarding TerraPower LLC... Read more →

Monash University engineers have demonstrated improvements in the fatigue life of high-strength aluminum alloys by 25 times—a significant outcome for the transport manufacturing industry. In an open-access paper published in Nature Communications, the researchers reported that the poor fatigue performance of high-strength aluminum alloys was because of weak links called... Read more →

Since September 2015, the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) has been working with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) as a Connected Vehicle Pilot site. The next step in the Connected Vehicle space is to begin working with the auto industry manufacturers. To that end, THEA is proud to... Read more →

Nuvera Fuel Cells, a US-based manufacturer of heavy-duty fuel cell systems, is now using BASF’s polyphthalamide (PPA) Ultramid Advanced N to manufacture several components in its latest generation of 45 kW fuel cell engines. The fuel cell engines will be integrated into transit buses and delivery vehicles in China over... Read more →

Fisker Inc. is entering into agreements with Magna International Inc. that provide the framework for strategic platform sharing and manufacturing cooperation for the Fisker Ocean SUV. We chose to leverage the Magna EV architecture after detailed due diligence on several options—and in consideration of our own product and technology strategy.... Read more →

City planners and many pedestrians have wondered how to get electric scooters off the sidewalk, but two new studies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety raise a different question: Just where should e-scooters be ridden? We didn’t see many e-scooter crashes with motor vehicles, and that may be a... Read more →

Skeleton Technologies is partnering with Wrightbus to supply its next-generation high-energy ultracapacitor modules to power fuel-cell buses in the UK. The ultracapacitors’ two-times higher energy density is enabled by Skeleton’s latest material technology innovation, making them a valuable addition to hydrogen fuel cells in emissions-free transportation. Since fuel cells are... Read more →

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Critical Materials Institute (CMI) announced selections totaling up to $4 million for four research and development projects to partner with industry to address challenges in establishing domestic supply chains for critical materials. Critical materials are used in many products important to the US economy... Read more →

Ballard Power Systems has sold the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) business assets of its subsidiary located in Southborough, Massachusetts to Honeywell International. All employees of the UAV subsidiary will transition to Honeywell Aerospace. Financial terms have not been disclosed. The companies are also committed to a long-term strategic collaboration to... Read more →

Proterra announced a $200-million investment led by Cowen Sustainable Advisors LLC (CSI) along with supporting investments from Soros Fund Management, Generation Investment Management, and Broadscale Group. The new investment comprises $150 million from CSI and investments totaling $50 million from Soros Fund Management, Generation Investment Management, and Broadscale Group. The... Read more →

Members of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry formally announced a new alliance to effect rapid deployment of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, buses, locomotives, vessels, aircraft and off-road equipment throughout the Western United States. The Western States Hydrogen Alliance (WSHA) is made up of leading figures in the... Read more →

ArcelorMittal Europe provided some details of the CO2 technology strategy that will enable it to offer its first green steel solutions to customers this year (30,000 tonnes); scale up this offering in coming years (to reach 120,000 tonnes in 2021 and 600,000 tonnes by 2022); deliver its 30% CO2 emissions... Read more →

While tires remain one of the most recycled products in the US, end-of-life markets are not keeping pace with the annual generation of scrap tires, according to a new report released by the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA). The 2019 Scrap Tire Management Report—USTMA’s 14th—reveals that almost 76% of scrap... Read more →

Ford has selected ArcelorMittal’s Fortiform 980 GI (earlier post) as the sole source of third-generation advanced high-strength steel (Gen 3/HF) for the revitalized 2021 Ford Bronco. This highly anticipated vehicle will be the first automobile in the world to incorporate this grade of steel, which is made at AM/NS Calvert... Read more →

Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have increased the conductivity of copper wire by about 5%—a development that can increase motor efficiency. Higher conductivity also means that less copper is needed for the same efficiency, which can reduce the weight and volume of various components for EVs. Using a... Read more →

Innoviz Technologies, a provider of high-performance, solid-state LiDAR sensors and perception software, is launching a next-generation sensor: the InnovizTwo. The new high-performance automotive-grade LiDAR sensor offers a fully featured solution for all levels of autonomous driving at a significantly lower cost. Although the automotive industry is on its way to... Read more →

The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a $384 million plan for critical clean transportation investments to boost the adoption of zero-emission cars and trucks and help the state reach its climate, clean energy and public health goals. The plan focuses on closing gaps in zero-emission fuels and infrastructure to support... Read more →

The California Sustainable Energy Entrepreneur Development (CalSEED) program announced that the fourth cohort of innovative clean energy concepts has been approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC); 28 companies out of 212 were selected to receive grants of $150,000 each. The awardees went through a rigorous process including a review... Read more →

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) sent a letter to automakers and other vehicle and engine manufacturers encouraging them to disclose by the end of the year any unapproved hardware or software programs that impact emissions control systems in vehicles sold in California. This letter is part of CARB’s ongoing... Read more →

A small team at Merceds-Benz has created the all-electric EQC 4x4² off-road concept—a drivable technology platform on the basis of an EQC 400 4MATIC (combined power consumption: 21.3-20.2 kWh/100 km). Technical highlights include multi-link portal axles as well as the production of a powerful sound in the interior and exterior.... Read more →

Volkswagen is ramping up its hybrid offensive. The Touareg is now available to order in two different plug-in hybrid versions: the Touareg eHybrid and the Touareg R. Both variants are characterized by an electric range of up to 47 kilometers (WLTP) and low average consumptions. Touareg eHybrid (left) and Touareg... Read more →

New Flyer of America announced that Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) has awarded New Flyer a contract for twelve zero-emission, battery-electric thirty five-foot heavy-duty transit buses, with options to purchase up to 13 additional zero-emission buses in thirty-five or forty-foot lengths throughout the remaining term of the five-year agreement. This contract... Read more →

Nine private companies in Japan engaged in the construction and expansion of a hydrogen society announced that they are launching a new preparatory committee called “Japan Hydrogen association (JH2A)” to promote the formation of a hydrogen supply chain and global partnerships in the hydrogen sector. With hydrogen anticipated to play... Read more →

Linear Labs has raised an additional $6 million in funding to further develop manufacturing capabilities and grow its employee base. The new capital comes shortly after Linear Labs’ $68.9 million partnership with the City of Fort Worth, Texas, was announced, which includes an incentive package involving Linear Labs’ plans to... Read more →

Wright Electric announced that the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has selected Wright for a contract to support the development of innovative, lightweight, and ultra-efficient electric propulsion motors, drives, and associated thermal management systems for commercial electric aircraft. The foundation of Wright’s Wright 1 zero-emissions 186-seat... Read more →

Electrify America is investing $3 million to provide education and awareness programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities throughout California on the benefits of driving zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) and available cash incentives. The latest announcement brings Electrify America’s total investment in California community-based programs to $5.7 million over the past... Read more →

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $65 million through its Connected Communities funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to expand DOE’s network of grid-interactive efficient building communities nationwide. (DE-FOA-0002206) As our Nation’s energy system continues to undergo dramatic transformations, there is a growing need for solutions that integrate and... Read more →

Verisk, a leading data analytics provider, announced that Ford Motor Company has joined the Verisk Data Exchange. Owners of eligible Ford and Lincoln vehicles will soon have easy access to usage-based insurance programs from the many US auto insurers that connect to the Exchange—including three of the ten largest US... Read more →

by Michael Sivak, Sivak Applied Research. This brief analysis examines the relative cost of the energy from milk and gasoline. The unifying approach involves the use of a common measure of energy—British thermal units (Btu). A cup of whole milk contains 150 Calories of energy. Thus, there are 2,400 Calories... Read more →

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is a central element of the digital transformation process at the BMW Group. The BMW Group already uses AI throughout the value chain to generate added value for customers, products, employees and processes. The BMW Group continues to follow global developments in terms of... Read more →

Daimler Insurance Services and Swiss Re have entered into a strategic partnership for automotive and mobility insurance and launched a new company called Movinx. Both shareholders of the 50/50 joint venture will leverage their complementary expertise to establish a new business model. The aim is to develop fully digital automotive... Read more →

International logistics service provider DB Schenker will bring a total of 36 additional FUSO eCanter vehicles into operation in eleven European countries. Europe’s leading land transport provider is thus strengthening its sustainability strategy and further expanding the use of electric vehicles in its mixed fleets. With these latest vehicles, DB... Read more →

Workhorse Group Inc., a provider of cost-effective drone-integrated electric vehicles to the last-mile delivery sector, has entered into a note purchase agreement (NPA) under which it will sell $200 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.0% Senior Secured Convertible Notes due 2024 to two institutional lenders. The proceeds of the... Read more →

Every year, Netherland-based student company TU/ecomotive produces an electric car with a team of 21 BA students from the Eindhoven University of Technology, with the aim of showing the world that a hypothetical, sustainable car of the future can be a reality today. The design of the sixth TU/ecomotive car—Luca—was... Read more →

Now on sale nationwide in the US, the 2021 Audi Q5 TFSI e, A7 TFSI e and A8 TFSI e plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) combine Audi’s premium appointments and driving dynamics with integrated hybrid technology and smartphone app functionality. The 2021 Audi Q5 TFSI e, updated with sharpened design and... Read more →

With the support of a grant from the Department of Energy, Miao Yu, the Priti and Mukesh Chatter ’82 Career Development Chair of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, will develop a novel porous material capable of capturing even very small concentrations of CO2 in the air and... Read more →

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced more than $7 million in funding for Michigan-based cybersecurity company The Dream Team LLC (DTLLC) to develop a first-of-its-kind infrastructure that protects the electric grid from cyber-attacks on electric vehicles (EV) and electric vehicle charging systems. Once developed, testing of the electric roadways... Read more →

The REXH2 is a modular maritime hydrogen power solution developed around Toyota’s fuel cell technology. It has been succesfully tested in real open sea conditions aboard the Energy Observer boat for over more than 7,000 nautical miles including trans-Atlantic crossings. The hydrogen-electric hybrid technology in the REXH2 makes silent maritime... Read more →

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), a global leader in transportation and logistics, said it is further exploring the viability of hydrogen and fuels derived from it as a possible fuel source for the future for container shipping, and is increasingly pioneering the use of biofuels within its existing fleet. Speaking on... Read more →