Transportation News

How the Sunrise Movement is changing the climate activism game

Jan 21, 2021: The Sunrise Movement represents a growing force that encourages all citizens to work towards better balance for the planet at an individual, governmental or corporate level.

Reindeer herders in Norway take a wind farm to court

Jan 21, 2021: Reindeer herders of the Sámi Indigenous community have moved to a court of appeals in Norway to challenge a proposed wind power project.

Student inspires Miami-Dade County Public Schools to shift to electric buses

Jan 21, 2021: Holly Thorpe, a middle school student at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, has pushed the school district to shift from diesel-powered buses to electric buses.

MIA Architecture's office blends into the landscape with a mirrored facade

Jan 21, 2021: If ever there is a building type to emphasize dynamic appeal and make a statement, it should belong to an architectural firm.

Lightning eMotors adds production capacity, space to meet growing demand from fleets for EVs

Jan 21, 2021: Lightning eMotors, a leading provider of commercial electric vehicles for fleets, is expanding to meet the growing demand for EVs from commercial and government fleets. Three and a half years ago, Lightning eMotors moved its headquarters, manufacturing, and research and development into the nearly one-million-square-foot campus that was formerly used...

ACEA study finds 100-fold increase in zero-emission trucks needed in EU fleet in 10 years to meet goals

Jan 21, 2021: A new study by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has found that there are currently 6.2 million medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles on the EU’s roads, the average age of which is 13 years. Almost 98% of all these trucks run on diesel, according to the 2021 Vehicles in...

Ørsted takes final investment decision on green hydrogen project H2RES

Jan 21, 2021: Ørsted has taken final investment decision on the Danish demonstration project H2RES, which will use offshore wind energy to produce renewable hydrogen. (Earlier post.) The project is expected to produce its first hydrogen in late 2021 and will be Ørsted’s first renewable hydrogen project in operation. Avedøre Power Station where...

Geely Auto Group and Tencent to cooperate on intelligent cockpits, digitalization, autonomous drive, and low-carbon development

Jan 21, 2021: Geely Auto Group and Tencent signed an agreement to carry out strategic cooperation in the fields of digitalization, intelligent cockpits, autonomous drive, and low-carbon development. The two parties will work together to digitalize fully all aspects of an automotive product lifecycle from product development, manufacturing, marketing, vehicle utilization, to after-sales...

DOE awarding more than $50M to 15 projects to advance critical material innovations

Jan 21, 2021: The US Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding more than $50 million in funding for 15 projects focused on field validation and demonstration—as well as next-generation extraction, separation, and processing technologies—for critical materials. Critical materials are used in many products important to the US economy and energy technologies, such as...

Mercedes-Benz introduces the EQA: entry-level to the electric EQ vehicle family

Jan 21, 2021: Mercedes-Benz has introduced the EQA, the new entry-level model to the all-electric world of Mercedes-EQ vehicles. The EQA is the first all-electric member of the compact car vehicle from Mercedes-Benz. A close relation of the GLA, it delivers all the characteristics of that vehicle, combined in this case with an...

DOE partners with Youngstown State and ORNL to support battery manufacturing workforce

Jan 21, 2021: The US Department of Energy (DOE) is partnering with Youngstown State University and DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to advance workforce development for the battery manufacturing industry. The $1-million project will assist in the development of an Energy Storage Workforce Innovation Center, which will serve as a training center...

Bridgestone collaboration with NRGene achieves new milestones in assembly of multiple guayule genomes; alternative to natural rubber

Jan 21, 2021: Bridgestone Corporation announced results of its four-year collaboration with genomic big data solutions company NRGene to advance the commercialization of guayule, an alternative to natural rubber, as part of the effort to diversify its sources of raw materials. The combined effort focused on analyzing DNA to allow more efficient use...

Cree delivers industry leading efficiency to EV fast charging & solar markets with new SiC power module portfolio

Jan 21, 2021: Cree, Inc. launched its Wolfspeed WolfPACK power modules. Using 1200V Wolfspeed MOSFET technology, the new modules deliver maximum efficiency in easy-to-use packages that allow designers to increase efficiency and performance with smaller, more scalable power systems. Compared to silicon, the use of silicon carbide-based power solutions enables faster, smaller, lighter...

House of Childhood is a daycare that emphasizes energy efficiency

Jan 20, 2021: Translated House of Childhood, the building was designed by Tectoniques Agency and is functional, inviting, striking and environmentally friendly.

Federal court dismisses Trump's rollback on regulating carbon emissions

Jan 20, 2021: A federal court has turned down the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to lessen carbon emission regulations for coal plants.

Gothenburg, Sweden develops world's first zero-emissions zone

Jan 20, 2021: The Swedish city of Gothenburg is developing the world's first large-scale zero-emissions city zone. In collaboration with Volvo Cars, Gothenburg's Green City Zone initiative will be open to economic activities, allowing people to participate in businesses while supporting a sustainable environment.

Former prison site to transform into green mixed-use district

Jan 20, 2021: In the Copenhagen suburb of Albertslund, the former Vridsløselille prison site will take on new life as an attractive mixed-use district with a strong emphasis on nature. The development plan for the 160,000-square-meter district will combine the design proposal by Danish architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and landscape architects BOGL with the scheme put forth by COBE Architects.

Need a bike helmet? 'Grow It Yourself' with mycelium

Jan 20, 2021: Tired of replacing all those plastic bike helmets? Now, there's a more sustainable option. The 100% compostable Grow It Yourself Helmet is made from mycelium.

FLITE consortium building Europe’s first Alcohol-to-Jet plant; Lanzatech technology

Jan 20, 2021: The FLITE (Fuel via Low Carbon Integrated Technology from Ethanol) consortium, led by SkyNRG and with LanzaTech as the technology provider, will build the first-of-its-kind LanzaJet Alcohol to Jet (AtJ) facility. The facility will convert waste-based ethanol to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a scale of more than 30,000 tons/yr....

Cruise and GM partner with Microsoft to commercialize autonomous vehicles; $2B in new funding, Cruise sending test vehicles to Japan

Jan 20, 2021: Cruise and General Motors have entered a long-term strategic relationship with Microsoft to accelerate the commercialization of self-driving vehicles. Microsoft is joining GM, Honda and institutional investors in a combined new equity investment of more than $2 billion in Cruise, bringing the post-money valuation of Cruise to $30 billion. To...

PACCAR and Aurora partner to develop and commercialize autonomous Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks

Jan 20, 2021: PACCAR and Aurora have signed a global, strategic agreement to develop, test and commercialize autonomous Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks. This collaboration will integrate PACCAR’s autonomous vehicle platform with the Aurora Driver to enhance the safety and operational efficiency of PACCAR’s customers. Autonomous Peterbilt 579 Test Vehicle with Aurora Driver. In...

TRI and Stanford working to combine vehicle automation with AI algorithms inspired by professional drift drivers

Jan 20, 2021: Researchers at Toyota Research Institute (TRI) are conducting research with Stanford’s Dynamic Design Lab into how to bring together the instincts of professional drift drivers and automated driving technology. Thee goal is to design a new level of active safety technology and share it broadly so that Toyota and other...

Porsche extends all-electric Taycan model range with new entry-level model with rear-wheel drive

Jan 20, 2021: Porsche has introduced the fourth variant of its first all-electric sports sedan. The new Taycan model lines up alongside the Taycan Turbo S, Taycan Turbo and Taycan 4S. It features rear-wheel drive and is available with two sizes of battery: with the standard Performance Battery, the new entry-level model delivers...

EV charging network builder Volta announces $125M in Series D funding

Jan 20, 2021: Volta, a builder of commerce-centric electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, announced an oversubscribed Series D financing of $125 million. Goldman Sachs acted as exclusive placement agent to the company in connection with the financing. Volta builds and operates an EV charging network with the highest utilization in the United States....

BNEF: global investment in energy transition hit $500B in 2020; $139B on EVs and infrastructure

Jan 20, 2021: A new, broad measure of “energy transition investment”, compiled by BloombergNEF (BNEF), shows that the world committed a record $501.3 billion to decarbonization in 2020, beating the previous year by 9% despite the economic disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. BNEF’s analysis shows that companies, governments and households invested $303.5...

Autobus Séguin orders 60 LionC electric school buses

Jan 20, 2021: Autobus Groupe Séguin, a transportation operator headquartered in Laval, Québec, has ordered 60 LionC electric school buses over a five-year period. Autobus Séguin will integrate the all-electric buses into the company’s current fleet of vehicles, one of the largest in Québec. This order is the single largest to date in...

New generation of Freudenberg DIAvent valves supports 4x faster emergency degassing of batteries

Jan 20, 2021: Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is introducing a new generation of DIAvent valves (earlier post), which ensure that reaction gases can escape from damaged lithium-ion batteries four times faster than before. At the same time, the valve maintains the continuous pressure compensation required for normal battery operation. The company is preparing for...

DOE to award $28.35M for R&D on advanced processing of rare earth elements and critical minerals from coal-based resources

Jan 20, 2021: The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) has announced $28.35 million in federal funding for cost-shared research and development projects under the Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0002404, Advanced Processing of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals for Industrial and Manufacturing Applications. The US imports more than half...

Deadline for applying for Keeling Curve Prize is 10 Feb; $250K for 10 projects

Jan 20, 2021: The deadline is fast approaching to apply for the 2021 Keeling Curve Prize, which will award $25,000 to each of 10 projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase carbon uptake. The competition is open until 10 Feb to applicants from around the world. Previous winners have fixed carbon...

The Mountain tiny home comes with a skylit cedar shower

Jan 19, 2021: Designed and built by CoMak Tiny Homes in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this tiny home on wheels packs a ton of cool features into a pretty small package.

Biden expected to cancel Keystone XL project on first day in office

Jan 19, 2021: Sources close to the US. President-elect Joe Biden indicate that the President plans to cancel the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline project.

US solar panels may be partially produced via slave labor

Jan 19, 2021: The production of polysilicon and other solar panel parts in Xinjiang is suspected to be through slave labor. Will the US stop importing these problematic parts?

A new LEED Gold civic center will reinvigorate downtown Long Beach

Jan 19, 2021: Long Beach Civic Center Master Plan redesigns the downtown area into a vibrant, mixed-use district with multiple LEED-certified structures.

Could contraception for pigeons be a humane option for population control?

Jan 19, 2021: To get rid of pigeons, people typically trap, shoot or poison them. OvoControl is trying long-term birth control instead.

Maritime industry players join forces to realize the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells

Jan 19, 2021: Alfa Laval, DTU Energy, Haldor Topsoe, Svitzer and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping are entering into a joint project to accelerate the development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. Funded by a grant from Danish EUDP (Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program), the partners will...

Rolls-Royce supplying two mtu gas engines for first LNG-hybrid tugboat

Jan 19, 2021: Rolls-Royce is supplying two mtu 16V 4000 M55RN gas engines to Sembcorp Marine Integrated Yard for the construction of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-hybrid powered tug. This is the first LNG-hybrid tug to be powered by mtu gas engines. Designed by LMG Marin (Norway), part of the Sembcorp Marine...

Penn State team develops thermally modulated LFP battery; fast-charging, inexpensive, long-life for mass-market EVs

Jan 19, 2021: A team of Penn State engineers has demonstrated a thermally modulated lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery to offer an adequate cruise range per charge that is extendable by a 10-minute recharge in all climates, essentially guaranteeing EVs that are free of range anxiety. Such a thermally modulated LFP battery—designed to...

Greenergy opts for Haldor Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology to produce low-carbon fuels from waste tires

Jan 19, 2021: Greenergy will invest in Front End Engineering Design (FEED) of a project to produce low-carbon transportation fuels from waste tires. In the first phase, the planned facility will process up to 300 tons of shredded tires each day to produce low-carbon, low-sulfur drop-in fuels that can be blended into diesel...

New Nissan Qashqai in Europe to offer 12V MHEV and upgraded e-POWER powertrains

Jan 19, 2021: Supporting Nissan’s goal of achieving 50% electrified sales in Europe by 2024, the new Nissan Qashqai will not only be available with a 1.3 DiG-T gasoline engine equipped with mild hybrid technology, but also e-POWER, Nissan’s non-plug-in series-hybrid electric powertrain in its European debut. The e-POWER system for New Qashqai...

Audi and FAW establishing new JV company for production of PPE-based EVs in China

Jan 19, 2021: Audi and FAW are forming a new new cooperation company for the future production of PPE-based electric vehicles in Changchun in the northeast of China. AUDI AG and Volkswagen Group China will receive a 60% share, making this company—founded for the local production of fully electric Audi models on the...

Ekoenergetyka-Polska wins RATP tender for up to 274 electric bus chargers

Jan 19, 2021: Ekoenergetyka-Polska has won a tender issued by RATP—a state-owned public transport operator and maintainer headquartered in Paris—and is implementing one of the largest contracts for charging infrastructure for electric buses in Europe. Ekoenergetyka-Polska will deliver 274 devices of 90 kW each. The charging stations for two Paris depots—Center Bus de...

DOE: Vermont had the highest number of public EV chargers per capita in US in November 2020

Jan 19, 2021: The number of public electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the country has been growing. As of November 2020, Vermont had the highest number of public chargers per capita with 114 EV chargers per 100,000 people, followed by the District of Columbia (81) and California (72), according to the US Department...

Audi models in Europe now Euro 6d compliant; twin-dosing for diesel, GPFs for gasoline

Jan 19, 2021: As of the beginning of 2021, Audi has converted its European vehicle range to the level of the Euro 6d emission standard. All models included in the currently valid sales program comply with the strict limits of the Euro 6d-ISC-FCM standard. Currently, 193 models are certified according to the new...

The Wzai 2.0 smart plant can give anyone a green thumb

Jan 18, 2021: Have you ever found yourself with a struggling houseplant, demanding to know why it won't thrive? Let the Wázai 2.0, the world's smartest bonsai, turn you into a master home gardener.

Seagrass purges 900M plastic bits from the Mediterranean yearly

Jan 18, 2021: A new study has found "Neptune Balls" full of plastic that wash ashore are the product of seagrass, which collects and purges plastic pollution from the water.

Cobalt-free batteries will make EVs more affordable

Jan 18, 2021: If the high price tag is all that stands between you and your dream Tesla, you might be able to afford one in a few years thanks to cobalt-free batteries.

This green-roofed cabin is made from local cedar and glass

Jan 18, 2021: Made from sustainable building materials, the Bowen Island House maintains deep connections to nature while minimizing environmental impact.

Dolmen Shelter renderings imagine stone-shaped guest rooms

Jan 18, 2021: Sibling team Davit and Mary Jilavyan have imagined a boutique hotel with stone-shaped guest rooms partially inspired by their housing complex in Moscow. The project, known as Dolmen Shelter, is a fictional rendering that the duo hopes to someday see brought to fruition by their friends in the building industry.

GM to invest nearly $800M to convert CAMI into Canada’s 1st large-scale commercial EV plant; EV600 first

Jan 18, 2021: Subject to ratification of a tentative 2021 agreement reached with Unifor and confirmation of government support, General Motors plans to bring production of its recently announced BrightDrop electric light commercial vehicle, the EV600 (earlier post), to its CAMI manufacturing plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. Powered by the Ultium battery system, the...

Bro.do x Mylea Better Shoes are made from mushroom leather

Jan 15, 2021: As the fashion world looks for alternatives to plastic and leather, mycelium is rising to the top of the material supply chain.