Transportation News

Mercedes-Benz eVito panel van receives updated powertrain and battery

Dec 4, 2021: Following in the footsteps of the Mercedes‑Benz eVito Tourer, the eVito panel van will also receive a comprehensive update of its electric powertrain and a new battery with an usable capacity of 60 kWh from the beginning of December. The locally emission-free van replaces the model successfully launched on the...

Lexus unveils hydrogen-engined ROV concept

Dec 4, 2021: Lexus revealed a new ROV (Recreational Off-highway Vehicle) Concept, a hydrogen-engined vehicle offering near zero-emissions driving combined with extreme off-road capability. It reflects a commitment by Lexus to ensure exhilarating driving can co-exist with a carbon-free society centered on responsible mobility. While tackling its carbon neutrality goals, Lexus is passionate...

Kongsberg launches first full-scale hydrogen-based marine propulsion system; HySeas III

Dec 4, 2021: Kongsberg has tested and verified a full-scale, full-size, zero-emissions drivetrain powered by hydrogen fuel cells designed for ships and ferries. The program is the third and final part of the EU-funded project HySeas (HySeas III) which has been running since 2013 to prepare and demonstrate a scalable hydrogen system for...

WSJ: China to create new state-owned rare-earths giant

Dec 4, 2021: The Wall Street Journal reported that China will create one of the world’s largest rare-earths companies with the aim of maintaining its dominance in the global supply chain of the strategic metals as tensions deepen with the US. Citing unnamed “people familiar with the matter”, the WSJ said that the...

Benchmark: lithium prices continue to rise

Dec 4, 2021: Lithium prices continued to rise in November, with Chinese battery-grade prices surpassing the RMB 200,000/tonne (US$31,395/tonne) mark, according to Benchmark’s Lithium Price Assessment. Source: Benchmark Mineral Intelligence The rise in lithium carbonate prices could increase production costs of lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells by at least 16%, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence...

Without biosecurity, Earth risks invasion of alien organisms

Dec 3, 2021: Scientists warn that alien organisms may invade Earth if biosecurity measures aren't taken. According to a study published in the international journal BioSciences, increased space travel puts Earth at risk of being invaded by alien organisms. The researchers behind the study say that there is evidence of living organisms having been transferred to space, which means that the reverse could also occur.

Elusive sea turtles caught snuggling and making out on video

Dec 3, 2021: This might be anthropomorphizing, but videos filmed in Hawaii and analyzed in a new study appear to show a couple of sea turtles making out. Marine biologists are surprised, because even reptiles as cute as turtles aren’t usually regarded as being so sensual. Or even sociable.

Grab these eco-friendly gifts for kids before they're gone

Dec 3, 2021: There are few things better than experiencing the holidays through the eyes of a child. The wonder of sparkling lights, the excitement about novel experiences, and of course, the joy of gifts are where memories are made. When it comes to selecting gifts for kids, choose toys and games that amuse and charm the little ones without harming the environment they will grow up in.

UK research center at the University of Leeds is completed

Dec 3, 2021: ADP Architecture has completed the Sir William Henry Bragg Building at the University of Leeds. It's a new center for engineering and physical sciences that is designed to support research in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Make your own bike with OpenBike's downloadable files

Dec 3, 2021: What's not to love about open-source printing instructions for the Arquimaña OpenBike? Their new design has greater stability and rigidity, is shared under a creative commons license and you can make it yourself.

Toyota showcases experimental hydrogen-powered GR Yaris

Dec 3, 2021: Toyota showcased its experimental hydrogen-powered combustion engine technology in the multiple award-winning GR Yaris. The hydrogen fuel, fuel tanks and refueling process of the experimental vehicle are the same as found in the Mirai, Toyota’s commercially available flagship fuel cell electric vehicle. 2022 GR Yaris Hydrogen While the Mirai employs...

DOE awards $35M to 12 ARPA-E projects to reduce methane emissions; 5 on natural gas engines

Dec 3, 2021: The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced $35 million in funding for twelve projects focused on developing technologies to reduce methane emissions in the oil, gas, and coal industries. DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) Reducing Emissions of Methane Every Day of the Year (REMEDY) program (earlier post) was unveiled...

FHWA invites comment on new EV infrastructure programs

Dec 3, 2021: The Federal Highway Administration is inviting public comment on the development of guidance for two new electric vehicle charging station programs included in the recently enacted $1-trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The National Electric Vehicle Program or EV Charging Program will provide funding to the States to deploy EV...

Bosch starting volume production of silicon carbide power semiconductors

Dec 3, 2021: After several years of development, Bosch is now starting volume production of silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors to supply automotive manufacturers worldwide. In the future, an increasing number of production vehicles will feature these chips. Picture: Bosch The future for silicon carbide semiconductors is bright. We want to become a...

TI Fluid Systems to supply wide range of fluid products for Mercedes-Benz global electrified vehicle platforms

Dec 3, 2021: TI Fluid Systems (TIFS), a leading global supplier of automotive fluid systems technology, has launched high volume production supply of various fluid products for the global Mercedes-Benz AG programs C-Class, GLC and E-Class hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). TIFS will also supply products for Mercedes-Benz AG’s internal combustion engine (ICE) variants...

SCE quadruples rebate offer for pre-owned EVs to $4,000

Dec 3, 2021: Southern California Edison (SCE) is offering a $4,000 rebate to income-qualified customers who buy or lease pre-owned electric vehicles. SCE has been offering a $1,000 rebate through its Pre-Owned EV Rebate program to residential customers who purchase or lease a used EV. Now the electric company has quadrupled this rebate...

Electrify America reaches 30MW in installed battery energy storage at 140 DC-fast charging stations across the US; behind-the-meter grid services

Dec 3, 2021: Electrify America has installed onsite, behind-the-meter battery energy storage systems (BESS) at more than 140 ultra-fast DC charging stations around the country, including more than 90 installations in California. These systems in total have more than 30 megawatts (MW) of energy storage capacity, representing the largest roll-out of onsite behind-the-meter...

Flanders, Belgium transport operator to order 60 electric buses from Van Hool and VDL

Dec 3, 2021: The board of De Lijn, the public transport authority and operator in Flanders, Belgium, has approved the order of 60 electric buses from Van Hool and VDL. Part of a framework agreement of 350 e-buses, this order represents yet another step towards a zero-emission fleet and accompanying infrastructures by 2035....

Climate change may be driving albatross divorces

Dec 2, 2021: Ever heard of an albatross divorce? A new study published in the journal Royal Society found that Black-browed albatrosses may separate from their life partners due to global warming. According to the study, albatrosses are among a few species that mate for life, but climate change is affecting their mating.

Over 80 fashion brands linked to Amazon deforestation

Dec 2, 2021: Turns out, it’s not just fast-food chains causing problems. According to a new study, many fashion brands source leather from opaque supply chains tied to decimating forests.

Brutalist home in Puerto Rico is resistant to weather

Dec 2, 2021: QBO3 Architects have created Casa Ethos, a home in Puerto Rico that explores brutalist architecture, or how a home can be left uninhabited safely for long periods while still adapting to the environment.

High-tech Infinitus Plaza by Zaha Hadid completed in China

Dec 2, 2021: Infinitus Plaza, the global headquarters for Infinitus, China, has recently completed construction on their innovative, environmentally-friendly and high-tech building. With construction led by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), the Infinitus Plaza creates an entrance to the developing Baiyun Central Business District, which was developed on the site of the decommissioned Baiyun Airport.

Lamps by Biohm are made from coffee and orange peel

Dec 2, 2021: Biohm, a London biotech and biomanufacturing startup, has created a line of sustainable lampshades called Obscure that are made of 100% coffee chaff and orange peel. Biohm has become an example of what's possible in development and bio-manufacturing of natural materials for the built environment.

Karamba Security raises $10M in new funding; round led by VinFast

Dec 2, 2021: Israel-based Karamba Security, a leading developer of endpoint protection for connected devices, has secured $10 million in new funding in an extension to its B Round financing. VinFast, a member of Vingroup, the largest private conglomerate in Vietnam, led the investment with participation from SVIC, a leading corporate VC from...

Aemetis, American Airlines sign $1.1B 280M gallon offtake agreement for sustainable aviation fuel blend

Dec 2, 2021: Aemetis, Inc., a renewable fuels company focused on negative carbon intensity products, has an offtake agreement with American Airlines for 280 million gallons of blended fuel containing sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) to be delivered over the 7-year term of the agreement. The aggregate value of the agreement is estimated to...

Nissan unveils lunar rover prototype jointly developed with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; e-4ORCE control technology

Dec 2, 2021: Nissan Motor unveiled a lunar rover prototype jointly developed with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) at the Nissan Futures event in Yokohama. The JAXA Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center is conducting research on lunar rovers—a key technology for space exploration. Nissan has been working with JAXA on driving controllability...

Nissan reveals high-performance Ariya Single Seater Concept

Dec 2, 2021: Nissan revealed its new Nissan Ariya Single Seater Concept—a high-performance exploration, development and demonstration project of how the all-electric Nissan Ariya crossover (earlier post) powertrain could be used in a bespoke single-seat racing car chassis. The concept was presented at the Nissan Futures event by Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan senior vice...

SABIC introduces new NORYL resins featuring robust flame retardancy and impact resistance for EV battery modules

Dec 2, 2021: SABIC is launching two new grades of NORYL resin that support demand for lighter, thinner and more crash-resistant battery modules and housings. These new innovative materials—NORYL NHP6011 and NHP6012 resins—address key consumer requirements for EVs: improved safety, range and power. They deliver enhanced robust flame retardancy and impact strength to...

SES enters exclusive agreement with ENTEK Membranes for separator materials for Li-metal batteries

Dec 2, 2021: SES, formerly known as SolidEnergy Systems, and ENTEK Membranes have entered into an exclusive supply agreement for innovative separator materials in the development and production of high-energy Li-Metal rechargeable batteries. Both headquartered in the US with global presence, SES and ENTEK seek to power the future of electric transportation with...

GM and POSCO Chemical to build new N America factory to process cathode active material for Ultium batteries

Dec 2, 2021: General Motors and POSCO Chemical plan to form a joint venture through which the parties will construct a factory in North America to process critical battery materials for GM’s Ultium electric vehicle platform. The joint venture will process Cathode Active Material (CAM), a key battery material that represents about 40%...

AKASOL introducing Gen 3 battery systems with increased energy density

Dec 2, 2021: AKASOL AG is introducing its third generation of battery systems manufactured in series production. The new AKASystem 9 AKM 150 CYC has the highest energy density available on the market, according to AKASOL, and is thus especially suitable for fully electric long-distance applications such as coaches or trucks. The new...

7-Eleven and Nuro launch first commercial autonomous delivery service in California

Dec 2, 2021: In collaboration with Nuro, a robotics company transforming local commerce with autonomous vehicles, 7-Eleven is launching the first autonomous commercial delivery in the state of California, enabling its customers in the Mountain View, California service area to order through the 7NOW delivery app to have their products delivered via bot....

Toyota and partners launching public autonomous shuttle service in Indiana

Dec 2, 2021: The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF), Energy Systems Network (ESN), the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the City of Fishers have joined with May Mobility, a leader in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and shuttle operations, to inaugurate a free, public autonomous shuttle service on 20 December 2021 to serve the...

Need eco-friendly holiday gifts for friends? We've got you covered.

Dec 1, 2021: While compiling your list of besties to share the joy of the season with, look into companies dedicated to protecting the health of the planet, animals and customers too. These eco-friendly gifts will be perfect for your environmentally conscious friends.

Nitrogen tracking tech may help cut greenhouse gas emissions

Dec 1, 2021: Scientists at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center are working on a solution that may cut agricultural-based greenhouse gases significantly. The team is working on a nitrogen tracking technology that may help cut greenhouse emissions equivalent to the CO2 produced by 10 million cars annually.

Can briefly raising emissions help us transition to solar?

Dec 1, 2021: A new study divides fueling the world into two options: we can continue with a fossil engine model, or we can jump on the solar engine. Considering that experts say humanity has only a 50% chance of keeping to the Paris Agreement target of keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius or under by century's end, it's clear the study authors are pro-solar.

What will homes in the future look like?

Dec 1, 2021: Years and years later into the future, what will homes look like? What would a home look like for people living on Mars? GoodMove and CK Architectural have teamed up to answer these questions.

77-year-old launches waterproof hemp shoe company

Dec 1, 2021: 8000Kicks hemp shoes opened in 2018 after founder Bernardo Carreira finished his business studies at Purdue University. He decided to make use of his grandmother Maria Otilia's 50 years of experience in the textile industry and launch a sneaker company with her.

Five startups selected to participate in fifth cohort of Shell Gamechanger Accelerator Powered by NREL

Dec 1, 2021: The Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL (GCxN), a multi-million dollar program developed in collaboration between Shell GameChanger and the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has selected five startups to participate in the program’s fifth cohort. GCxN provides promising early-stage cleantech startups with resources to accelerate...

J.D. Power study: consumers possess inaccurate knowledge of fully automated self-driving vehicles

Dec 1, 2021: While the automotive industry continues to move toward fully automated, self-driving vehicles, the pace is not being matched by educational efforts that will help bring buyers into the modern mobility movement. According to the newly released J.D. Power 2021 Mobility Confidence Index (MCI) Study, consumers possess inaccurate knowledge of fully...

Renewable hydrogen fuel being studied for the Port of Seattle

Dec 1, 2021: Two studies—led by a team from Seattle City Light, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Sandia National Laboratories—are exploring the potential of shifting from fossil fuel to clean hydrogen as fuel to power medium-and heavy-duty vehicles. The studies will assess the issues associated with scaling up hydrogen infrastructure large enough...

BNEF: steel industry set to pivot to hydrogen in green push; additional $278B for clean capacity and retrofits

Dec 1, 2021: Steel production could be made with almost no carbon emissions through $278 billion of extra investment by 2050, according to a new report from research firm BloombergNEF (BNEF). Hydrogen and recycling are likely to play a central role in reducing emissions from steel production. Steel is responsible for around 7%...

BloombergNEF annual battery price survey finds prices fell 6% from 2020 to 2021

Dec 1, 2021: Lithium-ion battery pack prices, which were above $1,200 per kilowatt-hour in 2010, have fallen 89% in real terms to $132/kWh in 2021, according to a new report from BloombergNEF (BNEF). (All prices are in real 2021 $, unless stated as nominal.) This marks a 6% drop from $140/kWh in 2020....

WorldAutoSteel, Ricardo unveil design for connected, autonomous steel vehicle

Dec 1, 2021: Steel E-Motive, an initiative of WorldAutoSteel, the automotive group of the World Steel Association and its engineering partner Ricardo unveiled the exterior styling vision for their fully autonomous ride-hailing, ride-sharing vehicle designed to showcase the benefits of using steel for global mobility-as-a-service. The Steel E-Motive vehicle design has been optimized...

GM joins IRMA to certify sustainability and human rights in EV supply chain

Dec 1, 2021: General Motors has joined the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), adding another element to company programs that support the sustainability and human rights of the EV supply chain. IRMA advances responsible mining practice through a comprehensive set of standards covering the four principles of Business Integrity, Planning for Positive...

Hamama makes growing microgreens in your home effortless

Nov 30, 2021: There’s simply nothing more rewarding than growing your own food, except when an innovative product makes it ultra-easy to do so. Hamama is the newest option in the urban or indoor gardening trend, and it provides a breadth of options to keep your palate pleased.

Belgium's new timber community center centers modular design

Nov 30, 2021: Marc Koehler Architects designed Edegem, Belgium's newest community center, as a symbol of sustainable design to represent this city south of Antwerp and its commitment to restoring the city for a sustainable future.

MVMT releases new bracelet made from recycled ocean plastic

Nov 30, 2021: In the fight against pollution and environmental waste, there are many levels of similarly-minded people in government, nonprofit, for-profit and community all working towards the same goals. So it makes sense that a name like Surfrider is a perfect match with #Tide Ocean and the fashion company MVMT.

Home built from 100 bio-based materials at Dutch Design Week

Nov 30, 2021: The Exploded View Beyond Building at Dutch Design Week was created out of 100 different bio-based materials. It also uses sustainable building methods to highlight the ways we as a global society can apply sustainable design and building in real-world house construction right now.

New riverside development in China will be an urban renewal

Nov 30, 2021: Architects VenhoevenCS have won a major riverside redevelopment in Shenzhen, China. They hope to protect large areas of land from flooding while also creating a vibrant new urban identity for the Bao'an district.