A new analysis published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that battery electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States have a smaller carbon footprint and lower overall costs compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. Factors such as local electricity grid greenness, climate, and driving habits play a significant role in the emissions savings from EVs. Despite higher upfront costs, EVs offer lower fuel and maintenance expenses, making them cost-competitive with gasoline vehicles even without tax credits. The study provides tools for policymakers and individuals to assess the benefits of EVs based on their specific circumstances, showing that EVs can reduce emissions by 40-60% compared to gasoline cars in most parts of the country, with the greenness of the local grid being a key determinant.
Tag: the United States
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Environmental News Network – For Most US Drivers, EVs Offer Emissions Benefits and Cost Savings
A recent study by MIT researchers concluded that electric vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and are cost-competitive with gas-powered vehicles across most regions in the United States. The study took into account factors such as regional climate variations, electricity sources, traffic congestion, and driving habits to analyze life-cycle emissions and ownership costs. By examining meteorological data, trip characteristics, and fuel prices in thousands of U.S. zip codes, the researchers provided a detailed analysis of the environmental and economic benefits of electric vehicles. This comprehensive study, finalized in late 2024 and early 2025, highlights the potential for electric vehicles to be a key climate solution in reducing emissions and transitioning to a more sustainable transportation system.
https://www.enn.com/articles/77984-for-most-us-drivers-evs-offer-emissions-benefits-and-cost-savings
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Solar farms can help to regenerate land while generating energy, new study finds
A new study analyzing 147 individual studies has shown that solar farms have regenerative effects on degraded land by reducing wind speeds, lowering surface and soil temperatures, and increasing soil moisture. Solar power was found to have positive impacts on the environment compared to fossil fuels, with solar farms significantly reducing wind speeds and albedo across different surface types. The majority of solar farms studied were located in arid climate conditions, with the largest number in China, the United States, and India. Solar farms were also found to significantly reduce soil temperature by 2.42°C and increase soil water content by 38.60%, particularly on cropland and grassland. These findings highlight the potential of solar farms to positively influence soil conditions in agricultural and grassland areas.
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The U.S. Is Manufacturing a Ton of Grid Batteries
The United States has made significant progress in producing its own energy storage systems, with batteries accounting for 28 percent of new power plant capacity this year. President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act has incentivized domestic battery production, leading to self-sufficiency in grid battery enclosures and cells. By the end of 2025, the US is projected to have the capacity to produce 145 gigawatt-hours of finished grid storage systems annually. The industry now faces the challenge of potentially exporting surplus batteries to maintain manufacturing potential. LG Energy Solution Vertech is leading the rapid growth in grid-battery manufacturing, with plans to increase cell production capacity to 50 gigawatt-hours across North America this year. The Department of Energy is investing $500 million in funding to strengthen battery supply chains domestically, emphasizing the importance of a resilient and responsive supply chain for delivering power quickly. U.S. manufacturing can improve delivery certainty and shorten project timelines, with industrial reshoring seen as a way to protect against geopolitical uncertainties and disruptions caused by the White House. A local supply chain helps protect against U.S.-led disruptions in the global trade.
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The US Is Sitting On 161 Gigawatts Of Wind Farm Capacity
Repowering older wind farms in the US with new, more efficient turbines could add an additional 161 gigawatts in capacity without requiring additional land. This process involves replacing outdated equipment with new rotors, blades, and taller turbine towers to increase capacity, reduce operating expenses, neighbor complaints, and wildlife impacts, while freeing up land for other purposes. Wind repowering is highlighted as a key strategy to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy in the United States, with the potential to more than double the capacity of existing wind farms by 2024. The importance of repowering projects in addressing societal factors, regulation, and development principles is noted, emphasizing the need for a negotiated process between communities and developers to unlock the full potential of wind energy. Trump's policies are mentioned but wind energy continues to grow and play a key role in the nation's energy mix, with utility-scale solar and storage leading the way in capacity additions for 2026.
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BrightDrop Died in America, While China Made Electric Vans Normal
China has pulled ahead in the electric van market due to several key factors, including favorable duty cycles, affordable pricing, and supportive policies. The country has successfully integrated electric vans into urban logistics, with high market penetration rates, highlighting the importance of creating conditions for electric vehicles to succeed at scale in the logistics sector. The financial benefits of transitioning to electric vans, particularly in terms of cost savings associated with fuel and maintenance expenses, are emphasized. An analysis of Class 2b and 3 vans in the United States found that over a five-year ownership period, battery electric vans were cheaper to own than diesel vans for a 200-mile range. The section stresses the importance of a holistic approach to clean logistics, as the country that makes it cheaper benefits from cleaner streets and better economics.
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Global renewable capacity to reach 8.4 TW by 2031, says GlobalData
GlobalData predicts that global renewable capacity will more than double to 8.4 TW by 2031, with solar PV leading the expansion and accounting for 56.1% of global renewable capacity. The Asia-Pacific region, led by China, is at the forefront of wind and solar deployment. However, the energy transition is uneven across regions, with potential weakening support for renewables in the United States. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being utilized in the power sector to improve generation forecasting and optimize energy storage, highlighting the importance of technological advancements in achieving climate solutions.
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Solar, storage to lead record 86 GW of US capacity in 2026
Solar and battery storage are set to account for 79% of 86 GW of new utility-scale capacity planned in the United States in 2026, with analysts projecting one in eight American homes will have solar, many with storage for self-consumption. Distributed small-scale solar generation is increasing, with a focus on integrated energy systems and high battery attachment rates. Renewables and storage are expected to make up 93% of new utility-scale capacity this year, with a significant growth in solar generation. The key focus now is on how quickly the infrastructure can be interconnected to the grid to ensure grid stability and maximize the benefits of these climate solutions.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/26/solar-storage-to-lead-record-86-gw-of-us-capacity-in-2026/
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Environmental News Network – Exploring the Promise of Regenerative Aquaculture at an Arkansas Fish Farm
MIT engineering student Kiyoko "Kik" Hayano collaborated with Keo Fish Farms through MIT D-Lab to create a model for regenerative water systems, showcasing a trend in U.S. universities towards addressing national food security challenges in rural communities. This partnership exemplifies how applied engineering and academic collaborations can result in innovative solutions for regenerative agriculture in the United States.
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Common Charge and Advancing Distributed Energy
Common Charge, a new energy coalition launched in September, is advocating for distributed energy resources in the United States to address energy challenges. Focused on delivering affordable energy and strengthening grid resilience, the organization aims to protect ratepayers from price hikes and provide energy security against blackouts or outages. With the increasing electrification, data centers, and AI, Common Charge sees distributed assets as a key solution for the future. Learn more about their goals and initiatives in a podcast discussion available on various platforms.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/11/common-charge-and-advancing-distributed-energy/