The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) in countries like Norway and China is leading to a decrease in the residual value of gasoline and diesel cars, with the author predicting that the US will follow suit within five years. Owners of gas cars are advised to consider the cost savings of switching to a used EV, while car manufacturers are urged to transition away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The importance of considering the total cost of ownership when deciding between a gasoline car and an EV is emphasized, especially as EV prices continue to decrease. The article highlights the need for multiple factors to align for successful electric vehicle adoption in the US by 2031.
Tag: US
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Hyundai Bets Big On Extended-Range Electric Vehicles
EREVs, or extended-range electric vehicles, are gaining popularity in China and now Hyundai is entering the US market with models like the Santa Fe and Genesis offering a combined range of over 600 miles. China requires EREVs to have a battery-only range of at least 62 miles to qualify for incentives. Hyundai also plans to introduce 10 new conventional hybrid models in the US by 2030, aiming for them to make up half of its total sales. Despite the environmental benefits of electric cars, consumer range anxiety remains a barrier to adoption, highlighting the need to address climate change while considering consumer preferences in the automotive industry.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/30/hyundai-bets-big-on-extended-range-electric-vehicles/
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Another New Solar Factory Rises In A Deep Red US State
Translucent Energy, a solar manufacturer, has expanded its portfolio with a new 1.3-gigawatt solar factory in South Carolina, aiming to boost the state's solar industry and focus on markets outside of the state. The company's stakeholders are pleased with President Trump's proclamation to limit imports of polysilicon, incentivizing domestic production. Translucent also offers transportable microgrid systems like TAU for rural electrification and emergency relief, as well as EV charging stations like EV-E for efficient operation. The US solar industry is experiencing growth and opportunities for companies like Translucent to enter the market with customized solutions for fleets and developers.
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Apollo Power claims certification first for lightweight flexible module
Israeli company Apollo Power has achieved Class A fire certification for its new flexible solar module, Panda Plus, offering a power output of 320 W across a 2 m2 area. This certification, a first for flexible solar panels, was achieved through improved materials and manufacturing techniques. Apollo Power is also working on an integrated solar-roofing product with a US roofing company to target residential and commercial rooftops with weight or design constraints. Additionally, the company manufactures solar charging systems for various applications, including automotive, defense, and disaster relief, with exclusive distribution agreements and partnerships to deploy flexible solar energy solutions at gas stations and on trucks and buses in the US. Apollo Power manufactures all its panels in Israel and distributes through tier-one partners and direct sales to large end users like Amazon.
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“Second roof:” Solar glass pioneer unveils big rooftop module in time to ride wave of expanded PV subsidy
ClearVue Technologies has received approval for its ClearVue-Helios integrated solar panel to be installed on Australian rooftops, delivering up to 220 watts per square meter with a Class A fire rating and long warranties. The technology allows for light transmission and electricity generation, making it suitable for building-integrated PV applications. With orders secured in the US and Australia, the focus is on commercial and industrial projects, particularly for metal roof applications to provide high energy efficiency and durability. The CEC listing and government incentives for commercial solar installations in Australia will significantly reduce acquisition costs, improving paybacks for customers and strengthening the commercial opportunity for ClearVue products.
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Lucid Aims To Knock Tesla’s Robotaxi Off Its Perch
Lucid Group, a Saudi-US EV startup, is making strides in the self-driving fleet market by partnering with Uber, Nuro, and Hertz to introduce 20,000 driverless Lucid taxis in major US markets. With a focus on showcasing its self-driving technology and increasing sales of their Gravity SUV and Air sedan, Lucid is aligning production with demand and working on robotaxi technology. Despite competition from companies like Waymo and Amazon's Zoox, Lucid is moving forward with its cost-cutting plan to focus on the Robotaxi partnership. Meanwhile, Tesla faces challenges with the Cybercab and brand reputation issues, but remains the top-selling EV brand in the US.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/08/05/lucid-evs-robotaxi-driverless-tesla-cybercab-elon-musk/
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Australian sodium battery start-up claims major milestones as storage industry starts to look beyond lithium
Australian sodium battery startup PowerCap has achieved TÜV and PPP certification for its sodium-ion technology, positioning it as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The technology is gaining global attention due to its abundant raw materials and improved thermal stability, offering lower costs compared to other competing technologies. Major deals have been announced by companies in China and the US, with Australian utilities like AGL considering sodium-ion technology for future battery investments. Despite facing regulatory barriers, PowerCap has already achieved sales and is offering small modules for home systems and larger packs for grid-scale deployment. CEO Dane El Safty believes sodium-ion storage will gain momentum due to its safety and cost advantages. The company is looking to engage with distributors and partners globally, including in Australia, and sees promise in the EV market with sodium solid state technology, which could make batteries smaller and lighter. PowerCap predicts significant growth in the sodium-ion market within 5 to 10 years.
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Loganair Agrees To Buy Five BETA Technologies Short Range Electric Aircraft
Loganair, Scotland's primary regional airline, has agreed to purchase five ALIA CX300 electric airplanes from BETA Technologies, with an option for five more. These short-haul electric aircraft can be recharged in 20-40 minutes and have shown an energy efficiency of 1.37 kWh per nautical mile. The collaboration between Loganair, Royal Mail, UK CAA, and regional airports has been essential to the success of integrating these electric planes into scheduled operations. Airbus is pioneering a hybrid-electric non-propulsive energy architecture for the next generation of commercial aircraft, supported by the European Union Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. BETA Technologies is working on expanding charging infrastructure for electric aircraft in the US, with plans for over 250 airports and vertiports to be equipped with charging infrastructure by 2030. Airbus is focusing on developing integrated, intelligent hybrid-electric architectures for the future of aviation, aiming to validate these systems through testing and a ground demonstration by 2027.
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New Underground Energy Storage System To Be Made In The US
Renewable energy, particularly solar power, continues to rise in the US despite federal energy policy changes. The competition for space in the energy storage industry is heating up, with flywheels emerging as a long duration energy storage solution. Pumped hydropower currently dominates the market, but limitations in availability leave room for alternative technologies like flywheels, thermal storage, and compressed air storage. Qnetic, a startup with headquarters in the US and China, is aiming to enter the market with their Pulsar system for up to 12 hours of energy storage. Qnetic is developing a flywheel energy storage technology that uses a spinning rotor to store kinetic energy, offering long duration storage at a lower lifecycle cost than lithium-ion technology, with reduced fire risk and supply chain risks. Torus, another US startup, is working on a flywheel-battery combo for energy storage, while PNNL's flywheel program may contribute to flywheel-enhanced hydropower in the future. New flywheel energy storage systems can be located underground, offering aesthetic benefits, lower costs, longer duration, and less reliance on overseas supply chains.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/25/flywheel-energy-storage-us-qnetic-factory-wind-solar-power/
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Committee OKs bill supporting new geothermal projects
The House Science, Space and Technology Committee approved the Geo POWER Act, which aims to accelerate the commercialization of new geothermal projects in the US. This legislation requires the Department of Energy to support at least three geothermal demonstration projects with innovative financing, prioritizing regions with limited or no geothermal technologies. Geothermal technology has become a bipartisan priority to meet growing energy demand, with several geothermal bills already passing in Congress. This initiative is a significant step towards expanding renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the US.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/committee-oks-bill-supporting-new-geothermal-projects/