Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Transportation

Cut emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift to Alternatives
– Electrify Vehicles
– Switch Fuels

  • EVs Take 32.9% Share In France – Renault 5 Record Volume

    In November, plugin EVs accounted for 32.9% of auto sales in France, with BEVs experiencing nearly a 50% year-on-year growth. The Renault 5 emerged as the top-selling BEV, achieving record sales volume. This surge in BEV sales is attributed to the Social Leasing program and the production ramp-up of affordable new models, leading to a steep decline in diesel and petrol vehicle sales. Renault and Hyundai Inster are gaining market share for electric vehicles, with BEVs and some HEVs seeing growth while combustion-only vehicles are facing losses. Despite a weak macroeconomy, the focus in France remains on transitioning to electric vehicles, with questions about BEV market share in December and the potential impact on Tesla's market position.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/20/evs-take-32-9-share-in-france-renault-5-record-volume/

  • Will Sustainable Aviation Ever Take Off?

    Christina Beckmann discusses the impact of air travel on the climate and suggests being mindful of where and why you travel, supporting local economies, and considering more efficient flight options. She also mentions the Tomorrow's Air project for carbon removal. Greg Dalton highlights the importance of considering trains as an alternative to flying. The conversation emphasizes the need to address transitions in society to decarbonize aviation and combat the climate emergency.

    https://www.climateone.org/audio/will-sustainable-aviation-ever-take

  • Solar, wind and storage: stable prices, stable grid

    Australia's rapid expansion of solar and wind energy has not increased wholesale electricity prices since 2016, making it a global renewable energy leader. Solar and wind are displacing coal and gas, meeting all growth in demand, with stable grid infrastructure and high rooftop solar adoption rates contributing to falling wholesale prices. Rooftop solar systems in Australia cost $6,000 and last 20 years, with an annual electricity output of 1200-1400 kWh per kW, driving widespread adoption at a low cost of 3 US-cents per kWh. All-electric solar homes in Australia have zero gas and petrol bills, with large energy storage options available, and the quick installation and high resilience of Australian rooftop solar systems make them a promising solution for climate experts.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/19/solar-wind-and-storage-stable-prices-stable-grid/

  • 38 Coastal, Remote, & Island Communities To Pursue Energy Reliability via Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project

    The Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP) is supporting various coastal, remote, and island communities across the United States in addressing their unique energy challenges. Through strategic energy planning, communities are working on projects to strengthen energy systems against extreme weather events, explore new local generation options, and design microgrids for outage protection. The program focuses on improving energy efficiency, lowering costs, incorporating renewable energy sources, and aligning with traditional values. ETIPP continues to expand its regional presence and assist communities in developing reliable and affordable energy systems to enhance resilience and security.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/19/38-coastal-remote-island-communities-to-pursue-energy-reliability-via-energy-technology-innovation-partnership-project/

  • AMEA Power and Kyuden partner with IFC for solar battery storage project in Egypt

    AMEA Power, Kyuden International Corporation, and Hover Energy are leading the way in climate solutions with innovative projects and technologies. AMEA Power's 1GW solar PV plant in Egypt, in collaboration with IFC, aims to enhance energy security and reduce carbon emissions, creating over 4,000 jobs during construction. Hover Energy's AI-enabled Microgrid Management SystemTM has won three awards for its contribution to rebuilding the grid for a more flexible and resilient energy future. These initiatives are crucial in the transition to renewable energy and cutting down CO2 emissions.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/amea-power-kyuden-partner-ifc/

  • 2025 Energy Year in Review: Solar and Storage Shine Through, Despite It All

    In 2025, despite challenges from the Trump administration, clean energy in the United States showed significant progress. The US solar sector saw record-breaking installations, with Texas leading the way followed by California and Indiana. Solar generation and manufacturing capacity also experienced substantial growth. Energy storage installations increased by over 50%, with Texas, California, and Arizona leading the way. Overall, 2025 is projected to be the biggest year for clean power deployment in history, showcasing the potential of clean energy technologies in transforming electricity markets across the country. Solar is expected to overtake coal in some states, with commitments to clean energy goals from states like Maine and California. Affordability concerns are driving more people to recognize the benefits of solar and wind power, with decision makers and advocates pushing for policies to accelerate the transition to clean energy. Innovation, economies of scale, and international progress are making clean energy more attractive, highlighting the possibilities and long-term benefits of a clean energy economy.

    https://blog.ucs.org/john-rogers/2025-energy-year-in-review-solar-and-storage-shine-through-despite-it-all/

  • Ampersand Energy Opens Its Battery Swap Network To Global Electric Motorcycle Manufacturers

    Ampersand Energy in East Africa is making significant strides in the electric motorcycle sector by partnering with Wylex Mobility and BYD to expand its battery swap network and build 40,000 electric motorcycles by 2026. This marks a major milestone for electric transport in Africa, as Ampersand becomes the first company to open its batteries and swap network to third-party vehicle manufacturers, setting the stage for interoperability in the African electric motorcycle sector. Ampersand's battery swap network, already delivering over 20,000 swaps a day, is built for speed and reliability, powering millions of kilometers of travel in Rwanda and Kenya. The partnership with BYD not only aims to electrify a large portion of Africa's commercial motorbikes but also opens the door for more quality brands to integrate into the market without building energy infrastructure from scratch, fostering growth and unlocking the full potential of the East African electric motorcycle market.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/15/ampersand-energy-opens-its-battery-swap-network-to-global-electric-motorcycle-manufacturers/

  • Indian researchers develop stable liquid hydrogen transport system

    Researchers at MIT World Peace University in India have developed a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) system that allows for the safe and stable transportation of hydrogen in liquid form. This innovation addresses the challenges of integrating hydrogen into energy systems due to its explosive nature and complex transportation requirements. The LOHC system involves a two-stage chemical process where hydrogen is bonded into a liquid for storage and transport, and then released at the point of use. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce costs and transport risks associated with hydrogen supply chains, positioning India at the forefront of LOHC development and potentially accelerating the national hydrogen mission for clean-energy logistics in transportation and heavy industry.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/15/indian-researchers-develop-stable-liquid-hydrogen-transport-system/

  • The Orphan Well Case For Renewable Energy

    Oklahoma has made progress in utilizing wind energy resources, ranking #3 in total renewable energy production and #4 in net power generation from renewables. Despite challenges with pollution and abandoned wells from the oil and gas industry, the state is a renewable energy leader with potential for solar energy growth. Renewable energy opportunities are emerging, with farmers and property owners pursuing solar panels and wind turbines for new revenue. The Energy Department is exploring harvesting geothermal energy from oil and gas wells, as well as repurposing unused oil storage tanks for energy storage, showing that Oklahoma has the potential to grow its renewable energy profile alongside its fossil fuel industry.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/14/the-oilfield-binge-purge-another-reason-to-ditch-fossil-fuels/

  • Assessing Global Progress 10 Years After Paris Climate Accords

    Despite criticism, the Paris Climate Accords have led to significant progress in the shift towards clean energy, with renewable energy growing by 15% and accounting for over 90% of new power generation capacity. Investment in clean energy has surpassed that in fossil fuels, and electric vehicles now make up a fifth of new car sales globally. The agreement has reshaped policy, finance, and sectoral rules, but its ultimate success depends on political leaders closing the ambition gap, phasing out fossil fuels, and scaling up finance for a just transition. Commitments made since the Paris agreement have brought the projected temperature increase down to about 2.8°C, but more ambitious action is needed to phase out fossil fuels and meet net zero emissions targets earlier.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/14/assessing-global-progress-10-years-after-paris-climate-accords/