Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Transportation

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

  • Kia Reveals New PV5 Chassis Cab

    Kia has unveiled its new PV5 Chassis Cab, part of its modular Platform Beyond Vehicle electric fleet lineup, at the SOLUTRANS 2025 event in Lyon, France. The model offers a modern, sleek design and is designed for electrification, efficiency, and conversion flexibility, supporting a range of professional conversions. With a range of up to 416 kilometers and fast charging capabilities, the PV5 Chassis Cab includes advanced driver assistance systems, a 7-year warranty, and an Android OS infotainment system. Kia also provides a comprehensive charging network and solutions for home and depot charging, aiming to help cities accelerate climate action by promoting zero-emissions transportation policies and meet the needs of businesses with flexibility for future demands.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/18/kia-reveals-new-pv5-chassis-cab/

  • Environmental News Network – Concordia Researchers Model a Sustainable, Solar-Powered 15-Minute City

    Researchers at Concordia have proposed a new model for urban development that integrates the 15-minute city concept, renewable energy generation, green transportation, and urban agriculture. By transporting urban agriculture with electric vehicles to local outlets, this model aims to revolutionize urban living, eating, and shopping while combatting rising greenhouse gas emissions and fuel prices. The goal is to reduce emissions, build urban agriculture infrastructure, and strengthen community bonds by bringing daily needs closer to residents and minimizing fossil-fuel-consuming trips.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/77439-concordia-researchers-model-a-sustainable-solar-powered-15-minute-city

  • African Nations Promote Locally Produced Solar Panels

    African countries, including Nigeria, are taking steps to lead the renewable energy revolution by investing in local clean energy design labs, research hubs, and manufacturing facilities. Nigeria has signed deals with Chinese manufacturers to build solar panel production factories and is aiming to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by generating 30% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Companies like Salpha Energy in Nigeria are already manufacturing solar systems and electric products, showcasing Africa's ability to produce and export green technologies. With the help of expertise transfer from Chinese companies, African nations are ramping up production and moving towards a future powered by renewable energy.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/17/african-nations-promote-locally-produced-solar-panels/

  • Sodium-ion battery storage for ultra-low temperatures

    Researchers from Purdue University have developed a sodium-ion battery pouch cell that can operate reliably at temperatures as low as -100 C, achieving specific energy levels of 96 Wh/kg at room temperature, 74 Wh/kg at -25 C, and 46 Wh/kg at -50 C. The battery was tested with renewable energy sources like wind and solar, showing stable performance in both laboratory and field conditions. This sodium-ion battery technology is considered a more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the abundance of sodium compounds. The research paves the way for sustainable battery energy storage systems in harsh climates and space applications, with potential for solar energy storage in extreme conditions like deep-space missions or cold climates. Scientists are now exploring other solar cell and battery combinations for extreme environments, such as high-efficiency perovskite solar cells with sustainable battery chemistries.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/18/sodium-ion-battery-storage-for-ultra-low-temperatures/

  • RMI and Third Derivative Advance Cooling Innovations to Combat Global Heat Crisis

    Third Derivative and RMI are collaborating to advance passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) solutions to address the increasing cooling demand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from traditional air conditioning. These technologies have the potential to lower indoor temperatures sustainably and affordably without electricity. Pilot projects in the US and India, supported by partners like the Autodesk Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund, will test the performance, affordability, and scalability of PDRC products. RMI's Global Cooling Initiative focuses on sustainable cooling solutions, while Third Derivative's Global Cooling Innovations page offers more information on innovative cooling solutions. Together, these efforts are crucial for expanding access to zero-energy cooling solutions in heat-vulnerable regions and advancing towards a more equitable climate future.

    https://rmi.org/press-release/rmi-and-third-derivative-advance-cooling-innovations-to-combat-global-heat-crisis/

  • Europe’s Affordable Car Project Needs to Put the Va Va Voom into Small EVs

    The EU is considering a "small affordable car initiative" to benefit consumers and the domestic car industry by focusing on small, affordable electric vehicles. The initiative aims to address the challenges of consumer affordability and industry competitiveness in the EV transition. Demand for small electric cars is high but uptake remains low due to limited options and higher upfront costs. European carmakers are preparing to launch new small BEV models to meet this demand and potentially boost production volumes back to pre-Covid levels. The initiative could lead to the sale of up to 1.5 million additional small EVs in the EU annually and create around 120,000 new jobs. The Small Affordable Electric Vehicle (SAEV) strategy aims to make clean mobility more accessible by producing compact electric cars in Europe with European-made batteries, targeting a price range of €15,000–€20,000 to put electric vehicles on par with small combustion cars. The strategy involves launching an Affordable EV Platform using ETS2 revenues to support the production of small electric cars in Europe, emphasizing the need for reforms in car labelling, favorable tax treatment, and targeted purchase support to make small EVs more affordable for low and middle-income drivers.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/17/europes-affordable-car-project-needs-to-put-the-va-va-voom-into-small-evs/

  • America’s EVs are a $30B grid asset. Let’s not lock it away.

    The article highlights the potential for electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce electricity rates and provide grid benefits through managed charging technology. Pioneering programs in states like California and New York are proving the effectiveness of managed charging for thousands of drivers. The key question is how industry leaders will implement this technology – whether through an open, competitive marketplace or closed, proprietary systems. The focus is on building an open, interoperable system that accelerates innovation and maximizes the potential for growth in demand flexibility, leading to increased EV adoption, improved grid reliability, and reduced energy costs for consumers.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/electric-vehicle-ev-grid-asset-charging-dr/805642/

  • Australian battery innovator lands federal grant to scope out giga-scale local lithium-sulfur cell factory

    Australian battery company Li-S Energy has received $7.86 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to build a giga-scale lithium-sulfur cell manufacturing facility with a production capacity of 1 gigawatt-hour per year. Their third-generation lithium sulfur technology offers 45% more energy density and is safer than lithium-ion batteries, potentially revolutionizing industries like drones and e-aviation. The funding will support fine-tuning manufacturing processes, expanding the workforce, and fast-tracking the commercialization of breakthrough battery technologies to aid in the clean energy transition for energy storage and transport. Innovations are being pursued to improve performance, increase energy density, and reduce costs in the battery sector, with support from Arena CEO Darren Miller.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-battery-innovator-lands-federal-grant-to-scope-out-giga-scale-local-lithium-sulfur-cell-factory/

  • Spain allocates €2 billion to expand clean energy and industry programs

    Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition has announced a €2 billion funding package to accelerate industrial capacity, expand renewable deployment, and enhance energy resilience. The program, funded through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Facility, focuses on industrial value chain development, renewable energy integration, electric mobility, and innovative thermal solutions. The package extends implementation deadlines and targets initiatives such as manufacturing renewable energy equipment, supporting renewable hydrogen projects, modernizing port infrastructure for offshore wind, and promoting electric mobility. The aim is to advance Spain's transition to a resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced energy landscape in line with European energy and industrial objectives.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/14/spain-allocates-e2-billion-to-expand-clean-energy-and-industry-programs/

  • COP30 draft text includes energy transition minerals in UN climate first

    Countries attending COP30 in Belém, Brazil are discussing the implications of extracting minerals for clean energy technologies, with a focus on the social and environmental risks of scaling up supply chains. The UN panel report emphasizes the importance of putting human rights at the core of mineral value chains, particularly for minerals like copper, cobalt, and lithium that are in high demand. Developing countries, including African nations, are advocating for fair and sustainable mineral supply chains for the energy transition, highlighting the need for strong social and environmental safeguards, sustainable consumption patterns, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. There is debate over the inclusion of language on transitioning away from fossil fuels, with developing countries calling for technical assistance and international cooperation for a just energy transition, while developed countries are exploring alternatives to creating a new institution.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/11/14/cop30-draft-text-includes-energy-transition-minerals-in-un-climate-first/