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RIn recent years, the United States has seen unprecedented investment in battery and electric vehicle production capacity, driven by Biden administration policies and pressure to shift the auto industry away from carbon-emitting fossil fuels and toward cleaner electric powertrains. . In fact, the White House tallies that it has earmarked about $157 billion for battery and EV factories. But this is an election year, and what will happen to these activities if Biden does not win a second term and an administration that clearly does not care about climate change comes to power in 2025? Probably not much. That's because most of the investment, especially in batteries and related materials, is going to deficit states.
In the latest move, a $3 billion joint venture between Cummins, Daimler and Packer is building its first battery factory in Mississippi, with plans to produce 21 gigawatt-hours of batteries annually for trucks and commercial vehicles by 2027. Become. This follows a multi-billion dollar plan. $1 facilities and tens of thousands of new jobs were created in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, and Kansas. After all, it seems unlikely that many governors and legislators will simply let all this activity, and future tax revenue, evaporate.
big reading
Climate change could shorten lifespans by months, study warns
Climate change could shorten lifespans by half a year, according to research published on Thursday, and human-induced global warming comes as scientists confirm 2023 will be the hottest year on record. It shows the new and ominous consequences of change.
Please see here for the detail.
This week's sustainability sale
battery: Swedish manufacturer Northvolt announced it has signed a $5 billion loan to enable expansion of its battery factory.
boat: Technology startup Navier announced it will use electric hydrofoils to transport Stripe employees to and from Larkspur in the San Francisco Bay Area starting in March.
Power grid: The Biden administration has announced a new program that will allocate $3.46 billion to 58 power grid projects across 44 different states.
big transportation story
Study says perfect storm is to blame for EV charging problems in cold climates
EVs are booming, with more than 1.2 million purchased by U.S. drivers last year, giving them a record share of the market of about 8%. But as battery-powered cars and trucks move out of California and other milder states, some drawbacks are becoming apparent. The arctic blast that sent frigid temperatures across the Midwest and East Coast states this month has caused problems with vehicle charging and significantly reduced range as energy is diverted to keep battery packs warm. It wreaked havoc on thousands of EV owners. Lithium-ion batteries are still in their Goldilocks stage, where neither too cold nor too hot will satisfy them.
Please see here for the detail.
More sustainability news
annual carbon emissions from bottom trawlingCommon fishing methods used to catch seafood on the ocean floor account for about 40% of the United States' annual transportation emissions, according to a new study.
Over the next two years, the Energy Information Administration will wind and solar energy Will be a major driver of new power generation growth in the US
In recent years, great salt lake It has lost moisture and is at risk of drying out completely. Last week, the Utah Legislature passed a strategic plan for recovery.
Other articles I'm reading this week
The billionaire-backed futuristic city is no longer shrouded in secrecy. Click here for details (Los Angeles Times)
Trump supporters hope to 'fight' climate science in second term (POLITICO)
Request to reduce usage of electrical work (heat map)
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