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Tesla's Electric Semi Has Its First Fatal Crash
21 days ago
- Tesla Semi involved in fatal crash with vintage Volkswagen Beetle, killing two occupants.
- Preliminary reports suggest Tesla Semi driver may have fallen asleep; accident cause under investigation.
- Tesla Semi is part of expansion into commercial market to compete with diesel truck makers.
- Semi equipped with safety features including cameras and driver-monitoring systems.
- Crash halted traffic on U.S. 50 for two hours; more details expected next week.
CATL is building more than 200 battery swap stations every month
19 days ago
- CATL deployed its 2,000th battery swap station on June 30, 2026.
- The company aims to have 3,000 stations in China and Hong Kong by end of 2026.
- Battery swap network covers 180 cities across 31 provinces in China.
- CATL is expanding to Western markets via partnerships like with Octopus Energy.
- The network targets urban areas, tourist spots, and commercial districts.
- Expansion plans include major expressway routes across China.
- CATL expects over 4,000 global swap stations by end of 2026, up from zero in 2025.
- Battery swapping is seen as key for commercial transport's future.
Driving in China as a Tourist
19 days ago
- China requires a temporary driving permit for foreign tourists as it does not accept International Driving Permits.
- Obtaining the permit involves translating your foreign license, providing documents like passport and visa, and visiting a Vehicle Management Office without an appointment.
- Car rentals are affordable through platforms like Zuche and Ctrip, but require deposits and have visa duration restrictions.
- Driving in Shenzhen is similar to the U.S., but navigation apps like Amap are essential, and mopeds pose a safety challenge.
- Parking and charging EVs are automated via QR codes, with fast charging infrastructure surpassing U.S. capabilities.
- Tolls can be paid manually via WeChat/Alipay, and longer trips across provinces are feasible with a temporary license.
- Public transit in major Chinese cities is highly efficient, making car rental more of a novelty than a necessity for most trips.
Beyond Lithium: New Battery Tech Starts to Break Through
15 days ago
- Battery innovations have accelerated charging times, with some cells reaching a 10-minute charge.
- Creating high-performance batteries requires decades of research due to complex chemistry and engineering challenges.
- Lithium-ion batteries, first commercialized in 1991, have tripled in energy density and dropped in price by tenfold.
- Electric vehicles primarily use lithium-ion batteries, with ranges of 250–370 miles for SUVs.
- Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are gaining popularity due to lower cost, heat stability, and reduced reliance on critical metals.
- Sodium-ion batteries offer a cheaper alternative with easier-to-source ingredients, suitable for grid storage and some EVs.
- Solid-state batteries promise higher energy densities and safety by replacing liquid electrolytes with solids, targeting commercialization by 2030.
- Numerous battery types are being researched, including flow, lithium-sulfur, and lithium-air, each with specific applications.
- Battery recycling and environmental sustainability are critical, with efforts to scale up systems for retired EV batteries.
- The battery market is rapidly evolving, driven by surging demand for EVs and renewable energy storage, with no single technology dominating.
BYD surpasses Tesla in global race; 'do-or-die' crisis in China's market
11 days ago
- BYD has surpassed Tesla to become the world's largest battery-powered car manufacturer, driven by increased overseas shipments despite a 8.2% year-on-year drop in deliveries.
- The article covers seven key electric vehicle (EV) stories from the past two weeks, focusing on developments in China's EV market.
- It mentions a 'do-or-die' crisis in China's EV market and highlights China's shift towards electric heavy trucks.
- The content is part of a summary series to keep readers informed about electric and new energy vehicle trends.
Ford's Chairman Warns America Can't Keep Chinese Cars Out Forever
9 days ago
- Bill Ford believes Chinese automakers will eventually enter the U.S. market, and American companies must compete rather than rely on trade barriers.
- He advocates for developing competitive products to match Chinese automakers' advancements in technology and pricing, despite current U.S. efforts to block them via tariffs and regulations.
- Chinese influence is already shaping Detroit's strategies, such as Ford's plan for an affordable electric pickup using cost-cutting manufacturing techniques like gigacasting.
- Ford calls for a consistent long-term U.S. industrial strategy, noting that automotive investment timelines often conflict with political cycles.
- While the future of Chinese brands in the U.S. is uncertain, Ford emphasizes preparedness over denial, citing examples like BYD's success in other markets.
For most US drivers, EVs offer emissions benefits and cost savings
6 hours ago
- Electric vehicles generate less greenhouse gas emissions and do not cost more than comparable gas-powered cars for most U.S. drivers and fleet owners, according to an MIT study.
- The study captures key factors like regional climate, electricity sources, driving patterns, and fuel prices to assess life-cycle emissions and ownership costs.
- Driving behaviors matter as much as regional factors (e.g., electricity mix) for emissions savings; EVs reduce emissions 40-60% in most locations, with larger impacts in urban areas.
- Colder climates do not reduce overall emission benefits as much as some media reports suggest.
- The researchers updated a public tool (carboncounter.com) to compare life-cycle emissions and total ownership costs of nearly any car on the market.
- EVs are most effective in areas with cleaner electricity, denser traffic, higher annual travel distances, and mild climates.
- Even in cold regions like North Dakota, EVs still reduce emissions substantially despite reduced fuel economy on frigid nights.
- In most U.S. locations, EVs are cost-competitive with gas cars over their lifetime, even without tax credits, especially where electricity is affordable.

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#electric vehicles

Tesla's Electric Semi Has Its First Fatal Crash

CATL is building more than 200 battery swap stations every month

Driving in China as a Tourist

Beyond Lithium: New Battery Tech Starts to Break Through

BYD surpasses Tesla in global race; 'do-or-die' crisis in China's market

Ford's Chairman Warns America Can't Keep Chinese Cars Out Forever

For most US drivers, EVs offer emissions benefits and cost savings