Category Archives: environment

Hemlock Semiconductor to Open New Plant in Michigan

Posted on 21 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan today confirmed that the Biden-Harris administration provided the proposed direct funding of $325 million to Michigan-based manufacturer Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC)*

“HSC is one of many Michigan-based companies that is helping us lead the future of advanced manufacturing. Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration’s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act and the U.S. Department of Commerce, we are ensuring HSC’s global leadership in the powerful domestic supply chain to manufacture semiconductor chips needed for everything from computers and phones to AI applications. Together, we are strengthening national and economic security by ensuring supply chains, good-paying jobs, and cutting-edge investments are where they belong—here at home. Let’s build the future we all want—one where America leads,” said Whitmer. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Opens Battery Recycling Plant in Kuppenheim

Posted on 21 October 2024 by Ken Zino

“Mercedes-Benz has set itself the goal of building the most desirable cars in a sustainable way. As a pioneer in automotive engineering, Europe’s first integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical battery recycling factory marks a key milestone towards enhancing raw-materials sustainability. Together with our partners from industry and science, we are sending a strong signal of innovative strength for sustainable electric mobility and value creation in Germany and Europe,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Continue reading →

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Motorcycle Gang Members Charged with Violent Racketeering

Posted on 17 October 2024 by Ken Zino

This investigation was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Continue reading →

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DOE Backs Utility-Scale Power Storage In Puerto Rico

Posted on 15 October 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through its Loan Programs Office (LPO) today announced the closing of a $861.3 million loan guarantee to finance the construction of two solar photovoltaic (PV) farms equipped with battery storage and two standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Puerto Rico.

“The project is financed under Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Section 1706. Created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), EIR can finance projects that retool, repower, repurpose, or replace energy infrastructure that has ceased operations or enable operating energy infrastructure to avoid, reduce, utilize, or sequester air pollutants or greenhouse gas emissions,” LPO said. Continue reading →

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Toyota to Invest in Joby Aviation EV Taxis!

Posted on 15 October 2024 by Ken Zino

In a quiet, overlooked announcement earlier this month, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) and Joby Aviation( NYSE: JOBY), a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, announced that Toyota will invest an additional $500 million to support the certification and commercial production of Joby’s electric air taxi.  The investment will be made in two equal tranches, with the first targeted to close later this year and the second during 2025. This is part of a trend of traditional automobile companies transitioning to mobility companies  on land, the seas, air or space.

“Today’s investment builds on nearly seven years of collaboration between our companies,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation. “The knowledge and support shared by Toyota has been instrumental in Joby’s success and we look forward to deepening our relationship as we deliver on our shared vision for the future of air travel.” Continue reading →

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NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network Launches

Posted on 15 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan announced today an “enhancement “to the MyNISSAN app that claims to simplify EV ownership by consolidating vehicle management and public charging into one app. Users store a default payment method in the MyNISSAN app, then once at a compatible charging station, simply tap an on-screen button to start a charging session within the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. This new app will be available to MyNISSAN app users by November 2024.

“Owning and charging a Nissan EV will become simpler and more seamless with the launch of the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. The new network allows Nissan Ariya and future Nissan EV drivers to use their MyNISSAN app to find charging stations, see real-time charger availability and pay for charging – all in one streamlined experience,” Nissan said in a release. Continue reading →

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Off The Grid! – New GM Energy PowerBank

Posted on 10 October 2024 by Ken Zino

GM Energy said today that it is launching the so-called GM Energy PowerBank, a stationary storage product that allows EV owners the ability to store and transfer energy from the grid. It also has the option of integrating with solar power equipment. The General Motors* subsidiary has also expanded access to energy management products across all 50 states. It’s the latest step whereby EV customers can gain increasing independence from utility companies and the unreliable, climate change vulnerable power grid. It’s also the latest move that shows fossil-fueled stock analysts  – many of them reflexively negative on GM – are headed for extinction. Continue reading →

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Nissan Joins EV Grid Management Group ChargeScape

Posted on 7 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan said today that it has entered into an agreement to invest in ChargeScape, a joint venture equally owned by BMW, Ford and Honda* concentrated on electric vehicle-grid integration. Once the transaction is complete, Nissan will become an equal 25% … Continue reading →

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DOE Loan Programs Office – $1B to Evgo for Charging Points

Posted on 4 October 2024 by Ken Zino

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced Thursday a conditional commitment to EVgo Swift Borrower LLC (EVgo) for a loan guarantee of up to $1.05 billion to expand the public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The loan guarantee, if finalized, will support EVgo’s deployment of ~7500 charging ports at ~1100 charging stations across the United States. The first deployments will include high-power 350kW fast chargers capable of charging two EVs simultaneously. EVgo plans to continue installing power sharing equipment over the 5-year deployment timeline.

“The Biden-Harris administration and DOE are building towards a future where EVs are affordable and accessible in every part of the country,” LPO said in a detailed release. Continue reading →

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IONNA Breaks Ground on So-Called Rechargery for EVs

Posted on 3 October 2024 by Ken Zino

IONNA, a charging network founded by eight automakers – BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Stellantis and Toyota –  announced today the ground breaking for the first IONNA ‘Rechargery.’ It is remaking a historic district gas station into an EV charging station in Apex, North Carolina. AutoInformed notes the irony, and also  that the town was built around a railroad steam engine refill pond, which the workers dubbed Apex. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Issues Park Outside Consumer Alert for Jeep Fires

Posted on 2 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Owners should park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles until their vehicle has been remedied. In addition, owners should not charge unrepaired vehicles, because the risk of fire is higher in a charged battery and the risk of fire is reduced when the battery is depleted. Continue reading →

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Beleaguered Stellantis Cuts 2024 Financial Guidance

Posted on 30 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) today revised its 2024 financial guidance, “reflecting decisions to significantly enlarge remediation actions on North American performance issues, as well as deterioration in global industry dynamics.” Actions include North American shipment declines of more than 200,000 vehicles in the second half of 2024 (up from 100,000 prior guidance), compared to the prior year period, increased incentives on 2024 and older model year vehicles. (Read AutoInformed.com on: Stellantis Tanks in First Half of 2024 – Net Profit -48%)*

“The Company will continue to leverage and expand its competitive differentiators and believes that the recovery actions being put in place will ensure stronger operational and financial performance in 2025 and beyond,” Stellantis said in a terse release. “Deterioration in the global industry backdrop reflects a lower 2024 market forecast than at the beginning of the period, while competitive dynamics have intensified due to both rising industry supply, as well as increased Chinese competition,” Stellantis said. Continue reading →

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Prius Prime Changes its Name to Prius Plug-in Hybrid for 2025

Posted on 26 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota (NYSE:TM) said today that the 2025 model year version of Prius Prime will be rebranded as the  Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The change to the Prius Plug-in is intended to help consumers easily identify the powertrain choices among Prius models. The 2025 Prius Plug-in Hybrid will also adopt a “PHEV” badge on the rear, indicating its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain. It will be available in three grades: SE, XSE and XSE Premium. Pricing was omitted. Back in 2022 when a new Prius Prime model was introduced, with a manufacturer estimated EV range of up to 44 miles and a 6.6-second 0-60 time, it was a flexible vehicle short and longer trips. The 2025 with a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, the SE grade has a manufacturer-estimated 44-mile all-electric driving range rating. While the XSE and XSE Premium have a manufacturer-estimated 40 mile all-electric driving range rating. Continue reading →

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Environmental Justice Climate Corps Launches

Posted on 25 September 2024 by Ken Zino

“Our partnership is a first-of-its-kind effort within the federal government to expand pathways into environmental justice careers,” said Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator. “This program will create opportunities for young people through President Biden’s American Climate Corps that will help folks in overburdened communities access and benefit from historic funding secured under the President’s Investing in America agenda.” Continue reading →

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C’est Fou – Chinese EVs Will Be at 2024 Paris Motor Show

Posted on 25 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Stellantis today announced it will participate in the 90th edition of the Mondial de l’Auto 2024 (Paris Motor Show) from14 – 20  October with its three traditional brands – Citroën, Peugeot, and Alfa Romeo. More controversial will be the Chinese brand, Leapmotor making its debut at the show.

Leapmotor Founder, Chairman and CEO Zhu Jiangming, together with Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, will unveil the all-new B10, a C-segment SUV, expanding its product line-up in Europe’s core segment through this distinctive partnership in the automotive industry. Continue reading →

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