Category Archives: environment

BMW Group to Spend $1.7B to Make Electric Vehicles in US

The new Woodruff factory will encompass over 1 million sq. ft. and produce next generation batteries for fully electric vehicles. About, and 300 new jobs will be created on site. Plant Spartanburg currently produces lithium-ion battery modules for the two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles built at the plant, the BMW X3 xDrive30e and BMW X5 xDrive45e. In 2021, ~70,000 electrified BMWs were built on site. Continue reading

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Jeep Avenger EV Debuts in Paris

“The new Jeep Avenger represents a key milestone for the brand as it is the first of a portfolio of all-new Jeep BEVs to be introduced in Europe.” said Christian Meunier, Jeep brand CEO. “It offers Jeep brand capability that is rightsized for the European market and at the Paris Motor Show, we are showcasing why it is a great all-electric Jeep brand alternative to current players in the B-SUV segment.” Jeep predicts it will be its best-selling model in Europe by 2024. Continue reading

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CARB settles with FCA for $5.6M on Air Quality Violations

FCA cooperated with CARB to resolve all allegations of violating Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Devices regulations. FCA’s settlement includes a $2.8 million civil penalty that will go to CARB’s Air Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve California’s air quality. Continue reading

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Global Debut – All-Electric Lexus UX 300e

“As Lexus’ first BEV model and a core part of the UX family, the UX 300e embraces the continual performance development and evolution of advanced technology applied to the UX 200/250h announced earlier this year, while enhancing the attributes unique to an all-electric vehicle,” said Lexus International Chief Engineer Mitsuteru Emoto. “As a leading light for “Lexus Electrified,” the refinement of UX 300e is a key step on the path towards a carbon-neutral society.” Continue reading

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Honda Goes All in for Ohio EV Production

“We are establishing a new EV hub that will leverage the experience of our Ohio associates in areas including production, purchasing and product development. This will create the expertise for EV production that we will share with our other Honda auto plants in the region. Eventually, all our auto plants will play an important role as we pursue electrification,” said Bob Nelson, Executive Vice President, Corporate Services. Continue reading

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Ohio JV Battery Plant  – Honda and LG Energy Solution

The two companies plan to begin construction in early 2023, in order to complete the new production facility by the end of 2024. The plant aims to have ~40GWh of annual production capacity as it starts mass production of pouch-type lithium-ion batteries by the end of 2025. Continue reading

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EV Battery Goldrush – GM and Queensland Pacific Metals

This latest long-term supply commitment follows other recent agreements that likely have already secured all battery raw material to support GM’s goal of 1 million units of EV capacity in North America by the end of 2025. Helping this energy independence and job creating program is that material sourced from Queensland Pacific Metals will help support EV eligibility for consumer incentives under the new clean energy tax credits from the Biden Administration. Continue reading

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GM Energy a New Energy Management Division  

It’s an ambitious, industry leading program that can help customers rid themselves of some of the negative aspects of relying on utility companies. GM Energy’s services will also enable the sale of energy from EV and stationary storage batteries back to utilities during peak, high energy consumption periods, unlocking even more potential value for customers and increasing resiliency for the electrical grid, GM said. Continue reading

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EV Battery Gold Rush Persists with Stellantis and GME

NiWest is an advanced nickel-cobalt development project that hopes to produce ~90,000 tpa (tons per annum) of battery grade nickel and cobalt sulphate for the electric vehicle market. Continue reading

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EPA Proposes an Endangerment Finding for Aircraft Engines Still Running on Leaded Fuel

The US Environmental Protection Agency today announced a proposed determination that emissions of lead* from aircraft that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare.  Under the … Continue reading

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EPA Looking at EVs and the Toxic Substances Control Act

It’s the latest example of a regulatory body realizing that battery-powered vehicles present, well, challenges under existing regulations or the lack thereof. It’s a global trend and problem. Under TSCA, EPA’s New Chemicals Program plays a central role by reviewing all new chemical substances before they enter the marketplace in order to bring innovative chemistries to market in a way that doesn’t harm human health or the environment. Continue reading

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Atlantic Richfield to Finish Anaconda Smelter Cleanup

Decades of copper smelting activity at the town of Anaconda polluted the soils in yards, commercial and industrial areas, pastures and open spaces throughout the 300-square-mile Anaconda Site. This pollution has in turn contributed to the contamination of creeks and other surface waters at the Site, as well as of alluvial and bedrock ground water. The closure of smelting operations in 1980 left large volumes of smelter slag, flue dust and hazardous rock tailings that have had to be secured through a variety of remediation methods. Continue reading

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Expanding EV Choices Increase Buying Consideration

“Although these shoppers are easing off the pedal a bit, the percentage of shoppers who are “somewhat likely” to purchase an EV in the next 12 months increased 2.5 percentage points in August,” Krear notes. Continue reading

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Biden-Harris Doubling Clean School Bus Rebates to $1 Billion

This is the first round of funding from the EPA Clean School Bus Program, which President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created with a historic $5 billion investment for low- and zero-emission school buses over the next five years. Continue reading

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Global Warming – New GM, Ford EV Plants Advance

GM Investing $760 Million in its Toledo, Ohio Propulsion Plant for EV drive unit production for Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV and GMC HUMMER EVs. With today’s announcement, GM has invested more than $1.9 billion at Toledo since 2011. Ford broken ground at BlueOval City, a $5.6 billion investment in West Tennessee to build an all-new electric truck and advanced batteries for upcoming Ford and Lincoln vehicles. BlueOval City will create approximately 6000 jobs. Continue reading

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