CleanTechnica

The First Toyota Plant to Go Carbon Neutral: “One Tahara”

Press Release — Fri, 01 May 2026 02:02:48 +0000

In fiscal year 2026, Tahara Plant became the first Toyota plant to attain carbon neutrality. At the genba, a “One Tahara” spirit could be seen throughout, from large-scale equipment initiatives to small, on-the-ground improvements. Tahara Plant is located in Tahara City, Aichi. About 9,000 people work at the plant, which ... [continued]

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XPENG P7 With VLA 2.0: A Sporty Drive That Can Confidently Drive You

Larry Evans — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:49:07 +0000

A high point of my recent trip to China was the opportunity to experience XPENG’s VLA 2.0 system on the Next P7 Ultra. I had previously sampled the advanced ADAS system on a P7+ in November, which was already impressive. It can be easy to get caught up in the ... [continued]

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In Colombia, 57 Nations Chart A Path To A Future Without Fossil Fuels

Steve Hanley — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:44:18 +0000

The fossil fuel transition moved forward this week at a conference in Colombia that brought nations in search of solutions together.

The post In Colombia, 57 Nations Chart A Path To A Future Without Fossil Fuels appeared first on CleanTechnica.

We Need To Speak Out Against Policies That Are Exacerbating Climate Change

Carolyn Fortuna — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:40:32 +0000

Stabilizing rising global surface temperatures is essential for the long-term health of the planet. Climate change is an existential crisis that affects everyday life, how businesses operate, and the ways that countries acquire materials and regulate systems. Yet we are immersed in a moment in time in which too many ... [continued]

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Faster but Not Fast Enough: States’ Rollout of Federal EV Charging Funds Has a Long Way to Go, Per Sierra Club Analysis

Press Release — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:39:38 +0000

Amid high gas prices and tight state budgets, laggards risk leaving money on the table that could help drivers go electric WASHINGTON — States more than doubled their progress on implementing federal funding for the nation’s EV highway charging network in 2025, according to a new Sierra Club report out today. However, more ... [continued]

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103 New Electric Buses Coming To Swedish Cities

Jake Richardson — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:01:40 +0000

The electrification of fleet vehicles, including large public transit buses, isn’t a “sexy” or glamourous subject matter for most readers. It does, however, indicate how much progress there has been and continues to be for the switch from gas and diesel vehicles to all electrics. Over 100 new electric buses ... [continued]

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The Clean Energy Front Is Expanding Nicely, Thank You — Renewables Beat Natural Gas In USA

Carolyn Fortuna — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:30:47 +0000

At first glance, it seems the clean energy front isn’t going as well as we’d like. The Trump administration has used every tool in its power — and then some — to extinguish clean energy innovation and installations. Yet hope springs eternal, to the point that, in March, the US ... [continued]

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Rice Is A Greenhouse Gas Emitter; Rice Researchers Have Many Solutions

Raymond Tribdino — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:00:12 +0000

Rice farming has long been a significant source of methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas formed when organic matter decomposes in flooded, oxygen-deprived soils. Traditional rice paddies create exactly these conditions, making the crop one of the largest agricultural contributors to methane globally. While its total share of global emissions ... [continued]

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Echoes From The Past: What The “Twin Oil Crises” From The 1970s Teach Us About The Coming Impacts Of Hormuz’s Blockade.

Juan Diego Celemín Mojica — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:57:16 +0000

We’re now two months into Trump’s latest imperial adventure. The sudden attack on Iran’s leadership on February 28th (amidst ongoing negotiations between Iran and the US) led to a series of escalatory measures from both sides that have most notably caused the closure of the globe’s most important energy corridor: ... [continued]

The post Echoes From The Past: What The “Twin Oil Crises” From The 1970s Teach Us About The Coming Impacts Of Hormuz’s Blockade. appeared first on CleanTechnica.

“Yes We Can” — BEV Heavy Trucks Already in Service

David Waterworth — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:52:09 +0000

Fresh from losing the argument that electric vehicles would ruin your weekend, Australia’s conservative politicians and their media enablers are now hell bent on attacking battery-powered semi-trailers. Of course, they have not admitted that they were wrong about the weekend, and won’t when Twiggy Forrest wins the heavy trucking argument ... [continued]

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Sunrun Prices $584 Million Securitization of Residential Solar & Storage Assets

Press Release — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:50:59 +0000

Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN), America’s largest provider of home battery storage, solar, and home-to-grid power plants, yesterday announced it has priced a securitization of leases and power purchase agreements. The securitization is Sunrun’s sixteenth securitization since 2015 and first issuance in 2026. “This $584 million securitization transaction further exhibits Sunrun’s ability ... [continued]

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Kingman: Route 66’s Electric HQ & Gateway To Easy EV Adventure

Jennifer Sensiba — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:21:06 +0000

It’s hard to miss the Powerhouse Visitor Center when you roll into Kingman. This massive building went up in 1907 to supply electricity to the town and local mines, but today it’s a completely different kind of hub. It serves as the main event in Kingman’s Route 66 scene, and ... [continued]

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International LNG Prices Rise Amid Strait of Hormuz Closure

US Energy Information Administration — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:16:08 +0000

Prices for natural gas in Europe and Asia have diverged from those in the United States since the February 28 closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Futures prices for liquified natural gas (LNG) delivery to the Title Transfer Facility (TTF), the European benchmark price, increased to $14.80 per million British thermal ... [continued]

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Waymo New City Alert: Portland, Oregon

Press Release — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:05:57 +0000

Waymo is coming to the Rose City! Portland has always been a pioneer in urban design, balancing its independent spirit with a deep commitment to sustainable, forward-thinking living. This unique blend of innovation and community makes it the perfect place for Waymo’s next chapter. We are actively working with state ... [continued]

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The Petroleum System Is Entering Its Volatile Decline Phase

Michael Barnard — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:42:58 +0000

The UAE’s decision to leave OPEC+ is not just another Gulf oil story. It is an early signal of what happens when a producer with low-cost barrels, spare capacity ambitions, and a long view of electrification decides that flexibility may be worth more than cartel discipline. Oil demand is beginning ... [continued]

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When 28 Hydrogen Buses Have To Carry A €7.6 Million Refueling Station

Michael Barnard — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:36:53 +0000

Saarbahn’s newly opened hydrogen refueling station in Saarbrücken is the moment its hydrogen bus program stops being a procurement story and becomes an operating system. The 28 Wrightbus Kite Hydroliner fuel-cell buses now have a depot station, three 350 bar dispensers, storage capacity, delivery logistics, trained staff, safety systems, and ... [continued]

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Latin America EV Sales Report: Sales in Q1 Grew 74%, Reaching a New Record of Over 115,000 Units!

Juan Diego Celemín Mojica — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:12:35 +0000

A mere quarter ago, we were celebrating the first time ever Latin America had seen more than 100,000 EVs sold in only three months. Now, thanks to significant growth year-on-year (YoY), we’re once again reaching a record, with Q1 surpassing 115,000 EVs sold in the region! This is a deviation ... [continued]

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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars No; Fuel Cell Combat Drones Yes

Tina Casey — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:23:57 +0000

The US drone manufacturer Heven Aerotech has earned a streamlined contract with the US Army for its hydrogen fuel cell UAV and associated hydrogen systems.

The post Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars No; Fuel Cell Combat Drones Yes appeared first on CleanTechnica.

CATL Inks Deal For 60 GWh Of Sodium Energy Storage Batteries Over Next Three Years

Steve Hanley — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:19:51 +0000

CATL and HyperStrong have inked a deal for 60 GWh of sodium-ion battery cells for energy storage systems over the next three years.

The post CATL Inks Deal For 60 GWh Of Sodium Energy Storage Batteries Over Next Three Years appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Chinese Brands Project Confidence at the Beijing Auto Show: Large Premium SUVs (Gallery)

Larry Evans — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:47:44 +0000

Auto China (aka the Beijing Auto Show) was an eye-opening experience. There was a sense of continued progress. Vehicles were refined and well-sorted. Material quality and fit and finish continue to improve, even over models that impressed just a few months ago. Competition continues to be fierce. Meanwhile, the vehicles ... [continued]

The post Chinese Brands Project Confidence at the Beijing Auto Show: Large Premium SUVs (Gallery) appeared first on CleanTechnica.

150 New Fast EV Chargers To Use 100% Renewable Energy

Jake Richardson — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:27:21 +0000

With all the news about mostly declining sales of new electric vehicles in the US, there has been an unexpected “silver lining.” That is a steady stream of new public EV charger installations, including many fast chargers. Within the new installation trend, there is more of a “golden lining,” which ... [continued]

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Much More Than A City Car: World Premiere Of The All-New Electric ID. Polo

Press Release — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:15:41 +0000

Familiar name, new era – with timelessly clear design, efficient drive, many innovations and excellent value for money Maximum versatility – the new ID. Polo will impress in future with three output levels (85 kW, 99 kW, 155 kW), two battery sizes and a range of up to 454 km Compact but spacious – thanks to the new ... [continued]

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EVs Take 64.9% Share In Sweden – Volvo EX60 Finally Debuts

Dr. Maximilian Holland — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:16:59 +0000

The first quarter of 2026 saw plugin EVs take 64.9% share in Sweden, up from 58.0% in Q1 2025. BEV share grew strongly year on year (YoY), while PHEV share dipped slightly. Overall Q1 auto volume was 61,960 units, down some 2% YoY. The Volvo EX40 was the best-selling BEV ... [continued]

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XPENG Releases World Model Technical Report, Powering VLA 2.0 Model R&D And Verification

Press Release — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:59:41 +0000

Guangzhou — XPENG (NYSE: XPEV, HKEX: 9868), a leading China-based high-tech company, recently officially released its X-World Technical Report, providing a comprehensive breakdown of the model’s construction and deployment across data, architecture, training, validation, and application. X-World is a controllable, multi-view generative world model designed for autonomous driving. Built on ... [continued]

The post XPENG Releases World Model Technical Report, Powering VLA 2.0 Model R&D And Verification appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Chargers Multiply in Australia

David Waterworth — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:58:32 +0000

Amidst a surge in interest in electric vehicles in Australia, it looks like the charging networks are keeping up. We have high-speed chargers in supermarket carparks and airports along with Level 2 pole-mounted chargers in dense inner-city suburbs. Just walking through the local supermarket carpark gives you a glimpse into ... [continued]

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Sierra Club Applauds NYC Pensions for Continued Climate Progress, Calls for Stronger Implementation

Press Release — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:57:20 +0000

Annual reports show progress toward net-zero goals NEW YORK — The Sierra Club applauds New York City Comptroller Mark Levine and trustees of three of NYC’s public pension systems for releasing new climate reports showing continued progress toward their net-zero by 2040 goals. The reports from NYCERS, TRS, and BERS affirm the pension systems as ... [continued]

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TECO Customers Issue Letters to Utility’s Board Members Addressing Bill Increases

Press Release — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:56:52 +0000

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO’s) rising utility bills are forcing Tampa families to choose between essentials like food, rent, and medicine and access to power. In response, TECO customers have written letters to the utility’s Board of Directors detailing their personal experiences with increasingly unaffordable energy bills. Sierra Club ... [continued]

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Conservation Groups Issue Reply to EPA in West Virginia Regional Haze Lawsuit

Press Release — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:55:25 +0000

The Groups are Challenging the State’s Abysmal EPA-Approved Regional Haze Plan CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, and Earthjustice lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging the agency’s approval of West Virginia’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan has advanced in the United States Court of Appeals for ... [continued]

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NEW: Sierra Club Tool Shows Deadly Impact of Coal on Public Health Across the Country

Press Release — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:29:40 +0000

Washington, D.C. — Today, Sierra Club released a new web tool that shows that every year, approximately 6,500 Americans die prematurely from illnesses linked to coal air pollution. The updated Out of Control: The Deadly Impact of Coal Pollution — 2026 web tool provides county by county, plant by plant, and utility by ... [continued]

The post NEW: Sierra Club Tool Shows Deadly Impact of Coal on Public Health Across the Country appeared first on CleanTechnica.

E-fuels in Cars: Unaffordable for Drivers

Transport & Environment (T&E) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:12:29 +0000

An independent study for T&E assesses the near-term cost of e-petrol production for cars. E-fuels have entered the political debate on car CO₂ standards as a decarbonisation alternative to electric vehicles. To establish an up-to-date evidence base that can better inform ongoing policy discussions, T&E commissioned consultancy Ionect to assess the ... [continued]

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What Do Steve Bannon & Bernie Sanders Have In Common? Opposition To Artificial Intelligence

Steve Hanley — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:54:21 +0000

Steve Bannon and Bernie Sanders are at opposite ends of the political spectrum. It seems there is only one thing they agree on — artificial intelligence is dangerous. A majority of Americans agree. Quinnipiac University, well known for its polling prowess, summarized the results of a recent poll about AI ... [continued]

The post What Do Steve Bannon & Bernie Sanders Have In Common? Opposition To Artificial Intelligence appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Nuclear Scaling Requires Discipline. SMRs Deliver Fragmentation

Michael Barnard — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:30:23 +0000

When I wrote in 2021 that small modular reactors were mostly bad policy (peer reviewed version, CleanTechnica version), the argument was not that nuclear fission could not produce useful low-carbon electricity. It was already doing so every day. The United States had about 98 GW of operating nuclear capacity, and ... [continued]

The post Nuclear Scaling Requires Discipline. SMRs Deliver Fragmentation appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Urban Wetlands & Waterways Need Nature-Inspired Solutions

Carolyn Fortuna — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:48:08 +0000

I remember traveling to Sydney, Australia, a couple of years ago. In nearly every city block there was a green gathering space, usually a fountain, where kids could play and spray and adults could lounge comfortably. Back in the US, I started to admire other city water refuges like artificial ... [continued]

The post Urban Wetlands & Waterways Need Nature-Inspired Solutions appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Chinese Iron Flow Storage Battery Is 80 Times Cheaper Than Lithium

Steve Hanley — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:54:30 +0000

Scientists in China claim to have solved issues with iron flow batteries., which could lead to cheaper grid scale storage batteries.

The post Chinese Iron Flow Storage Battery Is 80 Times Cheaper Than Lithium appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Heat Pump Water Heater 2025 State Of The Market Report — Tons Of Great Tech But Policy Headwinds

Joe Wachunas — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:50:59 +0000

2025 was a good year for heat pump water heaters (HPWHs). In our annual State of the Heat Pump Water Heater Market report, we talk about how residential and commercial manufacturers released more new and updated products last year than any other year in the product’s history. Five new residential ... [continued]

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The Amino Acid Glycine Is In Many Plant Foods Too

Jake Richardson — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:46:45 +0000

There is an amino acid called glycine some may know of because it has been theorized to be of some benefit for human sleep. In fact, there are some health supplements combining glycine with other molecules or nutrients for that purpose. How much truth there is to the better sleep ... [continued]

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Hyundai Unveils 2027 IONIQ 9 AWD Performance Calligraphy Black Ink Model

Press Release — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:28:23 +0000

New Calligraphy Black Ink model: A singularly sleek, sophisticated expression of electric luxury Award-winning three-row EV gains unique Gloss Black and Black Chrome styling touches, plus exclusive black 21-inch wheels Black Ink interior colorway and cabin trim 2027 IONIQ 9 Calligraphy Black Ink three-row electric SUV to be assembled at ... [continued]

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One Thing Silently Hurting EV Sales

Zachary Shahan — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:55:45 +0000

I’ve talked with a lot of people this past week at our Electric Home Show, and one thing stood out to me at the end of it all when it comes to shopping for electric vehicles. It’s not a new thing — in fact, it’s something we’ve written about a ... [continued]

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Elon Musk’s Nutso Comments on US National Debt & Robots

Zachary Shahan — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:58:09 +0000

Elon Musk said on the latest quarterly Tesla conference call, last week, that the first production line for the company’s Optimus robot would go online this year — this quarter even — and that this production line would be able to produce 1 million robots a year. This Optimus production ... [continued]

The post Elon Musk’s Nutso Comments on US National Debt & Robots appeared first on CleanTechnica.

3rd US State Allows Plug & Play Solar Power

Zachary Shahan — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:57:22 +0000

There’s no doubt about it — solar power has already revolutionized the electricity industry. Solar power accounts for the majority of new power capacity around the world and around the US. That said, there are still significant barriers to residential solar adoption, and we are nowhere close to 50% of ... [continued]

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Leapmotor Launches Lafa5 Ultra at Auto China 2026

Press Release — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:54:45 +0000

We have journalists at the Beijing Auto Show (Auto China 2026), but it takes time to collect and then share all of the great EV announcements happening there. In the meantime, below is one notable announcement from Leapmotor & Stellantis that was shared on Friday when the show launched. Leapmotor ... [continued]

The post Leapmotor Launches Lafa5 Ultra at Auto China 2026 appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Hardware 3 Tesla Vehicles Will Get Unsupervised Full Self Driving Via Hardware Updates? Who’s Most Pissed?

Zachary Shahan — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:53:24 +0000

Many of us who bought Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) package several years ago have been highly disappointed with its slow progress, and also repeatedly false claims about the technology. The thing is: Tesla cars produced with “Hardware 3” computers, sensors, etc. were supposed to be buying cars that would ... [continued]

The post Hardware 3 Tesla Vehicles Will Get Unsupervised Full Self Driving Via Hardware Updates? Who’s Most Pissed? appeared first on CleanTechnica.

AI Transforms the World: XPENG Showcases Its Full-Stack Physical AI Ecosystem at Auto China 2026

Press Release — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:51:09 +0000

We have journalists at the Beijing Auto Show (Auto China 2026), but it takes time to collect and then share all of the great EV announcements happening there. In the meantime, below is one notable announcement from XPENG that was shared on Friday when the show launched. The 19th Beijing ... [continued]

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NIO: 3 Auto Brands, 11 Models at Auto China

Press Release — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:50:58 +0000

We have journalists at the Beijing Auto Show (Auto China 2026), but it takes time to collect and then share all of the great EV announcements happening there. In the meantime, below is one notable announcement from NIO that was shared on Friday when the show launched. The Beijing International ... [continued]

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Will Sodium-Ion Batteries Revolutionize Electric Ships?

Christopher Arcus — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:47:49 +0000

Advancements in sodium-ion batteries have come from a new generation of cells from CATL, BYD, and others, bringing the possibility of lower cells costs at higher volume in the near future. CATL has stated it expects oceanic electric ships to be possible in the next three years. Could $20/kWh Naxtra ... [continued]

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