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<br /><ul><li><keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">Electric vehicles</keyword> (EVs) are gaining popularity worldwide</li><li>However,  concerns remain about their environmental impact</li><li> <keyword id="21881868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="alternative-fuel" source="keywords">Alternative fuel</keyword> vehicles like hydrogen fuel cells and biofuels are some more alternatives we can tap into</li></ul><br /><br />Electric vehicles or EVs are in their prime right now, with the demand crossing an all-time high. A trend noticeable around the world, EVs are not only becoming increasingly popular but also fairly affordable. Slowly but surely EVs are overcoming the challenges that crossed them — design, features, safety, and most importantly range. A major credit to this trend can be given to consumer acceptance, policy backing, and improving infrastructure. <br /><br />However, there is a downside to EVs as well. Having featured multiple EVs with our series<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCR3PaYxcmk&amp;t=1s" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"> Short Spin, </a>I developed a strong reference point. This made me wonder why are we so heavily reliant on them. Over its life cycle, EVs cannot be termed as particularly environmentally friendly, which has been their main selling point over the past few decades. <br /><br /><h2>The ‘Red’ side of EVs</h2> <br />There is a bit of red within the go-green agenda that EV manufacturers push. EVs as a whole do come with benefits like low maintenance, improved efficiency and ultimately lower fuel emissions. However, <keyword id="21357488" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="EV-production" source="keywords">EV production</keyword> and disposal can have detrimental effects on the natural environment. Here are some socio-ecological concerns over EVs:<br /><br /><strong>1. High carbon footprint in battery production:</strong> EV battery production is energy-intensive and often relies on electricity from fossil fuels, leading to a high initial carbon footprint. This is elaborated in a story recently published by Earth Org. <br /><br /><strong>2. Resource constraints and ethical concerns: </strong>Particularly with the extensive mining of cobalt and other minerals for EVs, there has been a global outcry. Limited availability of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, shady mining practices long work hours, unsafe work environments, and use of child labour in underdeveloped parts of the world have raised several ethical issues around the sustainability of EVs. This issue can be explored further in this essay by Al Jazeera. <br /><br /><strong>3. Recycling and end-of-life challenges: </strong>EV battery recycling is currently inefficient, costly, and poses significant environmental risks, with a huge amount of batteries ending up in landfills.<br /><br /><strong>4. Manufacturing costs and economic barriers: </strong>High production costs, especially for batteries, make EVs more expensive than conventional vehicles and require significant investments in new manufacturing facilities and supply chains.<br /><br /><strong>5. Supply chain and geopolitical risks: </strong>Critical mineral resources necessary for EV production are concentrated in a few countries. This leads to vulnerabilities in the complex supply chain and often risks disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, or natural disasters. China as of today controls 83% of EV battery production in the world, with a major stronghold on the supply chain. <br /><br />While I am in no way suggesting to drop out of EVs, I believe sticking to just one alternative risks replicating the same mistake we did for ICE vehicles. So, what are the alternatives?<br /><br /><h2>The alternates fuel vehicles (<keyword id="23193800" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AFVs" source="keywords">AFVs</keyword>)</h2><br />AFVs are a growing segment of the automotive industry that utilize fuels other than traditional gasoline or diesel. These vehicles offer similar potential benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. While EVs are also a form of AFVs, here we will list out other major alternatives like hydrogen fuel and biofuel options.<br /><br /><strong>Hydrogen fuel cells: </strong>Convert hydrogen gas into electricity, emitting only water vapour. Currently, <keyword id="19906788" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Toyota" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Toyota" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Toyota">Toyota</keyword> and Hyundai are the only hydrogen-based cars in the Indian market. <br /><br /><strong>Hydrogen internal combustion engines:</strong> These vehicles use hydrogen as a fuel in modified combustion engines. While road-legal vehicles for this fuel type aren’t out, BMW with hydrogen 7 is working on a prototype.<br /><br /><strong>Ethanol: </strong>This is a renewable fuel made from plant materials, commonly mixed with gasoline. In America, Ford F-150 Flex-Fuel and Chevrolet Silverado Flex-Fuel are utilizing this technology. <br /> <br /><strong>Biodiesel and renewable diesel: </strong>Derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled grease, these fuel types can be used in diesel engines.<br /> <br /><strong>Compressed Natural Gas (CNG):</strong> Perhaps the most famous alternative for cabbies in Delhi, CNG is in popular demand. Technically it is used in specially modified internal combustion engines, primarily for lower emissions.<br /> <br /><strong>Propane (Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG):</strong> A byproduct of natural gas processing and crude oil refining, used in internal combustion engines. <br /><br />As technology continues to advance, these AFVs are becoming more accessible and affordable, making them a promising option for sustainable transportation. If you are an eco-conscious buyer in today’s auto market, bear in mind that there are options beyond EVs as well.<br /><strong><br />SEE ALSO:<br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/mercedes-expands-bev-range-rolls-out-second-locally-produced-model-in-india/articleshow/113388002.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Mercedes expands BEV range; rolls out second locally produced model in India</a><br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-adoption-in-india-rising-13-share-expected-by-2026-27-jefferies/articleshow/113361787.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"><strong>Electric two-wheeler adoption in India rising, 13% share expected by 2026-27: Jefferies</strong></a><br />

EVs are not the only options for alternative fuel — make way for hydrogen and bio-fuel

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Used electric vehicles became more affordable after a new tax credit kicked in in January 2023.</li><li>Driving range and driving habits can affect the type of used EV you should shop for.</li></ul><p>Electric-vehicle prices are falling across the board. And as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nissan-kicks-review-price-rare-find-under-30k-2024-10">more models flood the market</a>, you can get a particularly good deal on a used EV.</p><p>But shelling out thousands of dollars on an unfamiliar piece of technology (especially one that's been around the block a few times) is daunting for some shoppers.</p><p>Aside from wondering <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cheapest-electric-car-affordable-kia-ford-chevy-hyundai-nissan-2022-6">which car to buy</a>, used-EV shoppers might be wondering whether the battery could die. Shoppers on a budget might also be looking for more ways to save money, as EV tax credits broadened to include used electric cars in January 2023.</p><p>The research can be a lot to take on at once. We talked to car-buying experts to demystify the process.</p><h2>Consider where and how much you drive</h2><p>Scott Case, the cofounder and CEO of Recurrent, a startup that tracks EV battery health, recommended starting by considering how far you typically drive and the climate you live in — those factors will affect how much range you'll want, as EVs perform best in temperate weather and can't drive quite as far in cold temperatures.</p><p>"Let's say you live in Florida and you drive 30 to 50 miles every day — you can pretty much buy anything," Case said. On the other hand, people who travel 150 miles daily and live in the occasionally frigid Midwest would need to shop around for a long-range vehicle.</p><div type="image" title="A gray Tesla Cybertruck plugged in at a public charging station." height="1150" width="1533" msid="114294136" hostid="261" sizebytes="313240"></div><p>Most older electric cars don't have the range of the latest offerings — you might find models with estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency of only 80 to 120 miles.</p><h2>Battery range will degrade over time</h2><p>Anyone who's owned a smartphone knows that lithium-ion batteries wear out over time. Pretty much the same goes for EVs.</p><p>As the years go by, cycles of charging and driving wear out an EV's battery pack, reducing driving range. The vehicle-data firm Geotab has estimated that EV batteries <a href="https://www.geotab.com/blog/ev-battery-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tend to lose about 2% of their capacity each year</a>.</p><p>The good news is that an EV's battery is unlikely to fail completely or render the car useless.</p><p>But understanding how much life a vehicle has left isn't all that simple. Case said that exposure to extreme temperatures, frequent trips to powerful DC fast chargers, and variations in battery chemistry mean some used cars perform better than others with identical mileage.</p><div type="image" title="A charging cable extending from a Tesla Supercharger to a Chevrolet Equinox EV." height="3024" width="4032" msid="114294138" hostid="261" sizebytes="789912"></div><p>Jim Fish, a vice president of Opus IVS, a tech-focused collision-repair company, said the best question to ask about a battery's care is how often it was left below 20% and above 80% of its charge.</p><p>Leaving a battery too close to empty or on a full charge for too long affects its ability to hold a charge, Fish said.</p><p>"Of course, you might struggle to find out the truth to that question," Fish said.</p><p>Recurrent provides reports on EV battery health aimed at helping shoppers choose between cars.</p><h2>You can get up to $4,000 off thanks to federal tax credits</h2><p>At the start of last year, a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/federal-state-electric-car-vehicle-tax-credits-rebates-qualify-2023-1">used-EV tax credit went into effect</a> as part of a larger incentive program in the Inflation Reduction Act. Automotive retail analysts described it as a welcome change for EV shoppers on a budget.</p><p>To <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ev-tax-credit-suv-tesla-model-y-ford-mach-e-2023-2">qualify for the credit</a>, the vehicle must be purchased at a dealership so that the dealer can report the required information to the IRS.</p><p>The buyer must be purchasing the vehicle for personal use and not for resale, must not be the original owner of the vehicle, must not be able to be claimed as a dependent, and must not have used any other clean-vehicle credit in the previous three years. Income caps for buyers range from $75,000 to $150,000, depending on their tax-filing status.</p><p>The vehicle must have a sale price of $25,000 or less and must be at least two model years old.</p><p>Many states also have tax incentives for purchasing EVs. More detailed information and required forms can be found on the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IRS's website</a>.</p>

Considering an electric vehicle? Experts explain how to pick one for your lifestyle and budget

<keyword id="6354671" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="foxconn" source="Orion">Foxconn</keyword> will integrate <keyword id="113675" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nvidia" source="Orion">Nvidia</keyword> technology to develop a new class of data centers powering a wide range of applications - including digitalisation of manufacturing and inspection workflows, development of <keyword id="6355999" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI" source="Orion">AI</keyword>-powered electric vehicle and robotics platforms, and a growing number of language-based generative AI services.<br /><br />"Most importantly, Nvidia and Foxconn are building these factories together. We will be helping the whole industry move much faster into the new AI era," said Foxconn Chairman and CEO, <keyword id="1699278" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="young-liu" source="Orion">Young Liu</keyword>.<br /><br />Huang said that a new type of manufacturing has emerged - the production of intelligence.<br /><br />"And the data centres that produce it are AI factories. Foxconn, the world's largest manufacturer, has the expertise and scale to build AI factories globally. We are delighted to expand our decade-long partnership with Foxconn to accelerate the AI industrial revolution," he added at the fourth annual Hon Hai Tech Day in Taiwan.<br /><br />Working closely with Nvidia, Foxconn is expected to build a large number of systems based on Nvidia CPUs, GPUs and networking for its global customer base, which is looking to create and operate their own AI factories, optimised with Nvidia AI Enterprise software.<br /><br />An AI factory with these Nvidia platforms can give Foxconn the ability to accomplish AI training and inference, enhance factory workflows and run simulations in the virtual world before deployment in the physical world.<br /><br />Simulating the entire robotics and automation pipeline from end to end provides Foxconn with a path to operational efficiency gains, saving time and costs.<br /><br />Huang joined Liu to also unveil the latest in their ongoing partnership to develop the next wave of intelligent electric vehicle (EV) platforms for the global automotive market.<br /><br />This latest move will help Foxconn realise its EV vision with a range of Nvidia DRIVE solutions.<br /><br />In addition, Foxconn will be a contract manufacturer of highly automated and autonomous, AI-rich EVs featuring the upcoming Nvidia DRIVE Hyperion 9 platform, which includes DRIVE Thor and a state-of-the-art sensor architecture.<br />

Foxconn will build AI factories with Nvidia chips, software

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Used EVs now cost less than their gas counterparts, with the gap ballooning since February.</li><li>Only 18% of consumers said they're likely to buy an EV, a multi-year low.</li></ul><p>Consumers are pumping the brakes on electric-vehicle demand as technological limitations erase the premium buyers used to be willing to pay.</p><p>For the first time, used EVs are less expensive than their traditional gas counterparts. Not only are prices lower, they're also plummeting at a much steeper clip, a recent report from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.iseecars.com/used-car-prices-study">iSeeCars</a> said.</p><p>According to the study, the average used EV fell $265 below the typical gas car in February, marking the trend's start. As of May, that difference has ballooned to $2,657.</p><div type="image" title="average used EV vs. gas prices" height="536" width="959" msid="111207904" hostid="261" sizebytes="19794"></div><p>"It's clear used car shoppers will no longer pay a premium for electric vehicles and, in fact, consider electric powertrains a detractor, making them less desirable — and less valuable — than traditional models," executive analyst Karl Brauer said in the report.</p><p>By another measure, the average price of an EV fell 29.5% between May 2023 and 2024, compared to a 6.1% slide for combustion engine cars.</p><p>An example provided by the study compared the BMW 3 Series with a Tesla Model 3: while the Tesla's price was $2,635 higher in June last year, it stood $4,806 below the BMW in May 2024.</p><p>That slide is easy to explain for the broader auto industry, where <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/car-prices-falling-forecast-outlook-new-used-electric-vehicle-market-2024-6">improved post-pandemic supply chains have led to declining prices</a>.</p><p>But that's just part of the story for EVs, a market battered by an extra slew of niche headwinds.</p><p>In a June AAA survey, only <a target="_blank" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2024/06/is-the-ev-hype-over/">18% of consumers indicated</a> that they would be likely to purchase an EV — a multi-year low. Leading hesitations included the higher costs, limited access to charging stations, and worries about how far an EV can drive without charging.</p><p>Instead, consumer interest leaned more towards hybrid models, which offer both a gas and electric motor. In fact, one-third of respondents indicated they would purchase this type of vehicle.</p><p>For industry players that wagered on a coming wave of EV consumption, faltering demand has not done any favors for production, Bank of America said this month.</p><p>"The unprecedented EV head-fake over the last three years has wreaked havoc on product planning. The prior acceleration in EV launches is doing a U-turn in favor of extending [internal combustion engine] programs and new hybrids," analysts wrote. "However, while there is a lot of talk about hybrids, there isn't much action."</p><p>Vanishing EV consumers have tugged on the sector in other ways. For instance, below-estimate deliveries have dented the performance of <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/tsla-stock">Tesla</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/rivn-stock">Rivian</a> stocks, and these companies have been among many to enact workforce cuts due to strained demand.</p><p>Elsewhere, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fisker-automotive-files-for-bankruptcy-2024-5">Fisker has filed for bankruptcy</a>, citing market issues in a statement this week. And earlier this year, the rental firm <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradtempleton/2024/02/09/renting-electric-cars-makes-sense-why-did-hertz-sell-off-teslas/">Hertz sold 20,000 of its Tesla rentals</a>. Among a handful of reasons, requests for the vehicles were not as high as expected.</p><p>While the iSeeCars report does not, in fact, yet see where EV prices will bottom out, most analysts are not too concerned about a complete rejection of the market. If consumers don't lead an industry embrace, US emissions regulation will ensure continued production, just at a tempered pace, Bank of America said.</p><p>"Despite the apparent slowdown in the powertrain transition (EVs and Hybrids), there is still a wave, albeit smaller than before, of alternative powertrain launches from almost all automakers," the note said.</p><p>Examples includes Ford products, and GM's Cadillac as a "spearhead for EVs," it added.</p>

Used-EV prices are crashing as buyers shift back towards hybrid vehicles 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of battery found in electric vehicles.</li><li>Scientists found they contain PFAS or 'forever chemicals' found in air, water, snow, soil, and sediment.</li></ul><p>Scientists have uncovered a new source of hazardous "forever chemical" pollution: the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries found in most electric vehicles.</p><p>Some lithium-ion battery technologies use a class of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-pfas-chemicals-2018-8">PFAS chemicals</a>, or per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, that helps make batteries less flammable and conduct electricity. Scientists found high levels of these PFAS in air, water, snow, soil, and sediment samples near plants that make those chemicals in the US, Belgium, and France, according to a <a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49753-5">peer-reviewed study</a> in the journal <em>Nature Communications.</em></p><p>PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chart-how-long-hazardous-forever-chemicals-pfas-stay-in-blood-2023-3">build up quickly</a> in the environment, people, and animals and don't break down for thousands of years. They've been linked to a host of health conditions, including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp200.pdf">liver damage</a>, high <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2831917/">cholesterol</a><u>, </u>low <a target="_blank" href="https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1408837/">birth weights</a><u>,</u> and chronic <a target="_blank" href="https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/174/8/893/155305">kidney disease</a><u>.</u></p><p>The findings underscore how switching to cleaner cars and renewable energy is key to solving the climate crisis, but comes with its own set of trade-offs that are still emerging and understudied. While the environmental and health impacts of mining lithium and other minerals used in batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and other technology are well documented, it's only now that researchers are uncovering lithium-ion batteries as a source of PFAS pollution.</p><p>"Slashing [carbon dioxide] emissions with innovations like electric cars is critical, but it shouldn't come with the side effect of increasing PFAS pollution," Jennifer Guelfo, an associate professor of environmental engineering at Texas Tech University and coauthor of the study, said in a statement.</p><p>It's an issue of global concern because lithium-ion batteries are used worldwide, the study said. The same class of PFAS has recently been detected at low levels in European and Chinese water, but the source of the pollution was unclear.</p><p>The specific class of PFAS that Guelfo's team found is called bis-perfluoroalkyl sulfonimides, or bis-FASIs. Scientists tested more than a dozen lithium-ion batteries used in EVs and consumer electronics like laptops, and found bis-FASIs at various concentrations.</p><p>It's hard to know just how widespread the chemicals are in specific lithium-ion batteries because there isn't enough research yet, Lee Ferguson, associate professor of environmental engineering at Duke University and coauthor of the study, said.</p><p>Guelfo said bis-FASIs is comparable to "older notorious" chemicals like PFOA, in part because they are extremely difficult to degrade and studies show the chemicals change the behavior of aquatic organisms at low concentrations. PFOA has been phased out of production in the US but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/epa-hazardous-forever-chemicals-drinking-water-limits-2024-4">continues to pollute drinking water</a>.</p><p>The study was the first "cradle-to-grave" evaluation of the environmental impacts of bis-FASI use in lithium-ion batteries. The effects of bis-FASIs in humans hasn't been studied yet.</p><p>The scientists detected bis-FASIs chemicals at parts per billion levels — much higher than the limits the Environmental Protection Agency <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/epa-hazardous-forever-chemicals-drinking-water-limits-2024-4">set for PFAS in drinking water in April</a>. Strategies to get rid of PFAS in drinking water can also remove bis-FASIs, the study said, which should become more widely adopted due to EPA's regulations. However, chemical makers and some water utilities <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/06/21/nx-s1-5013957/pfas-forever-chemicals-drinking-water-rule-lawsuits">have challenged the agency in court.</a></p><p>Other routes of exposure to bis-FASIs exist. Air emissions data suggest the chemicals can travel to areas far from manufacturing sites. They can also leach into the environment from landfills, where the majority of lithium-ion batteries end up.</p><p>The study said only about 5% of lithium-ion batteries are recycled, and by 2040, there could be some 8 million tons of lithium-ion battery waste.</p><p>Guelfo said scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and policymakers need to develop battery technology and recycling solutions that don't exacerbate PFAS pollution.</p><p>"We need to be carefully evaluating these chemicals that are being used in sustainable energy infrastructure," Guelfo said. "We should be evaluating them now before it becomes a more widespread problem. We an opportunity to really maximize the idea of sustainability."</p><p>Companies including 3M, Solvay, and Arkema either hold patents for bis-FASIs or advertise its production or use, the study said. (In December — after the research was conducted — Solvay spun off its specialty and applied chemical businesses into a new entity named Syensqo. The lithium battery business is housed there.)</p><p>Scientists focused their research on areas near the companies' manufacturing plants in Minnesota, Kentucky, Antwerp, Belgium, and Salindres, France.</p><p>3M has manufactured PFAS for decades and last year <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/22/business/3m-settlement-forever-chemicals-lawsuit.html">agreed to a $10 billion settlement</a> with US cities and towns over their claims that the company contaminated drinking water with forever chemicals. 3M said it will exit all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025.</p><p>The company's settlement followed another agreement by Chemours, DuPont and Corteva to pay $1.19 billion to help resolve thousands of lawsuits.</p><p><strong><em>Correction: July 8, 2024 — This story was updated to clarify the name of one of the companies that make EV battery materials. After the research, Solvay spun off its lithium battery business into a new entity named Syensqo.</em></strong></p>

The most common type of EV battery is a growing source of 'forever chemical' pollution, scientists say

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Over a decade ago, a Wall Street banker bought a coal mine to sell coal.</li><li>But it was recently discovered that there's more in that coal mine than meets the eye. </li></ul><p>In 2011, Randall Atkins, a former Wall Street banker, bought a mine outside of Sheridan, Wyoming, sight unseen, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/the-2-million-coal-mine-that-might-hold-a-37-billion-treasure-181dbdcf?mod=hp_lead_pos7&amp;mod=hp_lead_pos7"><u>The Wall Street Journal</u></a> reported.</p><p>Originally, the plan was to sell coal to power plants, the <a target="_blank" href="https://trib.com/news/local/business/questions-remain-for-rare-earths-mining-project-in-northern-wyoming/article_222bb5bc-f727-11ed-835d-afec1272d54e.html">Casper Star-Tribune</a> reported.</p><p>However, in collaboration with the DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory and geologists at Weir International, Inc., Atkins' company, Ramaco Resources discovered there was more than just coal to be mined from Atkins' land.</p><p>In May, Ramaco announced that Atkins' Brook Mine contains one of the largest unconventional deposits of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/north-american-rare-earth-minerals-supply-hunt-domestic-clean-energy-2022-4"><u>rare earth elements</u></a> in the US. Because of that, the mine is worth an estimated $37 billion — significantly more than the roughly $2 million he bought it for, per the WSJ.</p><p>Unconventional deposits mean the REEs are located in substances other than <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169136820300937">the usual</a> hard igneous rocks that REEs are typically mined from.</p><p>For example, rare earth deposits can occur in cobalt and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-rocks-humans-earth-minerals-2017-7"><u>other minerals</u></a>, "and these substances have to be cracked, crushed, and ground before you can ever even begin the processing," Atkins told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thesheridanpress.com/news/local/coal-researchers-share-findings-at-ramaco-research-rodeo/article_6dd17f32-24af-11ee-b39b-3b2e322bcc04.html"><u>The Sheridan Press</u></a> earlier this year.</p><p>With unconventional deposits, "a different set of geologic criteria are needed to accumulate rare earths and critical minerals," Kelly Rose, a geo-data scientist with the US Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory, told Business Insider.</p><p>"The US has quite a large amount of these types of sedimentary basins," Rose said, including clay, shale, coal, and sandstones.</p><p>Ramaco said it could start operations this year, making it one of two REE mines currently operating in the country.</p><h2>Why rare earth elements are so valuable</h2><p>Neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium are just a few of the REEs found in Atkins'<strong> </strong>Brook Mine, according to a company press release.</p><p>"Rare earths are used in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rare-earth-minerals-found-in-japan-2018-4"><u>wide array of applications</u></a>, including specialty glass products, steelmaking, batteries," Patty Webber with the Wyoming State Geological Survey told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/open-spaces/2023-05-26/massive-rare-earth-discoveries-could-mean-a-new-mining-rush-in-the-mountain-west"><u>Wyoming Public Radio</u></a>. They're also used in lasers and other Defense Department weapons.</p><p>From 2018 to 2021, about 74% of REEs in the US were imported from China, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/chinas-rare-earths-dominance-focus-after-mineral-export-curbs-2023-07-05/">Reuters reported</a>. And those imports aren't cheap.</p><div type="image" title="Samples of rare earth minerals with four glass tubes holding powders in light yellow, tan, and white, labeled with their element name" height="1500" width="2392" msid="105133934" hostid="261"></div><p>In 2021, the US imported $160 million worth of rare-earth compounds and metals, per the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2022/mcs2022-rare-earths.pdf">US Geological Survey</a>.</p><p>That's why, the US government is pushing to mine for REEs at home instead of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rare-earth-metals-elements-what-they-are-2019-6"><u>relying on imports</u></a>. Early this year, the White House announced it plans to invest $32 million in domestic rare earth and other mineral projects.</p><h2>Discovering the motherload</h2><p>The National Energy Technology Laboratory wanted to create a model to predict where these unconventional rare and critical minerals are.</p><p>"No one has done this before," Rose said. Wyoming seemed like a good place to train the model because it has a younger and therefore less complicated history. "We wanted to start simpler," Rose said.</p><p>They started with US Geological Survey samples from the 1980s, but they needed more, Burt Thomas, a hydrologist with NETL said.</p><p>"You're not just looking at the coal itself, you're looking at the clays underneath the coal, and you're looking at the sediments that overly the coal," he said.</p><p>That's why they wanted to partner with a mine, to get a larger number of samples from deep within the earth.</p><div type="image" title="A river of water snakes through the brown landscape of the Powder River Basin in Wyoming" height="1282" width="2000" msid="105573527" hostid="261" sizebytes="240934"></div><p>After looking at some of the Brook Mine samples, Rose and Thomas realized the deposit appeared to have a lot more of the heavier rare elements than the lighter ones. Thomas called it an exciting finding.</p><p>"Separating out those lights is the goal," Thomas said. "If you start with a deposit that has less of those lanthunum and cerium, relative to the others, then your challenge is easier."</p><h2>What do critics say?</h2><p>Often, REEs are found mixed with other elements, including some radioactive ones. Separating and purifying them is intensive and creates waste that can be harmful to the environment.</p><p>The Brook Mine's unconventional deposits are supposed to make extraction less expensive and won't require the use of caustic acids, Atkins said.</p><p>However, the Powder River Basin Resource Council is concerned. It has been fighting Ramaco for<strong> </strong>years, back when the company still planned to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/life-working-in-coal-mines-in-america-photos-2019-10"><u>mine coal</u></a>. Residents worried how its presence might affect air and water quality, according to Wyoming Public Radio.</p><p>With plans for the mine shifting to REEs, the PRBRC seems to still have concerns, according to The Casper Star-Tribune.</p><p>"This is a company that's been looking for a way to make value out of something they bought many years ago, and they just haven't found the right way to make profit yet," Shannon Anderson, the PRBRC's attorney, told the paper. "And so here we go — here's another attempt."</p>

A mine in Wyoming could contain $37 billion worth of rare earth minerals necessary for wind turbines, electrical vehicles, and other tech

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Purdue University researchers say they've made a massive breakthrough in electric car charging. </li><li>Engineers funded by <keyword id="6355174" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ford" source="Orion">Ford</keyword> have invented a cable that can charge a vehicle in under five minutes. </li></ul><p><a href="https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2021/11/10/ford-and-purdue-charging-station.html">Ford</a> and Purdue University are working on a new cable that they say could help <keyword id="6358835" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="electric-cars" source="Orion">electric cars</keyword> charge up in about the amount of time it takes to fill up a gas tank.</p><p>The technology is still patent-pending and the prototype cord hasn't been tested with an electric vehicle yet. But <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2021/Q4/electric-vehicles-could-fully-recharge-in-under-5-minutes-with-new-charging-station-cable-design.html">Purdue's research</a> is a promising step toward making clean, battery-powered cars as convenient as ones that run on polluting fossil fuels. </p><p>As it stands now, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-charge-electric-car-tesla-2021-10">charging electric cars</a> can be a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ev-electric-car-ford-mustang-mach-e-road-trip-charging-2021-8">slow and painful process</a>. Charging times vary, but even the best cars under optimal conditions need to stay plugged in for around 30 minutes to slurp up enough electricity to take them from a low battery to nearly full. With a slower charger, it can take hours or days. </p><p>Understandably, this is too much to bear for some people accustomed to quick fill-ups in their gas-powered cars. But Purdue engineers funded by Ford say they've made a breakthrough that could slash charging times to five minutes or less. </p><p>They've done this by addressing one of the key challenges hindering charging speed: overheating. The faster current flows through a charging system, the hotter everything gets, from the battery to the charging cable. </p><p>Cooling things down can allow for higher currents and faster charging — and that's exactly what Purdue has done. Researchers developed a cable that uses liquid-and-vapor cooling to accommodate a current of over 2,400 amps, almost five times that of today's most advanced EV chargers. Tesla Superchargers, Purdue says, deliver up to 520 amps. </p><p>Only 1,400 amps are needed to bring charging times for large EVs down below five minutes, the researchers said.</p><p>But a cool charging cable is just one piece of the puzzle, and ultra-quick charging is still a ways away. For five-minute charging to become reality, we'll need charging stations that can deliver more power and cars that can accept it. </p>

A new type of charging cable could charge electric cars in 5 minutes — way less than Tesla's Superchargers

The $360 billion electric car battery market will determine the fate of electric vehicles

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The R1S is the second consumer vehicle from <keyword id="7067009" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rivian" source="Orion">Rivian</keyword>, a California electric-car startup. </li><li>The SUV cranks out 835 horsepower and hits 60 mph in three seconds, Rivian says. </li></ul><p>It's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rivian-lead-electric-vehicle-ev-revolution-startups-investor-lawsuits-executive-turnover">extraordinarily</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lucid-ev-battery-fire-arizona-fire-department-2022-7">difficult</a> to create a new car company from scratch. It's another feat entirely to land on the scene with vehicles that can convince buyers to give their hard-earned cash to an unproven upstart.</p><p>That's exactly what California-based electric-vehicle startup Rivian has accomplished — first with the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rivian-electric-ev-truck-pickup-coolest-features-r1t-2021-10">groundbreaking R1T pickup truck</a> launched in September, and now again with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rivian-r1s-electric-suv-photos-review-range-tesla-2022-7">the R1S</a>, a fantastic large SUV that should start making its way to reservation holders in August. </p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="1667" width="2500" msid="92903881" hostid="261"></div><p>If you're in the market for an electric vehicle that's an off-road explorer, a thrilling sports car, and a plush family-hauler all in one, the R1S deserves a spot at the top of your list. It's a multitool in vehicle form that's thoughtfully designed, stuffed with interesting features, and profoundly capable both on-road and off.</p><h2><strong>What is the <keyword id="12930692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rivian-r1s" source="Orion">Rivian R1S</keyword>?</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="1667" width="2500" msid="92903883" hostid="261"></div><p>Rivian specializes in rugged, high-end EVs for outdoorsy types, and the R1S is its second consumer model. It'll eventually <a href="https://rivian.com/r1s">start at $72,500</a> for a basic, dual-motor version. But the first model available — which I drove at an event the company hosted last month — has four motors and costs $90,000. </p><p>The R1S shares a lot with the company's R1T pickup, but ditches the truck bed for a third row of seats and cavernous cargo area. It fits seven people and goes up to <a href="https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&amp;id=44461">316 miles</a> when fully charged, the EPA says. That places it among the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-electric-cars-longest-range-lucid-tesla-ford-kia-hyundai-2022-7">longest-range electric cars</a> on the market. </p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="1667" width="2500" msid="92903887" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>What's it like to drive?</strong></h2><p>The notion that a bulky, 7,000-pound SUV can zip to 60 mph in a brisk three seconds sounds unbelievable. But that's exactly what Rivian says the quad-motor R1S can do thanks to its 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque. Nudge the accelerator and the SUV instantly surges forward with a silent swiftness that's completely at odds with its hulking size. </p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="1667" width="2500" msid="92903888" hostid="261"></div><p>Off the beaten path is where the R1S really shines. I took it out on a challenging trail with jagged rocks, water crossings, and incredibly steep grades, and the R1S crushed all obstacles with ease. A sophisticated all-wheel-drive system (with one motor driving each wheel independently) means the R1S rarely has trouble finding grip. All that torque comes in handy for muscling over big rocks. </p><p>And a handful of off-road drive modes that tune the suspension, throttle, and ride height for different types of terrain make hitting trails in the R1S idiot-proof.</p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="1774" width="2500" msid="92903889" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>What's the interior like?</strong></h2><p>Inside, the R1S feels spacious and high-end. Its price rivals SUVs from BMW, Audi, and Cadillac, so it's about comfort as much as it's about capability. </p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="2265" width="2500" msid="92903892" hostid="261"></div><p>The Launch-Edition models I drove had plush faux-leather seats and wood trim on the dash, doors, and elsewhere. Two panoramic sunroofs add to the sense of openness. </p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="1667" width="2500" msid="92905950" hostid="261" sizebytes="293320"></div><p>Moreover, the R1S's interior is functional and versatile. The third row is surprisingly usable for adults. You can fold down the second and third rows to create a flat-floored cargo area that can fit a twin bed. The cabin is packed with little storage cubbies and USB-C ports, so nobody's left needing a spot to charge their phone. </p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="1875" width="2500" msid="92905951" hostid="261" sizebytes="322306"></div><p>The SUV's sprawling, 15.6-inch touchscreen may be a turn-off for people who prefer physical buttons and knobs (like me). Almost every basic function in the vehicle runs through the screen, including the direction of the air vents, which can make it difficult to toggle settings while driving.</p><p>But I have to hand it to Rivian: Both the main display and digital gauge cluster are easy to use and stunning to look at. </p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="1667" width="2500" msid="92903894" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>It's all in the details</strong></h2><p>Rivian took the opportunity to dream up a vehicle from scratch and ran with it, choosing to reject unnecessary conventions and instead incorporate lots of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rivian-camp-kitchen-electric-ev-pickup-truck-r1t-2021-10">interesting features</a> that you won't find in every EV. </p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="1875" width="2500" msid="92903896" hostid="261"></div><p>A built-in flashlight slots into the driver door, where it's always charging. A wireless speaker/lantern combo slides out from under the center console for camping or tailgates. A nifty feature called Gear Guard surveils the area around the SUV using a bunch of cameras and records when it senses something fishy. </p><p>An integrated air compressor in some models lets owners inflate tires or air beds on the fly. A frunk adds extra cargo space. </p><div type="image" title="The Rivian R1S electric SUV." height="1667" width="2500" msid="92903897" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>Our impressions</strong></h2><p>A starting price north of $70,000 is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cheapest-electric-car-affordable-kia-ford-chevy-hyundai-nissan-2022-6">nothing to sneeze at</a>. But my short time with the SUV showed me it's the best of all worlds, offering outstanding daily practicality, off-road capability, and on-road performance. Its most direct rival in the EV space, the Tesla Model X, costs $121,000 and isn't suited to go off-road. </p><p>Clearly, I'm not the only one enamored with the R1S; the company is working through thousands of preorders and says new orders won't be fulfilled until late 2023. That brings me to its biggest flaw: It's so compelling that you can't buy one right now even if you tried. </p>

I drove Rivian's new R1S &mdash; it's like 3 dream cars wrapped up in one ultra-cool electric SUV

This modular EV vehicle platform can shift into endless types of vehicles from trucks to tiny delivery vehicles — see how it works

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Electric car charging stations have major reliability issues, a new study found. </li><li>More than 25% of charging stations in California's Bay Area were unusable, according to researchers.</li></ul><p>As the global auto industry spends billions to go green, the number of electric-car charging stations in the US is growing rapidly. But quantity isn't everything — and the quality of many of those stations is lacking. </p><p>A study of public electric-vehicle stations in California's Bay Area found that only 72.5% of chargers were operational. California has by far the <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/02/25/california-leads-the-nations-zev-market-surpassing-1-million-electric-vehicles-sold/#:~:text=Over%20the%20past%2010%20years,other%20zero%2Demission%20vehicle%20metrics%2C">most electric car owners</a> of any state and has been a leader in electric and hybrid vehicles for years. But its charging infrastructure shows major reliability issues, the study, first reported by the <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/California-electric-cars-17152513.php">San Francisco Chronicle</a>, found. </p><p>The <a href="https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/2203/2203.16372.pdf">survey</a> was conducted by David Rempel, a retired professor of bioengineering at the University of California Berkeley, and Cool the Earth, a nonprofit focused on cutting carbon emissions. Volunteers visited 181 public DC fast-charging stations and tested the 657 individual charging plugs. A connector was labeled functional if it successfully charged an EV for two minutes or if volunteers observed an electric car was already charging. </p><p>DC fast-chargers, sometimes called Level 3, are the most powerful <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-charge-electric-car-tesla-2021-10">type of charger</a> and offer the quickest charge. Tesla Supercharger locations were not included in the survey because they only serve Tesla cars. </p><p>A total of 22.7% of connectors were non-functioning due to problems including network connectivity issues, broken plugs, unresponsive screens, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-charge-an-electric-car-2022-3">payment system failures</a>. Around 5% of connectors had cables that were too short to reach an EV's charging port, rendering them unusable. </p><p>The findings mirror what Insider has experienced while testing EVs in the Northeast, where charging stations are plentiful but often broken or awaiting service. The study also contributes to a mounting body of research indicating that charging needs to become more convenient in order for mass adoption of battery-powered vehicles to occur.</p><p>A <a href="https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/EVSE%20Standards%20Technology%20Review%204Feb22.pdf">survey</a> of 1,290 electric-car drivers by a California government agency found that 44% of owners saw operability or payment issues as barriers to charging. </p><p>The situation could improve as <keyword id="6358835" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="electric-cars" source="Orion">electric cars</keyword> grow in popularity and funding flows into the charging space. The White House <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-electric-car-charging-stations-national-network-plan-tesla-2022-2">announced</a> in February it will provide $5 billion to help states shore up their charging infrastructure along major highways. </p><p><em>Are you an electric-car owner with a story to share about charging? Contact this reporter at tlevin@insider.com</em></p>

Electric-car charging stations are becoming more common, but there's still one huge problem: Tons of them don't work

<ul class="summary-list"><li>We drove the 2022 EV6, Kia's all-new electric SUV. </li><li>The EV drives great and charges quickly, but lacks the cargo space of some rivals. </li></ul><p>Not too long ago, the greenest cars were unsexy, uncool, and unfun. But those days are behind us. </p><p>Case in point: The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kia-ev6-electric-car-suv-review-gt-line-2022-4">2022 Kia EV6</a>, a small, fully electric SUV that turns the old paradigm on its head with eye-catching looks and an engaging driving experience. </p><p>I tested the model for a few days in April and came away with four key reasons to buy the car — and two ways it falls short.</p><p>The EV6 starts at $40,900. The GT-Line model Kia loaned us had a bigger battery, extra <keyword id="6358815" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tech" source="Orion">tech</keyword> features, and a snazzier interior, bringing its price to around $53,000. </p><h2>Pro: Super-fast charging</h2><div type="image" title="The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line." height="2232" width="3000" msid="91290674" hostid="261"></div><p>Range and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-charge-an-electric-car-2022-3">charging speed</a> are on every electric-car shopper's mind these days — and for good reason. Thousands of charging stations dot the country, but they're not quite common enough to assuage everyone's fear of running low on battery without a plug nearby. </p><p>Fortunately, the EV6 uses an 800-volt architecture and can use 350-kilowatt charging stations, the most powerful type available. In plain English, that means an EV6 showing a 10% charge takes just 18 minutes to hit 80%, Kia claims. In the longest-range EV6, which is rated for 310 miles, that translates to 217 miles of extra driving range. </p><p>Very few <keyword id="6358835" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="electric-cars" source="Orion">electric cars</keyword> at this price point can accept this kind of super-fast charging. </p><h2>Pro: A hoot to drive</h2><div type="image" title="The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line." height="2000" width="3000" msid="91290675" hostid="261"></div><p>Unlike typical crossover SUVs, the EV6 sits low to the ground and has sporty, precise steering that makes it a joy to chuck around corners. Likewise, its battery pack sits down low beneath the floor, dropping the car's center of gravity and aiding handling. </p><p>The rear-wheel-drive model we tested doesn't deliver the jolt of acceleration that some all-wheel-drive EVs provide, but it has enough power and torque to hustle away from a stoplight quickly. Bear in mind: the GT-Line RWD has 225 horsepower, a good bit more than the base model's 167. </p><h2>Pro: Tech and safety features galore</h2><div type="image" title="The 2022 Kia EV6." height="1667" width="2500" msid="91290676" hostid="261"></div><p>The EV6 is a tech powerhouse, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, a smattering of USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen as standard equipment. More expensive models get the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kia-ev6-electric-suv-battery-pack-cooking-2022-4">vehicle-to-load feature</a>, which lets you use an adapter to power devices that require a 110-volt household outlet. </p><p>The EV6 also comes standard with advanced safety features that don't even make it into every luxury car, such as lane keeping, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. Some models get a snazzy head-up display projected onto the windshield, blind-spot cameras, and a birds-eye view to help with parking. </p><h2>Pro: Striking looks</h2><div type="image" title="The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line." height="2000" width="3000" msid="91290677" hostid="261"></div><p>In my few days with the EV6, the little SUV-hatchback thing attracted stares everywhere it went. If you want something that people will gawk at, ask you about — or something that just makes you feel cool when you're driving it — the EV6 is a splendid choice. </p><h2>Con: Less cargo space than rivals</h2><div type="image" title="The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line." height="2250" width="3000" msid="91290678" hostid="261"></div><p>The EV6's interior has plenty of room for passengers, but comes up short in cargo space, which totals to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. That's quite a bit less than the Tesla Model Y (76.2 cubic feet), <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hyundai-ioniq-5-electric-suv-ev-review-price-range-photos-2022-4">Hyundai Ioniq 5</a> (59.3 cubic feet), <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/volkswagen-vw-id4-awd-affordable-electric-crossover-suv-review-2021-12">Volkswagen ID.4</a> (64.2 cubic feet), and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/driving-fords-mustang-mach-e-electric-suv-in-deep-snow-2022-3">Ford Mustang Mach-E</a> (59.7 cubic feet).</p><p>Unlike many electric models, the EV6 doesn't benefit from much of a front trunk. It has a little cubby under the hood, but it can't fit much more than your charging cables. </p><h2>Con: Suboptimal visibility </h2><div type="image" title="The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line." height="2267" width="3000" msid="91290679" hostid="261"></div><p>The EV6's high beltline, sloped roof, slim windows, and thick pillars mean that there's a lot obstructing rearward visibility. Fortunately, the hatchback's standard blind-spot monitoring and optional camera views can help out with tight lane changes.</p>

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