Elon Musk sets expectations for Tesla’s AI6 deal with Samsung
Tesla’s Robotaxi platform is the primary focus for the automaker currently, and based on what has been outlined by the company as goals for the project, one firm is saying that the company’s valuation should “far exceed even current levels.” The Robotaxi is a self-driving ride-hailing service that Tesla plans to implement in current and future vehicle builds. CEO Elon Musk and other executives have said that “the vast majority of the Tesla fleet that we’ve made is capable of being a Robotaxi,” thanks to its development of Over-the-Air software updates that increase the capability of the vehicle with a simple download. Currently, the Robotaxi platform is only active in a portion of Austin, Texas, but Tesla is expanding to other markets, including California, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. California will be the next market to open its doors to the Tesla Robotaxi platform. But the name of the game is execution, and that’s what Tesla is aiming for in a timely fashion. If it can come through on all of its current goals, its valuation could explode, and one firm is holding steady on that narrative as Tesla continues to work toward expanding Robotaxi. On Tuesday, RBC Capital analysts bumped their price target on Tesla shares (NASDAQ: TSLA) to $325 from $319, primarily due to the Robotaxi expansion and its success: “Should Tesla be successful on all of its goals, its valuation could far exceed even current levels. The Austin Robotaxi launch has been better than many feared, and the company is looking to expand in more cities.” There are some risks to Tesla’s narrative, but they fall outside the scope of what the company can control. In relation to Robotaxi, regulatory hurdles remain. Some regions may be slower than others to give Tesla the proper licensing to operate in their jurisdiction. This could slow the pace of Robotaxi expansion, bringing some overhang to the story. Additionally, Tesla is fending off narratives of slowing demand, and the White House’s decision to revoke the $7,500 EV tax credit from consumers could temper sales past Q3. Nevertheless, Robotaxi is where Tesla’s true value seems to be focused. Successfully launching a driverless ride-sharing platform is where the company is putting all of its eggs, and revolutionizing passenger travel is where the focus lies. RBC Capital’s note continued: “Regulatory hurdles remain, however. Further, we expect the end of IRA credits and high levels of used EV inventory to pressure the auto business for the next several quarters.” The slight price target bump puts RBC Capital’s expectations near where the stock is trading, as it is currently priced at around $320 at 9:54 a.m. on the East Coast.
Battery Storage System In The Philippines Fast-Tracked
Last Updated on: 29th July 2025, 12:07 pm The push for a cleaner energy future in Asia and the Pacific just got a significant boost. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) have joined forces to launch ENABLE (Enhancing Access to Battery Energy Storage System for Low-carbon Economies). This innovative platform is designed to rapidly accelerate the adoption of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across the region, bringing together vital human and financial resources to make BESS projects a reality. The initiative is backed by a substantial grant, with $500,000 (Php 28.7 million) from the ADB’s Smart Energy Innovation Fund and an additional $250,000 (Php 14.35 million) from GEAPP. This combined funding will be administered by the ADB, setting the stage for a concentrated effort to overcome the hurdles currently slowing BESS deployment. Why Battery Storage Is Critical For Asia The Asia and Pacific region is experiencing an unprecedented surge in renewable energy, with an estimated 430 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity expected between 2023 and 2028. Solar installations alone are projected to account for two-thirds of this growth, largely from utility-scale projects. While this expansion is a triumph for clean energy, it also presents a challenge: how to maintain grid stability and optimize energy use when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. That’s where battery storage comes in. “ENABLE is designed to tackle the primary obstacles holding back BESS adoption,” explained Cindy Cisneros-Tiangco, ADB’s Director, Emerging Areas, Energy Sector Office. “By offering technical know-how, project development assistance, and creative financing options, we can help countries integrate more renewable energy into their grids. With energy demand soaring in the region, battery storage is a crucial technology for ensuring stable, reliable, and clean power systems.” Kitty Bu, Vice President, Southeast Asia at GEAPP, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the dual nature of rapid renewable growth. “It’s both a remarkable achievement and a significant challenge,” she noted. “Through ENABLE, GEAPP is helping to bridge the critical battery storage gap that could otherwise hinder the region’s clean energy potential.” GEAPP’s unique approach involves using philanthropic capital to mitigate risks, thereby encouraging greater private sector investment. This collaboration with ADB allows them to systematically address market barriers and make BESS an attractive and mainstream investment opportunity across the region. ENABLE To Drive Change ENABLE’s strategy is comprehensive, designed to accelerate the deployment of BESS across the region. This multi-faceted approach begins with technical assistance, offering expert guidance directly to countries and project developers. This ensures that stakeholders have the necessary knowledge and support to navigate the complexities of BESS implementation. Beyond just guidance, ENABLE will also focus on pilot project preparation. This involves actively helping to develop and launch initial BESS projects, turning conceptual plans into tangible demonstrations. These pilot projects are crucial for proving the viability of BESS in various contexts and for building confidence among potential investors and policymakers. Complementing these efforts are comprehensive capacity-building initiatives. These programs are designed to equip key energy sector stakeholders with the essential knowledge and skills required for the successful and sustainable integration of BESS into their energy grids. The platform will address common barriers such as a lack of technical understanding, high upfront costs, concerns about the impact on consumer prices, and limited access to affordable financing. Over an initial three-year period, ENABLE will prioritize Vietnam, Mongolia, and Cambodia, tailoring its approach to each country’s specific stage of BESS development. The long-term vision is to expand ENABLE’s reach to more countries across the region. Initial focus areas include studies for private-led grid-scale BESS integration, developing supportive policy frameworks and procurement guidelines, establishing technical standards, exploring the application of digital tools like artificial intelligence, and creating innovative business models for storage deployment. The Philippines’ Journey Towards Battery Storage In the Philippines, battery energy storage systems are still in their nascent stages. While policies like the inclusion of Integrated Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems (IRESS) in national auction programs have been put in place, actual deployment faces significant hurdles. High capital costs, a limited number of commercial-scale pilot projects, and grid readiness remain key constraints. Mylene Capongcol, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Energy, Philippines, emphasized the importance of BESS during the recent Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF). “To support this transition, we view BESS as a crucial enabler for managing renewable energy variability and strengthening overall grid stability,” she stated. The Asia Clean Energy Forum, held annually by the ADB, serves as a vital platform for stakeholders to discuss the latest trends, technologies, and policies in clean energy for the Asia and Pacific region. It brings together government officials, industry leaders, academics, and development partners to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and identify solutions for accelerating the clean energy transition. Discussions often revolve around innovative financing mechanisms, technological advancements, and policy reforms needed to scale up renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives. Assistant Secretary Capongcol’s comments at this forum underscored the Philippines’ commitment to making energy storage a cornerstone of its clean energy strategy. “Cost remains a significant challenge for IRESS projects,” Capongcol acknowledged, “but we remain confident in the long-term value of storage in achieving our energy targets.” She highlighted the country’s existing large-scale pumped hydro facility and a target of 1.1 GW for IRESS deployment through the Green Energy Auction Program, showcasing the Philippines’ dedication to integrating energy storage into its energy mix. By creating “bankable” projects and fostering an environment conducive to private investment, the landmark partnership between ADB and GEAPP through ENABLE aims to establish BESS as a fundamental element of the region’s sustainable energy future. It’s a collaborative effort, bringing together diverse stakeholders and innovative financing to create a replicable model for project development that will not only support a long-term clean energy transition but also generate significant economic benefits across Asia and the Pacific. Sign up for CleanTechnica's Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott's in-depth analyses and high level summaries, sign up for our daily newsletter, and follow us
Portugal to invest €400m in grid upgrades and BESS after blackout
The plan also includes the launch of an auction for large-scale BESS capacity by 2026, as well as €25 million in financial support to improve the resilience of critical infrastructure like hospitals, by equipping them with solar PV and BESS, for example. The blackout was due to three issues, for which the blame can be imparted on the country’s transmission system operator (TSO) Red Eléctrica, not renewable energy, as some have speculated. The grid possessed insufficient voltage control capacity, suffered unusual oscillations in voltage and frequency and experienced the improper disconnection of some power plants, as covered by our colleagues at PV Tech. Portugal has about 13MW of BESS capacity operational today and the goal is to reach 750MW, local reports said. A 5MW/20MWh project was taken into commercial operation by oil, gas and renewables firm Galp in April, deployed by now-in-administration system integrator Powin. Some 500MW of capacity across 43 projects will be supported via a €100 million scheme using EU Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) funding, a bloc-wide scheme. Winning projects were announced in January.
Tesla is expanding Semi charging infrastructure once again
Tesla’s Robotaxi platform is the primary focus for the automaker currently, and based on what has been outlined by the company as goals for the project, one firm is saying that the company’s valuation should “far exceed even current levels.” The Robotaxi is a self-driving ride-hailing service that Tesla plans to implement in current and future vehicle builds. CEO Elon Musk and other executives have said that “the vast majority of the Tesla fleet that we’ve made is capable of being a Robotaxi,” thanks to its development of Over-the-Air software updates that increase the capability of the vehicle with a simple download. Currently, the Robotaxi platform is only active in a portion of Austin, Texas, but Tesla is expanding to other markets, including California, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. California will be the next market to open its doors to the Tesla Robotaxi platform. But the name of the game is execution, and that’s what Tesla is aiming for in a timely fashion. If it can come through on all of its current goals, its valuation could explode, and one firm is holding steady on that narrative as Tesla continues to work toward expanding Robotaxi. On Tuesday, RBC Capital analysts bumped their price target on Tesla shares (NASDAQ: TSLA) to $325 from $319, primarily due to the Robotaxi expansion and its success: “Should Tesla be successful on all of its goals, its valuation could far exceed even current levels. The Austin Robotaxi launch has been better than many feared, and the company is looking to expand in more cities.” There are some risks to Tesla’s narrative, but they fall outside the scope of what the company can control. In relation to Robotaxi, regulatory hurdles remain. Some regions may be slower than others to give Tesla the proper licensing to operate in their jurisdiction. This could slow the pace of Robotaxi expansion, bringing some overhang to the story. Additionally, Tesla is fending off narratives of slowing demand, and the White House’s decision to revoke the $7,500 EV tax credit from consumers could temper sales past Q3. Nevertheless, Robotaxi is where Tesla’s true value seems to be focused. Successfully launching a driverless ride-sharing platform is where the company is putting all of its eggs, and revolutionizing passenger travel is where the focus lies. RBC Capital’s note continued: “Regulatory hurdles remain, however. Further, we expect the end of IRA credits and high levels of used EV inventory to pressure the auto business for the next several quarters.” The slight price target bump puts RBC Capital’s expectations near where the stock is trading, as it is currently priced at around $320 at 9:54 a.m. on the East Coast.
Large Fully Electric Tourist Ship Launched
Last Updated on: 29th July 2025, 01:51 am A large tourist ship that is 100% electric has been launched. In China, of course. The ship is powered by CATL batteries — a lot of them. The energy storage capacity of the batteries is a whopping 3,918 kWh. Those batteries could have been used to power dozens of electric cars, helping to show how much energy ships use. And that provides a range of just about 100 km (62 miles) on a full charge! Nonetheless, it is real, and it is a commercially viable electric ship. It also slashes emissions and nearly eliminates noise from the ship. Here are some more numbers on the big boat: 49 meters long 14.5 meters wide 358 passenger max 20 km/h max speed. This ship is named the Yujian 77 and was co-developed by CATL. Hopefully we will see this option grow rapidly, as we need to cut emissions from maritime industries just like we need to cut them elsewhere. “The Yujian 77 is expected to reduce fuel consumption by nearly 250 tons annually, with carbon dioxide emissions reduced by over 400 tons, equivalent to the carbon sequestration capacity of planting over 20,000 trees, according to CATL,” CnEVPost writes. “CATL is the world’s largest manufacturer of power batteries, with a global market share of 38.1 percent in January-May, according to data from South Korean market research firm SNE Research.” What’s next from CATL? Who knows, but it’s likely to set another milestone or break another record any day now. Sign up for CleanTechnica's Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott's in-depth analyses and high level summaries, sign up for our daily newsletter, and follow us on Google News! Advertisement Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here. Sign up for our daily newsletter for 15 new cleantech stories a day. Or sign up for our weekly one on top stories of the week if daily is too frequent. CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here. CleanTechnica's Comment Policy
Tesla is making LFP cells for energy storage in the US this year, opens diner
Tesla is making LFP cells for energy storage in the US this year, opens diner - Energy-Storage.News Skip to content
Elon Musk highlights Tesla Model Y’s most underrated feature
Tesla hinted that a smaller pickup truck could be on the way, but the company did not clarify whether it would be an abbreviated version of the Cybertruck, or a new design altogether. The Cybertruck is unlike any vehicle that has ever come before it. Some other vehicles, like the DeLorean, have had similar shapes, but no manufacturer or pickup brand has ever tried to build such an interesting and unorthodox truck, especially in the quantity Tesla builds them. Only available in North America and the United Arab Emirates (for order as of now, as deliveries are not expected until the end of this year), the Cybertruck has not made its way to areas like Europe or Asia, where Tesla has a sizeable presence. Much of this is due to the sheer size of the pickup, which would not be an ideal vehicle for many of the tight streets and various traffic conditions. Elon Musk hints at smaller Tesla Cybertruck version down the road Tesla already made the Cybertruck smaller before it started manufacturing it and delivering it to customers in October 2023. This was to help it fit inside the Boring Company tunnels, but it also seemed as if it just needed a slight scaling back for general public use. Tesla’s VP of Powertrain, Lars Moravy, spoke on Saturday at the X Takeover about a significant change in the Tesla lineup that has been discussed internally by the company, as questions relating to the Cybertruck’s size and its ability to be useful or practical in other markets continue to be questioned. He was asked, “Do you see a need for a smaller, more globally scalable version to serve broader, more urban or international segments of the pickup market?” He said: “We always talked about making a smaller pickup. I think in the future, as more and more of the Robotaxi comes into the world, we look at those options and we think about, ‘Okay, that kind of service is useful not just for people, but also for goods.” He continued by stating that Tesla has been working in its Design Studio, located in Hawthorne, California, with potential designs: “We’ve definitely been churning in the design studio about what we might do to serve that need, for sure.” The question and answer start at the 22:22 mark of the video below: It sounds as if the question is phrased as, “Will Tesla develop a smaller Cybertruck?” while Lars’s answer only specifies “pickup,” and not necessarily “a smaller Cybertruck.” It also seems that, if Tesla is doing as much work as it sounds like in the Design Studio, perhaps it is mulling a new pickup design altogether. The Cybertruck has been the best-selling electric pickup on many occasions from a quarterly perspective, and it was the best-selling EV pickup in 2024. Tesla has designed smaller pickups in the past, but they’ve never made it to market. An exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles showed internal drawings of pickup concepts that Tesla considered for its lineup.
What’s New with NIO in June 2025
NIO Inc. Delivered 24,925 Vehicles in June, Up 71.2% QoQ NIO delivered 24,925 vehicles in June 2025, representing an increase of 17.5% year-over-year. The deliveries consisted of 14,593 vehicles from NIO’s premium smart electric vehicle brand NIO, 6,400 vehicles from the family-oriented smart electric vehicle brand ONVO, and 3,932 vehicles from the small smart high-end electric car brand firefly. NIO delivered 72,056 vehicles in the second quarter of 2025, representing an increase of 71.2% quarter-over-quarter. In the first half of 2025, NIO Inc. delivered 114,150 vehicles in total, marking a YoY increase of 30.6%. To date, NIO Inc. has delivered a total of 785,714 vehicles, including 725,248 from NIO, 52,623 from ONVO, and 7,843 from firefly. 5 NIO Houses, 41 Power Swap Stations and Charging Stations Opened Globally in June In June, NIO opened 5 NIO Houses and deployed 41 Power Swap Stations and 69 charging stations globally. As of June 30, NIO had built 187 NIO Houses and 3,445 Power Swap Stations worldwide, with 989 Stations along the expressways in China. NIO had deployed 4,676 charging stations and 26,709 chargers, and connected to over 1,886,00+ third-party chargers. It has offered more than 78.36+ million times battery swaps to users in total. NIO had launched 78 Power Journeys routes in China and 2 routes in Europe. NIO Announced 2025 Q1 Financial Results On June 3, NIO announced its 2025 Q1 financial results. NIO Inc. delivered 42,094 units this quarter, representing a YoY increase of over 40%. Q1 revenue totaled 12.03 billion RMB, up more than 21% YoY. Vehicle gross margin stood at 10.2% in Q1. In Q2 2025, 72,000 to 75,000 vehicles are expected to be delivered, with projected revenue ranging from 19.51 billion yuan to 20.07 billion RMB. Joining Hands With General Distributors, NIO Continued to Expand Its European Presence In June, NIO announced that it would expand its presence in Europe between 2025 and 2026 through partnerships with national general distributors. In markets including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Denmark, five models from two brands will be introduced. The lineup includes the NIO EL6 (ES6 in China), EL8 (ES8 in China), ET5, ET5 Touring (ET5T in China), and firefly. In collaboration with general distributors, NIO will bring innovative, sustainable, and high-quality smart EV experiences to local users. NIO ET5/ET5T and EC6 Ranked First in J.D. Power Annual Studies In May and June, J.D. Power, a globally renowned research institution, released the 2025 China New Energy Vehicle Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (NEV-APEAL) Study and 2025 China New Energy Vehicle Initial Quality Study (NEV-IQS). Several models of NIO made the lists and claimed the top spots. NIO ET5/ET5T won the first place among mid-sized BEV sedans in the NEV-IQS. NIO EC6 won the first place in the premium BEV segment of the NEV-APEAL and NIO ES6 ranked second. NIO Showcases All Three Brands at Auto Chongqing 2025 On June 7, NIO brought its three brands, NIO, ONVO, and firefly, to Auto Chongqing 2025, highlighting its technological innovation and progress over the past decade. The lineup on display consisted of ten models: NIO’s Smart Electric Executive Flagship ET9, the New ES6, EC6, ET5, and ET5T, firefly’s namesake model, ONVO’s Smart Electric Mid-Size Family SUV L60 and the upcoming Smart Large-Space Flagship SUV L90. NIO’s Battery Swap Network Achieved Full Coverage of Counties in Chongqing On June 7, 2025, with the five new Power Swap Stations going live at the same time in Changshou District, Qijiang District, Hechuan District, Dazu District, and Wuxi County, NIO Power’s battery swap stations officially achieved coverage across all counties and districts in Chongqing. With 75 Power Swap Stations deployed across Chongqing, covering all 38 districts and counties, NIO Power has completed over one million battery swaps for users, making recharging as convenient as refueling. NIO Summer 2025 Officially Kicked Off Starting June 21, NIO Summer’s opening bazaar and carnival events have gradually rolled out across China, marking the official start of NIO Summer 2025. Under the theme of “Fun is On,” NIO has curated a vibrant series of events including community parties, themed test drives, special drink tours, and public welfare activities, inviting users to explore, enjoy, and grow throughout the summer. NIO and LEMMO Launched Carbon Fiber Folding E-Bike Together In June, NIO partnered with LEMMO, a smart mobility brand based in Berlin, Germany, to launch LEMMO Zero, the world’s first carbon fiber smart folding e-bike. Designed to be smooth to ride, fun to use, and easy to store, Lemmo Zero embodies originality and innovation. Supporting the “4+2 smart mobility,” it caters to the growing trend of cycling trips and promotes a freer, more flexible lifestyle on the move. News update from NIO. Sign up for CleanTechnica's Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott's in-depth analyses and high level summaries, sign up for our daily newsletter, and follow us on Google News! Advertisement Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here. Sign up for our daily newsletter for 15 new cleantech stories a day. Or sign up for our weekly one on top stories of the week if daily is too frequent. CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here. CleanTechnica's Comment Policy
Fluence, Invenergy partner on Arizona solar-plus-storage project
Fluence, Invenergy partner on Arizona solar-plus-storage project - Energy-Storage.News Skip to content
Tesla’s new affordable Model Y details teased in new sighting
Elon Musk has provided some details about Tesla’s AI6 production deal with South Korean tech giant Samsung. As per Musk, Samsung’s upcoming Texas fabrication facility will be dedicated to the production of Tesla’s AI6 chip. Musk’s update suggests that Tesla is already laying the groundwork for the ramp of its next-generation products like the Cybercab and Optimus. Samsung AI6 production reports On Sunday, Bloomberg News claimed that Samsung will be producing semiconductors for Tesla in a $16.5 billion deal. As per the report, Samsung is currently producing Tesla’s AI4 chip, and the deal will help the South Korean tech giant gain some ground back from competitors in the semiconductor market. Elon Musk confirmed the news on X, stating that the $16.5 billion is actually just the bare minimum. As per Musk, the deal with Samsung will likely be “much more than that.” And in a later comment, Musk clarified that the actual output of Samsung’s Tesla AI6 plant will “likely be several times higher” than what has been reported. Musk shared a critical detail that would likely allow Samsung to maximize its AI6 output. “Samsung agreed to allow Tesla to assist in maximizing manufacturing efficiency. This is a critical point, as I will walk the line personally to accelerate the pace of progress. And the fab is conveniently located not far from my house,” Musk wrote in his post. Elon Musk on AI5 and AI6 Tesla currently produces vehicles with its AI4 chip, which is produced by Samsung. As per the CEO, Tesla’s AI5 chip, which just finished its design, will be produced by TSMC. The AI5 chip will be produced initially in Taiwan, and then in Arizona, the CEO noted. Elon Musk’s comments about AI6 and Samsung’s output suggest that Tesla is really preparing to enter a stage in its growth that involves production at a scale that’s never been seen before. Tesla’s speed is quite notable, though it seems safe to assume that the actual rollout of AI6 will still be a few years away. In a few years, Tesla will probably be mass producing the Cybercab and Optimus, as well as more affordable vehicles that will likely see more adoption from mainstream customers. This means that Samsung’s AI6 ramp will likely be just in time to support Tesla’s outputs for its Optimus bots, its Cybercabs, and its mass market affordable cars.
Maximising Climate Bank — EIB Operations in Sustainable Transport
Last Updated on: 10th July 2025, 01:29 am T&E’s analysis of gaps and opportunities for the European Investment Bank’s transport lending. Back in 2021, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed to become the EU’s Climate Bank by adopting the Climate Bank Roadmap. This year, this Roadmap will be renewed for the period 2026–2030. Transport lending activities are at the heart of the EIB lending portfolio and therefore play a critical role for the clean transition. T&E assessed 254 EIB operations in the EU across eight strategic transport sectors from 2021 up to February 2025, worth €61 billion — nearly 20% of EIB lending in the EU. The EIB needs to do more to align transport lending with Climate Bank mandate Despite its “climate bank” promise, the EIB plowed €1 billion into biofuels — technologies that are neither scalable nor sustainable, and that risk diverting funds from genuinely green solutions. The EIB needs to ramp up support for the entire domestic cleantech value chain. From €3.9 billion for 17 batteries’ projects, €2.5 billion went into battery manufacturing. Much less has been flowing into components and materials where the EU remains exposed to dependencies. Roads too dominant: Since 2021, the EIB has spent €7.79 billion on EU road infrastructure, most of it on new roads. This is more than what the EIB invested in Europe’s domestic battery value chains (€3.88 bn) and alternative fuels (€2.36 bn) combined. Of €1.1 billion for port and airport projects, only two out of 11 ports included any renewable‐energy components — and the Bank even backed airport expansion in breach of its own Climate Bank Roadmap commitments. The EIB’s “Climate Action & Environmental Sustainability (CA&ES)” label stretches credibility when it flags motorway expansions through protected Natura 2000 sites — projects guaranteed to spike CO₂ emissions — as environmentally sustainable. Rail and urban mobility — the bright spots: On the flip side, the EIB funneled €23.6 billion into EU rail upgrades (making it the transport sector’s top beneficiary) and €13.3 billion into cleaner urban transport — providing a strong example of how public investment can boost the green transition. Cementing climate as a top priority for a clean European industry The EIB Climate Bank Roadmap for 2026–2030 should accelerate its transformation into the EU’s Climate Bank. This means full alignment with stringent net-zero pathways for its transport operations, as transport represents 29% of EU emissions in 2022. The EIB needs to make better use of its EU Climate Bank mandate and maximise the complementarity with private lending. It should take more risks and expand its use of de-risking instruments (guarantees, counter-guarantees). Currently, the EIB invests the majority of its resources into ‘low risk’ assets, including road infrastructure. Clean future oriented technologies such as batteries, synthetic fuels and their supply chains would benefit from EIB’s de-risking capacity as they lack access to conventional financing The future Climate Bank Roadmap should limit inefficient and environmentally harmful investments in new road infrastructure and biofuels. Instead, double down on renewable synthetic fuels to decarbonise aviation and shipping. Likewise, the EIB should focus on upgrading airports and ports for a net-zero future instead of supporting expansion. The EIB needs to fully align its operations with a European Green industrial strategy. Prioritising projects that use locally made components or materials is key to contributing to sustainable competitiveness in Europe. The EIB can do more to boost EU’s clean industrial transition — developing and scaling up the domestic battery value chain, e-fuels production and the road e-mobility, including charging. To find out more, download the analysis. News release from T&E. Sign up for CleanTechnica's Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott's in-depth analyses and high level summaries, sign up for our daily newsletter, and follow us on Google News! Advertisement Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here. Sign up for our daily newsletter for 15 new cleantech stories a day. Or sign up for our weekly one on top stories of the week if daily is too frequent. CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here. CleanTechnica's Comment Policy
Stor-Energy submits 10-hour BESS to Australia’s EPBC Act
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Tesla exec gives big update on Roadster, confirming recent rumor
A Tesla executive gave a big update on the long-awaited Roadster project, confirming some recent rumors about an X post from CEO Elon Musk. Musk said recently that he attended a meeting at Tesla’s Design Studio in Hawthorne, California, next to SpaceX headquarters. He added that there would be a “most epic demo” performed by the end of 2025, but did not give any details pertaining to what project it was related to. Tesla Roadster to fill the void left by canceled Model S Plaid Plus: Musk Last night, the X Takeover occurred in California, and Senior Vice President of Powertrain for Tesla, Lars Moravy, confirmed some big details about Musk’s post. Much of the Tesla community believed it was about the Roadster, and that was the first thing Moravy confirmed. He also said that Tesla is “gearing up for a super cool demo,” and that they showed Musk some of the tech the company has been working on that will be implemented into the Roadster. Moravy said: “Roadster is definitely in development. We did talk about it last Sunday night. We are gearing up for a super cool demo. It’s going to be mind-blowing; We showed Elon some cool demos last week of the tech we’ve been working on, and he got a little excited.” Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy on the new Tesla Roadster: “Roadster is definitely in development. We did talk about it last Sunday night. We are gearing up for a super cool demo. It’s going to be mind blowing; We showed Elon some cool demos last week of the tech… pic.twitter.com/EBB0c36xFA — Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) July 27, 2025 The Roadster has been in development for a very long time, and it has been delayed on many occasions. Tesla has stated that it will continue to add technology for a while, as COVID-19 has delayed some projects, and the company’s focus is on initiatives that will benefit humanity. Nevertheless, many people have been waiting for the vehicle for a very long time. Some won it through the company’s referral program, while others have put down a $50,000 deposit. Tesla has been hinting that it is adding some interesting tech to the Roadster, including the SpaceX package that will help it hover and reach 0-60 MPH in just 1.1 seconds. Tesla Roadster SpaceX Package’s 1.1-second 0-60 mph launch visualized in concept video It sounds as if this could be one of the few things that Tesla could show off at the demo Musk hyped up last week. The post Tesla exec gives big update on Roadster, confirming recent rumor appeared first on TESLARATI.
Collaboration Reveals How Light Unlocks Chemistry of Nickel Catalyst
Last Updated on: 11th July 2025, 12:17 am A team of scientists across several U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories has unraveled how light and a previously unknown form of certain nickel-based catalysts together unlock and preserve reactivity. This research, described in the journal Nature Communications, could potentially advance the use of abundant nickel in place of more expensive palladium in industrial chemistry. Max Kudisch works in the Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Photoconversion Processes Lab at NREL, where he performed experiments to investigate the role of light in activating the nickel pre-catalyst. Photo by Justin Johnson, NREL. The collaborative research effort was spearheaded by NREL and involved scientists from DOE’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory, among other institutions. Nickel catalysts have emerged as promising replacements for palladium catalysts in industrial-scale chemical reactions, as nickel is both more readily available and cheaper. Nickel has other advantages: its reactivity can be driven by light instead of the high heat required for palladium, resulting in milder overall reaction conditions, which expands the variety of reactions that can be done. Nickel catalysts can also facilitate reactions that are new and have not been demonstrated with palladium, but key questions regarding how these light-activated nickel catalysts operate have remained unanswered until now. The newly published paper explains how light activates the catalyst to enable it to join two fragments of simple molecules to make a more complex molecule. Along the way, the researchers discovered a new intermediate form of the nickel catalyst that keeps the catalyst from degrading. “Pharmaceuticals is the only area that has commercialized light-driven nickel catalysis so far, but nickel-based catalysts can also potentially replace palladium catalysts for a variety of other industrial processes, including in the agricultural industry and the manufacture of electronics,” said Max Kudisch, first author of the paper and a postdoctoral researcher at NREL. “There are some very large-volume chemicals that are produced there where these sorts of methods could be applicable.” The price difference between the two elements is vast. An ounce of nickel costs approximately 50 cents, while an ounce of palladium approaches $1,000. “Nickel has often been used in tandem with an iridium photosensitizer,” said Matthew Bird, a chemist at Brookhaven and a co-author of the paper. “But as we start to understand exactly how it works, we could then see ways of getting rid of the iridium, a rare element like palladium, and just having the nickel. That adds to the potential value.” The researchers experimented with nickel dihalides, compounds where nickel is bonded to two halide ions such as chloride, which are the predominant source of nickel used in these types of reactions. Exposure to light causes a bond between the nickel and chloride to break, which lowers the oxidation state of nickel and suddenly makes it reactive. But the freed chloride ion, now a chlorine “radical” due to the broken bond, does not sit idly by. In the reaction the team studied, they first hypothesized and then confirmed that it interacts with the solvent. This creates an activated form of the solvent that in turn can react with the activated nickel. That turns out to be a crucial and previously unknown step because it forms a stable nickel intermediate that prevents the activated nickel atoms from interacting directly with one another. “Controlling the amount of the nickel in the lower oxidation state in the reaction is essential to prevent the catalyst from getting deactivated,” Kudisch said. If the intermediate did not exist, the lower oxidation state form of nickel would build up and bind with itself, forming a nickel compound that can no longer catalyze the reaction. Instead, the solvent-bound intermediate can react further to complete the joining of molecules to achieve the desired chemistry. Justin D. Earley prepares nickel/iridium solutions for time-resolved X-ray absorption measurements at the Advanced Photon Source, beamline 11ID-D, at Argonne National Laboratory. Photo by Obadiah Reid, NREL. The researchers used a range of techniques to follow the chemistry step by step, showing how light drives the chemistry. One of these tools was the Laser Electron Accelerator Facility (LEAF) within Brookhaven Lab’s Chemistry Division, which combines very short pulses of electrons with various spectroscopic detection methods to produce and examine transient molecular and atomic species with high time resolution. “Pulse radiolysis lets us generate reactive intermediates to recreate a particular step in a proposed reaction mechanism to see if that step does or does not actually happen,” Bird said. Lakshmy Kannadi Valloli, a Brookhaven Lab postdoc working with Bird, used LEAF to generate the reactive “radical” form of the solvent. “Then we watched that radical react with the nickel and saw what species it made,” Kannadi Valloli said. The spectroscopic signature matched what Kudisch had seen when he shone light on the solution. This helped to confirm the hypothesis of how light activates the catalyst, and how the subsequent reactions generate the protective nickel intermediate. Scientists at SLAC further characterized the intermediate using powerful X-rays at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source (SSRL), a DOE Office of Science user facility, to understand its atomic-scale structure. “Max made it by shining light on it. We made it by pulse radiolysis. And then our colleagues at SLAC looked at it with X-rays,” Bird said. “With those techniques all combined, we know the exact molecular structure of this intermediate form of the nickel catalyst and the pathway through which it is formed,” Kudisch concluded. This mechanistic understanding could lead to new strategies to prevent catalyst degradation and control the amount of activated nickel catalyst present during the reaction to advance the use of light-driven nickel catalysts. In addition to the four national laboratories, researchers who contributed to the project are with Northeastern University and the University of Colorado Boulder. Other NREL personnel listed as co-authors are Justin Earley, Anna Zieleniewska, Rebecca Smaha, Garry Rumbles, and Obadiah Reid. The research was funded by DOE’s Bio-Inspired Light-Escalated Chemistry Energy Frontier Research Center via the DOE Office of Science. Article from NREL. By Wayne
Google partners with CO2 Battery long-duration energy storage startup Energy Dome
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Tesla’s little-known secret about its Diner might be the best feature of all
Tesla’s Supercharger Diner in Los Angeles has a little-known secret, and in all honesty, it might be the best part of the entire thing. Tesla opened its Supercharger Diner earlier in June, and in its first week of operation, it has done nothing but garner attention from fans, food critics, and general onlookers who are surprised to see the company gaining traction in the culinary space. Awesome look at the Tesla Supercharger Diner pic.twitter.com/l5bj1kpGlo — TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 16, 2025 However, there is a little-known secret about the Diner that many people have not shared, and it has to do with the staff and customers. Traditionally, restaurants in the United States do not pay their servers a normal wage. They are paid a lower hourly rate because they make most of their money through tips or gratuity. While it is sort of strange and has recently become a more controversial topic, tipping culture in the U.S. has garnered plenty of attention lately. Many people outside the U.S. have trouble grasping the idea of tipping servers, as many believe the restaurant should pay them a livable wage and stop relying on customers to keep the employees to a point where they can live reasonably well. In the U.S., people seem to be on board with one side or the other: tip them because the restaurant doesn’t pay them a wage, or “I’m not tipping them for doing their jobs.” Whichever side of the argument you’re on, I think it seems reasonable to want servers to make enough money to live comfortably and expect the restaurant to take care of that. Tesla has done just that for the staff at the Supercharger Diner, as it has been revealed that the company covers tipping. There is no option to tip the servers or wait staff; Tesla will do it for you. Best part about Tesla Diner. pic.twitter.com/cmzovkJKCu — Jeremy Judkins (@jeremyjudkins_) July 22, 2025 This is a great gesture by Tesla because more and more people every day seem to be against tipping in an effort to force restaurants to pay employees more money. While it seems like a good strategy at first, it only impacts the servers, while this decision does not impact the restaurant and its owners. Tesla is taking that risk out of the equation by providing gratuity to employees through its own means. The post Tesla’s little-known secret about its Diner might be the best feature of all appeared first on TESLARATI.
GM's Ultium Cells Venture To Save Electric Vehicles In US
US President Donald Trump has spent the first six months of his second term in office attempting to make electric cars not happen, but signs of life keep emerging. In the latest news, the Ultium Cells EV battery branch of General Motors has just announced plans to launch its low-cost LFP EV battery into the market by late 2027. Tax Credits Or Not, Here Come The Affordable Electric Vehicles Of The Future LFP stands for Lithium Iron Phosphate, a less expensive version of the conventional lithium-ion batteries commonly used in electric vehicles. LFP batteries have been late to the party because the initial iterations underperformed compared to their lithium-ion counterparts. However, the kinks have been ironed out in recent years, with both performance and cost factoring into the affordability equation (here and here are some recent developments). Ultium Cells sprang into life in 2019, when GM hooked up with the well known firm LG Energy Solution. Although GM dropped the “Ultium” branding in 2023, the company’s EV battery journey continued taking shape on through 2024, including steps needed to nail down a lithium supply chain (see more Ultium battery background here). Despite the anti-EV fervor gripping elected officials in Congress as well as the White House, the journey continues. Earlier today, Ultium Cells announced a new makeover for its existing battery cell factory in Spring Hill, Tennessee, aimed at scaling up LFP battery production for electric vehicles. “Conversion of battery cell lines at Spring Hill to produce LFP cells will begin later this year, with commercial production expected by late 2027,” Ultium explained in a press statement. Kurt Kelty, the former longtime Tesla battery chief hired by GM last year, also chipped in his two cents. “At GM, we’re innovating battery technology to deliver the best mix of range, performance, and affordability to our EV customers,” said Kelty, who holds down the position of VP of batteries, propulsion, and sustainability at GM. Who’s Afraid Of The Big, Beautiful Bill? “This upgrade at Spring Hill will enable us to scale production of lower-cost LFP cell technologies in the U.S., complementing our high-nickel and future lithium manganese rich solutions and further diversifying our growing EV portfolio,” Kelty affirmed indicating that GM is forging ahead with its electric vehicle lineup even though tax credits for new and used EVs will soon expire under the new tax bill (the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill”). Wonjoon Suh, executive VP and head of the Advanced Automotive Battery division at LG Energy Solution, also affirmed the company’s intent to satisfy the demands of electric vehicle buyers in the US. “We will bring our extensive experience and expertise in U.S. manufacturing to the joint venture facility, further accelerating our efforts to deliver new chemistries and form factors that effectively capture the unmet needs in the EV market,” Suh stated, with “unmet needs” apparently referring to drivers who seek affordability over battery range. “With LFP battery technology, GM is targeting significant battery pack cost savings compared to today’s high-nickel battery pack while increasing consumer EV choice,” Ultium emphasized. This Is Why Electric Vehicles Are Here To Stay Of course, loss of the tax credit is going take some steam out of the electric vehicle movement here in the US. Or, will it? As pointed out by CleanTechnica editor Zachary Shahan, the new tax bill will most likely spark a short term surge in demand for EVs, which could help stimulate the demand for a more favorable tax policy in the near future. That remains to be seen. However, loss of the tax credit may not be the deal-breaker that anti-EV lawmakers are hoping for. From the beginning, the up-front cost of owning an electric vehicle was a bridge too far for households on a budget, leaving the field to higher-income households. All else being equal, those upper-echelon households don’t necessarily need a tax break to keep buying electric vehicles. They just need a good reason to make the switch to electric mobility. If you’re thinking that a spike in the cost of gasoline is an effective motivator, that’s one key factor. Despite the higher up-front cost, the total cost of ownership (TCO) for electric vehicles is already competitive with gasmobiles, partly due to the cost of gasoline. Another important consideration is the unlocking of new markets in the higher income brackets. As recently reported by Electrical Contractor Magazine, new home builders are installing EV-supporting wiring hand over fist. New home buyers that may have been locked out of EV charging in their former situation can now walk into a more seamless environment for electric vehicles. Millions of renters and owners in multi-household buildings are also among those currently locked out of the opportunity to charge up at home. If even a small fraction of them had access to EV charging on the premises, that would make have a huge impact on the pace of electric vehicle sales, as surveys consistently show that the overwhelming majority of EV owners prefer to charge up at home. Innovative startups are beginning to uncork that bottleneck with new charging-as-a-service options that enable property-owning entities to obtain on-site EV chargers without up-front costs. The installer takes on all the headaches including ongoing operation and maintenance chores. Electric Vehicles Are Coming For Your Fleet The fleet electrification movement is another pressure point that can contribute momentum to the EV sales picture in the US. In one particularly interesting development in that area, Siemens has begun marketing a new accounting service that enables fleet managers to accurately reimburse employees who recharge their company cars at home, even if other electric vehicles use the same charger. In April, the analytics firm Trellis Group took stock of the impact of both tariffs and tax laws on the fleet electrification situation in the US. “Even amid today’s uncertain landscape — from shifting tariffs to evolving U.S. policy — many companies remain committed to their goals for electric vehicle adoption,” Trellis stated. “Despite higher acquisition costs, fleet owners are more
Estuary 400MWh solar-plus-storage project powers Vegas casinos
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