Cleantech News Roundup: 2018 LEAF Safety, Elio Cryptocurrency, Electra Meccanica Solo Delivery, EU Pesticide Ban…

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In this edition of the cleantech news roundup, we have news about the 2018 LEAF safety score, Paul Elio’s new cryptocurrency, first delivery of an Electra Meccanica Solo, an electric Aston Martin Lagonda, death by chocolate, EU plastic recycling and pesticide ban, environmental conservatism, and more.

In today’s fast-paced internet media environment, you’re bound to miss a lot of news if you aren’t obsessively following cleantech and clean transport topics across a great number of sites. The good news is that in addition to the obsessive coverage we maintain here on CleanTechnica, the team at Important Media also publishes their work on a handful of our other sites as well, which is where you’ll find stories that don’t necessarily fit perfectly on CleanTechnica, but which are still relevant to the bigger picture of building a cleaner and healthier future for us all. And if you want even more cleantech news, join our LinkedIn group CleanTech Enthusiasts, and consider supporting us on Patreon.

Clean Transport

2018 Nissan LEAF Scores 5 Stars on Tougher Safety Test

From pestering Elon Musk to earning 5 stars on the tough new European NCAP safety tests, the new-for-2018 Nissan LEAF just keeps on giving you more reasons to love it. What’s more, the little EV scored a 93% rating for adult safety- second only to the ultra-safe 2018 Volvo XC60 (so far).

Electra Meccanica Delivers First Solo to US Buyer

Last week, Electra Meccanica took a major step forward in becoming a for-real car company by simply delivering a production car to an actual customer. It was the company’s first US delivery of the small but quick Solo electric three-wheeler. The delivery was handled personally by former IndyCar driver Dominic Dobson, who is EM’s Solo representative on the West Coast.

Internal Combustion Blues Vs EV Bliss

Whenever I am on the road, it seems quite bizarre that every one of the hundreds of vehicles I see, has a pipe poking out of the back, pumping out pollution, and CO2 constantly. Do people not think about where all of that is going?

Winnebago & Motiv Power Partnering On Electric Commercial Vehicle Platform

The US-based recreation vehicle manufacturer Winnebago Industries is partnering with Motiv Power Systems for the launch of a new electric commercial vehicle platform, and will be launching a model in relation to that new platform.

Aston Martin Confirms All-Electric Lagonda SUV

Aston Martin has big plans to take on Ferrari and establish itself as the global super car brand by taking on the Italians head-on, both on the road and on the track. Like everyone else, however, Aston must contend with the biggest industry disruptions of them all: Tesla and Elon Musk.

Celebrating 40 Years of the VW Jetta

Volkswagen will soon be celebrating a major milestone- the fortieth anniversary of the VW Jetta. Being the company’s most popular model in North America, the success or failure of the Jetta is (or, at least, was) the success or failure of VW.

Lexus “Fast as h” Ads Target Public Performance Perception

Lexus is launching a new ad campaign called “Fast as h”. The plan is to showcase Lexus’ hybrid vehicle lineup and its impressive performance numbers.

Hyundai Launches Redesigned Veloster in Austin

I have a bit of a soft spot for the Hyundai Veloster. With its asymmetrical doors and a bulldog stance that was evident from the very start, I feel like it’s hard not to love the little Veloster. “It won’t last,” I said, the first time I saw one up close. “It’s too weird and too cool- it can’t possibly be allowed to live.” But live it does, and live it will, because Hyundai just launched an all-new Veloster for 2019.

Toyota Research Institute Building Closed-Course Self-Driving Vehicle Test Facility In Michigan

A 60-acre site at Michigan Technical Resource Park (MITRP) in Ottawa Lake is now slated to be transformed by the Toyota Research Institute into a closed-course self-driving vehicle testing facility, following the filing of construction permits last week with relevant authorities.

Anheuser-Busch To Order “Up To” 800 Nikola Motor Company Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Electric Semi Trucks

Anheuser-Busch will be purchasing “up to” 800 of Nikola Motor Company’s hydrogen-fuel-cell range-extended electric semi trucks. Sort of. Maybe.

Should Musk’s Behavior Worry TSLA Investors?

Imagine you’ve invested your hard-earned savings into a company. It shouldn’t be too hard to imagine, as- I’m sure- many of you have, either directly or through your 401k. Next, imagine asking that company a perfectly reasonable and relevant question, and having the CEO of that company insinuate that you were a “boring bonehead.”

Volvo to Embed Android Apps into Next-Gen Infotainment

It seems that Volvo is taking its relationship with Android and Google even further in the coming months by incorporating Android Apps directly into its “front and center” Sensus infotainment system.

Paul Elio Set to Launch ElioCoin Crypto ICO

Elio Motors is that annoying inside joke that you just wish everyone would forget about, but they don’t. Elio himself appeared in Shreveport a few days ago to reiterate that he believes his crypto offering will make Elio Motors “cashflow positive.”

Elon Musk Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is — Kinda

Earlier this week Tesla CEO Elon Musk took some heat from industry investors and short-sellers for refusing to answer pointed questions about Tesla’s finding requirements going forward. Musk responded to questions about his behavior by warning people who are betting against the company on the stock market that they are about to get ‘burn’, then followed up those warning by investing a further $10 million of his own money back into TSLA shares.

Electric vehicles reduce stress for drivers, says new brain monitoring study

Electric vehicles already have several advantages over gas-powered cars. From no fuel cost to zero tailpipe emission, but now a new study might confirm another often overlooked advantage of EVs.

Check out our brand new 2018 EV charging station report, based on surveys of EV drivers, potential EV drivers, and EV charging station companies.

Clean Energy

SunPower Reports Topsy-Turvy First Quarter Earnings

Despite its recent acquisition of embattled solar manufacturer SolarWorld Americas, SunPower this week reported mixed results in its first quarter financial results, succeeding in narrowing its net loss and beating earnings expectations, but could not promise much in the way of strong guidance.

India, WTO Members Spar Over Safeguard Duties On Solar Cells

India has received objection from WTO members over another of its decisions regarding its solar power policy.

Invenergy Signs PPA With Georgia Power For 160 MWac Solar Project

Invenergy has signed a power purchase agreement with Georgia Power for electricity generated by the 160 MWac Camilla Solar project which is currently being developed.

India’s Largest Solar Cell Manufacturer Charts Aggressive Growth Plan

India’s largest solar cells and modules manufacturer, Mundra Solar PV, has announced plans to aggressively increase its production capacity over the next few years.

California will require solar panels on all new homes. That’s not necessarily a good thing.

More solar is not always and everywhere better.

Clean Earth

Pakistan Has Begun Installing Air Quality Monitors, Following Last Month’s High Court Ruling

Pakistan’s environmental protection agency has now begun installing air quality monitors throughout the country and begun better enforcing laws by warning various factories and brick kilns (and vehicle owners) about excess emissions, according to local reports.

Stop Eating Meat! What We Don’t Understand About Livestock Production Is Killing The Planet

Of all the ways you can help to combat climate change and environmental deterioration, reducing or even eliminating meat from your diet has the potential to be the most effective.

Pesticide Ban And Plastic Recycling Agreed To By European Commission

The European Commission voted last week to ban three common pesticides that are thought to contribute to the decline in the bee population — imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. Taken together, they are the most used pesticides in the world.

EU Member States Commit To 30% Emission Reductions By 2030

The European Union has this week formally adopted Member States’ annual greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2021 to 2030 which, though they differ by country, will deliver a 30% reduction in EU emissions on 2005 levels across a wide variety of industries.

Leading Insurer Allianz Ceases Insuring Coal Plants & Mines

One of the world’s largest insurers, Allianz, has announced it will immediately cease insuring single coal-fired power plants and coal mines and further plans to phase out all coal risks by 2040.

EU Emissions Rose 1.8% In 2017

Carbon dioxide emissions stemming from fossil fuel use in the European Union rose by around 1.8% in 2017 as compared to 2016, according to the most recent estimates from Eurostat.

We Have A Problem

The status quo is widespread environmental destruction. We have the solutions, but some people prefer the status quo. For now, they are getting their way. We have a problem.

May is American Wetlands Month: Learn about the Importance of these Vital Ecosystems

May is American Wetlands Month, a chance to recognize and celebrate the ways in which wetlands, and their inhabitants, enrich both the environment and human communities.

Oil & Gas Companies Barraged By Outcry To Prevent Drilling In The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Representatives from the Gwich’in Nation, national environmental groups, and institutional investors participated in a telephone press briefing on Monday, May 14, 2018. The briefing unveiled a new effort to defend the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from destructive oil and gas drilling.

Death By Chocolate

It was predictable that one day Adisa Azapagic, who studies the carbon footprint of various foods, would get around to chocolate. Little was known about the environmental impact of producing that guilt-and swoon-inducing pleasure, and for many, ignorance was bliss. “My husband wasn’t amused when I suggested he consider switching to dark chocolate,” which has a smaller carbon footprint than milk chocolate, she said. “He said it was a divorcing issue.”

Environmental Conservatism? Just Another Name For Capitalism First, Planet Last

Environmental conservatism is the newest euphemism for supporting market forces before acknowledging the planetary degradation the western world has caused.

It’s Bike To Work Week; here’s how to make it Bike To Work Year.

The problem with a Bike To Work Day or Week is that to enable people to bike to work you need infrastructure that works all year. Just like the car gets a lane and supposedly some storage at the office, there has to be support. Yet almost every Bike Commuting 101 and How to Bike To Work guide treats the person on a bike as if they are Amundsen on the way to the South Pole — carry everything you need from baby wipes to tire repair kits.

Smart Aquaponics Build:

1000 heads of lettuce per week! UFG teams up with Mozilla Gigabit fund to build a Smart Aquaponics system in UFG educational greenhouse behind the UFG makerspace east of downtown Kansas city. Utilizing our hyperfast google fiber internet connection allows us to fill the greenhouse with sensors and controls creating a huge educational opportunity for the kids of one very disadvantaged neighborhood as well as creating a smarter farm and a huge potential savings in utilities and wasted feed. This $23,000 grant project in itself has the current capacity of creating 1000 ripe heads each week. year round.


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Derek Markham

Derek lives in southwestern New Mexico and digs bicycles, simple living, fungi, organic gardening, sustainable lifestyle design, bouldering, and permaculture. He loves fresh roasted chiles, peanut butter on everything, and buckets of coffee.

Derek Markham has 542 posts and counting. See all posts by Derek Markham