Cleantech News Roundup: New Chinese EVs, Social Cost Of Coal, Vertical Farming, Unlimited Range EV Highway

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In this edition of the cleantech news roundup, we have news about new hybrid and electric vehicles for China, a Tesla towing record, dropping battery prices, the death of diesel (sort of), the social cost of coal, the rise of vertical farming, road trip-ready EVs, 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

8 New plug-in hybrid and EV models available this March in China

In March, automakers listed 8 new hybrid and electric vehicles for car buyers in China.

Tesla Model 3 all wheel drive version an outstanding road trip ready EV

The recently announced Tesla model 3 long range all wheel drive version will be a compelling combination of road-trip-readiness and affordability, with likely the longest range of any EV, impressive energy efficiency even at highway cruising speeds, and reliable fast recharging speeds.

Death of Diesel: Volvo Says No to New Diesel S60

Volvo has been leading the way recently with a carbon neutral engine factory in Ghent, Belgium and a commitment to electrify its entire model range from 2019 on. So, Volvo is committed to doing good stuff- but it’s also going stop doing bad stuff. In that spirit, Volvo Cars have announced that they will not be offering a diesel version of their mainstream S60 sedan when that model gets redesigned next year. That’s huge!

Volvo Plans to Eliminate Single-use Plastics from its Activities

Volvo has a long-standing history of putting people and planet first. Full disclaimer here, then: I freakin’ love Volvo. I love that they gave away a billion-dollar idea for free, because they hoped it might save lives. I love that they invented the modern three-way catalytic converter and lambda sensor combination. That being “The most significant breakthrough ever made in the control of vehicle exhaust emissions,” according to Tom Quinn, former chairman of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). I also love what they did earlier this week, when Volvo Cars publicly committed to removing all single-use plastic items from its offices, events, and official functions.

Students Turn the Chevy Camaro Into a Eco-Happy Future Machine

The challenge to the students was to re-make the 2016 Camaros (donated by GM), to demonstrate new technologies. EcoCAR3 isn’t just about making a car greener. Judges looked at criteria from energy efficiency to performance to consumer appeal. That last one is important: The students had to re-imagine the Camaro in a way that was not just Earth-friendly but also consumer-friendly—something enthusiasts would still want to buy.

The US military released a study on warp drives and faster-than-light travel. Here’s what a theoretical physicist thinks of it.

Clean Energy

Washington Utilities Told To Factor Social Cost Of Coal Into Planning Decisions

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has issued a directive to three utility companies in the state telling them to include the social cost of coal in their future planning. Under the new guidelines, the cost of coal calculation will be $42 per metric ton by 2020 and rise to $60 per metric ton by 2040.

India Plans 20 Gigawatt Solar Tender To Circumvent WTO Domestic Content Restrictions

India is looking at ways to support domestic manufacturers of solar cells and modules as it aggressively increases installed capacity.

Solar Bids In India Decline After Duty Reprieve

Just weeks after the Indian government exempted import solar modules from custom duties, the impact of the decision was seen in the substantial fall in tariff bids.

Solar and wind are coming. And the power sector isn’t ready.

The rise in renewable energy will scramble the decision making of grid managers.

Clean Living

The Rise of Vertical Farming

Once upon a time it would be fair to say that just a set amount of countries in the world had the ability to develop crops all year-round. Now, the situation has turned on its head.

The Sustainable City: A Book Review & Exploration into Living Systems

Steven Cohen’s The Sustainable City is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the future of the built environment… or who is curious how to create an economic and resilient human habitat .. or who wants to focus on infrastructure that minimizes emissions of conventional air pollutants … or whose areas of interest are protecting biodiversity and enacting climate action goals.

5 Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid

These worrisome sunscreen chemicals provide potential risk to humans and are wreaking havoc on coral reefs.

Are These Baked Mushroom Sandals the Future of Fashion?

As sustainable fashion goes mainstream, multiple designers are turning to fungi for compostable attire

The first ever completely autonomous machine for the ecological and economical weeding of row crops, meadows and intercropping cultures.


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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.

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