Nvidia reveals new AI supercomputer, technology to train robots
The world’s second most valuable company showed off a slew of new products Monday, Jan. 6, at the world’s preeminent technology trade show. Nvidia unveiled artificial intelligence (AI) that trains robots and cars, new ultrapowerful gaming chips and its first-ever desktop computer at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.
During the company’s highly anticipated keynote address, CEO Jensen Huang showed off its new Cosmos foundation models, which are capable of creating photorealistic videos to train robots and self-driving technology.
“It is trained on 20 million hours of video,” Huang said of Nvidia Cosmos. “The 20 million hours of video focuses on physical dynamic things. It’s really about teaching the AI, not about generating creative content, but teaching the AI to understand the physical world.”
Nvidia’s new Cosmos foundation models
Cosmos can generate video that obeys the laws of physics. Nvidia said this would make it much less expensive to train systems like self-driving models, which, today, require putting cars on the road to gather video.
Nvidia also unveiled its RTX 50 series of gaming chips that use its “Blackwell” AI technology. The new line of chips looks to provide video games with even more lifelike graphics. They will range in price from $549 to $1,999. The top-of-the-line Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) will be released at the end of January.
Huang pointed out that the lower-end GPUs, priced at $549, will have the power of the previous generation’s top-of-the-line 4090 chips, which retail for at least $1,599.
Backbone of the AI revolution
Nvidia’s GeForce GPUs have been the backbone of the AI revolution in recent years. The massive demand for the chips propelled Nvidia to compete with Apple for the top spot as the world’s most valuable company. Since the start of 2023, Nvidia’s stock price has surged more than 850%.
“We used GeForce to enable artificial intelligence, and now artificial intelligence is revolutionizing GeForce,” Huang said Monday.
Nvidia also announced its first-ever desktop computer called Project DIGITS. The computer isn’t a gaming machine but rather a workstation designed for computer programmers. The machine will use the same chips that power its enterprise data center processors. The machines will let developers test their AI systems more efficiently, essentially operating as an out-of-the-box supercomputer.
“This is an AI supercomputer,” Huang said of Project DIGITS. “It runs the entire Nvidia AI stack. All of Nvidia software runs on this.”
Meanwhile, Huang announced a partnership with Toyota to use the company’s Orin chips and automotive operating system to operate its driver assistance products. The company did not announce which vehicle models would feature its hardware.
Tesla fails to grow sales in 2024 for the first time in more than a decade
Tesla has been on a tear to close out 2024, but its annual sales are telling a different story. Tesla deliveries on the year declined for the first time since 2011, according to company data released Thursday, Jan. 2.
Tesla delivered about 1.79 million cars in 2024, down from about 1.81 million in 2023. That’s about a 1% drop in sales year over year for 2024, compared to a 38% growth in sales the year before.
The car company still set a record in the fourth quarter of 2024. Tesla delivered a record 495,570 vehicles in the final three months of the year while producing a record 459,445. Still, that fell short of expectations, causing the company to miss its chance at a slight sales growth for the year.
Tesla shares slid more than 6% by midday Thursday on the news.
Tesla is worth more than $1 trillion to start 2025, and its stock price surged about 63% in 2024, most of that coming since President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. Tesla became part of the Trump trade, with CEO Elon Musk’s close ties to the incoming administration.
Musk said in October he expects the company to see 20% to 30% growth in 2025, even as the EV market as a whole struggles with a slowdown.
As Trump’s team looks to end federal electric vehicle tax credits, Musk has said, “It will only help Tesla.” Legacy automakers are still selling EVs at a loss, while Tesla has a yearslong head start in the space. Getting rid of subsidies would likely force automakers already selling at a loss to drop EV prices even more to stay competitive.
After Trump’s victory, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation urged him to keep the $7,500 credit in place. The trade group, which represents major automakers excluding Tesla, said they are up against unfair competition from heavily subsidized EVs from China.
BYD isn’t just threatening U.S. automakers or the EV space. It’s accelerating in the race for total global auto group sales. Japan’s Toyota has the runaway lead, but BYD is pulling ahead of Japan’s Honda and Nissan.
In December, Honda and Nissan announced a proposed merger by 2026 to better compete with China. Together, they would be the world’s third-largest auto group.
‘It’s not going to explode’: Solid-state batteries could reduce EV fire risk
As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to proliferate, safety concerns regarding battery fires have remained a significant issue. A recent incident involving a Tesla semitruck battery fire, which shut down a major highway for 16 hours as first responders worked to extinguish the blaze, highlights the ongoing challenges in managing these hazardous situations.
However, a potential solution is emerging in the form of solid-state batteries, a technology that promises to enhance safety while improving the overall performance of EVs. Mullen Automotive, a company at the forefront of this innovation, is poised to introduce a solid-state polymer battery that could shake up the industry.
“You could take our solid-state polymer cell, submerge it in fresh water, salt water — nothing happens,” David Michery, chairman of Mullen Automotive, told Straight Arrow News. “It’s not going to explode. You could take a gun and shoot a bullet through it. It doesn’t do anything.”
Mullen Automotive has been developing the next generation of commercial electric vehicles, which will be available with their solid-state polymer batteries starting in 2025. These batteries are not only expected to reduce the risk of hazardous fires but also nearly double the range of Mullen’s EVs.
Solid-state batteries have been a long-awaited advancement in the EV industry due to their higher energy density, faster charge times and enhanced safety features. Experts have predicted that this technology won’t become mainstream until around 2030. However, Mullen aims to accelerate this timeline, with plans to have their battery design ready for use by the second half of 2025.
“We will have that pack fully certified by the U.S. government for inclusion and sale in our vehicles and other people’s vehicles by next year,” Michery confirmed. “That is three years ahead of Toyota, who said that they’re not going to have a solid-state solution for at least until 2027.”
Despite the promise of solid-state batteries, one major hurdle remains: cost. A study by PR Newswire found that solid-state batteries could be four to eight times more expensive to produce than current battery systems. However, Mullen claims that its development costs have been significantly lower than competitors’, potentially making their technology more accessible sooner than expected.
“A lot of people didn’t believe us when we came out three years ago and said, ‘Hey we’re developing solid-state technology,’” Michery said. “And the argument was why is Mullen, a small company, able to do it when a big, gigantic company with hundreds of billions of dollars can’t? Money doesn’t necessarily mean you can develop something. A lot of it has to do with what you have between your ears.”
Looking ahead, Mullen has expressed an openness to collaborating with other automakers to make their solid-state batteries compatible with a range of EVs from different brands. The company anticipates widespread demand for this safer, more efficient alternative to traditional batteries.
“The customers will be anyone who wants a much denser, more reliable and cost-effective alternative to traditional, dangerous batteries,” Michery said.
Toyota selling 4Runner SUV with hybrid engine for first time
Toyota is revamping its 4Runner SUV in nearly 15 years and introducing a hybrid engine option for the first time. The 2025 model’s hybrid option reflects the growing popularity of hybrids, with their market share nearly doubling to almost 10% at the end of 2023, according to Edmunds.com.
Toyota announced last week that U.S. auto sales surged 20% in the first quarter of 2024, with sales of electrified vehicles, including hybrids and EVs, jumping about 74%. The automaker has sold over 3 million 4Runners over the SUV’s 40-year history.
“This all-new 4Runner has incredible versatility and capability that nicely rounds out our truck family,” Dave Christ, Toyota group vice president and general manager, said in a release. “This sixth-generation model offers a cool new look and incredible features, yet retains the rugged style and capability our customers love about this icon of adventure.”
The 2025 4Runner will be built in Toyota Motor Corporation’s Tahara plant in Japan and will arrive in the U.S. in the fall of 2024.
“Designing the legendary 4Runner began with identifying its unique and memorable aspects linked to fun, outdoor recreation,” says Calty President, Kevin Hunter. “Inspired by Baja desert racing, the high lift, lean body, big tire, rugged athleticism defines the core of 4Runner’s go anywhere purpose”.
Pricing for the 2025 Four-Runner will be revealed closer to its market launch later this year. Starting prices for the 2024 model range from about $41,000 to more than $55,000.
Arizona Supreme Court rules 1864 near-total abortion ban can be enforced
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled a Civil War-era law banning nearly all abortions can be enforced. Toyota announced a major change to its 4Runner SUV. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
Arizona Supreme Court rules near-total abortion ban is enforceable
The ruling subjects doctors or anyone assisting in an abortion to two to five years in prison, with additional sanctions possible for abortions performed after 15 weeks. Notably, the law lacks exceptions for rape or incest.
The Arizona Supreme Court has delayed the decision’s implementation for 14 days to allow a lower court to address “additional constitutional challenges.”
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, including Arizona’s Attorney General Kris Mayes, who vowed not to enforce the law, and President Joe Biden, who labeled the ban “cruel.” Vice President Kamala Harris plans to visit Arizona on Friday, April 12. Following the ruling, a spokesperson for former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 election, reiterated Trump’s stance that abortion decisions should be left to the states.
Brian Dorsey, dubbed a “model inmate” by prison staff, was Missouri’s first execution this year, despite the Supreme Court rejecting his appeals. Concerns about Dorsey’s health potentially complicating the execution led to a settlement to mitigate severe pain, though specifics weren’t disclosed.
Around 85 protesters rallied outside the prison in support of Dorsey. A Missouri Department of Corrections spokesperson confirmed the execution proceeded smoothly without the need for a cutdown procedure.
Biden calls Netanyahu’s approach to war in Gaza a ‘mistake’
Biden described the attack on humanitarian vehicles as “outrageous” and advocated for a ceasefire to allow unhindered access to food and medicine for Gaza residents. Biden has previously described Israel’s actions as “over the top” and hinted at a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Israel if Israel does not minimize civilian harm in Gaza.
Following an internal review of the strike that killed aid workers, Israel acknowledged serious military errors, leading to the dismissal of two senior officers. World Central Kitchen has demanded an independent investigation into the incident.
Biden, Kishida hold summit to boost cross country alliance
Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are expected to announce an expanded defense and intelligence partnership this week, marking a significant step in military cooperation between the two nations.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Japanese counterpart will detail the enhanced alliance in the upcoming months, with Japan anticipated to play a larger role in military and defense manufacturing.
The plan includes modernizing military bases in Japan for improved collaborative operations. Currently, Japan hosts about 50,000 U.S. troops, with the Japanese Self Defense Force moving toward a unified command for its services by March 2025.
Toyota selling 4Runner SUV with hybrid engine for first time
Toyota is revamping its 4Runner SUV for the first time in nearly 15 years and introducing a hybrid engine option for the first time ever. The 2025 model’s hybrid option reflects the growing popularity of hybrids, with their market share nearly doubling to almost 10% at the end of 2023, according to Edmunds.com.
Toyota’s U.S. auto sales surged 20% in the first quarter, with sales of electrified vehicles, including hybrids and EVs, jumping about 74%. The automaker has sold over 3 million 4Runners over the SUV’s 40-year history. Pricing for the 2025 4Runner will be revealed closer to its market launch later this year.
“This all-new 4Runner has incredible versatility and capability that nicely rounds out our truck family,” Dave Christ, Toyota group vice president and general manager, said in a release.
Starting prices for the 2024 model range from about $41,000 to more than $55,000.
As the college basketball season concludes, so does the career of a sports legend. Stanford’s head coach Tara VanDerveer is retiring after 45 years, including 38 at the helm of Stanford. VanDerveer, the NCAA’s all-time winningest basketball coach, boasts 1,216 victories.
Her illustrious tenure at Stanford includes three national championships and 14 Final Four appearances. VanDerveer’s retirement follows a historic women’s tournament, with the championship game attracting more viewers than the men’s title game for the first time, averaging 18.9 million viewers.
America’s 4 largest automakers forego Super Bowl ads for first time in decades
For the first time in 23 years, America’s four largest automakers are all skipping out on Super Bowl ads. There will be no promos featuring Ford, Toyota, General Motors or Chrysler during commercial breaks of the big game.
The move is a sharp turn from just a few years ago when a large chunk of commercials were bought up by automakers to promote electric vehicles (EVs). There are several reasons why people will be seeing fewer commercials like those this year.
Super Bowl commercial spots don’t come cheap. A 30-second slot is said to run about $7 million dollars, according to AdAge’s archive.
Super Bowl LVIII comes on the heels of the Big Three automakers suffering billions of dollars in losses from the United Autoworkers Union’s six-week strike last year for higher wages.
Auto companies are scrambling to cut costs, figuring out the future of their industry and whether an investment in EVs will eventually pay off. Right now, the transition is coming at a cost.
There have been high interest rates paired with slow consumer demand. Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, Chrysler’s parent company, said the current challenges the market faces are the reason why the company won’t be creating clever ads for this year’s Super Bowl.
On Friday, Jan. 19, Tavares warned of an EV bloodbath if automakers are forced to slash prices because of the stagnant market.
“If you go and cut pricing disregarding the reality of your costs, you will have a bloodbath,” Tavares said at an Amsterdam event. “I am trying to avoid a race to the bottom.”
Looking at the auto industry, Tesla’s profitability took a 40% hit year-over-year after lowering prices to increase demand. Ford is slowing EV production and boosting gas vehicle output after admitting its EV line is losing billions of dollars.
GM had to stop selling its latest EV model due to software issues, laid off 1,300 workers in Michigan and is cutting EV production. Stellantis has also taken the route of layoffs to save costs and is closing factories.
While Ford, Toyota, GM and Chrysler decided to save and skip out on Super Bowl ad spending, there will still be other competing car companies featured in this year’s commercials. Foreign-owned companies like Kia and Volkswagen are set to display their latest EV models during Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11.
US strikes back at Iran-linked groups in Syria after troops attacked: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 27, 2023
The United States carries out airstrikes on Iranian-backed groups in Syria after attacks on U.S. troops. And a new Democratic candidate steps forward to challenge President Biden in 2024. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.
US strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Syria after troops attacked
The United States has carried out airstrikes in Eastern Syria on two facilities associated with Iranian-backed militant groups believed to be responsible for 19 rocket and drone attacks over the past week against U.S. personnel.
According to the Pentagon, the U.S. airstrikes in Syria were at President Biden’s direction, with two U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets striking two facilities, a weapon storage area and an ammunition storage area, used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups.
“These precision self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on Oct. 17,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement Thursday night, Oct. 26.
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Austin added that these Iranian-backed attacks on U.S. forces are “unacceptable and must stop.”
U.S. officials said America’s response in Syria was not related to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. They were about protecting U.S. troops.
The U.S. military has deployed two aircraft carriers to the Middle East to show its support for Israel and to deter Iran or the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon from getting involved in the conflict.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting earlier this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about the U.S. not wanting the war to spread while letting Iran know it will defend itself.
“The United States does not seek conflict with Iran. We do not want this war to widen,” Blinken said. “But if Iran or its proxies attack U.S. personnel anywhere, make no mistake: we will defend our people, we will defend our security, swiftly and decisively.”
The Pentagon said all U.S. troops injured in the attacks by the Iranian-backed groups have returned to duty. There are approximately 900 U.S. troops stationed in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq.
Chinese fighter jet nearly collides with us B-52 bomber
The U.S. released a video of the near-collision on social media on Thursday, Oct. 26.
U.S. officials said the Chinese pilot “flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner” and “demonstrated poor airmanship” as he flew his J-11 jet within 10 feet of the B-52 bomber, which was conducting routine nighttime operations.
The Pentagon said the Chinese fighter jet’s intercept “violated international air safety rules.”
News of this latest incident comes as President Biden is expected to meet with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi at the White House Friday, Oct. 27.
Manhunt continues for Maine mass shooting suspect
The search continues this morning for the suspect in a mass shooting in Maine that killed 18 people and injured 13 others.
The multistate manhunt is underway for Robert Card, 40, accused of opening fire at a bar and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
THREAD: In response to the tragedy in Lewiston, Maine, Troopers from the New Hampshire State Police have responded to assist our law enforcement partners.
➡️The SWAT team is assisting the Maine State Police SWAT team with ground searches throughout the area. pic.twitter.com/vmE5jv5Mjf
Residents of Lewiston and surrounding towns are being told to shelter in place.
Card is a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army Reserve and is considered to be armed and dangerous.
Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips announces bid for White House
A new candidate has entered the 2024 presidential election race and is challenging President Biden for the Democratic nomination. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., announced his White House bid in an interview with CBS on Thursday, Oct. 26.
BREAKING: Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) is running for president, challenging Pres. Biden in the Democratic primary race.
Phillips has been a loud critic of Biden’s re-election efforts, calling on other, younger Democrats to step up to run against and replace the 80-year-old president.
“My real call to action right now is not about me. The call to action is to ask the president to pass the torch,” Phillips said in a “Meet the Press” interview in August 2023.
Earlier this month, Phillips stepped down from his leadership role as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Caucus after unsuccessfully calling on younger Democrats to challenge Biden for the Democratic nomination.
According to a recent CNN poll, two-thirds of Democrats agree with Phillips, wanting the party to choose another candidate besides Biden, with nearly half citing Biden’s age as the main concern.
Though the White House has not commented on Phillips’ announcement, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to reports of Phillips joining the race by saying the administration appreciates the congressman’s “almost 100% support of the president.”
Toyota recalls more than 750,000 vehicles over bumpers
According to the automaker, the recall covers certain Toyota Highlanders from 2020 to 2023, including gas-electric hybrid models.
According to Toyota, the vehicles have front lower bumper covers connected with mounting tabs that could detach on even minor impacts, causing parts of the assembly to fall into the road and creating hazardous conditions for drivers.
Dealers will inspect the bumper cover tabs for damage and install new hardware. Toyota said it will contact all owners affected by the recall by December 2023.
The track, titled “Now and Then,” was written and sung by John Lennon in the 70s, with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison working on the song again in the 90s.
But because of technological issues on the recorded track, where Lennon’s voice could not be separated from a piano, it was shelved for decades. The song needed help. Fast forward down the long and winding road to last year when director Peter Jackson and his team would not let it be, using artificial intelligence to hear Lennon’s clear vocals.
“In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s quite an exciting thing,” McCartney said in a press release.
“Now and Then” will be released across the universe on Nov. 2. A 12-minute documentary film will premiere the day before on The Beatles’ YouTube channel, where fans will come together to watch.
Toyota to resume operations at all Japan plants after system failure
Following a system failure that forced Toyota to suspend production at all of its 14 Japan assembly plants, the company announced operations would resume Wednesday, Aug. 30. Twelve of the plants will get back to work Wednesday morning, with the other two resuming production in the afternoon.
In a statement, Toyota described the system failure affecting its Japan plants as “a malfunction in the production order system” that happened Monday, Aug. 28.
“It is our understanding that the malfunction of the system was not caused by a cyberattack. However, we will continue to investigate the cause,” the company said. “We would like to apologize once again to our customers, suppliers, and related parties for any inconvenience caused by the suspension of operations.”
According to analysts, Toyota could be tested in making up for output lost during the outage.
“Output was running at full capacity so there’s little additional room for production,” Seiji Sugiura, an analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute, told Reuters.
Toyota’s Japanese plants account for about a third of the automaker’s global production, according to Reuters calculations. Plants in Japan produced an average of 13,500 cars per day in the first half of 2023.
Domestic production had been on the rebound for Toyota after a series of output cuts the company blamed on semiconductor shortages. Output was up 29% in the first half of the year, the first such increase in two years.
While the cause of system failure was unclear, corporate Japan has been on alert in recent days as businesses and government offices reported harassing phone calls. The government said the calls were likely from China, related to Japan’s release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.
Idalia, now a hurricane, nears Florida: The Morning Rundown Aug. 29, 2023
Idalia has strengthened to a hurricane on its way toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, and Toyota has stopped all production at its plants in Japan. These stories highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.
Idalia expected to hit Florida as Category 3 hurricane
Less than 24 hours away from projected landfall in Florida, Idalia has strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane. The storm is expected to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane, with winds topping 100 mph.
President Joe Biden spoke with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on Monday, Aug. 28. A federal emergency disaster has already been declared in the state in order to expedite federal resources.
Warmer-than-average water in the Gulf of Mexico has grown the size of the storm. It’s expected to hit Florida early on Wednesday, Aug. 30 and impact a wide central portion of Florida. This includes major cities like Tampa and Orlando.
As Idalia approaches Florida, Hurricane Franklin is at Category 4 strength over the Atlantic. It’s projected to miss the southeastern coast of the United States.
Trial date set for March 4 in Trump federal election case
1 dead in shooting at University of North Carolina
A shooter opened fire on the campus of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill on Monday, Aug. 28, killing one faculty member and causing the school to go into lockdown for hours. Police said the shots were fired inside the school’s chemistry building around 1:00 p.m.
Sirens sounded, and students and staff were told to remain inside. Arriving officers found the faculty member, who has not been identified, inside a school lab.
“I’m grieved to report that one of our faculty members was killed in this shooting,” UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, who also released a statement, said Monday. “This loss is devastating and the shooting damages the trust and safety we so often take for granted in our campus community.”
Police said witness information helped officers track down the suspected shooter. According to local reports, the suspect was arrested a short time later in a residential neighborhood near campus.
The name of the suspect has not been released. A motive for the shooting is under investigation.
Toyota plants in Japan shut down due to computer problems
All 28 assembly lines at Toyota’s 14 plants in Japan had to shut down due to a production system malfunction. The company said the problem was with its computer system that deals with incoming auto parts.
A spokesperson for the automaker said they do not suspect it to be a cyberattack. According to Reuters, the Japanese plants account for roughly 33% of Toyota’s global production.
It’s not clear when production will resume. The shutdown comes as Toyota rebounds from a semiconductor shortage that stalled production.
American Airlines fined after passengers stuck on tarmac
The U.S. Department of Transportation said it is fining American Airlines $4.1 million for unlawfully keeping passengers stuck inside planes on the tarmac for lengthy periods of time. It’s the heftiest fine the government agency has ever handed down over tarmac delay violations.
Airlines are prohibited from keeping passengers on the tarmac for more than three hours. American Airlines violated that rule 43 times between 2018 and 2021, including one delay on the tarmac in San Antonio that lasted six hours.
The airline released a statement saying the 43 incidents represent a small number of the nearly 8 million flights taken during that time period.
In July of 2023, it was a Delta Air Lines plane that passengers were on when their flight was delayed for hours. Some passengers reportedly passed out due to hot and uncomfortable conditions while stuck on the tarmac.
NASA exploring idea of Mach 4 passenger jet
NASA has begun investigating the possibility of a passenger plane traveling four times faster than the speed of sound, or around 3,045 miles per hour. The agency said it is studying about 50 established commercial air routes.
Since the U.S. and other nations have banned all civilian supersonic flights over land 50 years ago, NASA’s study only covered trans-oceanic travel. The agency has issued two year-long contracts to companies like Boeing to develop concept designs to make supersonic air travel a reality.
How does the environmental impact of an EV compare to a gas vehicle?
The Biden administration’s push to get more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road as a means to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve long-term environmental benefits has received billions of dollars in funding. However, while EVs emit less carbon during their operational phase, their production process can be significantly carbon-intensive, as highlighted in a recent MIT study on the carbon footprint of electric cars compared to gas-powered vehicles.
“Producing electric vehicles leads to significantly more emissions than producing petrol cars. Depending on the country of production, that’s between 30% to 40% extra in production emissions, which is mostly from the battery production,” said Florian Knobloch, a fellow at the Cambridge Centre for Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Governance.
Over the lifespan of a vehicle, typically around 200,000 miles, the carbon emissions from an electric option will be 52% lower than those from a gas-powered vehicle. Although, if the goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as indicated by the White House, additional efforts are required to accelerate progress. A working group of 17 government agencies, chaired by presidential climate advisors to lead the Net-Zero Game Changers Initiative, has said that “success will require nearly complete transformation of today’s energy system” and that it will require “unprecedented effort, scale and creativity.”
As the energy grid becomes greener, with an increasing share of renewable sources such as solar and hydro power, the carbon reduction benefits of EVs are expected to grow further. Studies project that electric cars will generate over 75% fewer emissions per mile than their gas-powered counterparts as countries adopt cleaner energy alternatives.
“Currently, the electric vehicle in the U.S., on average, would emit about 200 grams of CO2 per mile,” Sergey Paltsev, a senior research scientist at the MIT Energy Initiative, said. “We are projecting that with cleaning up the grid, we can reduce emissions from electric vehicles by 75%, from about 200 (grams) today to about 50 grams of CO2 per mile in 2050.”
Nevertheless, challenges remain regarding the lifecycle of EV batteries. While driving an EV brings savings in emissions and fuel costs, the beginning and end of a car battery’s life present complex problems that have yet to be fully resolved. Recycling technologies for batteries are being developed globally, but profitability remains elusive, and many methods are energy-intensive.
The accumulation of dead car batteries necessitates recycling to prevent toxic materials from seeping into the environment at waste sites, as well as to reduce the costs associated with their initial production.
Extracting the materials for batteries, such as cobalt, also raises concerns beyond pollution, including human rights abuses, toxic waste and water depletion. The Democratic Republic of the Congo alone reportedly employs around 40,000 children in dangerous conditions to extract cobalt, a crucial component of battery cells. Similar violations have been found in mineral supply chains worldwide, with major car manufacturers like Toyota, General Motors and Tesla, among others, relying on these resources.
“The boom in electric vehicles sales should be an opportunity to pull Congo’s people out of poverty but the desperate accounts from workers at Congo’s cobalt mines tell a different story,” said Josué Kashal of CAJJ, a Congolese legal aid centre specializing in labor rights. “The switch to clean energy must be a just transition, not one built on the backs of exploited Congolese workers.”
Efforts to address these challenges are underway, with the European Union leading the charge. The EU has introduced legislation that, if globally adopted, could reduce annual demand for raw materials by over a quarter within the next 30 years through recycling. The proposed measures include increased transparency from EV manufacturers regarding material sourcing and the obligation for companies to mitigate social and environmental risks within their supply chains.
“The urgency of the climate crisis demands bold action from both industry and governments that sacrifice neither people nor the planet,” said Anneke Van Woudenberg, executive director of the corporate watchdog Rights and Accountability in Development. “Producing truly ‘ethical’ batteries free from workers’ exploitation, human rights abuses and environmental harm, which contributes to a just transition and does not repeat the injustice of the fossil fuel based economy, is vital.”