electrive

New figures on global electricity generation show coal remained the largest source in 2024, producing about 34% of the world's power, while wind and solar together reached 15%, up from just 4% a decade earlier. The data, presented as charts mapped onto the world map, are drawing attention to the slow pace of the energy transition despite rapid renewables growth.

Tesla is updating its Model 3 and Model Y for the 2027 model year in Australia, adding new features and cutting prices. The Model Y Performance drops by about $4,500-5,000 amid a shift to Chinese sourcing, making the Model 3 Australia's cheapest electric sedan. Motoring outlets say the move pressures Chinese rivals like BYD and Zeekr.

The Pentagon has joined a $134 million funding round for a startup working to produce U.S.-made iron for rare-earth magnets, according to a Wall Street Journal exclusive. The investment signals a push to build a domestic supply chain for materials critical to weapons systems, electric vehicles and electronics, reducing reliance on foreign producers, particularly China.

Fifteen new hybrid and electric vehicles are confirmed to launch in India, ranging from a hybrid version of the Kia Seltos to a luxury SUV from Tata Motors. The lineup signals automakers accelerating their electrified plans for one of the world's fastest-growing car markets, with attention focused on how hybrids and premium EVs will compete in the country.

Car enthusiasts are weighing in on the latest episode of Doug DeMuro's automotive podcast, which tackles several big industry stories: Bentley launching its first electric vehicle, McLaren reportedly updating its logo, and rumors of a Mazda Miata-sized Corvette. The episode also attracted significant audience engagement, reflecting strong interest in these moves among major sports car and luxury brands.

A Vermont activist has published a personal account of a long trip by electric vehicle, describing it as a long, strange and electric journey. The piece, appearing in the Brattleboro Reformer, reflects on the experience of driving electric and the practical realities of doing so in the region, though few further details are available.

Union workers at Duquesne Light have gone on strike across western Pennsylvania, halting work at the Pittsburgh-area electric utility. The stoppage affects service and operations in the region as labor negotiations remain unresolved. No further details on contract demands or duration were provided in initial reports.

A Korean automotive creator has bought a two-seater electric vehicle for 2.3 million won, roughly $1,700, and is documenting the full experience from purchase through to repair. The unusually low price for an EV has drawn widespread interest, with viewers following along to see what such an inexpensive electric car is like to own and maintain.

The Indian government has decided that smart electricity meters will be fitted with Indian-made semiconductor chips, part of a wider push to roll out smart meters across the country. The move is being framed as a major step for domestic chip manufacturing and for modernising the power distribution network, and it is drawing attention in current-affairs and exam-preparation circles.

Stegra, the Swedish company building a large-scale green steel plant in Boden, is being widely searched and discussed in Sweden. The company, formerly known as H2 Green Steel, produces steel using hydrogen and renewable electricity instead of coal. Interest has risen sharply, placing the company among the most discussed topics in the country, though no single event has been confirmed as the trigger.

A comparison of solar power against nuclear energy's strongest selling point is drawing wide attention, arguing that solar now outperforms the technology on its own terms. The discussion centers on cost, deployment speed, and scalability of solar versus nuclear, with viewers debating which energy source should anchor the transition away from fossil fuels.

NPR reports on the question of who pays for the massive electricity demands of AI data centers, examining the costs being passed on to utility customers and the scrutiny this is drawing from Congress. As data center expansion accelerates, concerns are growing that ordinary ratepayers could be stuck footing the bill for infrastructure built largely to serve AI companies.

Ukraine has moved to cut electricity supplies to Crimea, deepening pressure on Russia's hold on the annexed peninsula. Reports frame the move as a blow to Moscow's logistics and daily life in the region, with commentary calling Crimea an increasingly costly asset for the Kremlin. Observers are watching whether the cutoff signals a broader campaign against Russian infrastructure supporting the occupation.

Gizmodo explains the classic physics demonstration in which a pickle plugged into household current glows and sparks. Sodium ions in the brine conduct electricity, and excited sodium atoms emit the same yellow-orange light as street lamps. The article walks through the science of the eerie glow, reviving a popular classroom and party-trick experiment.

Nearly 1,000 union workers at Duquesne Light Company have walked off the job in the Pittsburgh area. The strike affects the utility that supplies electricity to much of western Pennsylvania. Details on the specific dispute at the heart of the work stoppage have not been widely reported, but the scale of the walkout makes it a significant labor action for the region.

Workers at Duquesne Light, the electric utility serving Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania, have gone on strike after contract negotiations with the company broke down. The walkout affects utility operations in the region, and local residents are watching closely for potential service impacts while the dispute between the union and the company remains unresolved.

General Motors reported a 5.5% decline in third-quarter sales, while Toyota saw growth driven by demand for its electric and hybrid vehicles. The figures highlight a widening gap between the two largest automakers in the US market, as buyers shift toward electrified models where Toyota's lineup is stronger. Analysts are watching whether GM's EV push and upcoming models can reverse the slide in the final quarter of the year.

Electrician-tested comparisons of viral DIY gadgets against professional techniques are drawing attention online, as viewers watch whether cheap social-media gadgets can match real trade know-how. The trend feeds a wider debate about unsafe electrical shortcuts circulating on social platforms and the value of proper training.

The International Council on Clean Transportation has introduced HDV-DIFFUSE, a technology diffusion model simulating how electric trucks will spread across the EU27 plus three additional European countries. The tool is designed to help analysts and policymakers project heavy-duty vehicle electrification rates and assess what policies could accelerate the shift away from diesel freight.