Articles
Latest coverage on electric vehicles, charging, and smart mobility.
EU Moves to Rate Data Centers on Energy and Water Efficiency as AI Infrastructure Expands
The European Union is introducing a common sustainability rating system for large data centers as the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence increases pressure on electricity grids and water resources. Data centers with more than 500 kW of installed IT capacity will receive A-to-G ratings for energy and water efficiency, while labels will also disclose information on low-carbon electricity, waste-heat recovery and grid flexibility. The first sustainability labels are expected in 2027. Separately, the European Commission has begun developing binding minimum performance standards, with a legislative proposal planned for the second quarter of 2027.
US Commits $1.9 Billion to Grid Upgrades as AI Power Demand Forces a Rethink of Transmission Expansion
The U.S. Department of Energy has selected 31 grid modernization projects across 26 states for $1.9 billion in federal support, bringing total planned investment to $5.25 billion when recipient funding is included. The projects are expected to rebuild or reconductor more than 1,500 miles of transmission lines and deploy grid-enhancing technologies across nearly 21,000 miles. Together, DOE expects the upgrades to unlock more than 23 GW of additional transmission capacity. With electricity demand accelerating due to AI data centers and advanced manufacturing, the initiative highlights a broader shift from simply building new transmission corridors toward extracting more capacity from infrastructure already in place.
Taiwan’s ProPower Eyes Poland as European Battery Storage Market Accelerates
Taiwanese energy storage integrator ProPower is evaluating Poland as a potential gateway into the European market as the country rapidly expands battery energy storage capacity. Poland's transition away from coal, growing renewable generation and increasing need for grid flexibility are creating a substantial pipeline of BESS projects. Industry forecasts suggest utility-scale battery capacity could reach 8–9 GW by 2030. However, constrained grid connections and a shift away from capacity-market-backed revenues mean new entrants will need more than battery hardware to succeed.
More Plugs or More Power? EV Charging Networks Rethink the Economics of Fast-Charging Stations
The EV charging industry has spent years racing toward higher peak charging speeds, but new operational data suggests that bigger power numbers may not always produce better charging networks. An analysis by Finnish charging technology company Kempower found that the number of available charging plugs had a much stronger relationship with station utilization than total installed power. The findings highlight a growing shift toward dynamic power sharing, where operators install more charging points and distribute available grid capacity according to real-time vehicle demand.
Experts Urge Kerbside EV Chargers Be Planned Like Traffic Lights to Eliminate Charging Black Spots
An Australian study argues that kerbside electric vehicle chargers should be planned like traffic lights, with local governments and communities leading deployment to prevent black spots caused by top-down utility-driven approaches. Eastern Sydney’s three councils have built Australia’s largest public charging network, but lengthy approval processes and enforcement challenges remain unresolved.
Schneider Electric Launches Smart Home EV Charger with Built-In Dynamic Load Balancing at Competitive Price
On September 2, Schneider Electric introduced the Schneider Charge, a smart Level 2 home EV charger with built-in dynamic load balancing in the U.S. and Canada. Priced at $695, it undercuts the Tesla Wall Connector while offering enhanced functionality for homes with limited electrical capacity.
Santa Monica Builds One of the Largest Electric Bus Charging Networks in the U.S., Targeting Full Zero-Emission Fleet by 2032
Santa Monica has invested $56 million to deploy 130 DC fast charging ports in partnership with ChargePoint and Eaton, aiming to achieve a fully electric bus fleet by 2032 and establish one of the largest electric bus charging infrastructures in the U.S.
San Francisco Launches Curbside Charging Program to Add 100 Chargers by 2030
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority has announced the Curbside Electric Vehicle Charging Permit program, aiming to install 100 public curbside chargers by 2030. The initiative prioritizes residents without private parking, though the limited number may not meet citywide demand.
Nepal's Flood Disaster Deals Blow to Hydropower Economy, 431 Megawatts of Power Vanish Instantly
Recent floods in Nepal destroyed multiple hydropower facilities, resulting in the instant loss of 431 megawatts of power. The country was forced to halt electricity exports to India and resume imports. Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating hydropower risks in the Himalayas, posing severe challenges to Nepal's hydropower economy.
Emobi and OmniTrust Break Plug & Charge Security Barriers, Enabling Seamless Upgrades for 80% of North American Charging Equipment
Emobi has partnered with cybersecurity firm OmniTrust to launch JustPlug, a cloud-based Plug & Charge system built on the ISO 15118 standard and Hardware Security Modules. The solution enables approximately 80% of North American chargers and electric vehicles previously unable to support traditional systems to conduct secure, card-free, and app-free charging, significantly lowering adoption barriers.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo EV First Drive: 1,139 Horsepower Redefines High-Performance SUVs
Porsche’s flagship all-electric SUV, the Cayenne Turbo EV, showcased 1,139 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 2.1 seconds during a test drive in Colorado’s mountains, challenging supercar-level performance while featuring 800V ultra-fast charging technology. The model starts at $163,000.
BYD Yangwang U7 Completes 350 Flash Charges in 9-Day Test with Only 1.3% Battery Degradation
BYD's premium brand Yangwang conducted an extreme durability test on the U7 sedan in Nanning, China, involving nine consecutive days of high-speed driving and 350 flash charging cycles. The battery retained 98.7% of its capacity, demonstrating limited impact from ultra-fast charging on battery longevity. The test, conducted in ambient temperatures reaching 36°C (97°F) with the vehicle sustaining speeds of 240 kph (149 mph), pushed the battery's thermal management system to its limits.
UK Used EV Battery Cell Voltage Imbalance Survey: 1 in 85 Vehicles Requires Further Inspection
A recent analysis by UK battery diagnostics company Generational reveals that in nearly 10,000 used electric vehicle battery tests, one in every 85 vehicles exhibited cell voltage imbalances exceeding 50 millivolts, potentially affecting battery performance and vehicle range. Experts emphasize that traditional State of Health (SoH) assessments fail to uncover such underlying issues, highlighting the need for cell-level diagnostics to detect faults early.
Aptera Solar EV Receives International Certification, Daily Self-Charging Exceeds U.S. Commute Needs
TÜV Rheinland certifies that the Aptera solar electric vehicle can generate an average of 4.23 kWh of solar power daily under normal parking conditions, sufficient for 67 kilometers of driving—surpassing the average U.S. daily commute distance. Experts confirm its energy efficiency is more than double that of mainstream EVs, marking a milestone for solar-powered vehicle practicality.
Taiwan’s Public Charging Piles Outnumber Gas Stations—So Why Are EV Owners Still Struggling?
Taiwan’s public charging piles now exceed the number of gas stations, yet EV owners continue to report significant inconvenience. During peak hours, five electric vehicles often compete for just two chargers at rest stops, while issues like fuel vehicles occupying charging spots, malfunctioning equipment left unrepaired, and fragmented charging apps and standards further undermine the user experience. Experts advise EV owners to assess charging convenience based on their personal commute routes rather than relying solely on official statistics.
Dubai VDX Certified as World’s First Commercial eVTOL Vertiport
Dubai VDX vertiport has been officially certified by the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority, becoming the world’s first facility designed exclusively for commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. With an annual passenger capacity of 170,000, it will serve as the central hub for Dubai’s Air Taxi Network.
Kempower North America Data Reveals: Number of Charging Plugs is Key to Utilization, 8-Plug Sites Deliver Over Twice the Energy of 4-Plug Sites
Kempower’s latest North America data analysis shows that the number of plugs at public charging stations has a correlation of 0.63 with utilization, far exceeding the 0.228 correlation for total installed power. Sites with 8 plugs delivered an average of 128,342 kWh, more than double the 61,453 kWh at 4-plug sites. The study notes that distributed charging systems can boost utilization by 83%, though the causal relationship between plug count and utilization requires further validation.
Sweden Deploys World’s Largest Underground Battery-Electric Mining Trucks with 120-Tonne Capacity
Swedish mining company LKAB has deployed two 120-tonne battery-electric mining trucks 1,250 metres underground at its Malmberget iron ore mine, setting a new global record for underground electric transport with a single-charge capacity of 3,200 tonnes of iron ore.
US Port Electrification Milestone: APM Terminals Elizabeth Orders 96 Orange EV Electric Terminal Tractors
APM Terminals' Elizabeth, New Jersey facility has announced an order for 96 Orange EV HUSK-e XP electric terminal tractors, marking the largest single electric fleet order for a US East Coast port and signaling that port electrification has moved from pilot testing to full-scale deployment.
U.S. Energy Storage Capacity Surges 29-Fold in Six Years as California Sets Record for Daily Battery Power Supply
U.S. energy storage capacity has skyrocketed from 6,000 MWh in 2020 to 175,000 MWh in 2026, enough to power 5 million homes for a day. On August 1, California’s battery storage systems delivered a record 13,000 MW, accounting for one-third of the state’s total electricity demand, underscoring the critical role of energy storage in grid management. Five states are leading the charge with policies aimed at enhancing grid stability and reducing electricity costs.