Electric vehicles

Electric vehicles

EV school bus rollout off to slow start despite billion-dollar subsidies

Some U.S. school districts face a learning curve in ditching their dirty diesel buses — even with big federal subsidies. But the challenges are solvable.

By Jeff St. John . 19 December 2023
EV charging

Will universally compatible EV chargers ever be a reality in the US?

A fragmented business landscape is to blame for many of the problems that plague EV charging. Government-backed standards could change that — if the industry obliges.

By Jeff St. John . 13 December 2023
EV charging

What’s behind the epidemic of unreliable EV chargers?

The short answer is data. Hundreds of things can go wrong in the EV charging process, but the data to figure out why is unavailable. New government rules aim to solve that.

By Jeff St. John . 12 December 2023
Batteries

EV battery repair is dangerous — but some mechanics want to do it anyway

Fixing the batteries of e-bikes and electric vehicles saves money and resources — but challenges are holding back the industry.

By Maddie Stone . 12 December 2023
EV charging

EV chargers have a big reliability problem. Can the government fix it?

If you don’t own a Tesla, charging an EV in the U.S. can be a headache. Two federal programs aim to fix that with $7.5B and a host of new rules and standards.

By Jeff St. John . 11 December 2023
Batteries

Chart: Lithium-ion battery prices are falling again

Covid disruptions broke what seemed like an inexorable trend of annual battery price declines. But this year, average pack prices fell 14% to a new record low.

By Julian Spector, Dan McCarthy . 8 December 2023
Clean energy supply chain

The US EV industry now faces a choice: Tax credits or Chinese batteries

Long-awaited rules from the Biden admin could make all EVs ineligible for the $7,500 customer tax credit — unless the industry can source key supplies beyond China.

By Jeff St. John . 6 December 2023
Electric vehicles

Chart: US EV sales are having a record-setting year

Ignore the gloomy headlines. Despite some inevitable growing pains, EVs are still on track to transform the U.S. auto industry.

By Eric Wesoff, Dan McCarthy . 17 November 2023
Electric vehicles

Bankrupt EV bus-maker Proterra finds buyers for its business units

The oldest U.S. electric bus manufacturer filed for bankruptcy protection in August. Can Proterra's businesses survive and thrive under new ownership?

By Jeff St. John . 14 November 2023
Electric vehicles

The humble trash truck is ready for an all-electric upgrade

Oregon's first battery-powered garbage truck offers a look at the clean, carbon-free future of the dirty, diesel-powered world of waste collection.

By Maria Gallucci . 14 November 2023