A salt battery could make EVs more winterproof—if it holds up on the road
CATL says its sodium-ion pack can keep charging and delivering power far below freezing. The real test is whether those lab numbers survive real winter driving
Thermal Runaway Explains Why Waymo Cars Burned So Completely in the Recent Los Angeles Protests
During recent protests in Los Angeles, fires triggered “thermal runaway” in several Waymo robotaxis’ lithium-ion battery packs. The phenomenon sent temperatures past 1,000 degrees Celsius, vaporized much of the cars and spewed lung-searing hydrogen fluoride
AI Found a ‘Magic Potion’ That Can Bring Dead Batteries Back to Life
Electric vehicles leave behind mountains of dead lithium-ion batteries. A new “injection” brings them back to life
Elon Musk Owes His Success to Coming in Second (and Government Handouts)
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, owes his superstar success to self-satisfied competitors who blew obvious opportunities
Why Batteries Come in So Many Sizes and Shapes
A rectangular nine-volt battery is basically just a bunch of smaller batteries in a trench coat
Electric Vehicles Aren’t Ready for Extreme Heat and Cold. Here’s How to Fix Them
New materials would help the cars of the future survive cold snaps and other climate disruptions
There’s a Better Way to Mine for Electric Vehicle Batteries
We do not want to trade the harm of emissions from gasoline vehicles for the harm caused by unsustainable mining practices
EV Batteries Are Dangerous to Repair. Here’s Why Mechanics Are Doing So Anyway
Fixing car and e-bike batteries saves money and resources, but challenges are holding back the industry
Buying Used Tech This Holiday Season Can Avert Human Rights Abuses
Here’s how to buy ethical tech and keep conflict minerals in the ground
Electric Vehicle Owners Are Not Driving Enough—And That’s Bad
Used car buyers and the U.S. government need to dive into the marketplace to deliver the emissions reductions promised by electric vehicles
As Heat Waves Roast Texas, Batteries Keep Power Grid Humming
A surge in battery storage is helping Texas beat the heat without additional fossil fuels
U.S. Looks to Mongolia, Wedged between China and Russia, for Critical Minerals
All routes out of the landlocked country touch China or Russia, presenting diplomatic and physical challenges