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The promising salt battery is officially in mass production. The battery is made with salt instead of lithium, making it cheaper and much easier to scale than current batteries.
The salt batteries are particularly promising as a kind of buffer tank for wind and solar farms, or as a backup for data centers. The batteries are made by the American Natron Energy and the factory is even in Holland. Holland, Michigan, where from now on 600 megawatts of storage capacity must be created every year. The major advantage of salt batteries is the raw material: salt is cheap and widely available. Furthermore, aluminum and iron are needed, which are also widely available in the US. This means that the batteries can be developed without hassle about international raw material prices. According to Natron, this can also be done very quickly and it would be cheaper than traditional lithium-ion batteries. More benefits: more sustainable and faster The salt batteries also last much longer than lithium-ion. Natron claims that its batteries last 50,000 deep charge cycles, while lithium only lasts 3,500 times. The salt batteries do not need to cool down between charges to prevent damage or wear. Moreover, little can go wrong, because salt is not easily flammable. Moreover, they can be loaded very heavily, and are therefore full in 5 to 15 minutes, while large lithium batteries can take several hours, especially without special cooling measures. As for cooling: the salt batteries would also be usable from -20 to 50 degrees Celsius, while lithium is a bit more finicky. Particularly suitable as a 'buffer vessel' There are also disadvantages: the energy density is even lower than with lithium-ion. In other words, you need more battery to store the same amount of energy. That's not attractive for portable devices and cars, but it doesn't matter if you just want to use the battery for a lot of energy storage. The attractive characteristics of the battery make it particularly suitable for situations where lithium is currently in short supply. So for energy storage: next to a large solar park or wind farm, the salt batteries can quickly store a lot of energy, so that it can be supplied back to the grid just as quickly later. That is ideal, because then you smooth out the peaks and valleys of green energy. The battery is full when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing, and supplies energy when it is dark and we need power. The startup Aquabattery is also working on a salt battery in the Netherlands. That company is still in the testing phase. But this first factory is also a kind of test for Natron, which should form the blueprint for many more factories that will make many more of these types of batteries. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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At least 24 people are dead after a section of a highway in China’s rain-hit southern province of Guangdong collapsed in the early hours of Wednesday, the start of a long Labour Day holiday. The cave-in occurred at around 2am in Dabu County of Guangdong’s northern Meizhou City. Nearly 18 metres (59 feet) of the mountainous highway crumbled into the forested slope below, trapping 20 vehicles and 54 passengers in all, the local government said, issuing revised casualty figures. It had earlier said 18 vehicles and about 50 passengers were affected. In a statement, it said 30 victims had been sent to hospital, while around 500 public security, emergency response, firefighting, health and sanitation and other workers were taking part in the rescue work. The condition of the hospitalised patients was “not life-threatening at the moment”, the statement said, but did not specify the level of their injuries. The reason for the collapse has yet to be declared and the matter is under investigation. The accident occurred as China began a five-day break for Labour Day, one of the four major holiday and travel periods for the country when highways are toll-free and see heavy traffic. The others are Lunar New Year, called Spring Festival in China, the Tomb Sweeping Festival and National Day in October. Footage and pictures shared by local news outlets showed flames and smoke rising from the collapsed section, while charred cars were visible on the gouged out slope. The stricken highway links Guangdong to south-eastern Fujian province. According to state news agency Xinhua, the Ministry of Emergency Management has sent a working group to the scene to guide the rescue work, while National Fire and Rescue Administration chief Zhou Tian is also at the scene to instruct workers. It is the latest tragedy to hit Guangdong province, which has experienced a string of extreme weather events in recent weeks, from fatal floods to a deadly tornado. Guangdong authorities warned on Wednesday that more heavy rainfall was expected during the holiday, with higher risks of floods and landslides in some areas.
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The Honda NSX, a legendary automobile revered by enthusiasts and critics alike, stands as a testament to Honda's engineering prowess and commitment to innovation. Its journey from conception to production is a fascinating narrative that intertwines technological advancements, visionary leadership, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. The inception of the NSX traces back to the late 1980s, a time when Honda sought to challenge the status quo in the automotive world dominated by high-performance European manufacturers. With a vision to create a supercar that combined everyday usability with exhilarating performance, Honda embarked on an ambitious project codenamed "NS-X," which stood for "New," "Sportscar," "Unknown world," and "X-factor." At the helm of the NSX project was a remarkable team led by Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara, who aimed to redefine the concept of a supercar. Unlike traditional exotics characterized by brute force and impracticality, the NSX aimed for a harmonious blend of performance, reliability, and comfort. Uehara's background in motorsports heavily influenced the development process, emphasizing principles such as lightweight construction, balanced handling, and aerodynamic efficiency. One of the NSX's most ground-breaking features was its innovative construction. Utilizing advanced materials such as aluminium and exotic alloys, Honda engineers succeeded in creating a lightweight yet rigid chassis, setting new benchmarks for structural integrity and handling precision. The mid-mounted 3.0-liter V6 engine, developed in collaboration with racing legend Ayrton Senna, delivered exhilarating performance while maintaining exceptional reliability and efficiency. In 1989, the world got its first glimpse of the Honda NSX at the Chicago Auto Show, where it captivated audiences with its futuristic design and ground-breaking technology. The NSX's sleek and aerodynamic bodywork, characterized by clean lines and functional vents, was a testament to Honda's commitment to both form and function. When the NSX entered production in 1990, it immediately garnered critical acclaim and established itself as a game-changer in the automotive landscape. Its exceptional driving dynamics, refined ergonomics, and everyday usability challenged conventional notions of what a supercar could be. Furthermore, its reliability and low maintenance costs shattered the stereotype of high-performance cars as temperamental and impractical.
Over the years, the NSX continued to evolve, receiving updates and enhancements that further refined its performance and technology. In 2002, Honda introduced the second-generation NSX, featuring a more powerful engine, advanced aerodynamics, and cutting-edge electronics. While the second-generation NSX retained the spirit of its predecessor, it embraced modern technologies such as hybrid powertrains and all-wheel drive, reflecting Honda's commitment to sustainability and innovation. Despite its evolutionary journey, the NSX remained true to its core philosophy of delivering exhilarating performance and exceptional driving dynamics. Its enduring legacy is a testament to Honda's unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering and challenging the status quo. In conclusion, the Honda NSX stands as a shining example of innovation, engineering excellence, and visionary leadership. From its inception as a daring experiment to its evolution into a technological marvel, the NSX has left an indelible mark on the automotive industry and continues to inspire enthusiasts and engineers around the world. As a pioneering supercar that defied conventions and redefined expectations, the NSX remains a timeless icon that embodies the relentless pursuit of automotive perfection. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Shares in Tesla have surged following reports that CEO Elon Musk has agreed to partner with Chinese tech giant Baidu for mapping and navigation features to support autonomous driving technology in the world’s biggest auto market.
Shares rose nearly 14% in premarket US trading, while Baidu jumped by more than 5.5% in Hong Kong. Baidu, China’s main internet search company, has agreed to provide the US electric vehicle (EV) maker with access to its mapping license for data collection on China’s public roads, Reuters reported on Monday morning, citing people familiar with the matter. The sources highlighted that the agreement clears final regulatory obstacles for the rollout of Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD), the latest version of its Autopilot technology. On Sunday, the US billionaire visited China, where he held talks with Prime Minister Li Qiang. Media reports suggested that Musk was seeking approval for the FSD software rollout in China, as well as permission to transfer data overseas during the talks. Chinese officials have given tentative approval for the rollout of Tesla’s driver-assistance service in the country, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources. The company also managed to meet requirements for how it handles data security and privacy issues, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Under Chinese law, automakers need to obtain a mapping qualification to start operating autonomous driving systems on public roads. Foreign enterprises must cooperate with local tech firms to get a license. The deal with Baidu is expected to allow the US company to legally operate the software in China, while its cars would be able to collect data about surroundings, including road layouts, traffic signs, and nearby buildings. Tesla rolled out its FSD four years ago, but the technology hasn’t been available in China due to regulatory hurdles. Earlier this month, in response to a query on X (formerly Twitter), Musk said the feature would appear in the country “very soon.” The approval for the technology in China is expected to significantly improve Tesla’s balance sheet. The company recently recorded its first year-on-year decline in quarterly revenue since 2020, showing a 9% drop for sales. Earlier this month, the automaker said it was cutting more than 10% of its global staff as part of a plan for “cost reductions and increasing productivity.” Musk’s surprise visit to China was “a watershed moment,” Wedbush Securities senior analyst Dan Ives told Bloomberg, adding that it could “open up FSD in China, unlocking what really could be the golden opportunity for them.” The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Tesla will lay off more than 10% of its salaried workforce, according to an internal company-wide email sent to employees by CEO Elon Musk and seen by media outlets.
Reuters on Monday cited an email sent to at least three US employees notifying them that their dismissal was effective immediately. According to EV blog Electrek, which was the first to report on the layoffs, it is not clear which teams at Tesla will be impacted. With the company’s headcount sitting at around 140,000 workers globally, the reduction is likely to affect at least 14,000 employees. “As we prepare the company for our next phase of growth, it is extremely important to look at every aspect of the company for cost reductions and increasing productivity,” Musk reportedly said in the memo sent to all staff. “As part of this effort, we have done a thorough review of the organization and made the difficult decision to reduce our headcount by more than 10% globally. There is nothing I hate more, but it must be done,” the memo said. Commenting on the layoff reports, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter): “About every five years, we need to reorganize and streamline the company for the next phase of growth.” The last time Musk announced major job cuts was in 2022, after telling executives he had a “super bad feeling” about the US economy. He indicated at the time that he believed that the company was overstaffed. The latest reports on jobs cuts come as the US carmaker has been grappling with falling sales and fierce competition from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers. According to a Reuters report earlier this month, which was later denied by Musk, Tesla has scrapped a long-planned project for a low-cost vehicle and will instead focus on a new robotaxi. This month, the company reported its first annual decline in vehicle deliveries since 2020. On Tuesday, Tesla is scheduled to report first-quarter financial results and may provide more details about the layoffs, according to media reports. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has spoken in favor of opening the European market to Chinese automakers as long as they compete “fairly” with other manufacturers. Scholz arrived in China on Sunday for his second visit to the country as chancellor. He is being accompanied by several German chief executives, including the bosses of carmakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW and the chemical giant BASF. The chancellor visited the major industrial hub of Chongqing on Sunday, and is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang before leaving late on Wednesday. Speaking to students at Tongji University in Shanghai on Monday, Scholz cited the initial fears associated with the entry of Japanese and South Korean cars into Europe, but said they had not ended up dominating the market or skewing its balance. “There are Japanese cars now in Germany and German cars in Japan,” Scholz stated, adding that “at some point there will also be Chinese cars in Germany and Europe. According to the chancellor, “the only thing that must always be clear is that competition must be fair… [that] there is no dumping, that there is no overproduction, that copyrights are not infringed.” Scholz also stressed the importance of a “level playing field,” clarifying that German companies should be allowed to establish production facilities in China and vice versa with as little red tape as possible. Beijing remained Berlin’s top trading partner for the eighth straight year in 2023. Chinese automakers have actively penetrated foreign markets in recent years and are steadily closing the gap with Western rivals, particularly in terms of electric cars. In Russia, Chinese vehicles have quickly filled the vacuum left by a number of major European car manufacturers after they exited the market due to the Ukraine conflict. BUT According to Financial Times, China exports more cars to Europe than it can currently sell. This is not such a problem with conventional car brands, because the cars are then waiting for an owner at the dealers, but many of these Chinese car brands deliver directly to buyers, according to FT. So until the cars are sold, they are waiting in the open air. Financial Times writes that car brands use the ports as storage for their cars and that the ports turn into huge parking lots. The port of Zeebrugge in Belgium, for example, is said to be a place where things are currently stuck, but there are also problems in Italy and Greece. It even seems that some cars have been standing next to the moorings for a year and a half. That doesn't make an EV any better. Besides that, it only gets more funny. Reuters reports that a record number of new ships have been ordered to transport cars. The Chinese fleet currently consists of 33 car transport ships, but this should increase to 80. And they don't buy those ships for decoration; the influx of Chinese cars will therefore only increase. For example, car brand BYD has had its own roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) transport ship since the beginning of this year. You can see that in the photo above the message. Most car brands rent ships from other shipping companies. It says something about the ambitions of the car brand. The port you see there is not Zeebrugge, but somewhere in China. This 199.9 meter ship can accommodate 7,000 vehicles.
Not enough trucks to remove the cars Another cause of the problem would be the lack of trucks. There are literally ships full of EVs coming into the country, but there are not enough trucks to take the cars to dealers and customers. If you ever receive a new EV from China, check whether you can decipher when it was built based on the chassis number. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Even without the S/T on the roster, one could reasonably assume that there’s already a new Porsche 911 out there that suits the needs of any would-be buyer. There are currently more than two dozen permutations of the 992-generation sports car on sale, and with special enthusiast-focused models like the Carrera T, Dakar, and Sport Classic peppered throughout the line-up, Porschephiles aren’t exactly hurting for choice at the moment. At a glance, the Porsche 911 S/T could easily be dismissed as “just” a GT3 Touring that’s been outfitted with a six-speed manual gearbox and the engine from a GT3 RS, a powertrain combination that hasn’t been available since the tail end of the 997 generation’s production run. Even if that’s all it was, it would be cause for some celebration. The GT3 RS’ naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six dishes out 518 horsepower and boasts a soaring 9,000 RPM redline, while the GT3’s six-speed gearbox is one of the most well-sorted manual transmissions available anywhere. Yet, there’s a lot more to the S/T; it’s an instant classic that’s the ultimate form of 911 fan service. Developed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 911’s debut, the limited-production S/T brings together a unique blend of hardware from the track-tuned GT division cars – as well as some key components that were designed specifically for the S/T – to create what Porsche considers to be the most driver-focused 992 yet. The S/T name is a reference to a racing version of the 911 S from the nameplate’s earliest days. Internally known as the ST and first offered in 1969, the package included modifications to the chassis, engine and body to improve performance, but it lacked the large rear wing and the other aerodynamic elements that would later help to define iconic track-tuned 911s like the Carrera RS 2.7. If that sounds a lot like the modern-day GT3 Touring, which is essentially a standard GT3 without the big rear wing, you’re not wrong. The S/T just takes the concept a lot further, amplifying the cognitive dissonance of a 911 engineered for the track but intended for the road. It may be injected with motorsports technology, lightweighted and tuned to feel more feral, but it’s also better suited to the pace and circumstances of backroads rather than closed courses. For those who prioritize a savagely unfiltered canyon-carving experience over potential lap time bragging rights, this is your GT3. 911 S/T and 911 GT3 Touring The overarching theme of the S/T is a back-to-basics approach to involvement and overall performance, and it’s achieved through myriad small tweaks rather than a few big ones. For example, the height of the shift lever was reduced by 10mm versus the GT3, resulting in noticeably shorter throws, and the final drive ratio was shortened by 8%, which equates to quicker acceleration and more frequent shifting. The GT3’s dampers were retuned for S/T duty as well, resulting in a suspension that absorbs mid-corner bumps at road-going pace rather than bouncing over them, alongside better overall ride quality. The GT3 Touring’s rear-steer setup was ditched, and the S/T’s steering rack was revised to accommodate the change. Porsche has also tossed the steering wheel-mounted drive mode selector, opting instead to pare the user-controlled adjustments down to what the driver can individually select via dedicated switches on the center stack: damper stiffness, exhaust volume, stability and traction control, and auto rev-matching. But what really defines the S/T is the commitment to light weighting. Porsche’s efforts go several steps further than a GT3 Touring, and not only does it result in a curb weight of 3,056 pounds, making this the lightest 992-generation 911 road car thus far (the GT3 weighs 167 more), it also gives the S/T character that’s unlike anything else in the range.
At a moment in time when cars are getting heavier, quieter, and less involving by-design, the S/T is a love letter to drivers who consider the sensory experience to be a more valuable performance metric than being the fastest or the quickest. It’s for the people who go to sleep at night with exhaust notes looping in their minds; the ones who have a favourite corner on the stretch of tarmac where they go to disconnect from the noise of daily life.
Here’s hoping that some of the folks who are fortunate enough to put an S/T in their garage choose to throw caution to their portfolios and use this thing for what it was designed to do. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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The Rimac Nevera is a marvel of automotive engineering that pushes the boundaries of electric performance vehicles.
Having had the privilege to experience its power and precision firsthand, I can confidently say that the Nevera represents a quantum leap in electric hypercars. Let's start with the performance. The Nevera's four electric motors deliver an astounding 1,914 horsepower and 1,741 lb-ft of torque, propelling it from 0 to 60 mph in a mind-boggling 1.85 seconds. This acceleration is not just impressive; it's a jaw-dropping experience that redefines what's possible with electric propulsion. The instantaneous torque delivery makes every acceleration feel like a rocket launch, pushing you back into your seat with relentless force. But the Nevera isn't just about straight-line speed; it's a corner-carving beast as well. With advanced torque vectoring and all-wheel drive, it grips the road with tenacity, providing unparalleled stability and agility through every twist and turn. Whether you're attacking a mountain pass or navigating tight city streets, the Nevera's handling inspires confidence and exhilaration. Beyond its performance, the Nevera boasts cutting-edge technology and impeccable craftsmanship. The interior is a blend of futuristic design and luxurious comfort, with premium materials and state-of-the-art infotainment systems. The cockpit envelops you in a cocoon of sophistication, with every control and interface meticulously crafted for both aesthetics and functionality. Of course, such performance and luxury come at a price, and the Rimac Nevera commands a hefty sum. But for those who can afford it, the Nevera represents more than just a car; it's a statement of automotive excellence and a glimpse into the future of high-performance electric vehicles. In summary, the Rimac Nevera is a game-changer in the world of hypercars. Its blistering acceleration, precise handling, and luxurious interior set a new standard for electric performance vehicles. If you have the means to experience it, the Nevera will undoubtedly leave you breathless and craving for more. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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