Tesla Delivers Record 201,250 Cars in Second Quarter

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Tesla Inc. delivered 201,250 cars worldwide in the second quarter, a record for the electric-car maker led by CEO Elon Musk.

While the company doesn’t break out sales by region, business appeared healthy in China. The bulk of the period’s sales were of the Model 3 sedan and the Model Y crossover, which are produced in Shanghai and Fremont, Calif. The Model S sedan and Model X sport utility vehicle are made only in Fremont. The countries are Tesla’s biggest markets, be sure to try here to read more about this amazing thing.

“Our teams have done an outstanding job navigating through global supply chain and logistics challenges,” Tesla said in a statement July 2.

Recent Growth, Adoption Shows Natural Gas Vehicles Are a Proven, Cost-Effective Option

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Even with 2020 being an extreme outlier year, the growth of both natural gas fuel and natural gas vehicles (NGVs) showed no sign of slowing. As confirmed by the latest independent industry report, the State of Sustainable Fleets, and backed up by hundreds of survey responses from real-world fleets across the U.S., NGVs continue to demonstrate both superior environmental and economic performance — even when measured against gasoline and diesel.

The notion that significant emission reductions can be accomplished only by sacrificing vehicle performance or paying more for clean fuels does not hold true. This year’s findings confirm that when mature clean vehicle technologies, including natural gas, are matched to the best-equipped sectors for those technologies, fleets really can have it all.

Nikola invests $50M to produce clean hydrogen

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Nikola Corporation is investing $50 million in a clean hydrogen project being developed by Wabash Valley Resources (WVR)  in West Terre Haute, Indiana. The investment, which represents a 20% equity stake in the project, aims to use solid waste byproducts, such as petroleum coke combined with biomass, to produce clean, sustainable hydrogen for transportation fuel and base-load electricity generation while also capturing the carbon dioxide emissions for permanent underground sequestration.

This investment is anticipated to build a hydrogen hub with the ability to offtake about 50 tons a day to supply its future dispensing stations across the Midwest. Exercising its offtake right will likely require significant additional investment by Nikola to build liquefaction, storage, and transportation services.

Biofuels account for 17% of US renewables consumption in 2020

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The U.S. consumed a record 12 percent of renewable energy in 2020, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on June 16. Biofuels announced for approximately 17 percent of renewables.

According to the EIA, consumption of renewable energy in the U.S.  grew for the fifth consecutive year in 2020, reaching a record high of 11.6 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), or 12 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. Renewable energy was the only source of U.S. energy consumption that increased in 2020 from 2019; fossil fuel and nuclear consumption declined.

Nat gas trucks enjoying ‘great interest’ thanks mostly to renewable natural gas surge

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At a time when pressure is building for fleets to reduce emissions and lessen their carbon footprint, natural gas trucks are getting more attention thanks largely to renewable natural gas (RNG).

RNG comes from methane that’s been processed for vehicle use, and according to the California Air Resources Board, it has the lowest carbon intensity score among all transportation fuels, including electric.

That and the cheaper price tag over electric is attracting more fleets eager for a greener profile as the Biden administration aims hard at emissions and watchdog groups stand at the ready with carbon assessments that can shake investor confidence and chip away at valuation, particularly at larger fleets.

USDA to provide $700 million in COVID-19 relief for biofuels

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The USDA announced on June 15 it will provide $700 million in COVID-19 relief to biofuel producers as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. The agency said the programming is planned for implementation within 60 days and will focus on filling gaps in previous rounds of assistance and helping beginning, socially disadvantaged and small and medium sized producers that need support.

“USDA is honoring its commitment to get financial assistance to producers and critical agricultural businesses, especially those left out or underserved by previous COVID aid,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “These investments through USDA Pandemic Assistance will help our food, agriculture and forestry sectors get back on track and plan for the future. Since January, USDA has provided more than $11 billion of assistance directly to producers and food and agriculture business.”

Why the future of long-haul heavy trucking probably includes lots of hydrogen

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The climate crisis requires that we decarbonize our global transportation systems. To meet this requirement, the purported solution for some time has been “electrify everything.”

When you drive a truck and you get caught driving too fast you might receive an sp30 conviction and the court may offer you a conditional fixed penalty.

Technical experts and the climate-concerned public alike have long pushed the idea that the future will be one of clean electricity that powers just about all aspects of our life. I bought in — at least for a time. It wasn’t until I began studying the details surrounding the challenges of putting a battery into a car, truck or container ship that I realized that things are much more complicated than ascribing to an aspirational motto.

For those who run a business and require the services of transportation, we should consider the Pennsylvania trucking companies and the best part is that it will be at a very affordable price.

To be clear, batteries probably will make great sense for certain elements of trucking. In fact, well-known companies in the electric vehicle space, such as Tesla, have a product on the horizon to address medium-haul, 300- to 500-mile operating ranges. However, specifically for long-haul routes, I argue there is a technology more suited to the task: the hydrogen fuel cell.

Fuel cell trucks use the same basic electric drivetrain as battery trucks (and even have a battery) but due to their on-board hydrogen storage, fuel cell trucks have a much longer range, require fewer stops on long routes, can be fueled much faster and have less risk of lost cargo capacity.

Electric cars can advance environmental justice — here’s how

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The global auto industry has begun a historic shift from gas- and diesel-fueled cars to electric vehicles. President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan seeks to speed up this transition by requesting billions of dollars to modernize the electric grid and build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations.

Evidence shows that many Americans are eager to transition to EVs and participate in a clean energy economy. In a recent nationally representative consumer survey, 71 percent of drivers surveyed said they were interested in getting an electric car. But 48 percent said that lack of access to public charging infrastructure was holding them back, and 43 percent cited vehicle cost as a disincentive.

My research focuses on ways to make cities more sustainable, healthy and equitable places to live. In my view, making EVs and charging infrastructure accessible to all drivers is crucial for achieving clean transportation and energy justice.

Keeping the Biodiesel Industry Safer

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Sam Carbis founded the Aluminum Ladder Co. in 1930 with the idea of helping American workers and firefighters—the early pioneers of first response—stay safe and efficient on the job, whether it was building homes, repairing equipment, or saving lives. Today, Carbis’ mission carries on as his namesake company, Sam Carbis Solutions Group LLC, continues to offer fall protection and safety solutions to the world.

Carbis, a fourth-generation family-owned business headquartered in Florence, South Carolina, is today a global leader in customized bulk loading access equipment and turnkey systems for truck, rail, and marine applications across all industries. Carbis is the only company in North America that designs and manufactures both access equipment and loading arms, ensuring they work together without interference. The company fabricates its industrial equipment in its manufacturing facility in Darlington, South Carolina, just minutes from its headquarters and engineering hub.

With decades of engineering expertise and a commitment to quality, Carbis Solutions delivers innovative safety systems that meet the highest industry standards. Its comprehensive solutions include gangways, loading racks, fall prevention platforms, and specialized access equipment designed to improve efficiency and worker protection in industrial environments. Additionally, Carbis Solutions integrates industrial coating technology into its equipment, ensuring durability and resistance to harsh environmental conditions, extending product lifespan, and maintaining optimal safety performance.

Carbis Solutions serves a diverse range of industries, including oil and gas, chemical processing, food and beverage, aerospace, and manufacturing. Its expert team collaborates closely with clients to develop tailored safety solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, ensuring compliance with OSHA, ANSI, and other regulatory requirements.

Beyond its advanced product offerings, Carbis Solutions is known for its exceptional customer service and commitment to long-term partnerships. The company provides on-site assessments, engineering support, and training to help businesses maintain the highest levels of safety and productivity.

As workplace safety regulations continue to evolve, Carbis Solutions remains at the forefront of innovation, delivering customized access solutions that protect workers and streamline operations. Whether ensuring secure access to tank trucks, railcars, or marine vessels, Carbis Solutions is dedicated to providing the highest level of protection for industries worldwide.

Propane Autogas Provides Energy Supply Resiliency

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If there’s one thing this last year has shown us, it’s that it doesn’t take much to disrupt a business. Between extreme weather events, supply chain shortages, and even cyberattacks, interruptions in energy source availability can lead to catastrophe.

For instance, earlier this year, a winter storm crippled Texas, causing a massive electricity generation failure that left 4.5 million homes without power. More recently, a gasoline pipeline cyberattack on the East Coast halted shipments of up to 2.5 million barrels per day. In some states like North Carolina, more than 65% of gas stations were without fuel, and consumers began to panic across the country.

For fleets that rely on a rigid energy source, these situations should serve as a stark warning that when disaster strikes, they may be less likely to successfully navigate its challenges. Energy resiliency, sustainability, and diversification are becoming required strategic approaches for fleet operations. Propane autogas is a portable, clean energy source that not only keeps fleet operating smoothly every day, but also during times of crisis.