Batteries

Long-duration energy storage

The biggest grid storage project using old batteries is online in Texas

Startup Element Energy set out to prove that second-life batteries could deliver cheaper energy storage safely and at scale.

By Julian Spector . 21 November 2024

Startup Element Energy installed 53 megawatt-hours of used electric vehicle batteries in West Texas earlier this year, the largest project of its kind so far. (Element Energy)

Clean energy manufacturing

Battery Belt communities fight for a fair shake as projects get underway

As construction commences on multibillion-dollar facilities across the U.S., citizen groups are organizing to secure benefits that accrue beyond the factory walls.

By Katie Myers . 3 January 2024
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
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
Batteries

California regulators cut incentives for rooftop solar even further

The CPUC insists it wants people to add batteries to solar systems to help the grid. But it just cut the compensation that households can earn by doing it.

By Jeff St. John . 4 December 2023
Solar

California’s rooftop solar policy is killing its rooftop solar industry

New projects have cratered and job losses are mounting in the six months since California regulators slashed the value of home solar systems.

By Jeff St. John . 1 December 2023
Clean energy supply chain

New investment firm aims to scale up urgently needed battery materials

Kinterra Capital has raised a $565 million private equity fund dedicated to investing in new mines and processing plants to supply battery and EV factories.

By Julian Spector . 29 November 2023
Electric vehicles

BP buys $100M of Tesla chargers as oil majors prep for a post-gas future

It's the first-ever sale of Tesla charging equipment to an outside company. But will EV drivers really want to charge up in dreary gas-station parking lots?

By Gabriela Aoun Angueira . 6 November 2023
Video

Canary on TV: Confronting the downsides of mining for battery materials

Julian Spector appeared on the Weather Channel to parse the environmental and climate impacts of battery supply chains and how the clean energy industry is working to mitigate them.

By Julian Spector . 6 November 2023
Transportation

Full steam ahead for electric freight trains

Wabtec Corp. unveiled the world's first battery-powered, heavy-haul locomotive this week in Pennsylvania. Freight rail is only just catching up on electrified transportation.

By Maria Gallucci . 3 November 2023