Welcome to this month’s EV News Rewind! We’ve got updates from across the globe today: 

• President Biden’s major investment in U.S. electric vehicle factories
• New York City’s ambitious sustainability projects
• California’s breakthrough in mobile charging  
• A contentious choice for the Paris Olympics

Read on for the latest!

Biden pledges $1.7 billion to supercharge U.S. EV manufacturing

The Biden administration is injecting $1.7 billion into car and auto parts factories across eight states to accelerate the production of electric vehicles and clean energy technologies. This funding will revive several facilities, including a Jeep plant in Illinois that had closed last year, restoring nearly 1,450 jobs. The initiative also supports a GM plant in Michigan, a Blue Bird electric bus factory in Georgia, and a Harley-Davidson facility in Pennsylvania. Great news for American-made automobiles!

This effort, backed by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to secure jobs in the auto industry by shifting focus from gasoline-powered vehicles to EVs. Companies receiving grants must commit to retraining workers, ensuring communities hit hard by pollution and economic challenges benefit from this green transition.

New York City to undergo a green transformation 

President Biden’s infrastructure law has funneled over $1 billion in federal funds to New York City, creating a win for improved sustainability and mobility in urban transportation. 

One of these initiatives, the QueensWay project, stands out with a $117 million grant to develop the first mile of a seven-mile park that will repurpose the abandoned Rockaway rail line in central Queens.

Dubbed the “Queens High Line,” this green space will feature walking and biking paths, archways, and connections to surrounding schools and neighborhoods, turning what was once a neglected area into a vibrant community hub.

This initiative, along with other key investments such as the electrification of 394 school buses and the decarbonization of freight transport, highlights a new approach to sustainable infrastructure. 

California explores clean and mobile EV charging 

California is accelerating its zero-emission goals with innovative technology like the EVOX mobile fueling unit. Developed by GenCell, this unit can charge 20 to 30 electric vehicles daily with fast, level-three charging. It operates using various energy sources—solar, wind, grid power, and hydrogen fuel cells—ensuring reliability even when the grid fails. 

The EVOX uses hydrogen from ammonia, making it cheaper than diesel and completely zero-emission. Though priced over half a million dollars, tax incentives can reduce the cost to around a quarter-million, advancing the push towards greener transportation.

2024 Olympics faces controversy over “greenest ever” claims

The Paris Olympics, known for its ambitious energy goals, has named the Toyota Mirai as the “official vehicle of the Olympics,” using 500 of these hydrogen-powered cars for athlete transportation, aiming to be the “greenest Olympics ever.”

This decision has faced scrutiny from scientists, who issued an open letter urging the Paris Olympics organizers to reconsider their choice of the Toyota Mirai as the official vehicle of the Games. They argue that the hydrogen-powered car undermines the event's environmental credentials. 

Although the Mirai itself emits zero carbon at the tailpipe, the majority of hydrogen production still relies on fossil fuels like methane, making these cars less environmentally friendly than battery electric vehicles and only marginally cleaner than traditional combustion engines.

Hyundai expands production in Thailand 

Dubbed the “Detroit of Asia,” Thailand is set to welcome a new Hyundai EV facility, scheduled to start production in 2026. Hyundai is investing $28 million in this new assembly and battery plant as it strengthens its pull in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle market. 

With EV sales booming in Thailand, Hyundai's investment aims to capitalize on the country’s strong supply chain, which will enable the company to source a significant portion of its materials locally. This move comes as Chinese automaker BYD, the current leader in Thailand's EV market, continues to dominate with a substantial share of sales. 

Don’t miss a beat!

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