🚘 Transportation
Transportation in all forms and sizes are getting cleaner and the vehicles are self-driving. We for example cover electric cars, airplanes and trucks but also drones and all kinds of autonomous vehicles.
🔋 Battery prices continue to drop, lowering the cost of electric vehicles
The price of lithium-ion batteries in China has decreased by 51 percent in the past year. Lower battery prices make electric vehicles cheaper than fossil fuel cars in many segments, and large-scale battery solutions in energy systems become more profitable.
🚑 New Indian traffic safety model to save lives in poor countries
Zero Fatality Corridor has reduced road fatalities by over 50 percent on specific stretches in India. The model is adapted to the conditions of low- and middle-income countries. The Indian government plans to expand the model to the country’s 15 most dangerous highways.
🚗 Waymo's robotaxi has now reached 50,000 paid trips per week
Waymo's robotaxi is now performing 50,000 paid trips each week, up from 10,000 a year ago. The service is fully autonomous and available 24/7 in selected parts of Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
🛩️ Really large drones pave the way for long-distance freight transport
MightyFly receives FAA approval for autonomous eVTOL transport drones. The drone can carry a 45 kg load up to 100 kilometers. The range and ability to operate beyond the operator's line of sight enable long transport distances.
🔋 Electric cars will continue to rise in the US (despite what some claim)
Despite challenges such as inadequate charging infrastructure and high costs, 42 percent of respondents are considering buying an electric car as their next vehicle.
🚅 Europe's longest test track for Hyperloop opens in the Netherlands
The EU is investing in hyperloop technology with a new testing facility in the Netherlands. Hyperloop could significantly reduce commuting times between cities in Europe.
🚗 Fewer traffic deaths in the US last year
Traffic deaths in the USA decreased by 3.6 percent last year. This marks the second consecutive year of a decrease in deaths, despite an increase in miles driven.
🔋 New fast-charging electric vehicle battery with a lifetime of 400,000 miles
StoreDot has introduced a new electric vehicle battery that can be charged up to 80 percent in just 5-10 minutes. The battery boasts a lifetime of 65,000 miles thanks to the ability to undergo 2,000 ultra-fast charging cycles.
🛫 Successful demo flight with the first private supersonic aircraft since the Concorde
Boom Supersonic has successfully completed the first flight with XB-1, the world's first civilly developed supersonic aircraft. This paves the way for Overture, which will become the world's fastest airliner and will be powered by 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel.