Greece earmarks EUR 100 million package to promote EVs

The government of Greece has earmarked EUR 100 million to promote e-mobility in the country as part of its 10-year climate plan, and the package is expected to subsidise 15% of the cost of up to 14,000 private electric cars. Greece has only about 1,000 electric cars — 0.3% of its car fleet — as compared to 10% in Germany, but the city of Athens will aim for every third car sold by 2030 to be electric. Familiar incentives, such as free parking for EV drivers, will be rolled out as well, apart from the state subsidising up to 25% of the cost of electric taxis.

All German petrol stations to get EV chargers, MG & Tata to launch superfast chargers in India

A new directive by the German government has mandated that each of the country’s 14,118 petrol stations be fitted with EV charging points to alleviate range anxiety concerns. Germany currently has 27,730 charging stations, but the government wants the number to go up to at least 70,000, of which 7,000 would have to be fast chargers to attract EV customers. Owners of large IC-engined SUVs will also have to pay staggered taxes, and will be offered subsidies to switch to EVs.

In India, Tata Motors and MG Motors will offer 50kW DC superfast chargers at select MG dealerships as part of their joint effort to spur EV adoption. The chargers will be accessible to CCS/CHAdeMO vehicles. 

Best-ever results for sodium-ion batteries offer hope of moving away from lithium

Researchers from the Washington State University have reported the ‘best-ever’ results for sodium-ion batteries, which they say offer charge capacity and recharge potential similar to some commercial-grade lithium-ion chemistries. The batteries reportedly hold up to 80% of their charge potential after 1,000 cycles, and further progress into moving away from using cobalt in batteries’ cathodes could break the dependence entirely.

Lithium and cobalt are rare earth metals and are often mined in African nations in conditions that have drawn criticism around the world. Sodium, on the other hand, is one of the components of common salt. Also, alternatives to lithium-ion batteries are being explored as they may not be entirely suitable to utility-scale applications.

CATL announces two-million km battery with a 16-year lifespan

Chinese company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., better known as CATL, has announced that it is ready to start manufacturing batteries for EVs that last 16 years and run 2 million kilometers (1.24 million miles). The announcement, made by CATL chairman Zeng Yuqun during an interview, comes on the heels of similar announcements made by Tesla and General Motors, both of which expect to breach the million-mile milestone soon. CATL’s announcement lends further credence to the belief that EVs are set to outdo their gas-based counterparts in weathering the current economic slowdown. According to BNEF, battery-powered cars will swell to 8.1% of all sales next year in China.

About The Author

Editorial Team

A team of handpicked and dedicated writers committed to fact check each climate-related statement. Go to the roots and intent of each policy implemented, internationally and at home to help you understand climate better

See author's posts