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Below is a roundup of more cleantech news, stories that didn’t grab enough attention for their own standalone article but seem important to highlight nonetheless.
This week, Cadillac’s new design strikes a balance between luxury and sustainability, appealing to a certain segment of the automotive culture while also evoking a glamorous 1950s road trip. On the other side of the world, mini EVs demonstrate a very different preference or culture. Also, while the short film below reminds us of how Hollywood glamorized road vacations as a luxury, it also shows how the reasonably priced Mini could be an object of desire, so like the popular Wu Ling that displays practicality and affordability. Others stories on EVs, solar, and batteries are also included.
Cadillac Sollei concept revealed as ultra-lux convertible
The Sollei’s interior design incorporates Cadillac’s recognizable 55-inch pillar-to-pillar digital screen, which is also included in the Celestiq’s cabin. For the interior door map pockets and console charging mats, MycoWorks created Fine Mycelium, a bio-based substance. The idea of environmental sustainability is highlighted by the fact that Fine Mycelium is a renewable substance that is formed from the root structure of mushrooms.
The Cadillac Sollei Concept has a two-door drop-top that takes after the all-electric Cadillac Celestiq halo sedan, “the ultimate design expression of a coach-built luxury electric convertible.” The exterior is covered in a traditional Caddy color from the late 1950s, while the interior of the cabin is furnished with fine materials and features several unique themes.
FAW Bestune Pony deliveries will start on July 28
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Sales of the FAW Bestune Pony will begin on July 28. It is the latest “micro EV,” similar to the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, to go on sale in China. Prices for the three versions range from 26,900 to 31,900 yuan ($3,700 to $4,400). Base models have a range of 122 km, and the more expensive versions have a range of 170 km.
For some, the Mini EV says it all. I haven’t seen anything that miniature since Audrey Hepburn stepped out of an Autobianchi Bianchina Cabriolet (in How to Steal a Million).
Student Transportation of America’s Leadership Team and EV Program, Receive Top NSTA Awards
“Student Transportation of America (STA), an industry leader in school transportation, safety and fleet services, is pleased to share that three of its esteemed leadership team members received recognition during the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Annual Meeting & Convention held last night in Nashville, Tenn. Highlighting each individual’s commitment to industry excellence, community stewardship and service, the team took home the program’s top awards including the 2024 Hall of Fame, Golden Merit, and Committee Member of the Year.“
Rivian hosts 3rd annual Family and Friends Day at Normal plant
100% electric Rivian popped into the news, as well. “We’re well over 100,000 pre-orders for R2, and those continue to climb — and they really climb organically,” Fallon said. “As we really push R1 and R1 gen 2 and continue to get our current product out there, the R2 continues to increase in pre-orders.”
BYD M6 all-electric MPV launched in Indonesia, price starts at 23,400 USD
More affordable EVs from BYD reach more and more markets, the latest being the M6 in Indonesia for prices that really make one’s eyes pop. “Consumers can choose from three trims with a price range of 379,000,000 – 429,000,000 RP (23,400 – 26,500 USD), namely, Standard 7 Seater, Superior 7 Seater, and Superior Captain 6 Seater.”
Carvana EV trends report reveals broadening appeal and accessibility of used EVs
“Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, today released an EV Trends Report for Q2 2024. The report focuses on the evolving profile of the used EV buyer, highlighting the category’s increasing adoption by mass-market buyers of all ages and income levels.”
EV Charging
“Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN), the nation’s leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, is now operating the nation’s first vehicle-to-home power plant using a small group of customer-owned bidirectional electric vehicles. In partnership with Maryland’s largest utility, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC), the regulator-approved initiative utilizes all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning trucks to deliver power to owners’ homes this summer during peak demand times to support Maryland’s power grid.”
Bowman installs public EV charging stations at Burlington, VT, office
Batteries
Wildcat and Austin Elements partner to close the loop on LFP/LMFP battery recycling
Autonomous Vehicles
Atlas Energy Solutions and Kodiak announce agreement for autonomous trucking technology
Solar
LONGi completed its 1st vertical installation of all-black solar modules in Japan
![](https://cleantechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image_821075_32901061-e1721850399500.jpg)
Sustainability
A “Sustainable Consumer Choice Survey 2024,” which aims to gauge the sustainable consumption behaviour of Hong Kong consumers and gain insights into the trends in sustainable consumption, has revealed that nearly half of the respondents have stopped or cut down on their purchases because brands do not place sufficient focus on sustainability.
Are sustainable aviation fuels truly sustainable?
A new IIASA-led study offers the first detailed estimates of land use change emissions for six sustainable aviation fuel production pathways. The authors focused on both food and non-food raw materials used to produce biofuels, using trusted global data sources to provide fine-scale emissions data.
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