While Europe Sizzles, U.S. Climate Policy Efforts Lose Steam

Europe suffers brutal heat wave, breaking records; Judge issues injunction barring PA from joining RGGI; Sen Joe Manchin says no to climate spending initiative; TVA issues RFP for 5,000 MW of carbon-free energy; Invenergy to boost the size of Grain Belt Express high voltage transmission line from KS to IN, from 4,000 to 5,000 MW; China’s June EV sales exceed 570,000; Bloomberg predicts U.S. EV sales at an inflection point, headed towards 25% by the end of 2025; GM and EVGA to install 500 DC Fast Chargers at Pilot/Flying Js across the U.S.; Ford to electrify Maverick and Ranger pick-up models; IEA indicates global EV sales tripled over past two years.

1) Europe swelters and burns in record heat wave.

2) Pennsylvania State judge issues injunction blocking Pennsylvania from joining Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

3) W VA Senator Joe Manchin indicates he will not support new spending on climate initiative.

4) Tennessee Valley Authority with RFP for 5,000 MW of carbon-free energy by 2029, also plans on add’l 10,000 MW of solar.

5) Invenergy expanding $7 billion Grain Belt Express high voltage transmission line from KS to IN from 4,000 to 5,000 MW, delivering 2,500 MW to MO on its way across the state.

6) China June EV sales exceed 570,000 (vs 640,000 in the US all of 2021), w/first half sales at almost 2.5 million (vs 2.6 mn cumulative for U.S.)

7) U.S. Q2 EV sales at 5.6% of total US car sales. Bloomberg analysis of 18 other countries suggest 5% sales is critical tipping point for sales numbers acceleration, suggests 25% by 2025.

8) GM allies w/EVgo to install up to 500 DC fast charging stations (2,000 x 350 kW chargers in total) at Pilot and Flying J travel centers across the US.

9) Ford to follow its F-150 Lightning and electrify smaller Maverick and Ranger pickups.

10) International Energy Agency says EV sales tripled over the past two years. Total net 2021 global growth in car sales came from EVs. This be peak sales year for internal combustion engines.

Peter Kelly-Detwiler