Latest news with #RobertElliott
ABC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Bitcoin boom or digital deception?
Donald Trump is establishing a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. He wants it to rival the country's stockpile of gold. He boasts America will one day be the "Bitcoin superpower of the world", but what's his end game and what will it mean for future global finance? Questions are already being asked about why he's chosen to largely deregulate the cryptocurrency sector and whether his family's personal crypto interests are now driving US policy. Guests Associate Professor Larisa Yarovaya — Director of the Centre for Digital Finance, University of Southampton Professor Robert Elliott — Professor of Economics, University of Birmingham Dr John Hawkins — senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Maximilian Brichta — Communications, University of Southern California
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Researchers make surprising discovery after studying electric vehicles: 'More reliable'
A United Kingdom study that examined 300 million battery-powered and internal-combustion vehicles has highlighted how quickly electric tech is advancing. In fact, EVs are "more reliable" and can "match the lifespans" of gas-guzzlers, according to findings from the University of Birmingham. EVs "offer significant environmental benefits, especially as Europe switches to a more renewable energy mix," Birmingham economics professor Robert Elliott said in a news release. The study, published in the Nature Energy journal, included government vehicle records that charted the "health" of a variety of car types on U.K. roads between 2005 and '22. Longevity and powertrain durability for EVs, gas, and diesel vehicles were analyzed. The big takeaway: EV advancement has rapidly brought the modern conveyances to parity with fuel-powered vehicles, per the report. It was put together by an international, multi-institutional team. It found that EVs are more reliable — 12% less likely to fail "for each successive year of production, compared to 6.7% for petrol and 1.9% for diesel vehicles," according to the release. EV lifespan is now at 18.4 years and 124,000 miles, on average. The mileage mark is greater than gas vehicles, at 116,000. Other reports are also touting EV benefits. U.S. Department of Energy data showed that EVs prevent thousands of pounds of harmful, heat-trapping air pollution each year compared to fossil-burning rides, even in states where nonrenewables provide most of the energy to charge them. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that limiting our planet's warming is crucial to avoiding worst-case severe weather and human health risks that are made worse by Earth's overheating. What's more, EV fire risk is in fact lower than that of gas cars, a common misconception set straight by Motor Trend and other publications. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Battery ranges are increasing to hundreds of miles while charge times are dropping to only minutes. And battery costs are expected to soon plunge 50%. In fact, Recurrent reported that a pack replacement is estimated to cost less than $5,000 by 2030, on par or less than a gas engine rebuild. While experts estimate that we will need to harvest around 30 million tons of minerals each year to power the cleaner energy transition, the mining will still fall far short of the 16.5 billion tons of fossil fuels annually hauled out of the ground, according to Sustainability by Numbers. And MIT experts confirmed that EVs are better for the planet during their lifetimes than gas cars, despite a manufacturing process that generates more pollution. Better yet, it's a great time to make the switch. You can save up to $1,500 per year in gas/maintenance costs. In the U.S., tax breaks of up to $7,500 are still available for certain models, pending possible policy changes under President Donald Trump. The evidence is substantial, indicating that the University of Birmingham's report is more confirmation than revelation about how fast EV tech is advancing. "Despite higher initial emissions from production, a long-lasting electric vehicle can quickly offset its carbon footprint … making [it] a more sustainable long-term option," Elliott said in the release. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
EVs vs. gas cars: This study finally settles the debate on which lasts longer
Electric cars in the U.K. are proving just as durable as their gas-powered counterparts, according to a major new study. Researchers analyzed 300 million records from Ministry of Transport roadworthiness tests and found that the lifespan of battery electric vehicles nearly matched that of gas-powered cars and outlasted diesel vehicles, per the Guardian. The study, published in Nature Energy, showed that EVs have an average lifespan of 18.4 years, compared to 18.7 years for petrol cars and 16.8 years for diesel. These findings come as EV adoption skyrockets ahead of the U.K.'s 2035 ban on new gas-powered car sales. With EV sales surging worldwide — especially in China and Norway, which are leading the transition — this research provides further confidence in their long-term viability. Data on EV reliability has been limited until now, as the earliest mass-market models are only just reaching the end of their lifespans. If you were going to buy an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Good driving range Low sticker price High-tech features Cheap maintenance Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. They counter concerns that EVs wear out faster, instead showing rapid improvements in their reliability. While the researchers found that all new cars have improved in reliability over the years, electric vehicles have seen the most significant gains as manufacturers learned from early battery model flaws. As a result, automakers have quickly refined battery technology, while traditional gas engines have little room left for efficiency gains. "[Battery electric vehicles] offer significant environmental benefits, especially as Europe switches to a more renewable energy mix," said Robert Elliott, an economist at the University of Birmingham and one of the study's authors, per the Guardian. "Despite higher initial emissions from production, a long-lasting electric vehicle can quickly offset its carbon footprint, contributing to the fight against climate change — making them a more sustainable long-term option." Notably, Tesla models had the longest lifespans among electric vehicles studied. Additionally, EVs were found to be driven an average of 124,000 miles over their lifetime — more than petrol cars, though slightly less than diesels, which have traditionally been favored for long-haul trips. For drivers, this is a big win. A longer-lasting vehicle means fewer replacements, saving money and reducing waste. And as the grid continues to transition to renewables, the electricity that powers EVs will become cleaner each year, further slashing their carbon emissions and footprints. The study's findings also push back against one of the biggest hesitations about EV ownership: expensive repairs and insurance costs. As EV reliability continues to improve, those costs could drop, making electric cars an even more attractive option. For those considering making the switch, now may be the perfect time to explore the growing number of EV options on the market. With increasing reliability, falling costs, and a cleaner energy future ahead, EVs are proving to be a smarter and more sustainable choice than ever. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
