Electric Aircraft Takeoff and The End of Coal

The Clean Energy Show

Chinese battery giant CATL tests long-distance electric aircraft with state-of-the-art batteries, France abandons plans for small modular nuclear reactors, and Britain bids farewell to its last coal-hauling train. Join Brian and James as they discuss these stories and more, including the latest updates on clean energy technologies and listener feedback.

Main Topics:

1. Electric Aircraft Advances

   • Chinese battery giant CATL successfully flies a 4-ton plane using high-density "condensed batteries" with an energy density of 500 Wh/kg.
   • Future plans include an 8-ton electric aircraft with a range of up to 3,000 km (1,865 miles) by 2027-2028.
   • Partnerships with COMAC, a Chinese aviation company, to advance electric aircraft technology.

2. France Abandons Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs)

   • High costs lead France to scrap its SMR plans, despite global interest in nuclear energy.

3. Britain's Last Coal Train

   • The UK's last coal-hauling train completes its final journey, marking the end of an era.
   • Impact on the UK's transition to cleaner energy sources.

4. Divestment from Fossil Fuels

   • Global money managers are increasingly divesting from fossil fuels due to financial and environmental concerns.

Additional Stories:

• Updates on Cummins' new battery cell factory and hydrogen PEM electrolyser factory.
• Listener feedback from Damon in Tasmania on vehicle-to-grid delays in Australia.
• A spotlight on clean transportation options, including trains, buses, and bikes.

Lightning Round:

• Affordable car options and clean transportation incentives.
• Wendy's restaurants adopting community solar.
• A WWII bomb found at Tesla Gigafactory Berlin site.
• The world's largest wooden solar carport in Belgium.
• SUVs and trucks dominating Canadian vehicle sales.
• Clean tech investments projected to reach $2 trillion in 2024.

Listener Mail:

• Andy and Michael on Spotify share their thoughts on the show.
• Sundance on Bluesky suggests focusing more on non-car clean transportation options.

Links to Stories:

• France ends SMR plans
• CATL electric aircraft success was from Atlas
• Money managers divesting from fossil fuels
• Call to end carbon offsets
• The end of Britain's coal-hauling trains

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