Lucas Herrera
Clean Energy & EV Reporter

Solar, wind, batteries, and the EV supply chain. Grew up in Chile's lithium triangle — understands the resource side of the energy transition firsthand.

Latest

GM announces new gas-powered Cadillac CT5, XT5 and XT6 models, reversing its prior commitment to sell only electric vehicles by 2030.

GM adds 3 gas Cadillac models in reversal of EV-only pledge

**General Motors is bringing back three gasoline-powered Cadillac models, abandoning its pledge to sell only electric vehicles by 2030 as EV demand falls short of expectations.**

Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi cut prices across China as luxury market share falls to 11.3% and domestic EV brands capture buyers.

Mercedes, BMW and Audi cut China prices as luxury share falls to 11%

**German luxury automakers Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi are slashing prices across China as local EV rivals erode a market that once generated roughly 40% of their global profits.**

Yorkville Advisors orchestrated a $6 billion merger between Trump Media and nuclear fusion firm TAE Technologies, turning the social media company into a publicly traded fusion venture.

Trump Media merges with fusion firm TAE in $6 billion nuclear pivot

**Key Takeaways:** - Yorkville Advisors engineered a $6 billion merger between Trump Media and fusion firm TAE Technologies - Trump Media posted a $406 million net loss in Q1 as shares fell more than 80 percent from 2024 highs - The deal faces scrutiny from Sen. Ron Wyden over potential conflicts of interest with the Trump family

Tongwei launched the TNC 3.0 BIFIMAX solar module at Intersolar Europe 2026, achieving a record 93.07% bifaciality rate certified by TUV Rheinland.

Tongwei unveils 770W solar module with record 93% bifaciality rate

**Key Takeaways:** - Tongwei's TNC 3.0 BIFIMAX module achieves a record 93.07% bifaciality rate certified by TUV Rheinland - The 770W module delivers 24.8% efficiency and adds €180,000 in annual revenue per 100MW solar farm - The company also launched a 480W residential panel with 24% efficiency and enhanced low-light performance

SPP issued a level three energy alert Monday evening as record demand and unexpected plant outages pushed the central US power grid to the brink of a shortfall.

SPP warns of potential rolling blackouts as 14-state grid nears shortfall

The Southwest Power Pool warned it could order rolling blackouts Monday evening as record electricity demand pushed the 14-state grid to the brink of a shortfall.

Aodong New Energy files for Hong Kong IPO as the battery-swapping company pivots from heavy asset ownership to technology licensing amid competition from 800V charging.

Aodong New Energy files Hong Kong IPO as battery swapping faces 800V threat

**Key Takeaways:** - Aodong New Energy filed its Hong Kong IPO prospectus on July 19, seeking to become the city's first battery-swapping stock - The company posted net losses totaling 13.81 billion yuan from 2023 to 2025 but achieved positive gross margin of 1.8% in early 2026 - The IPO will test whether independent swapping can compete with 800V ultra-fast charging and automaker-owned networks

Advanced nuclear reactor milestones in China and Slovakia pushed the NUKZ ETF up 12 percent as investors rotated into nuclear supply chain stocks.

NUKZ ETF gains 12% as advanced reactor milestones fuel nuclear supply chain

**Key Takeaways:** - China's Changjiang Unit 3 achieved first criticality on July 10, advancing the Hualong One reactor toward grid connection - Slovakia's Mochovce 4 completed fuel loading, targeting first electricity by end of summer 2026 - The NUKZ ETF gained 12 percent in July as investors rotated into nuclear supply chain stocks

GE Aerospace completed the first hybrid electric flight above 30,000 feet in partnership with NASA, BETA Technologies and Boeing at the Farnborough International Airshow.

GE Aerospace completes first hybrid electric flight above 30,000 feet

**Key Takeaways:** - GE Aerospace flew a hybrid electric aircraft above 30,000 feet for the first time - The modified Saab 340B completed flights exceeding two hours at commercial altitudes - The milestone supports CFM's RISE program targeting 20% better fuel efficiency

BMW North America CEO Sebastian Mackensen announced a $1.7 billion investment to build the first US-assembled all-electric iX5 SUV at its South Carolina plant.

BMW invests $1.7 billion in US-made EV SUV at South Carolina plant

**Key Takeaways:** - BMW will invest $1.7 billion to build the iX5 EV SUV at its South Carolina plant - The iX5 is BMW's first American-made all-electric vehicle - The investment comes as US EV sales dropped 27% in Q1 2026 after the federal tax credit ended

GAC Aion extends battery warranty to 8 years or 300,000 km after 182 complaints of swelling and leakage in CALB-equipped Aion S fleet vehicles.

GAC Aion extends battery warranty as 182 complaints surface

**Key Takeaways:** - GAC Aion extended battery warranty to 8 years or 300,000 km after 182 complaints of cell failures in fleet Aion S vehicles - CALB's 177-Ah LFP cells showed swelling and leakage concentrated between 150,000 and 300,000 km - China's 43.97 million NEV fleet faces a looming aftermarket liability crisis with no standardized battery health metrics

China imposes a phased 2-4% consumption tax on lithium-ion batteries from September 2026, benefiting integrated automakers and pressuring smaller battery manufacturers.

China's 2% battery tax pressures smaller makers, favors CATL

**China's phased battery consumption tax will widen the cost gap between integrated automakers and battery-dependent rivals, reshaping competition in the industry.**

Chinese suppliers control 90% of the U.S. energy-storage market, prompting Washington to review options for reducing dependency on a geopolitical rival for critical renewable energy infrastructure.

Chinese battery suppliers hold 90% of US storage market, sparking concern

**Key Takeaways:** - Chinese suppliers control 90% of the U.S. energy-storage market - Washington is reviewing options to reduce dependency on a geopolitical rival - Tesla's $4.3 billion LG deal signals industry efforts to diversify supply chains

Bloom Energy's hydrogen fuel cells are being adopted by AI data centers at scale, with Brookfield quintupling its investment to $25 billion.

Bloom Energy's $25B Brookfield deal signals hydrogen's AI data center moment

**Hydrogen fuel cells are finally entering the mainstream as an option for powering artificial intelligence data centers, and Bloom Energy is positioned at the center of this shift.**

Tesla plans to increase production at its Grünheide, Germany factory to as many as 375,000 vehicles a year in 2026 as European demand strengthens and the plant expands into new markets.

Tesla targets 375,000 vehicles a year at German plant in 2026

**Tesla plans to increase output at its Grünheide factory to as many as 375,000 vehicles a year in 2026 as European demand strengthens.**

Nuclear energy ETFs are gaining investor attention as rising AI electricity demand and streamlined US reactor authorization support a 300 GW capacity target by 2050.

3 nuclear ETFs get a fresh look as AI power demand rises 300 GW by 2050

**Key Takeaways:** - US nuclear reactor authorization is streamlined with a 300 GW capacity goal by 2050 - AI electricity demand growth makes low-carbon nuclear generation increasingly attractive - Three ETFs — NLR, URNM, and URA — offer distinct exposure to uranium and nuclear power

The First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) returned 34% over the past year by capturing industrial equipment vendors selling into the AI power buildout.

GRID ETF's 0.56% fee buys AI power exposure broad funds miss

**GRID ETF returned 34% over the past year by targeting the industrial equipment vendors and contractors powering the AI data center buildout — exposure that broad utility and industrial ETFs cannot replicate.**

NextEra Energy plans $59 billion in annual capital spending through 2032 and agreed to acquire Dominion Energy for $67 billion, betting on surging electricity demand from data centers and AI.

NextEra Energy plans $59B annual capex as Dominion deal expands reach

**Key Takeaways:** - NextEra Energy plans $59 billion in annual capital spending through 2032. - The company agreed to acquire Dominion Energy in a $67 billion deal. - Combined electricity demand is expected to rise 60% between 2025 and 2045.

Bloom Energy shares have fallen 39% from their June peak as regulatory hurdles and permitting delays threaten the AI data center growth narrative.

Bloom Energy drops 39% from peak as AI data center growth hits regulatory hurdles

**Key Takeaways:** - Bloom Energy shares have fallen 39% from their June peak as regulatory hurdles slow AI data center projects - Oracle's $165 billion Project Jupiter in New Mexico was rejected by regulators for a second time - The stock trades at 95.6 times forward earnings, more than four times the energy sector median

General Fusion rang the Nasdaq opening bell on July 17, 2026, celebrating its debut as the first publicly listed fusion energy company after shares surged 21%.

General Fusion rings Nasdaq bell after 21% debut, first fusion stock

**General Fusion became the first publicly traded fusion energy company this week, ringing the Nasdaq opening bell after its shares surged 21% on debut.**

Chinese EV manufacturers are gaining significant market share in the UK as the country maintains tariff-free access while the US and EU impose barriers on Chinese-made vehicles.

Chinese EVs grab 8% UK market share as tariff-free access drives growth

**Key Takeaways:** - Chinese EV brands captured 8% of UK new car sales in H1 2026, up from 3% a year earlier - The UK maintains zero additional tariffs on Chinese EVs while the US and EU impose barriers - BYD and MG lead the charge, with the Geely EX2 — China's best-selling car — launching in the UK this year

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