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Alexander Novak, Russia’s energy minister, pauses during a panel session on day two of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday, June 3, 2021.
Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on Thursday said the oil and gas-rich country may soon be tempted to move away from U.S. dollar-denominated crude contracts if President Joe Biden’s administration continues to impose targeted economic sanctions.

“Well, ideally we would prefer not to move away from the dollar as it is an international currency used for settlements,” Novak told CNBC’s Hadley Gamble at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, according to a translation.

“But if our American partners create this type of situation we shall have no other choice but gradually do that,” he added.

His comments come shortly after Russia announced it would completely remove U.S. dollar assets from its National Wealth Fund.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said at the same event Thursday that the changes could be expected within a month, according to Reuters. Russia’s NWF accumulates oil revenue and was initially dedicated to supporting the country’s pensions system.

The move comes ahead of a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden later this month.

‘Active player on the global energy scene’

“We shall continue to be the world leader in the fossil fuels market and we shall diversify by going into the LNG and petrochemicals (markets),” Novak said, referring to the acronym for liquefied natural gas.

“Plus develop new energy production, clean energy,” he continued, citing hydrogen, carbon storage technologies and the development of new fuels, among other projects.

Russia’s economy has been operating under international sanctions since 2014 after its annexation of Crimea.

Its role in a pro-Russian uprising in east Ukraine, 2016 U.S. election interference, a nerve agent poisoning in the U.K. and its role in the SolarWinds cyberattack, among other incidents, have also all prompted further sanctions. For its part, Russia denies any involvement or wrongdoing.

International benchmark Brent crude futures traded at $71.56 a barrel on Thursday afternoon in London, up around 0.3%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures stood at $68.99, roughly 0.2% higher.

Oil prices have climbed more than 30% since the start of the year.

In Oct. 2019, Russia’s largest oil company Rosneft set the euro as the default currency for all new exports of crude oil in an attempt to shield it from the impact of U.S. sanctions.

— CNBC’s Holly Ellyatt contributed to this report.

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Oil CEO says blaming the energy industry for the climate crisis ‘like blaming farmers for obesity’

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Oil CEO says blaming the energy industry for the climate crisis ‘like blaming farmers for obesity’

Blaming oil and gas producers for climate change is like blaming farmers for obesity: CEO

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates —The chief executive of UAE-based energy firm Crescent Petroleum on Tuesday claimed that blaming the oil and gas industry for the climate crisis “is like blaming farmers for obesity.”

His comments come at the mid-point of the U.N.’s biggest and most important annual climate conference, with many at the COP28 talks in Dubai calling for heads of state from nearly 200 countries to agree to a fossil fuel phase out.

The burning of coal, oil and gas is by far the largest contributor to climate change, accounting for more than three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions.

“Blaming the producers of oil and gas for climate change is like blaming farmers for obesity. It’s our societal consumption that is the issue,” Crescent Petroleum CEO Majid Jafar told CNBC’s Dan Murphy on Tuesday.

“Now, we will still need oil and gas throughout the transition and there is no scenario, even the most ambitious scenario, that does not include that.”

Majid Jafar, chief executive officer of Crescent Petroleum Co., right, gives Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) and president of COP28, center, a scarf in the colours of the United Arab Emirates national flag during the Summit on Methane and Other Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases on day three of the COP28 climate conference at Expo City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Among a flurry of pledges in the first few days of COP28 was a commitment by some 50 oil and gas companies to cut methane emissions from their own operations by 2030.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said that the announcement was “a step in the right direction” for Big Oil and showed that the fossil fuel industry was “finally starting to wake up.” However, he said the promises made “clearly fall short of what is required.”

Asked about Guterres’ comments, Jafar said he believed oil and gas would continue to play a major role in the transition to cleaner energy technologies.

“So, with all respect for that viewpoint, perhaps he should start with the U.N. itself. Maybe he should have traveled here in a wooden boat, with sails, rowing when the wind died down,” he said.

“Maybe he should move the U.N. staff to upstate New York to a forest somewhere where they can grow their own food, without fertilizers. He has to take away all their smartphones, they can’t use email, they can use maybe carrier pigeon for U.N. communications.”

IEA warning to Big Oil

COP28: Former U.S. energy secretary says he welcomes the participation of oil and gas companies

The International Energy Agency said late last month that the fossil fuel industry faces a “moment of truth” about their role in the global energy system and the climate crisis.

“With the world suffering the impacts of a worsening climate crisis, continuing with business as usual is neither socially nor environmentally responsible,” the IEA’s Birol said on Nov. 23.

“The industry needs to commit to genuinely helping the world meet its energy needs and climate goals,” he added.

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Lucid Motors (LCID) updates its 2024 model year Airs, including lower prices and a RWD Pure

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Lucid Motors (LCID) updates its 2024 model year Airs, including lower prices and a RWD Pure

This morning, Lucid Motors shared details of its 2024 model year Air sedans, which are available for sale starting today. While the updates are minimal, Lucid is offering more customization options across its flagship EV, three of which (should) see lower pricing… some at the cost of some performance.

It’s been an up and down year for American automaker Lucid Motors ($LCID), which introduced some of the more exciting and innovative EV tech in the market, but is still working to find its larger audience of paying customers as a luxury brand.

The automaker’s Q3 report showed that operating losses continued to widen ahead of it pulling its first demand lever – a referral program that rewards both current owners and new Air customers. November in particular, was an exciting month for Lucid however, as it officially launched its second model – Gravity – an SUV with the makings to be a hit in the US.

With Gravity slotted to begin production in late 2024, Lucid’s flagship Air sedan will remain its lone bread winner for now. With hopes of boosted sedan sales next year, the automaker is expanding its configurator and offering its most affordable Air models to date.

2024 Lucid Air
Credit: Lucid Motors

2024 Lucid Air sedans are now available

Per Lucid Motors, the 2024 model year Airs have arrived, offering customers more configurations and flexibility when building their sedan – especially the lower end Pure and Touring versions. Some previous versions of the Air have been nixed, while the existing trims adopt some of their best features as standard or available add-ons. Per Lucid CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson:

This transforms the flexibility and choice for our customers while highlighting Lucid’s commitment to continuous improvement of the world’s most advanced and dynamic electric vehicles. By listening to owners and prospective customers, I’m delighted that we can now provide such compelling choices. For example, it’s now possible to order an Air Pure with massaging seats or even an Air Grand Touring with a metal roof.

First things first, let’s start with the Air Pure. As we reported in back in early October, Lucid has added a RWD version of the Air Pure priced at $77,400 – its most affordable option to date. Beginning with the 2024 model year Airs however, the Pure will come in RWD only. Here’s how the performance specs stack up side-by-side between the 2023 AWD Pure and the 2024 RWD version:

Air Pure 2023 AWD 2024 RWD
Max Power 480 hp 430 hp
0-60 mph 3.8 seconds 4.5 seconds
EPA Range
(19″ wheels)
410 miles 419 miles
Price* $82,400 $77,400
Prices do not include taxes, fees, or any potential federal tax credits

Future customers can also choose to upgrade their Air Pure or Touring with a new Comfort & Convenience package that features the following:

  • Heated steering wheel
  • Heated rear seats
  • Soft-close doors
  • Four-zone climate control
  • Power rear window sunshades

These features come in the Pure package, but the Air Touring package comes with the upgrades above, plus a power frunk and heated precision wipers. Speaking of the 2024 Air Touring, Lucid added some standard and available upgrades to that sedan as well.

With the AWD version of the Air Pure on its way out, the Pure Touring sits as Lucid’s most affordable all-wheel option and at a better price than its 2023 predecessor to boot. Here’s how the two models compare:

Air Touring 2023 AWD 2024 AWD
Max Power 620 hp 620 hp
0-60 mph 3.4 seconds 3.4 seconds
EPA Range
(19″ wheels)
425 miles 411 miles
Price* $85,900 $95,000
Prices do not include taxes, fees, or any potential federal tax credits

While we’re sure the $10,000 price cut it welcomed news, the 14 mile drop in range is surprising. Lucid cites an updated EPA range testing protocol as a reasoning for the drop, but 411 miles is still more range than nearly all other EVs on the market.

Lucid says the 2024 Air Touring now comes with 19″ aero wheels, PurLuxe leather-free upholstery, and 12-way power front seats standard, plus several available add-ons like Fathom Blue exterior paint and premium natural grain or Nappa full-grain leather.

Similar to the end of AWD Air Pure production, Lucid announced it will move into 2024 without the Performance version of the Grand Touring. Instead, the automaker has updated the powertrain and thermal performance of the standard Air Grand Touring, which appears to remain a work in progress.

While we know the 2024 Grand Touring’s horsepower and 0-60 speed will remain unchanged, specs like its battery capacity and EPA range estimate are not being shared yet. We also don’t know what this one will cost, although Lucid says it will arrive at a lower price. For perspective, the 2023 Air Grand Touring starts at $125,600 before a $10,000 Air credit from Lucid. The automaker says those missing details will be shared in early 2024.

We do know the Grand Touring will now come with a body-colored aluminum roof as a standard feature, with the glass canopy as an available upgrade. It also comes standard with the same features as the Touring alongside the same available add-ons.

Last but not least, there appear to be no changes to the tri-motor Air Sapphire, which launched in Q3 as a 2024 model anyways. The 2024 Air models (excluding Grand Touring) are available to configure now on Lucid’s website.

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The first fast chargers in GM and Pilot Flying J’s huge coast-to-coast network are open

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The first fast chargers in GM and Pilot Flying J’s huge coast-to-coast network are open

The first of 500 charging stations at Pilot Flying J rest stops are now open. General Motors announced the new partnership with Pilot Travel Centers and fast charging network EVgo last year, and today the companies announced that 17 charging stations are up and running across 13 states after a soft launch, which started in September.

Plans are underway to install 25 more, offering 100 charging stalls in total, by the end of the year. The broader plan is to install at least 2,000 charging stations over the next few years, with a target of 200 being open by 2024. The charging stations, which will be managed by EVgo, will be at about 500 Pilot Flying J truck stops.

Other perks for EV drivers include onsite assistance, Plug and Charge compatibility, pull-through charging stalls for towing, lots of lighting, and canopies to protect drivers from the elements. In addition, you’ll get all the standard amenities offered at a Flying J, such as food, restroom access, and free Wi-Fi. 

Drivers can find available charging locations via GM’s vehicle brand apps, Pilot’s myRewards Plus app, the EVgo app, PlugShare, and other apps for EV drivers. The myRewards Plus app lets EV drivers get discounts on food, drinks, and merchandise. Starting in the spring of next year, GM vehicle owners will be able to reserve a charger ahead of time and get special discounts on charging.

The chargers will be co-branded “Pilot Flying J” and “Ultium Charge 360. From the looks of the press photos (shown above), the stations will sport a GM logo as well, which makes them one of few in the US to do so apart from Tesla.

EVgo also recently announced a new deal with rental car company Hertz that offers drivers renting an electric car from any Hertz location in the US with discounts on charging for a year, with no subscription or session fees. EVgo is also following in Tesla’s footsteps and building prefabricated models for its charging sites, with the aim of cutting installation time in half and saving around 15% in construction costs.

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