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Why hydrogen and other 'clean energy bridges' will be crucial in the years ahead

The planet appears to be at a major crossroads when it comes to meeting climate-related goals.

Discussions about how to mitigate the effects of climate change are closely tied to the energy transition, which can broadly be seen as a plan to shift away from fossil fuels to a system in which renewables dominate.

It’s difficult to predict how the transition will pan out, given that it depends on a complex combination of factors, such as technology, finance and international cooperation.

The topic was covered in detail during a recent panel discussion moderated by CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick.

“We need to get electrification going faster,” said Angela Wilkinson, the secretary general and CEO of the London-based World Energy Council.

“We want it to be more renewable-powered electrification,” she added, before acknowledging that a huge amount of work will be needed.

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“We can’t let perfection be the enemy of the good in this, right? The reality is, to get renewables to scale we’re going to have to have other clean energy friends in the mix, we’re going to have to build multiple clean energy bridges.”

“We’re going to have to have hydrogen [doing the] lifting, we’re going to have to have gas with CCUS [carbon capture, utilization and storage] lifting, we’re going to have to have grid strengthening going on,” Wilkinson said.

The idea of using gas as a “transition” fuel that would bridge the gap between a world dominated by fossil fuels to one where renewables are in the majority is not a new one and has been the source of heated debate for a while now.

Is hydrogen the answer?

In recent years, hydrogen has been touted as a potentially crucial tool in the shift to a net-zero future.

Described by the International Energy Agency as a “versatile energy carrier,” hydrogen has a diverse range of applications and can be used in a wide range of industries.

One method of producing hydrogen involves electrolysis, a process through which an electric current splits water into oxygen and hydrogen.

Some call the resulting hydrogen “green” or “renewable” if the electricity used in the electrolysis process comes from renewable energy installations like wind or solar farms.

Over the past few years, major economies and businesses have looked to the emerging green hydrogen sector to decarbonize industries integral to modern life, although the vast majority of hydrogen generation today is still based on fossil fuels.

In looking at the overall picture, the World Energy Council’s Wilkinson stressed there are no easy answers.

“It’s not that it’s a simple issue of just swapping out one technology for another technology,” she said. “It’s a much more complex challenge than that.”

IPCC concerns

In March, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published a major report stressing the need for urgent action, with the U.N. secretary general describing it as a “survival guide for humanity.”

In a statement, Antonio Guterres said the report represented a “clarion call to massively fast-track climate efforts by every country and every sector and on every timeframe.”

IPCC report is 'sobering,' World Energy Council CEO says

Those findings loomed large over CNBC’s discussion. As the CEO of an organization established in 1923, the World Energy Council’s Wilkinson sought to contextualize the current debate.

“We started up in an era of energy for peace, we’ve worked through an era of energy for prosperity, and now we’re in this era of energy for people and planet,” she said.

“And it requires not just a change in thinking about what we need to do, it requires a change in thinking about who we need to do it with.”

“So if we’re really going to achieve what the IPCC is asking for, we’ve got to remember the energy transition is happening alongside industrial transitions, it’s happening alongside political transitions.”

Wilkinson also argued that the current era would require collaboration across borders, sectors and generations.

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SUPER73 unveils new e-bike that leaves everyone scratching their heads

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SUPER73 unveils new e-bike that leaves everyone scratching their heads

We knew SUPER73 had something new coming soon based on recent teasers dropped on the e-bike brand’s social media pages. But after the big unveiling of the new SUPER73 MZFT late last week, riders and fans have seemingly been left with more questions than answers regarding the new electric two-wheeler.

SUPER73 took to the Moto Beach Classic in Orange County, California, to roll out its newest model, which had already drummed up hype for an expected new platform.

The company delivered on that promise, showcasing the MZFT with its new frame and features, including multiple battery options and locking storage under the flip-up seat. While some familiar features remain, such as the rear hub motor, wide dual-sport tires, and rigid frame/fork setup, the new platform definitely looks like a novel swing at a moped-style electric bike that stays true to SUPER73’s design legacy.

But beyond the obvious Class 2 sticker on the frame – indicating a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and an included throttle – SUPER73 has been tight-lipped about any other specs. The result is an unveiling that has left many scratching their heads and asking, “But what is it?”.

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Without any real sizing information, we’re left to speculate from the bike’s proportions. The bike certainly looks smaller than the large, rugged SUPER73 bikes that dominated the brand’s flagship lineup for years.

A photo with several young boys on the MZFT series seems to nail the target crowd, likely positioning the MZFT as a smaller, teen-friendly e-bike designed for the quickly growing teen boy e-bike market.

Many cities in the US are now home to groups of teenagers that ride e-bikes in packs. The trend has proven divisive, with some praising the electric two-wheelers for getting more youths outdoors and away from screens, while others bemoan the tendency for these ‘e-bike gangs’ to stray from strictly following the rules of the road.

For its part, SUPER73 has been relatively proactive with its response to criticism, focusing on ensuring its new models maintain street legal compliance and even pushing updates to older models that removed the ability to unlock higher speeds, even to the chagrin of much of the brand’s customer base.

If SUPER73 is targeting the tween boy crowd, it could be a shot at attracting those young riders before they get swayed over to Sur Rons and other non-street legal e-motos, instead drawing them into class-correct e-bikes that still invoke the fun moto-styling. One of the bikes in the image above even has two boys seated together, which would explain the apparent mounting point for additional pillion pegs on the rear chainstays of the frame (though no pillion pegs are visible in the photos or renderings).

For now, we can’t say for sure exactly what these MZFT e-bikes will be packing under the hood, and we will have to await more news from SUPER73 regarding sizing, performance, and other specs.

But whatever the MZFT turns out to be, SUPER73 says the bikes will be hitting retail stores on November 8th and will become available online by November 10th, so we should know significantly more by then.

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US average new car price tops $50k for the first time – here’s why

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US average new car price tops k for the first time – here's why

The average US new car price crossed the $50,000 mark for the first time in September, according to new estimates from Kelley Blue Book (KBB). Prices have been climbing steadily for over a year, and the pace picked up this summer – but that hasn’t stopped Americans from buying.

KBB says September’s record average transaction price (ATP) was partly driven by luxury models and EVs, which pushed the market into record territory. EVs made up an estimated 11.6% of all new vehicles sold last month, which is also a record high. The average EV sold for $58,124 – up 3.5% from August’s adjusted figure.

In Q3, EV sales hit another milestone: 437,487 EVs were sold in the US, giving them a 10.5% market share. That’s nearly a 30% jump from the same period last year. With government-backed EV incentives expiring at the end of September, many buyers hurried to lock in their purchases.

Year-over-year, the average EV transaction price is basically flat, down just 0.4%. Incentives averaged 15.3% of ATP in September, or about $8,900 per vehicle – slightly lower than August but higher than a year ago, when incentives averaged 13%.

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Tesla, which continues to dominate the EV market, saw an average ATP of $54,138 in September. That’s a slight dip from August and down 6.8% from a year earlier. With Tesla recently introducing the new Standard versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, KBB expects average prices across the segment to fall in the coming months. Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox Automotive, thinks the market is “ripe for disruption.”

“It is important to remember that the new-vehicle market is inflationary. Prices go up over time, and today’s market is certainly reminding us of that,” said Keating. “The $20,000 vehicle is now mostly extinct, and many price-conscious buyers are sidelined or cruising in the used-vehicle market. Tariffs have introduced new cost pressure to the business, but the pricing story in September was mostly driven by the healthy mix of EVs and higher-end vehicles pushing the new-vehicle ATP into uncharted territory.”

Read more: US EV sales smash records in August as Tesla loses ground


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Genesis is about to launch two new ‘electrified’ SUVs based on the GV70

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Genesis is about to launch two new 'electrified' SUVs based on the GV70

It’s official. The Genesis GV70 is about to get two new electrified options, including its first hybrid and extended-range (EREV) versions.

Two new Genesis GV70 electrified SUVs are coming soon

Genesis is turning 10, and it’s planning to go all out. Hyundai gave us a look at what’s coming last month during its CEO Investor Day.

The plans include Genesis expanding with new electrified powertrain offerings, including its first hybrid and extended-range electric vehicles.

Up until now, the luxury automaker has focused on fully electric (EV) or internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. By expanding into different electrified powertrains, Genesis hopes to attract new buyers to the brand while grabbing a bigger share of the luxury market.

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Genesis will launch its first hybrid in 2026, the GV80. We knew the GV70 EREV would follow shortly after, but now it’s been confirmed that a hybrid model is also set to join the lineup.

We got our first look at the Genesis GV70 EREV last week. The vehicle was parked in South Korea and appeared to be nearly identical to the current model. Aside from a tag labeling it an EREV and a massive muffler at the back, it looks about the same as the Electrified GV70.

Now, we are finally getting a glimpse of the Hybrid version. The Genesis GV70 Hybrid was also caught by HealerTV in South Korea, this time with an HEV tag.

Like the EREV, the GV70 Hybrid is still covered in camouflage, but this time, you can see the vehicle has the brand’s sport package. The optional package adds sporty exterior and interior elements, including chrome around the Crest Grille and window trim.

Genesis-GV70-hybrid
The Genesis Electrified GV70 (Source: Genesis)

The vehicle is still a prototype, so it could change by the time it reaches production form. However, as the reporter points out, the GV70 Hybrid could bring a unique new look to the GV70 series.

On the side of the tire, the letters “FL” are printed, which is typically shown on Hyundai vehicles set to receive a facelift.

Genesis-GV70-hybrid
Genesis plans to launch new luxury EVs, hybrids, and EREVs (Source: Hyundai)

Genesis is expected to launch the GV70 EREV in late 2026, followed by the Hybrid version sometime in early 2027.

According to Hyundai, the EREV will have a combined driving range of over 1,000 km (620 miles). Although it still runs on an electric motor, it will feature a small gas motor that acts as a generator to charge the battery and extend the driving range.

Genesis is betting on new electrified vehicles, including EVs, hybrids, and EREVs, to drive growth. The luxury brand aims to expand into up to 20 new European markets while gaining a bigger share of the US market. By 2030, Genesis aims to sell 350,000 vehicles.

Although it had planned to only offer fully electric vehicles from 2030, Genesis backed off on its commitment. Instead, it will use hybrids and EREVs as a bridge to an all-electric future.

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