Green transition won’t be perfect and we’ll need natural gas, World Energy Council CEO says
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.
“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.”
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.
California-based B2U Storage Solutions is building a new battery energy storage facility east of San Antonio, Texas – and it’s going to be powered by used EV batteries.
The Bexar Corrilla project in Bexar County is B2U’s third grid storage site and its first in Texas. When complete later this year, it’ll have 24 megawatt-hours (MWh) of capacity and plug directly into San Antonio utility CPS Energy’s distribution system. B2U will repurpose around 500 end-of-life EV battery packs, housed in 21 modular cabinets, to store and dispatch power to the Texas grid.
The company has already deployed over 40 MWh of used EV batteries as battery storage in California. Its tech skips the expensive and energy-intensive remanufacturing process, thanks to a patented plug-and-play system that connects the batteries directly to the grid. The system’s certified to UL 9540 safety standards and uses AI to manage real-time power trading.
So why Texas? The state’s grid is notoriously volatile, and demand for backup is rising fast with more renewables and people plugging in. Batteries like these can help stabilize things when transmission can’t keep up.
B2U’s CEO Freeman Hall says the Texas expansion “is a significant strategic milestone” and shows how repurposed EV packs are becoming a go-to solution for grid and industrial-scale energy storage.
Over the next year, the company plans to build three more projects in Texas, bringing its total footprint in the state to 100 MWh. Add in its California solar + storage sites, and B2U expects to hit 150 MWh of repurposed EV batteries on the grid by mid-2026.
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Honda’s luxury brand is teaming up with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to electrify its fleet of vehicles. Acura donated 75 electric ZDX SUVs, its largest vehicle donation to date, to support the mission. The new EVs will be used to get to and from remote conservation sites.
Acura donated 75 ZDX EVs to The Nature Conservancy
Acura is donating 75 ZDX SUVs to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) this year through its dealership network across the US.
The fleet will be used to support the organization’s missions, including fieldwork, community engagement, and conservation efforts in rural and remote areas.
As part of their +30-year partnership, Honda is donating another $1 million to expand charging options and support TNC’s transition to EVs.
Over 30 years ago, Honda and TNC collaborated for the first time to preserve the Big Darby Creek. Since then, the automaker has invested over $1 million to protect the aquatic system.
“The donation of these vehicles has significantly accelerated our efforts to electrify our fleet, reducing our carbon footprint and setting a powerful example of climate leadership,” Daniel Salzer, director of sustainability at The Nature Conservancy, said after receiving the donation.
The ZDX is the luxury brand’s first all-electric vehicle, and it’s been a surprise hit so far in the US. It’s currently one of the best-selling premium EVs in the US.
Through the first half of 2025, Honda has sold 10,355 Acura ZDX models, surpassing the Cadillac Lyriq, which is also based on the same Ultium platform.
The company is selling even more than it expected. Mike Langel, Acura’s president of national sales, told Automotive News earlier this year that the luxury brand expected to sell around 1,000 ZDX models a month in 2025.
Acura has offered some of the most generous discounts of any electric vehicle, reaching nearly $30,000 off in some states.
According to CarsDirect, the electric 2024 Acura ZDX A-Spec AWD is available to lease for as low as $299 per month.
The offer is for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing, but is limited to California, New York, Oregon, and other select states. The A-Spec AWD variant offers a range of 313 miles, while the RWD model has an EPA range rating of 304 miles. Honda’s electric SUV, the Prologue, is listed for lease starting at just $259 per month.
Looking to test one out for yourself? We can help you get started. You can use our links to find Acura ZDX and Honda Prologue models in your area.
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The new and improved IONIQ 6 is smarter, more stylish inside and out, and can drive even further. With nearly 350 miles of driving range, the new Hyundai IONIQ 6 now leads as Korea’s longest-range domestic EV.
Hyundai’s new IONIQ 6 leads Korea’s longest-range EV
Hyundai’s electrified streamliner is back and better than ever. The IONIQ 6 has received its first refresh since its launch three years ago in September 2022.
The new IONIQ 6 features Hyundai’s 4th-generation batteries, unlocking nearly 350 miles (562 km) driving range on a single charge. That’s the longest among domestic electric cars in Korea, beating the Kia EV4, which has a range of up to 341 miles (549 km).
Hyundai fine-tuned the exterior fastback design for maximum efficiency. With a drag coefficient of just 0.21, it’s the most aerodynamic of any Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis vehicle.
Although still based on Hyundai’s “Mindful Cocoon” concept, the interior has been improved based on customer feedback. It now features a refined center console and incorporates “luxurious materials” into the three-spoke steering wheel and door trim.
Hyundai added new features, including a new Air Conditioning Occupancy Detection function. The system, a first for a Hyundai vehicle, can detect passengers and adjust the AC system.
Another new feature is Smooth Mode, designed to reduce motion sickness by providing less sensitive acceleration and deceleration.
The new IONIQ 6 is available with two battery options: 63 kWh and 84 kWh. With a range of up to 272 miles (437 km), the updated standard range model offers over 43 miles (70 km) more driving range. The extended-range battery is rated at 349 miles (562 km) range.
A Hyundai Motor Company official said, “The New Ioniq 6 is equipped with a 4th generation battery, securing the longest driving range among domestic electric vehicles.”
Despite the larger battery, the IONIQ 6 can still recharge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes with a 350 kW fast charger.
Hyundai launched the updated EV in Korea on Monday, priced from 48.56 million won ($35,000). That’s for the base E-Value+ standard range model.
The long-range Exclusive trim starts at 55.15 million won ($40,000) while the flagship Prestige N Line variant will run you 61.32 million won (61.32 million won). With government and local subsidies, Hyundai said the actual purchase price will be lower.
To celebrate the ultra-long-range capabilities of the new IONIQ 6, Hyundai is launching an ad campaign titled “the beginning of a new trend” in Korea.
For those in the US, Hyundai is expected to launch the new IONIQ 6 in early 2026. The current model is already rated with an EPA-estimated range of 342 miles.
With the updates, we could see it top 350 miles EPA-estimated range. Like the 2025 IONIQ 5, it’s also expected to arrive with a built-in NACS port to charge at Tesla Supercharger.
What are your thoughts on the updated model? Do you like the changes or does the IONIQ 6 still need some tweaking? Let us know in the comments.
Looking to test out Hyundai’s EV for yourself? With new models on the way, Hyundai is offering some sweet deals on its current lineup. The 2025 IONIQ 6 is available for lease starting at $169 per month. The 2025 IONIQ 5 may be an even better bet at just $179 per month. You can use our links below to find Hyundai’s electric vehicles near you.
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