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As the first car maker to do so publicly, Mercedes-Benz held a real-life crash test between two EVs head-on. Mercedes simulated a real-life scenario, sending an EQA model into an EQS SUV at speeds of over 34 mph (56 km/h).

Mercedes claims it held the “world’s first public crash test involving two fully electric vehicles” Friday in a new campaign.

Like the NHTSA, the Euro NCAP conducts several crash tests to determine its safety. The tests include front and side collisions to evaluate potential injuries to passengers.

To replicate another vehicle, the Euro NCAP front impact test uses an over 3,000 lb (1,400 kg) trolley with an aluminum barrier. Meanwhile, the cars and the trolley collide with an overlap and speeds of 31 mph (50 km/h).

Mercedes took the crash test to the next level to prove its EVs are safe. The automaker crashed an EQA and EQS SUV into each other with a 50% overlap.

The electric cars were traveling at speeds of over 34 mph (56 km/h) and weighed significantly more at roughly 4,400 lbs (EQA) and 6,000 lbs (EQS SUV).

Mercedes-crash-EVs
Mercedes-Benz EV crash test (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes crashes two EVs head-on in safety test

Although the vehicle damage may seem alarming at first, Mercedes used super slow motion to catch the collision in real time. As you can see, the cabin stayed intact, and both doors could still be opened.

Mercedes-Benz EV crash test (Source: Mercedes-Benz/Youtube)

If this event happened, it would be possible for passengers to get out of their vehicles without first responders.

To avoid the possibility of a fire following the crash, the high voltage system in both Mercedes’ EVs switched off automatically.

Mercedes set the crash test up to replicate a real-life scenario while traveling at average speeds. The vehicles carried two adult dummies and were analyzed at up to 150 points. Results suggest a “low risk of serious to fatal injury,” according to Mercedes.

“The four female and male dummies complied with the biomechanical limits in this extremely severe crash. This demonstrates our expertise in electric vehicle safety.” Prof. Dr. Paul Dick, head of vehicle safety at Mercedes-Benz AG, said following the results.

With new safety tech, Mercedes-Benz aims for zero accidents involving its vehicles by 2050.

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Rare earth stocks surge on U.S-China trade dispute over the critical minerals

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Rare earth stocks surge on U.S-China trade dispute over the critical minerals

A dump truck moves raw ore inside the pit at the Mountain Pass mine, operated by MP Materials, in Mountain Pass, California, U.S., on Friday, June 7, 2019.

Joe Buglewicz | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Shares of U.S. rare earth miners surged in early trading Monday, after President Donald Trump threatened China with retaliation over its strict export controls.

USA Rare Earth soared more than 18%, Critical Metals surged 18%, Energy Fuels jumped more than 11%, and MP Materials rallied about 8%.

Trump on Friday threatened China with a “massive” increase in tariffs in retaliation for Beijing imposing strict export controls on rare earth elements. The president then dialed down his rhetoric on Sunday, saying the situation with China will “be fine.”

The Defense Department, meanwhile, is accelerating its effort to stockpile $1 billion worth of critical minerals, according to The Financial Times.

And JPMorgan Chase said Monday it would invest up to $10 billion in companies that are crucial to U.S. national security.

“It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing — all of which are essential for our national security,” JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said in press release.

Rare earths are a subset of critical minerals that are crucial inputs in U.S. weapons platforms, robotics, electric vehicles and other applications.

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Bloom Energy shares soar more than 30% after striking deal with Brookfield to provide fuel cells to AI data centers

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Bloom Energy shares soar more than 30% after striking deal with Brookfield to provide fuel cells to AI data centers

Bloom Energy power storage equipment in San Ramon, California.

Smith Collection | Gado | Archive Photos | Getty Images

Shares of Bloom Energy surged Monday after striking a deal with Brookfield to deploy fuel cells for artificial intelligence data centers.

Brookfield will spend up to $5 billion to deploy Bloom Energy’s technology, the first investment in its strategy to support big AI data centers with power and computing infrastructure.

Shares of Bloom Energy were up more than 30% in early trading. Bloom’s fuel cells provide onsite power that can be deployed quickly because they do not rely on the electric grid.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC last week that the AI industry will need to build power off the electric to meet demand quickly and protect consumers from rising electricity prices.

“Data center self-generated power could move a lot faster than putting it on the grid and we have to do that,” Huang told CNBC on Oct. 8.

This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.

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JPMorgan Chase says it will invest $10 billion into industries critical for national security

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JPMorgan Chase says it will invest  billion into industries critical for national security

JPMorgan Chase says it will invest $10 billion into industries critical for national security

JPMorgan Chase on Monday said it is launching a decade-long plan to help finance and take direct stakes in companies it considers crucial to U.S. interests.

The bank said in a statement it would invest up to $10 billion into companies in four areas: defense and aerospace, “frontier” technologies including AI and quantum computing, energy technology including batteries, and supply chain and advanced manufacturing.

The money is part of a broader effort, dubbed the Security and Resiliency Initiative, in which JPMorgan said it will finance or facilitate $1.5 trillion in funding for companies it identifies as crucial. It said the total amount is 50% more than a previous plan.

“It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing — all of which are essential for our national security,” JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said in the release.

As the biggest American bank by assets and a Wall Street juggernaut, JPMorgan was already raising funds and lending money to companies in those industries. But the move helps organize the company’s activities around national interests at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and China.

On Friday, markets tumbled as President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on Chinese imports after the major U.S. trading partner tightened export controls on rare earths.

In the release, Dimon said that the U.S. needs to “remove obstacles” including excessive regulations, “bureaucratic delay” and “partisan gridlock.”

JPMorgan said that within the four major areas, there were 27 specific industries it would look to support with advice, financing and investments. That includes areas as diverse as nanomaterials, autonomous robots, spacecraft and space launches, and nuclear and solar power.

“Our security is predicated on the strength and resiliency of America’s economy,” Dimon said. “This new initiative includes efforts like ensuring reliable access to life-saving medicines and critical minerals, defending our nation, building energy systems to meet AI-driven demand and advancing technologies like semiconductors and data centers.”

The bank said it would hire an unspecified numbers of bankers and create an external advisory council to support its initiative.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

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