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Rivian EDV production in Normal, IL (Source: Rivian)

Workers describe horror scenes over at the Rivian factory in Normal, Illinois – from cracked skulls to amputated fingers to one person vomiting “Rivian blue”-colored bile after painting R1s without proper safety gear. According to a scathing new report in Bloomberg, the American-made EV maker has racked up more “serious” US safety violations than any other automaker since the start of 2023 – despite having only one plant.

The American EV upstart, which has hit some serious financial woes, now has a different set of problems on its hands. Rivian has received initial citations for 16 “serious” violations from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the past 21 months, the report cited. By comparison, Toyota, Honda, Volvo, Nissan, GM, and Fordach received no more than 10, while Volkswagen and Subaru had none. Tesla and Chrysler maker Stellantis, with considerably larger workforces than Rivian, also received fewer initial serious citations, with Telsa receiving three “repeat” violations, which carry a heavier penalty, and Stellantis receiving two.

Bloomberg merges both government findings and interviews with current and past employees to paint a gory picture of dangerous safety violations, employees lacking in safety training and proper equipment, paying the price with back injuries requiring surgery or amputated fingers, and a lack of procedures put in place as the cash-strapped company aims to ramp up production of its luxury EVs and Amazon delivery vans. “Move fast and break things,” literally.

Updated: For its part, Rivian responded to Electrek with a statement: “The safety of everyone at Rivian is our top priority. We’re continually improving our processes and have not received any serious citations this year. It’s incredibly disappointing to see how Bloomberg has misrepresented the facts in this story. Since January 2023, Rivian has received two serious OSHA citations. Initial citations should not be confused as final citations, and to suggest otherwise is incredibly misleading.”

The company added that it has committees in place that regularly review its factory processes and make recommendations on how to improve them. It also has an open-door policy to its employees to bring their concerns to supervisors or report them anonymously. To be fair, Rivian says its self-reported rate of work-related injuries and illnesses this year has been better than the industry average for light-duty manufacturers in 2022, which was the last full year of data available.  

OSHA, too, said that since it began inspections at Rivian in 2021, the company “has improved their safety and health team and are very cooperative with the OSHA process.” But this gets a bit murky as Bloomberg clarified OSHA’s motivations in quickly downgrading violations and working with companies, rather than dragging out litigations, to improve workplace safety sooner rather than later.

 From Bloomberg:

Rivian says that as part of settlements with the agency, almost all of the violations OSHA initially labeled as serious were ultimately downgraded from that category or dismissed. “Initial citations should not be confused as final citations, and to suggest otherwise is incredibly misleading,” a Rivian spokesperson said.

Former OSHA leaders, however, say initial citations — which are issued after the agency has investigated a job site and considered the company’s perspective — reveal more about workplace hazards. OSHA agrees to downgrade citations because its priority is for companies to address hazards, whereas litigating a dispute for years could leave them unresolved, according to former OSHA head David Michaels.

“OSHA’s objective is to get the hazard abated,” said Michaels, who ran the agency from 2009 to 2017 and is now a George Washington University public health professor. “And so OSHA is often willing to reduce both the penalties and the number of citations in order to get that settlement.”

Worker interviews fill in the rest, with workers saying they are being put in harm’s way as the company ramps up “production of delivery vans for Amazon.com Inc. and $100,000 luxury SUVs popular with celebrities including Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, and looks to access hundreds of millions of dollars of state subsidies.” It’s not a great look.

According to the report, 20-year-old Addison Zwanzig started working at Rivian in July 2023 for $23 an hour plus benefits to spray vehicles in the paint room for eight hours a day, six days a week. Within weeks, she complained of dizziness, alongside other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, leading to weight loss. After requesting that her supervisor provide her with a respirator, which she saw other colleagues using, her request was declined. By September, she had seen doctors regarding what she described as blue-tinted vomit. Rivian then provided a respirator the following month and then for other workers who were not issued one as well. She filed a complaint with OSHA and is still seeking treatment from specialists, according to the report. Rivian declined to comment to Bloomberg, citing privacy requirements, but added that they “provide all necessary safety equipment, including respirators.” Her employment has since been terminated.

Bloomberg writes that the sheer complaints and serious injuries happening at the plant “are all red flags,” said Deborah Berkowitz, who reviewed the records and served as OSHA chief of staff under President Barack Obama. Rivian’s plant has for several years been the target of union efforts from the UAW, which aims to help worker bring complaints to OSHA, which is of course unfunded and doesn’t have the resources to look into most violations.

Rivian’s factory employs around 7,400 workers in Normal, a university town with about 50,000 residents. Rivian is one of the city’s largest employers, with multiple members of some families working at the plant. The company says it has already invested more than $2 billion in Normal and has manufactured more than 100,000 electric vehicles since opening in 2021.

Head to Bloomberg for the full report.

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Trump won – what now for US clean energy?

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November 6, 2024

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Trump won – what now for US clean energy?

clean energy Trump
Photo: Dominion Energy

Donald Trump will push fossil fuels and undo renewable energy policies, but it ultimately won’t stop clean energy’s momentum.

Trump has always pushed for more oil drilling and fewer regulations, left the Paris Agreement in his first term as president, says he hates “windmills,” promised to scrap offshore wind on “day one” if he won the 2024 election, and calls climate change a “scam.” And now that he’s won, this is a direct threat to the US’s pledge to reach net zero by 2050. After all, federal policy directly impacts the pace of renewable energy growth, especially when it comes to incentives and research funding.

The Biden administration’s groundbreaking Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which has spurred a clean energy boom, will be challenged under Trump. Because Republican states have received 80% of the IRA’s money with which they’ve built factories and created thousands of jobs, a complete IRA repeal is unlikely. What’s more probable is that the Republicans phase out tax credits earlier than planned or cap overall funding.

Federal financial support for innovative technologies and projects could also take a hit. Brendan Bell, COO of Aligned Climate Capital, who formerly led the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, told Electrek:

My partner Peter and I led the DOE Loan Program Office under President Obama. We supported the first utility-scale solar and storage projects, as well as early EV investments – including the first loan to Tesla.

Today, these technologies are commercialized and are propelling the clean energy transition. None of it would have been possible if these programs had been cut off 10 years ago.

Put simply, Trump can’t turn back the tide of clean energy – but he could delay tomorrow’s solutions and the birth of new industries.

BloombergNEF’s “2H 2024 US Clean Energy Market Outlook,” released at the end of October, examined the worst-case scenario, where control of both the Senate and the House leads to a full repeal of the IRA tax credits:

The wind, solar, and energy storage sectors jointly see a 17% drop in total new capacity additions over 2025-2035, with 927 gigawatts (GW) of cumulative build compared to 1,118GW in BNEF’s base case forecast. Wind sees the greatest fall in activity in this scenario with a 35% drop, followed by energy storage at 15% and solar at 13% relative to BNEF’s base case.

That’s a blow we can’t afford at a time when we need to reduce emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030 to avoid climate disasters becoming even worse than they already are.

But all is not lost. The clean energy market isn’t solely driven by federal policy. Over the last decade, solar, wind, and EVs have become more cost-competitive and popular. State policies play a huge role too, and many states are committed to their own clean energy goals regardless of who sits in the White House. States like California, New York, and Washington have ambitious targets to combat climate change, and deep red Texas is No. 1 in the US for both solar and wind.

Corporations are also key players. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Walmart have committed to going 100% renewable, and they’re not about to reverse course. This demand keeps the market for renewables strong. Plus, there’s significant public support for clean energy jobs, and renewables create more employment opportunities than fossil fuels in many regions of the country.

JD Dillon, chief marketing officer of California-based solar tech manufacturer Tigo Energy (Nasdaq: TYGO), said to Electrek, “The march toward renewable clean energy is both inevitable and the right thing to do. In a perfect world, we would eliminate partisanship from the renewable energy conversation because everyone benefits from a cleaner environment and affordable energy. Unfortunately, none of us live in said perfect world.”

The US clean energy sector may slow down, but it’s hard to stop a train that has already left the station. What consequences this slower-moving train will have for the US and the world remains to be seen.

Read more: Trump says he’ll end the EV mandate. The only problem: there isn’t one.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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CATL pushes forward with all-solid-state EV batteries

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3 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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CATL pushes forward with all-solid-state EV batteries

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The world’s largest EV battery maker is advancing a new type of battery, promising higher energy density. According to a new local report, CATL is investing heavily while ramping up its workforce to bring all-solid-state EV batteries to market.

With trial production reportedly kicking off, we could see CATL launch all-solid-state EV batteries sooner than expected.

According to a new local report from LatePost (via CnEVPost), CATL has entered the trial production phase of 20 Ah samples. The news comes after the EV battery giant added over 1,000 workers to its R&D team this year.

The report claimed that CATL is now focused on the final Sulfide phase and has already commenced trial production of 20 Ah samples.

The company’s solution has an energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg for lithium ternary batteries, 40% more than current batteries. However, the report said charging speed and cycle life are not quite where they need to be.

At 20 Ah, the battery solution is finalized and ready for its next stage, production tech exploration.

CATL-all-solid-state-EV-batteries
CATL’s new EV experience center (Source: CATL)

CATL is advancing all-solid-state EV batteries

The report says after that it’s mainly manufacturing hurdles, that can be overcome with a bigger workforce.

In April, CATL’s chief scientist, Wu Kai, announced that the company had developed a verification platform for 10 Ah all-solid-state EV battery cells. Wu also said CATL aimed to produce all-solid-state EV batteries in small volumes in 2027, the first time the news was made public.

CATL-solid-state-EV-batteries
CATL launches Shenxing Plus EV battery (Source: CATL)

In September, the company’s chairman, Robin Zeng, said CATL’s research into the new battery tech was “second to none.”

Several companies, including Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and others, are betting on solid-state EV batteries as the future.

CATL-Super-hybrid-battery
CATL launches new Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery (Source: CATL)

According to data from CnEVPost, CATL is dominating the global EV battery market with a 36.7% share through September 2024.

China’s BYD is second with a 16.4% share of the market. BYD is also planning to launch solid-state batteries. At the September 2024 World New Energy Congress, BYD’s head scientist and engineer, Lian Yubo, said solid-state EV batteries could be widely used in five years.

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Black Friday sales take 55% off Bluetti power stations and new releases, Special sales on EVs from Electric Bike Co., NIU, more

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November 6, 2024

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Black Friday sales take 55% off Bluetti power stations and new releases, Special sales on EVs from Electric Bike Co., NIU, more

It’s another day of amazing seasonal savings in our Green Deals today, with Bluetti’s early access Black Friday sale taking up 50% off its backup power units – including new releases – with tons of bonus savings like member pricing, an additional sitewide 5% off promo code, and more. Next we have an early bird Black Friday special from Electric Bike Company that can score you up to $897 in savings across its e-bike lineup, as well as NIU’s pre-Black Friday sale that is taking up to 64% off the brand’s KQi series of e-scooters. Lastly, we’re getting the first of EcoFlow’s Black Friday flash sales that is offering up to $1,347 off DELTA Pro and DELTA 2 Max bundles starting from $1,139. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Black Friday savings from EcoFlow, ENGWE, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Bluetti’s early access Black Friday sale offers up to 55% in savings with new releases and member pricing from $189

Bluetti’s early access Black Friday savings have begun through November 10 taking up to 50% off power stations, bundles, and accessories – including new releases and special pricing for members (sign-up is FREE here, plus you’ll get extra gifts for subscribing) – while also offering an exclusive sitewide 5% off discount during the sale by using the promo code AFFBF5 at checkout. One of Bluetti’s newest releases seeing Black Friday savings is the X20 153.6Wh Power Bank that you can score for $189.05 shipped, after using Bluetti’s Black Friday sitewide 5% off code. This model will be normally priced at $249 after these sales, but you’re getting the first chance to land $50 in cash savings here while it lasts, giving you a more affordable rate on top of securing a 153.6Wh (48,000mAh) backup power solution for your everyday personal devices.

Bluetti’s X20 power bank delivers a 153.6Wh/48,000mAh LiFePO4 battery capacity to cover the charging needs of your smartphone, tablet, laptop, and any other personal device that you take with you throughout your everyday life. Thanks to its 12 adapters it comes “compatible with over 90% of laptops on the market,” with four port options (bi-directional USB-C, two USB-As, and a DC) that let you connect up to four devices at once for multi-charging at up to 160W speeds. You can even hook it up to a wall outlet to charge itself while pumping out juice for your devices, and its BMS (Battery Management System) algorithm increases efficiency to provide up to 16 hours of continuous power on a single charge.

***Note: Remember to apply code AFFBF5 at checkout to knock an additional 5% off the prices listed below.

More new Bluetti releases getting early Black Friday discounts:

Bluetti early Black Friday member discounts:

You can check out everything Bluetti’s early access Black Friday sale has to offer on the landing page here.

Electric Bike Co. early bird Black Friday special

Electric Bike Co. is offering up to $897 in savings with its early bird Black Friday special, deals start from $1,499

Electric Bike Company is offering some early-bird Black Friday savings in the form of free gear alongside any purchase from its e-bike lineup, including discounted models like the Model C Chopper e-bike that is down at $1,899 shipped. This model will normally fetch you $2,099 these days, with our post-tariff market having hiked up the MSRP since summer by $200. While we have seen it go as low as $1,599 in the past (pre-tariffs), you’re still looking at a solid $200 being cut off the price tag of a model that doesn’t see as many discounts as others – plus you’ll be getting additional savings in the free anti-theft alarm, the upgraded 5Ah PowerBoost charger, and an upgraded tool kit (pump, tire tools, wrenches, and storage bag) – all valued at $397 for a total $597 in savings!

Sporting a sleek, classic beach cruiser design with high-reaching chopper handlebars and a saddle with a back support, this custom Model A e-bike comes equipped with a 500W (750W peak) motor and a 14Ah battery that reaches 20 MPH speeds (can be reprogrammed to 28 MPH) with a 60-mile range on a single charge.  It also has five levels of pedal assistance, with a choice for a 12 mag cadence sensor or a torque sensor along with a smaller selection of accessories and features: puncture-resistant tires, integrated front and rear safety lights, hand-stitched vegan leather grips, a rear cargo rack, a waterproof wiring system, and an LCD color display with a USB charging port.

Electric Bike Co. standard e-bike Black Friday discounts:

Electric Bike Co. e-bike bundle Black Friday discounts:

You can browse through the discounted and non-discounted e-bikes from Electric Bike Co. on the landing page here.

one-day EcoFlow flash sale

EcoFlow Black Friday flash sale takes up to $1,347 off DELTA Pro and DELTA 2 Max bundles from $1,139 (Today only)

The first of EcoFlow’s Black Friday flash sales has dropped this morning, giving folks two power station bundles at a significantly reduced price. The first of these is an Amazon-only offer on the brand’s DELTA Pro Portable Power Station bundled alongside a transfer switch and the appropriate connector for $1,952.07 shipped, after redeeming the on-page 7% off coupon. Normally this bundle would run you $3,299, with discounts having taken costs down to the former $2,099 low once before during the recent Prime Day event, but it’s getting beaten out by the additional 7% discount ($147) to carve out a new all-time low price.

This bundle package from EcoFlow will give you exactly what you need to support you on trips away from the home, while also covering appliance needs in case of an emergency when you are home. The included transfer switch allows you to connect the DELTA Pro’s 3,600Wh LiFePO4 battery to your home’s breakers, with the unit’s 3,600W output power (surging to 7,200W) able to cover certain areas of your home to keep essentials running. There’s also the 14 output ports on this station that can directly power and charge your appliances and devices. Recharging the station’s own battery is fairly quick too, as plugging it into a standard wall outlet will refuel it back to full in just 1.8 hours, or you can get a full recharge in 2.8 hours when utilizing the maximum 1,600W of solar input. All the usual remote smart controls you’ve expected from EcoFlow are available here and can be accessed through the companion app when connected by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

The second option during this flash sale is coming direct from EcoFlow’s site, offering the DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station with a 800W alternator charger and a free camping light for $1,139.05 shipped, thanks to the sale’s additional 5% off promo in bonus savings that is applied automatically at checkout. More suited for folks who regularly take their power station with them on trips, the DELTA 2 Max’s 2,048Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity will be able to recharge while you drive, giving you about 1,000Wh for every 1.3 hours you’re on the road. It can handle covering devices and appliances with its 3,400W power output and its 15 output port options.

You can check out our launch coverage of the sale here, which we’ve curated for you to give you a one-stop shop of the best deals that we noticed amongst the massive amount of offers.

NIU early bird Black Friday sale

NIU’s KQi2 Pro electric kick scooter with regenerative brakes carries you 25 miles at $380

NIU has launched a pre-Black Friday flash sale through November 17, with the brand’s KQi series of electric scooters benefitting from up to 64% off discounts while it continues. One of the best (and cheapest) of these models that can still provide higher-than-average commuting support is the KQi2 Pro Electric Kick Scooter at $379.98 shipped. Normally priced at $649, it closed out last year at a $369 low, which we haven’t seen appear again this year, but we have seen a few discounts bring costs down to the second-lowest price, which is repeating here during this flash sale. You’re looking at a solid $269 being cut off the going rate, giving you the second-best price we have tracked and the best price of 2024 so far – only $11 above the all-time low from last year.

NIU’s KQi2 Pro provides mobility alongside affordability, with its lower pricing making this a great opportunity to upgrade your commute without breaking the bank. Its 300W motor and 48V battery propels the scooter forward up to 17.4 MPH for up to 25 miles of travel – with the regenerative brakes helping to extend that distance and four riding modes: e-save, sport, custom, and pedestrian. Carrying an IP54 water-resistance rating, it also comes stocked with an LED headlight and taillight, a secondary front drum brake, a foldable body, and an LED dashboard display to adjust settings – which you can also do through the companion app on your smartphone.

More NIU pre-Black Friday flash sale deals:

Best Black Friday e-bike deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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