Researchers figured out how to make electric car batteries… from coal?!
Researchers from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have figured out a way to change the dirtiest fuel out there, coal, into materials to help build batteries for new clean vehicles.
The new process turns coal into graphite, which is an important component in electric car batteries. Graphite is used in the anode, which is the negatively charged end of the battery.
While we hear a lot about various other battery materials, such as lithium and cobalt, those materials actually occur in relatively lower quantities in electric car batteries.
The most common material in these batteries is actually graphite (see an infographic here, though this is for NMC-type batteries), so it’s important to ensure that there is a large supply of this material anywhere batteries need to be built.
And one of those places is in the US – thanks to President Joe Biden’s EV policies, there have been hundreds of billions in investment and hundreds of thousands of jobs brought to American manufacturing, largely in the form of battery plants to ensure that vehicles with modern technology will be made right here in America. Those policies also focused on ensuring onshored or “friend-shored” critical mineral supply for battery materials, such as graphite.
But there’s a problem: a majority of the world’s graphite comes from China. While this isn’t necessarily a problem in and of itself, it’s always better to have multiple sources for any particular material, so that one entity can’t throw their weight around if they see an opportunity. And given the anti-China saber-rattling that a certain treasonous reality TV host regularly engages in, it’s entirely possible that global tensions could result in disruption of graphite supply chains, which could then jeopardize the aforementioned burgeoning US EV manufacturing industry (which that same reality TV host/convicted felon seems determined to ensure does not flourish).
So, in come researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratories, who figured out a way to turn something that America still has a lot of – coal – into graphite.
It’s not too big of a leap, as graphite is a form of carbon and coal is also mostly carbon. But ORNL’s process takes impurities in coal and removes them to create material that is suitable for a battery anode.
Other methods to create synthetic graphite exist, but require more time, more cost and higher temperatures. The new process is estimated to cost 13% less than the old Acheson process, according to an analysis by ORNL researcher Prashant Nagapurkar.
In the ORNL process, if the electricity is green, the whole process is green. Especially because coal historically has this reputation as ‘dirty,’ a particularly important next step is to track emissions from the entire supply chain through the manufacturing process. This could demonstrate that it is indeed a greener option to manufacture graphite from coal.
–Prashant Nagapurkar, ORNL R&D associate
Better yet, the process doesn’t just work on coal straight out of the ground (which is where coal belongs and should stay) – it also works on coal waste like fly ash, the leftovers of previous coal mining efforts, of which there are over a hundred million tons of this hazardous waste strewn about the country. Thankfully, most of this is on the surface and won’t require further mining to get to.
Researchers say that the process could help to clean up that waste, and give it a use in powering modern vehicles. They estimate that the amount of waste in the US would be enough to provide around 30% of the graphite needed for EV batteries between now and 2050.
The process doesn’t need to be used only on coal, though. Project lead Edgar Lara-Curzio explained to Electrek how it could have potential applications on other sources of carbon:
However, while this particular project focuses on finding a positive use for coal waste, the electrochemical graphitization technology that we are scaling up can be used with other amorphous carbon sources. Once we get rid of waste coal – which would be a major environmental restoration achievement in itself – biomass (e.g., dead vegetation), petroleum, or other carbon sources could be used to manufacture graphite using the same process.
For example, methane pyrolysis, which can be used to produce hydrogen, generates solid carbon as a byproduct, which could be electrochemically graphitized for lithium-ion battery applications. This technology offers the benefit of strengthening domestic supply chains for graphite rather than relying on graphite mined and processed in foreign countries, many of which have much weaker environmental and worker protections.
The ORNL project was done in collaboration with Ramaco Carbon, a Wyoming-based company that owns multiple coal mines and provides coal for steelmaking. Ramaco says that its guiding principle is “coal is too valuable to burn.” Its focus is to find uses for coal that replace petroleum as a feedstock for various chemical and material processes at what it says will be a much lower cost.
Electrek’s Take
At first glance, this seems like some really great research. It onshores graphite supply, offers some scalable competition globally to diversify battery material sources, can be used on old waste, and is cheaper than existing processes.
But it also feels a little sketchy, because what we need to be focusing on is keeping carbon in the ground.
When we take carbon out of the ground, we sure do have a tendency to burn it, which means it ends up in the air, which is bad. Currently the air is 423ppm carbon, which is higher than the 280-350ppm range that represents a proper balance for current life on Earth. This means we don’t need to be taking carbon out of the ground, we need to be putting it back in the ground – and a lot of it.
So, any new process that might make us look at that carbon in the ground and think of another way that we might use it is suspect.
At least in this instance, it’s being proposed by a company that owns coal mines not for burning, but for finding other uses. So they might not use this as an excuse to burn more coal. Which is nice.
However, there has also been a significant push lately for coal-free steel, led by companies like SSAB in Sweden. Coal-based steelmaking (like that which Ramaco provides coal for) is linked to nearly a thousand deaths, $13 billion in healthcare costs and hundreds of thousands of lost school and work days annually in the US.
Given that this research was done in collaboration with a company that provides coal for that same dirty process, it gives us some pause. The process of turning coal into batteries will be cleaner than simply burning coal into the air, and graphite is potentially recyclable and usable long-term in multiple generations of electric car batteries, but it’s hard to shake the fact that coal is one of the most-polluting substances humans have available to us.
So, would we be giving ourselves more reasons to take coal out of the ground with this process? Even though researchers point out that coal waste can be used in this process, what if companies find out that it’s more difficult or costly to process the waste than it is to dig up new coal?
Given that we stubbornly refuse to impose the real price of this pollution on the companies that cause it, it’s entirely possible that coal mines will figure out a way to use this to justify their continued operation (especially whenever a republican administration, who have routinely shown themselves to be hostile to human health and too cozy with the coal industry, finds itself in charge).
So while new science is never a bad thing, this strikes me as something that we should keep an eye on. Cleaning up the environmental disaster of stranded coal waste is a fantastic usage, but lets not let this forestall the rapid shutting down of coal mines in this country.
Another thing you can use batteries for? Powering your home! To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to 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. They have 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 you share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. – ad*
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Kia launched the EV5 in South Korea, its stylish new Sportage-sized electric SUV. With prices starting at just $35,000, the Kia EV5 arrives as an affordable SUV that’s built for the masses. But those in the US may never get to see it.
Kia launches the EV5 in Korea at an affordable price
After opening orders in the UK earlier this week, Kia launched the EV5 in its home market of South Korea on Wednesday.
Like overseas, the electric SUV is available in three variants: Air, Earth, and GT-Line. Powered by an 81.4 kWh battery, the EV5 offers a range of up to 460 km (285 miles).
A single front-mounted electric motor provides up to 215 hp (160 kW) and 295 Nm max torque. It can also recharge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes using a 350 kW charger.
The EV5 is 1,875 mm wide, 4,610 mm long, and 1,675 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, which is slightly smaller than that of the Tesla Model Y. To give you a better idea, that’s 10 mm wider, 70 mm longer, and 30 mm taller than the Kia Sportage.
The extended wheelbase provides “best-in-class” rear passenger space, according to Kia, with 1,041 mm second-row legroom.
Despite an upright stance like the larger EV9, the EV5 still has a sporty look with Kia’s latest design elements. The vertically stacked LED headlights and slim DRLs with Star Map lighting add to the bold styling.
The interior features Kia’s latest ccNC infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3″ driver cluster and infotainment screens in a panoramic display. Plus, there’s an added 5″ AC display.
Kia introduced several new features, including a new sound bar and display theme. Through a partnership with Disney, the EV5 will play welcome and goodbye tunes, EV-specific sounds, and more.
The base EV5 Air starts at 48.55 million won ($35,000) in Korea, while the Earth trim is priced from 52.3 million won ($37,600). Upgrading to the sporty GT-Line costs 53.4 million won ($38,400).
With government and local subsidies, Kia expects the EV5 to be available for purchase at around 40 million won ($28,800).
| Starting Price | Driving Range | |
| Kia EV5 Air | 48.55 million won ($35,000) | 460 km (285 miles) |
| Kia EV5 Earth | 52.3 million won ($37,600) | 460 km (285 miles) |
| Kia EV5 GT-Line | 53.4 million won ($38,400) | 460 km (285 miles) |
In comparison, the base Tesla Model Y RWD starts at 52.99 million won ($38,000) and has a driving range of up to 400 km (248 miles).
Although Kia plans to launch the EV5 in North America, it will be exclusively sold in Canada. We’ve seen a few EV5 models testing in the US, sparking speculation (or hope) that it could arrive, but don’t get your hopes up too soon. The last official statement from Kia still says the EV5 will be exclusive to Canada in the North American market.
What do you think of Kia’s new electric SUV? Would you buy one in the US? With Trump’s tariff war, don’t get your hopes up.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Solar and wind accounted for 91% of new US electrical generating capacity added in the H1 2025, according to data just released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which was reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign of data. In June, solar alone provided 82% of new capacity, making it the 22nd consecutive month solar held the lead among all energy sources.
Solar’s new generating capacity in June 2025 and YTD
In its latest monthly “Energy Infrastructure Update” report (with data through June 30, 2025), FERC says 63 “units” of solar totaling 2,439 megawatts (MW) were placed into service in June, accounting for over 81.5% of all new generating capacity added during the month.
The 14,567 MW of utility-scale (>1 MW) solar added during the first six months of 2025 was 74.9% of the total new capacity placed into service by all sources.
Solar has now been the largest source of new generating capacity added each month for 22 consecutive months: September 2023–June 2025. During that period, total utility-scale solar capacity grew from 91.82 gigawatts (GW) to 151.73 GW. No other energy source added anything close to that amount of new capacity. Wind, for example, expanded by 10.53 GW while natural gas increased by just 2.73 GW.
Solar, wind + biomass were over 91% of new capacity added in H1 2025
Between January and June, new wind has provided 3,139 MW of capacity additions – nearly doubling the new capacity provided by natural gas (1,727 MW). Wind accounted for 16.1% of all new capacity added during the first six months of 2025.
In H1 2025, solar and wind (plus 3 MW of biomass) were 91.04% of new capacity, while natural gas provided just 8.88%; the balance came from oil (14 MW).
Solar + wind are 23.17% of US utility-scale generating capacity
Utility-scale solar’s share of total installed capacity (11.34%) is now nearly equal to wind (11.83%). Taken together, they account for 23.17% of the US’s total available installed utility-scale generating capacity.
Moreover, at least 25-30% of US solar capacity is in the form of small-scale (e.g., rooftop) systems that are not reflected in FERC’s data. Including that additional solar capacity would bring the share provided by solar + wind to more than a quarter of the US total.
With the inclusion of hydropower (7.62%), biomass (1.07%), and geothermal (0.31%), renewables currently claim a 32.17% share of total US utility-scale generating capacity. If small-scale solar capacity is included, renewables are now about one-third of total US generating capacity.
Solar is on track to become No. 2 source of US generating capacity
FERC reports that net “high probability” additions of solar between July 2025 and June 2028 total 92,660 MW – an amount more than four times the forecast net “high probability” additions for wind (23,136 MW), the second fastest growing resource. Notably, FERC’s most recent three-year forecasts for growth by both solar and wind are the highest they have been thus far in 2025.
FERC also foresees net growth for hydropower (583 MW) and geothermal (92 MW) but a decrease of 131 MW in biomass capacity.
Taken together, the net new “high probability” capacity additions by all renewable energy sources over the next three years – the bulk of the Trump Administration’s remaining time in office – would total 116,340 MW.
There is no new nuclear capacity in FERC’s three-year forecast while coal and oil are projected to contract by 25,017 MW and 1,572 MW, respectively. Natural gas capacity would expand by 8,748 MW.
Adjusting for the different capacity factors of gas (59.7%), wind (34.3%), and utility-scale solar (23.4%), electricity generated by the projected new solar capacity to be added in the coming three years would be more than four times greater than that produced by the new natural gas capacity, while the electrical output by the new wind capacity would be 52% more than that by gas.
If FERC’s current “high probability” additions materialize, by July 1, 2028, solar will account for 17.1% of the US’s installed utility-scale generating capacity. Wind would provide an additional 12.6% of the total. Thus, each would be greater than coal (12.1%) and substantially more than either nuclear power or hydropower (7.3% and 7.1%, respectively).
Assuming current growth rates continue, the installed capacity of utility-scale solar is likely to surpass that of wind capacity this year and exceed that of coal by the end of next year. Installed solar capacity is already almost 50% greater than that of nuclear power. Thus, within two years, solar should be in second place for installed generating capacity, behind only natural gas.
Renewables may overtake natural gas within 3 years
The mix of all utility-scale renewables is now adding about two percentage points each year to its share of generating capacity. At that pace, by July 1, 2028, renewables would account for 38.1% of total available installed utility-scale generating capacity, rapidly closing the gap with natural gas (40.0%). Solar and wind would constitute more than three-quarters of the installed capacity of renewable sources. If those trendlines continue, utility-scale renewable energy capacity should surpass that of natural gas in 2029 or sooner.
However, as noted, FERC’s data do not account for the capacity of small-scale solar systems. If that’s factored in, within three years, total US solar capacity (i.e., small-scale plus utility-scale) could approach 350 GW. In turn, the mix of all renewables would be about 40% of total installed capacity or more, while natural gas’s share would drop to about 38%.
Moreover, FERC reports that there may actually be as much as 230,770 MW of net new solar additions in the current three-year pipeline in addition to 68,627 MW of new wind, 7,923 MW of new hydropower, 202 MW of new geothermal, and 27 MW of new biomass. By contrast, the net new natural gas capacity in the three-year pipeline potentially totals just 30,251 MW. Consequently, renewables’ share could be even greater by early summer 2028.
Renewables increase and fossil fuels shrink
A year ago, the mix of all renewables accounted for 29.95% of total generating capacity. Solar alone was 8.99% while wind was 11.75%. Over 12 months (by the end of June 2025), renewables’ share had risen to 32.17% with solar at 11.34% and wind at 11.83%.
Natural gas’s share slipped from 43.32% to 42.34% as coal fell from 15.76% to 14.82% and oil dropped from 2.77% to 2.71%. Similarly, nuclear power’s share of generating capacity decreased from 8.04% to 7.80%.
“Notwithstanding the hostility toward solar and wind shown by the Trump administration and its Republican supporters in Congress, both technologies are moving full speed ahead,” noted the SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director, Ken Bossong. “In fact, FERC’s latest data suggest growth by renewables may actually be accelerating.”
Electrek’s Take
The New York Times reported today that the White House now has Secretary of Health and Human Services, RFK Jr, involved in trying to obliterate offshore wind power. The Health and Human Services Department has been instructed to study whether wind turbines emit electromagnetic fields that could harm human health. (While he’s at it, maybe he could check out fossil fuels and their harm to human health. Oh wait, that’s already been done.)
This is in addition to the nonsense from the Department of the Interior that temporarily stopped work on New York’s Empire Wind – it never could justify that costly and senseless action – and the Department of Defense’s “national security threat” that’s currently being cited as the reason for putting the 80% complete Revolution Wind out of commission.
Imagine being a president who harms their own people based on nothing more than whims and quirks, and justifying it with ridiculous lies. Except you don’t have to imagine it – your rising electricity bill will be proof enough that it’s real.
Read more: EIA: Solar and wind leave coal in the dust with record 2025 output
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. 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.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
The Honda Prologue quietly outsold much of the competition last month after sales surged 80% from last August. With over 9,300 models sold in August, the Honda Prologue is coming off its best sales month yet.
Honda Prologue had its best sales month in August
Honda’s electric SUV is one of the most popular electric vehicles in the US. After delivering the first models last March, the Honda Prologue quickly became a surprise hit.
In the second half of the year, it was the second-best-selling electric SUV behind the Tesla Model Y. The Cinderella story continued in August after Honda sold a record 9,347 Prologues, its best sales month so far.
Honda sold more Prologues last month than the Odyssey (6,690) and Passport (5,173). It also outsold most EVs in the US.
Despite setting its own monthly sales record, the Prologue outsold Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. Ford reported earlier today that Mach-E sales hit a record 7,226 in August. Hyundai’s new IONIQ 5 had a breakout month with 7,773 units sold, up 61% from last August.
Honda has now sold nearly 32,000 Prologue models through the first eight months of the year. The Mach-E remains ahead on the year with 34,319 units sold, followed by the IONIQ 5 at nearly 32,700.
Although GM doesn’t provide a breakdown, the company said it sold a record 21,000 EVs between the Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac brands.
GM expects the Chevy Equinox EV to be among the top three best-selling EVs this year, behind only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Meanwhile, GM warned that with the “irrational discounts” ending, EV sales will slow next quarter.
Like most automakers, Honda is offering some serious savings opportunities ahead of the $7,500 tax credit expiration at the end of the month.
Honda is promoting Prologue leases as low as $159 per month. The offer includes a $3,500 conquest or loyalty bonus and is available in most US states.
| 2025 Honda Prologue trim | Starting Price* | Starting Price After Tax Credit* |
EPA Range (miles) |
| EX (FWD) | $47,400 | $39,900 | 308 |
| EX (AWD) | $50,400 | $42,900 | 294 |
| Touring (FWD) | $51.700 | $44,200 | 308 |
| Touring (AWD) | $54,700 | $47,200 | 294 |
| Elite (AWD) | $57,900 | $50,400 | 283 |
It also offers a unique One Pay Lease deal that works out to about $200 a month if you pay the full $4,800 lease amount upfront. However, this one is only available for buyers in California and other ZEV states. Both offers include the $7,500 federal tax credit.
If you’re looking to secure the savings while they are still here, we can help you get started. You can use our links below to find deals on the popular electric vehicles in your area.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment11 months agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024