The news: US Senate Democrats introduced a bill last week that could significantly reduce the nation’s carbon emissions. One of the key components of the bill is an extension of electric vehicle tax credits, which would push EVs by giving buyers a $7,500 credit for buying a qualifying new electric vehicle or $4,000 for a used car.
The obstacle? For a new vehicle to qualify for the tax credit, the battery and the key minerals used in it must come from the United States or countries that have agreed to free trade agreements.
Why is it important? Currently, most EV batteries with lithium-ion cells are developed in China. America produces only 7 percent of the world’s supply. The legislation is an attempt to encourage companies to build more capacity for mining and battery production in the US. While the bans will help build a safer supply chain for batteries in the U.S. in the long run, some experts aren’t sure how quickly U.S. companies will respond.
The big picture: The ambitious EV tax credit could play a role in building domestic battery production and spurring new supply chains in the US — and is a clear attempt to slow China’s battery dominance. But whether those changes will come fast enough to keep up with growing EV sales is a very open question. Read the full story.
– Casey Crownheart
It should be read
I’ve scoured the internet for the most entertaining/important/scary/amazing stories about technology today.
1 California declares state of emergency due to outbreak of monkeypox.
It has more than 800 confirmed cases and is the second country to announce emergency measures in three days. (CNN)
+ The US has allowed millions of vaccines against monkeypox to expire. (now $)
+ India records first death from monkeypox. (BBC)
2 Amazon’s carbon emissions grew by 18 percent last year.
Although he tries to portray himself as a green champion. (The Verge)
+ Just two years ago, he created a $2 billion climate fund. (MIT Technology Review)
3 What Facebook Friendship Can Teach Us About Poverty Alleviation
Poor kids with rich friends are more likely to earn more as adults. (NYT$)
4 Black Mirror for Mind-Computer Interfaces doesn’t help matters.
While the technology could help millions of people, many people are still understandably wary. (Wired $)
+ Why facial expressions are the new Xbox controllers. (WP$)
+ A brain implant could be the next computer mouse.. (MIT Technology Review)
5 How Roblox responds to mediation
The leaked documents detail the popular gaming platform’s response to major tuning challenges. (motherboard)
6 schools failed to protect children’s sensitive information
Hackers and breaches can seriously affect their future prospects and careers. (NYT$)
7 A hate-filled Arab anti-LGBTQ+ group is thriving on Twitter.
After launching Facebook in early July. (rest of the world)
+ Anti-vaxx Twitter accounts are spreading misinformation about the food crisis. (the guard)
+ The company is investigating a deal to acquire Elon Musk’s partners.. (WP$)
8 Electric cars are very quiet 🚙
But settling on a sound that doesn’t drive us all to distraction is incredibly difficult. (New York Dollar)
+ Their adoption means that gas stations are ready to be relegated to… something else. (protocol)
9 dating tips on how to end a long-term relationship with Tinder
After a decade on the app, some users feel that committed partnership is further away than ever. (cut off)
10 We still want to look good on BeReal
The app wants us to be accurate, but it doesn’t override that need. (Atlantic $)
+ Retraining your social media algorithm is a daunting task. (data $)
Quote of the day
“If you want to wait for a case to come, you’re chasing your tail.”
– Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a professor at the Stanford School of Medicine, told Endark that because U.S. public health agencies generally do not test sewage for polio, a person in Rockland County contracted the virus before he received medical attention in June.
