U.S. Electricity Use For Electric Vehicles Increasing At A Slower Pace In 2026

cleantechnica.com Oct 1, 2026

U.S. Electricity Use For Electric Vehicles Increasing At A Slower Pace In 2026

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 1, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that light‑duty electric vehicles consumed 8% more electricity in the first half of 2026 than in the second half of 2025, a slowdown from the 13–24% growth seen in recent years. The decline follows the expiration of federal tax credits in September 2025, which coincided with a 19% drop in new electric‑vehicle sales. Total electricity use by electric vehicles in 1H26 reached nearly 14 billion kWh, more than double the 1H23 level. The data exclude internal‑combustion and other non‑grid‑connected vehicles.

💡 Why It Matters

· The slowdown signals that incentives still drive adoption, but without them sales and grid demand plateau.
· This shift may influence future infrastructure planning and policy decisions for electric‑vehicle expansion.

Read full article on cleantechnica.com

BAIC-Foton Debuts “Cavan Beacon” Freight Truck in Hannover

At IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, BAIC‑Foton unveiled the Cavan Beacon, a modular heavy‑duty truck capable of battery‑electric, battery‑swap, compressed gas, and liquid hydrogen power. The 800‑volt architecture supports 1.44‑MW charging, allowing a 20‑80 % charge in 18 minutes and a 600‑km electric range. The truck features a 0.28 drag coefficient, 22 driver‑assist functions, and a sleeper cab with 420 L storage. BAIC‑Foton also announced plans for European assembly plants, a local engineering center, and full sales coverage by 2028.

💡 The Beacon’s plug‑and‑play power‑module design could set a new standard for long‑haul electrification, reducing charging times and expanding fuel‑type flexibility. By committing to local assembly and a dedicated EU engineering hub, BAIC‑Foton signals a shift from export‑only to integrated European production, potentially reshaping the continent’s commercial‑vehicle supply chain.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 29

Geely Gets 30% of NIO Power

Geely Holding Group announced it will acquire a 30% stake in NIO Power, the battery‑swapping and charging subsidiary of electric‑vehicle maker NIO. The transaction combines Geely’s 100% equity in its Yiyi Power unit with RMB 640 million in cash, giving Geely a sizable share while integrating Yiyi’s commercial‑mobility swapping business into NIO Power. Both firms said the deal creates a strategic cooperation covering technology sharing, joint investment, and a unified service network for battery swapping and charging. NIO will also take a 10% stake in Geely’s Haohan Energy, linking the two companies’ charging infrastructures. The partnership aims to develop common standards, expand network coverage, and support consumer‑facing swap‑enabled models, signaling a coordinated push for open, scalable EV recharging solutions in China market.

💡 Geely’s bet gives battery swapping its first heavyweight endorsement, turning a niche experiment into a mainstream pillar of China’s EV ecosystem.

energy-storage.news · Sep 28

Urgent need for cybersecurity overhaul as BESS deployment accelerates, Energy Storage Europe…

Energy Storage Europe released a report urging the EU to overhaul its cybersecurity framework for battery energy storage systems (BESS). The study highlights regulatory gaps and inconsistent member‑state implementation that raise costs and slow deployment while exposing grid‑level risks. With BESS capacity already at 50 GW and projected to reach 200 GW by 2030, the organization calls for reclassifying key components as critical, harmonising connectivity standards, and issuing joint guidance under NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act.

💡 The rapid BESS expansion turns isolated cyber threats into systemic risks that could destabilise the European grid. A unified regulatory approach is essential to protect critical infrastructure and ensure reliable energy delivery.

techcrunch.com · Sep 28

Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ Brandon Sorbom and Helion’s David Kirtley on bringing fusion…

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ Brandon Sorbom and Helion’s David Kirtley presented on “Bringing Fusion to the Grid.” CFS is advancing SPARC toward its commercial ARC plant, having secured a $1 billion funding round and applied to the PJM Interconnection. Helion is developing Orion, a 50‑MW plant slated to supply Microsoft by 2028, after heating plasma to 150 million °C and closing a $500 million Series G. Both leaders outlined scientific breakthroughs, remaining technical hurdles, and regulatory steps needed for grid‑ready fusion power.

💡 The session signals a pivotal shift from laboratory experiments to real‑world energy delivery, potentially redefining the U.S. power grid’s future.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 28

Leipzig’s Hydrogen Garbage Trucks Fail The Tuesday Test

Leipzig introduced 16 hydrogen-powered refuse trucks in 2024, yet after two years their average deployment rate fell to 45.6%, far below the 80% typical of conventional units. Technical faults, maintenance, and repair downtime kept the vehicles out of service, prompting the manufacturer to supply conventional replacements. The city’s report underscores that the trucks were not merely prototypes but a functional fleet with dedicated refueling infrastructure, yet their reliability failed to meet everyday operational demands.

💡 The shortfall highlights the gap between hydrogen technology’s promise and its practical viability for municipal fleets, raising questions about cost, maintenance, and scalability that could stall broader adoption.

energy-storage.news · Sep 28

Australia’s NSW grants development consent for 200MWh battery storage system

The New South Wales government has granted development consent for the Deniliquin East battery energy storage system, a 100 MW/200 MWh project by BESS Arctic Pty Ltd through Gransolar Development Australia. Located on 3.53 ha near Deniliquin, the facility will connect to the National Electricity Market and support peak‑time renewable dispatch. Consent limits output to 100 MW and 240 MWh, with fire safety, emergency, and firebreak conditions. The project, valued at AU$118 million, will create up to 52 construction jobs and two operational roles, and includes a AU$600,000 community contribution.

💡 This approval expands NSW’s rapidly growing battery pipeline, reinforcing the state’s commitment to renewable integration and grid resilience. The project’s scale and local job creation demonstrate tangible progress toward meeting climate and energy security targets.