Stories from Phil Covington
Technology
This Startup Retrofits Buildings Using As Few New Materials As Possible
GeoStruxer takes a different approach to retrofitting than the average engineering firm, giving structures a second life while avoiding excess materials and carbon emissions.
January 8
Technology
New Tool Helps Engineers Consider Carbon Emissions During The Design Process
Aiming to make carbon accounting easier, Bentley Systems' new tool allows engineers to see a digital representation of the embodied carbon in their future projects. That also helps them compare building materials and design choices to mitigate those emissions.
October 29, 2024
Sponsored
NYC: Leading Toward a Green Economy
New York City Takes Its Biggest Step Yet for Offshore Wind
New York City will soon be home to one of the nation's largest offshore wind projects — which is set to contribute not only clean energy, but also economic development and well-paying jobs for residents and communities.
August 14, 2024
Technology
Lithium-ion Batteries Could Soon Work Much Better in Extreme Temperatures
The Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei found a way to improve lithium-ion battery performance in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 140 degrees. It could be a game changer for the electric vehicle industry.
July 29, 2024
Technology
The Software That's Making Mining Better for the Environment
As we transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy, demand for minerals like lithium, manganese and cobalt is high. Mining is not going away, but that doesn’t mean its environmental impact can't be reduced. A new modeling software is making it possible.
January 23, 2024
Sponsored
Building a Sustainable Future Through Material Innovation
Solving the Wind Industry's Waste Problem
With first-generation wind turbines reaching end-of-life, questions loom over how to properly handle the waste they create. While wind turbines are up to 90 percent recyclable, turbine blades in particular present the biggest challenge.
September 25, 2023
Technology
EV Battery Swapping Startup Sees a Path Forward Where Others Have Failed
Why spend 20 minutes charging an electric vehicle — and often much longer — when you can get fully charged batteries installed in just five minutes? It's a question worth asking, yet building a successful business around battery swapping has proven elusive. The team at Silicon Valley startup Ample thinks it’s time for another look.
July 20, 2023
Corporate Responsibility
This Free Audi Program Gives Auto Technicians the Skills to Work on Electric Vehicles
To meet the growing demand for automotive technicians who can work on electric vehicles, the Audi Education Partnership uses virtual and in-person training to quickly provide students with the necessary skills. Not only is the program free, but students actually get paid while they learn.
July 11, 2023
Technology
This New Spin on Decades-Old Technology Can Eliminate PFAS from Wastewater
PFAS are often called "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly, if at all, in nature. Their accumulation in the environment has many concerned, but this North Carolina-based company found a way to eliminate PFAS, somewhat by accident, in its effort to modernize wastewater treatment.
June 23, 2023
Sponsored
A Clean Energy Revolution in Agriculture and Construction is Here
Shipping Heavy Equipment Is No Easy Task: Can It Be More Sustainable?
Due to physical constraints, the choice of options is often limited when moving heavy equipment to its final destination. As tough as this job can be, CNH Industrial strives to be mindful about doing things in as environmentally beneficial a way as possible, the company says.
June 21, 2023
Energy
Circular Design is Key to The North Face’s Strategy to Make Clothing More Sustainable
The North Face uses circular design to make its products long-lasting and easily recyclable in an effort to reduce environmental impact. We spoke with Carol Shu, senior manager of global sustainability at the North Face, to learn more about how it's designing with circularity in mind.
May 11, 2023
Sponsored
A Clean Energy Revolution in Agriculture and Construction is Here
Can Alternative Fuels Power Carbon-Neutral Farming?
New Holland Agriculture's T6.180 Methane Power tractor can run on biodiesel made from farm waste, opening the opportunity for a closed-loop, carbon-neutral farming system. We spoke with the company's lead for alternative fuels to learn more.
April 20, 2023
Technology
Growing EV Markets Present Challenges and Opportunities for New Battery Technology
During the BNEF Summit in San Francisco last week — a meeting of the minds focused on the convergence of transport, energy and technology — the state of play for electric vehicle batteries was addressed in depth, and it's a tale of both challenge and opportunity.
February 9, 2023
Sustainable Living
Audi Rolls Out Its Flagship Carbon-Neutral Electric Vehicle
This month, Audi launched a new EV — and the Q8 e-tron is now manufactured in a carbon-neutral factory in Brussels, Belgium.
December 22, 2022
Energy
Mercedes Joins Partnership for Second-Life Battery Usage
A British Columbia-based startup is working with the German automaker to repurpose Mercedes EV batteries for second-life energy storage.
July 14, 2022
Sustainable Living
Meet the Climate Scientist Heading Sustainability and Government Affairs at Audi
Four years into his current role at Audi, this executive spoke with us about why the automaker has placed sustainability and government affairs in one role.
May 12, 2022
Energy
The Increased Demand for Lithium Due to EVs Now Drives Friendlier Methods for Extracting It
Lithium is often bound to salts and minerals, so extracting it requires a lot of processing. This company believes it has found a more sustainable process.
March 14, 2022
Sustainable Living
2022 and EVs: Trends to Watch Out For
We've taken a look at the state of electric vehicles and offer our thoughts as to where we see things headed for EVs in 2022 and beyond.
January 1, 2022
Energy
Turning Waste into Energy Holds Big Opportunities
Our organic waste streams actually serve as a potential gold mine of an energy source, which France-based Suez has long figured out.
December 3, 2021
Sponsored
The Last Mile of Decarbonization
Zero-Emission Corporate Fleets May Be Closer Than You Think
Corporate fleets are on the road to net zero, with all-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles coming online for short-haul, long-haul and even heavy-duty use cases.
November 30, 2021
Sustainable Living
Foxconn Is Branching Out from Phones to EVs — and It Could Transform the Auto Industry
In announcing the development of three prototype EVs, Foxconn is stepping out of the electronics supply shadows and into the automotive sector.
October 21, 2021
Energy
DHL, United Airlines Partner on Sustainable Aviation Fuel
The commitment DHL Global Forwarding and United Airlines made to buy sustainable aviation fuel is another step toward tackling the industry's emissions.
June 11, 2021
Sustainable Living
The F-150 Lightning Electrifies the Best-Selling Vehicle In America
The F-150 Lightning is pretty much a match for its gasoline powered stablemates; but it has another trick up its sleeve that is really impressive.
May 21, 2021
Sustainable Living
Honda Plans to Go Zero-Emissions By 2040
Honda says it will stop selling gasoline-powered cars by 2040, while also striving for carbon neutrality for all of its products and internal operations.
April 27, 2021
Sustainable Living
GM Dives Into Lithium-Metal Battery Technology
GM announced that it has inked a joint agreement to develop lithium-metal batteries while it strives to release 30 all-electric car models by 2025.
March 16, 2021
Sustainable Living
Ford the Latest Automaker to Make Bold EV Commitment
Ford Motor Company is the latest global major automaker to promise an all-electric future, starting first with the European market.
February 25, 2021
Sustainable Living
Jaguar Joins the Transatlantic Electric Car Race
Along with automakers on both sides of the Atlantic, Jaguar announced it will become an all-electric luxury brand by the end of this decade.
February 22, 2021
Energy
A Short Story of Fuel Efficiency Standards and America's Auto Industry
With the new presidential administration, there's potential for the U.S. auto industry to realign under more ambitious fuel efficiency standards.
February 9, 2021
Sustainable Living
Electric RV Drives Shows Potential for a Greener Recreational Future
The startup electric truck manufacturer Lordstown Motors and Camping World announced a partnership that could lead to an electric RV in the near future.
December 22, 2020
Sustainable Living
GM Doubles Down on Electric Vehicles, Again!
General Motors’ electric vehicles strategy is full speed ahead as CEO Mary Barra promised an increase in both investments and hiring to execute its plans.
November 24, 2020
Energy
What Would a Biden Administration Mean For Transportation Electrification? Advocates Weigh In
To what extent can a new administration shift transportation policy further toward electrification? Experts from Plug-In America and the Electrification Coalition weighed in during a virtual panel discussion last week.
November 23, 2020
Sustainable Living
GM Reveals Hummer EV and Its Monster Performance
The Hummer EV is another step towards GM’s promised all-electric future, which will span across all the company’s brands over the next five years.
October 21, 2020
Sustainable Living
Cadillac Charts New Direction with All-Electric Luxury SUV
The future direction of Cadillac was revealed to the public with the unveiling of the Lyriq, the brand's new luxury electric SUV.<br />
August 7, 2020
Sustainable Living
General Motors and EVgo Commit to Much Larger EV Fast Charger Network
GM says it's committed to building an extensive EV fast charger network with a focus on locations in U.S. cities and suburbs over the next five years.
August 4, 2020
Energy
EPA Relaxes Automobile Efficiency Standards Through 2026
In a ruling that could sow confusion among automakers, the EPA announced a rollback of automobile fuel efficiency standards.
April 2, 2020
Sustainable Living
GM Teases New All-Electric Lineup For the 2020s
The strategy at GM to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles focuses on the automaker's next-gen Ultium modular battery technology.
March 12, 2020
Technology
Battery Tech is at the Heart of General Motors' All-Electric Future
General Motors announced its third-generation electric vehicle strategy last week, centered on new proprietary battery technology.
March 9, 2020
Sustainable Living
Nissan, EVgo Partner To Boost EV Charging for New LEAF Drivers
Nissan announced it is providing new LEAF drivers access to a more robust EV charging network through a partnership with EVgo.
November 27, 2019
Sustainable Living
Tesla's Outlandish Cybertruck Redefines the Notion Of a Pickup
Tesla's Cybertruck has completely blown up the automaker's design language - and forces us to rethink the very concept of what a pickup truck actually is.
November 25, 2019
Sustainable Living
Ford's Mustang-Branded Electric SUV Reveals A New, Confident Direction
Ford took the covers off the Mach-E electric SUV, a model the automaker appears confident is worthy to wear the fabled Mustang badge.
November 19, 2019
Amazon's Commitment to Rivian Reflects the Shift of Delivery Fleets to All-Electric Vehicles
Amazon's investment in Rivian reflects an ongoing trend in which more global delivery fleets are incorporating electric vehicles.
September 26, 2019
Finance
America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act a Plus for the Environment
The America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act is a step in mitigating climate change risk while making the environment safer for both humans and wildlife.
August 2, 2019
Sustainable Living
E-Scooters Less Of A Nuisance As Cities Integrate Them Into the Transport Mix
E-scooters are less likely to run people off sidewalks than they were a year ago as cities increasingly integrate them into their transportation mix.
July 26, 2019
Sustainable Living
The UK Now Has More EV Charging Locations Than Gas Stations
The U.K. now boasts more EV charging stations than it does conventional fuel stations - thanks to EV-friendly policies and the private sector.
June 4, 2019
Sustainable Living
EV Charging at Home Just Got Easier—And More Sustainable
EV charging at home got easier with eMotorWerks' electric car charging-as-a-service system, which will allow customers to recharge vehicles hassle-free.
May 28, 2019
Technology
Bird Scooters To Be Available For Purchase As E-Scooter Industry Evolves
As the micro-mobility revolution continues, Bird—one of the pioneering companies in the rent-by-the-minute e-scooter business—will soon make its fleet-grade scooters available for sale.
May 14, 2019
Finance
The U.S. Is Losing the Global EVs Manufacturing Race
America’s foothold in EV production should bode well for the future, but in fact, U.S. automakers are already losing the manufacturing battle when it comes to electric cars.
April 12, 2019
Voices for Change
Companies Wanting To Co-Brand with Patagonia Must Now Align With Outfitter’s Mission
According to several media reports, popular California-based Patagonia has said it will no longer sell co-branded garments to companies unless their missions are aligned with the outfitter's business goals.
April 4, 2019
Sustainable Living
Electric Vehicles Will Create a $2 Trillion E-Mobility Market by 2040
Electric cars will overtake conventional vehicles by 2040 and will create a $2 trillion e-mobility opportunity for utility companies, according to research released today by Accenture.
April 2, 2019
Sustainable Living
General Motors' Urban Mobility Service, Maven, Turns Three
As GM’s mobility solution, Maven, turns three, the company's smart cities chief recently spoke with 3p to tell us more about the service and its evolution over time.
March 14, 2019
Corporate Responsibility
Volvo Capping Cars’ Top Speed at 112 MPH – Does it Make Sense?
To burnish its already strong reputation for automobile safety, Volvo will cap its vehicles' speed limits by 2020. But is this a PR stunt or giant step ahead for public safety?
March 11, 2019
Corporate Responsibility
The Future of Automotive Mobility Holds Some Surprises
Despite the increasing number of choices in personal mobility available today, the desire to own vehicles has not changed much […]
January 15, 2019
Sponsored
How Does Data Privacy Affect Corporate Responsibility?
Helping Foster Youth Protect Against Identity Theft
This article series is underwritten by Symantec and went through our normal editorial review process. Identity theft is a nightmare […]
January 3, 2019
Corporate Responsibility
Micro-Mobility Will Include Many Future Transport Options
Whether you like them or not, electric scooters are destined to remain part of our urban transportation future. Enabled by […]
December 17, 2018
Corporate Responsibility
Look Up: Flying Cars Are Coming Sooner Than You Think!
Since the time of the 1960’s cartoon family, The Jetsons, it seems the promise of flying cars has been just […]
November 30, 2018
Corporate Responsibility
UPS to Launch E-Bike Delivery Solution in Seattle
Urban congestion is a growing problem around the world. With competing uses for city streets, congestion cost New York City and […]
October 25, 2018
Corporate Responsibility
Is Oregon's Bicycle Tax a Fair Way to Support Its Cycling Community?
At the beginning of this year, the state of Oregon began charging a sales tax on new bicycles as a […]
September 30, 2018
Energy
The North Face Expands Range of Sustainably Produced Wool Clothing
In 2016, the consulting firm McKinsey said one of the keys to succeeding in tomorrow’s fashion market would be sustainability, […]
September 21, 2018
Corporate Responsibility
New Startup Aims to Revolutionize Supply Chains Using Blockchain
A new startup company, Citizens Reserve, announced earlier this month that it will launch an industry-agnostic supply chain solution using […]
September 14, 2018
Energy
What Is Old Is New – Norsepower Brings Back Wind Power to Commercial Shipping
For centuries, global commerce was powered by the wind. Sailing ships traversed the globe unchallenged up until the mid to […]
September 4, 2018
Energy
Europe To Ban Halogen Bulbs in September – Will The U.S. Do The Same?
On September 1, the era of the halogen light bulb will begin to flicker and die across the European Union […]
August 30, 2018
Corporate Responsibility
Elon Musk Still Has Much To Ensure Tesla's Future – Would You Bet Against Him?
Elon Musk is to Tesla what the late Steve Jobs was to Apple. Both have made their mark as chief […]
August 23, 2018
Technology
Annoyed With Scooters? Responsible Growth Will Be the Key to Acceptance
Last week, the Los Angeles Times reported that electric powered scooters which users can rent by the minute from tech […]
August 17, 2018
Energy
What New EPA Rulings on Asbestos Mean for Consumers and Business
Despite the fact that asbestos has been known as a hazardous material since the 1970s, being both a known carcinogen […]
August 10, 2018
Technology
Unlikely Partners Aim to Improve Methane Leak Detection
Natural gas is often described as a “bridge fuel” to a lower-carbon energy future because, compared with burning coal for electricity […]
January 31, 2017
Technology
Inside Ford's Virtual Reality Labs
These days the buzz in the auto industry is all about autonomous vehicles and the future of personal mobility. But a […]
January 13, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Ford Bets Big on Electric Vehicles, Invests In U.S. Plant
The first week of the new year was a newsworthy one for Ford Motor Co. What’s getting most of the attention […]
January 6, 2017
Technology
Silicon Valley Company Promotes "Made In America" Effort
As we wait to see if the incoming administration successfully brings jobs back to America, as promised, one Silicon Valley […]
December 23, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
UPS Rolls Out Electric-Assist Tricycle for Holiday Deliveries
In this busy Internet shopping season, if you happen to live in Portland, Oregon, it’s possible your packages and parcels […]
December 14, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
The Unintended Consequences Of Trump's 35 Percent Import Tax Proposal
In a high-profile announcement in Indiana last week, Donald Trump and Mike Pence celebrated that air-conditioning and furnace manufacturing company, […]
December 8, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Will Trump Policies Kill The Electric Car?
The president-elect has vacillated on the environment as of late. On the one hand, during his campaign he promised to […]
December 1, 2016
Technology
Ford Sets Aggressive Goals For Water Savings
If you were asked to name the resources that go into car manufacturing, obvious answers may include things such as energy, […]
November 22, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Ford Continues to Use Natural Fibers In Plastic Vehicle Components
Over the past few years, TriplePundit has reported on Ford Motor Co.’s use of bioplastics in its vehicles, both as […]
October 10, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Toyota Plans to Run a Fuel Cell Car On Human Waste
In its home country, Toyota will utilize human waste to produce energy for its flagship fuel cell car, the Mirai. The […]
September 26, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Hundreds of All-Electric, American-Made Scooters Coming to San Francisco
Over the last four years, TriplePundit has periodically reported on the growth of the San Francisco-based electric-scooter sharing service, Scoot […]
June 22, 2016
Technology
Growing Electric Bus Company Logs Over 2 Million Service Miles
A vehicle that gets 22 miles a gallon might not immediately sound great, but if you are in the mass-transportation […]
March 22, 2016
Technology
Bloomberg: EVs Will Be 35% Of New Car Sales By 2040 – Reasonable?
About three and a half years ago, I attended an EV symposium hosted by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, in […]
March 7, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Ford Augments CSR Credentials By Joining With Electronic Industry
Last week Ford Motor Co. announced that it will join the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) — a nonprofit organization of […]
March 7, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Bike Company Launches to Help the Homeless and Developing Countries
When Pedal Forward was founded in 2012, “the original idea was to build a bicycle,” said co-founder Matt Wilkins. Being […]
February 25, 2016
Voices for Change
Super Bowl 50 Aims To Be the Greenest Ever
This weekend, the pinnacle event on the NFL calendar, the Super Bowl, will kick off to determine whether the Carolina […]
February 3, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Ford Promotes Teen Safe-Driving Program at Detroit Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show in Detroit is, naturally, all about the cars and all about the technology that […]
January 21, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Demand For Lithium-Ion Batteries Surges in Spite of Cheap Oil
Last week, the price of crude oil dipped to a 12-year low selling for under $30 a barrel — a […]
January 19, 2016
Voices for Change
The Boomer Generation Diet, Or Any Other For That Matter
With New Year’s resolutions aplenty, you can bet there are millions of people looking to get in shape and shed […]
January 8, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Ford Survey Finds EV Owners Highly Satisfied
While there are still clearly many skeptics out there who doubt that electric vehicles will catch on with mainstream motorists, […]
August 14, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
Ford to Focus On Urban Cyclists
Ford Motor Co. seems to know that driving privately-owned cars will not be the key of efficient urban mobility. As well as […]
June 30, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
Rainforest Alliance Reviews Paper Giant's Forest Conservation Efforts
Feb. 5 marked the two-year anniversary of paper giant Asia Pulp and Paper’s commitment to halt further felling of the […]
February 20, 2015
Technology
Electrified Truck Power-Train Can Cut Fuel Use in Half
When it comes to electric vehicles, we hear plenty about electric cars being launched into the consumer market but not […]
January 26, 2015
Energy
FSC Certification Beats Zero Deforestation, Says Top Paper Company
Natural Forest degradation and destruction is a global problem. According to The World Resources Institute (WRI), 30 percent of global […]
December 8, 2014
Energy
Study Confirms APP's Expansion Plans Won't Require Natural Rainforest Pulp
It’s been 18 months since Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) announced its Forest Conservation Policy, which included a commitment to […]
September 17, 2014
Finance
Dropcountr Launches a New App to Manage Water Usage
Despite the 3-year-old drought in the western U.S. and pleas from California Gov. Jerry Brown to conserve 20 percent more […]
August 27, 2014