Welcome to episode 242 of The Clean Energy Show! This week, we explore a groundbreaking proposal to connect Europe's and North America's power grids using undersea cables, a move that could revolutionize clean energy by balancing solar and wind production across continents. California is launching a new program offering free e-bikes to low-income residents, but there's a catch: applicants must sit through climate change and e-bike safety videos. Meanwhile, OPEC faces a harsh reality check as oil demand peaks much sooner than anticipated, leaving petrostate politicians scrambling. And in New York City, plans for mandatory e-bike license plates spark controversy.

Also in the show: Mercedes gets the green light for Level 3 autonomous driving in Germany, GM pulls the plug on its Cruise robo-taxi business, and BC Hydro opens a powerful new EV charger in British Columbia. All this and more, including the ever-illuminating Lightning Round!

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Main Stories

• California's Free E-Bike Program: Read more.

• Transatlantic Power Grids: Full report.

• OPEC’s Oil Demand Reality Check: Read the full analysis.

Other Highlights

• Mercedes-Benz's DRIVE PILOT gets approval in Germany for Level 3 autonomous driving, allowing drivers to legally read, work, or watch TV while the car drives itself.

• GM halts its Cruise self-driving taxi operations after safety incidents.

• BC Hydro opens a new 350 kW EV charger in Oyama, BC, significantly improving EV travel in the region.

Listener Mail

The Lightning Round

• US Supreme Court upholds California’s right to set its own vehicle emissions standards.

• Global renewable energy installations hit a record 560 GW in 2023, compared to just 7.1 GW of new nuclear.

• EV battery life may last 40% longer than previously estimated.

• Study finds only 1% of EV owners would switch back to gas-powered cars, with cost savings being the primary reason.

• BYD plans to introduce 6C charging technology, enabling 10-80% charging in just 7 minutes.

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We’re also preparing our year-end wrap-up! Let us know what stories from 2024 stood out to you and how you feel about the progress made this year.

Thank you for listening to The Clean Energy Show! See you next week!