Japanese auto group Toyota has partnered with fellow trucking firm PACCAR to develop two long-distance haulage trucks: Kenworth and Peterbilt. The vehicles are powered by modules of hydrogen fuel cells rather than diesel engines. The two companies plan to “realise a future where hydrogen fuel cell technology can power heavy-duty trucks that can travel across highways throughout the US with zero emissions,” said Christopher Yang, a top Toyota executive. The trucks are set to go into mass production in 2025. Critics have questioned whether there will be the infrastructure required for a widespread use of the technology.
The worldwide market for yoga wear was worth $19.2bn in 2020 and is projected to double to $40bn by 2028, but poses a sustainability challenge to producers seeking to become greener. Synthetic fibres like traditionally-used, petrochemical-based polyurethane require more fossil fuel energy to produce than natural fibres, while each wash releases synthetic microplastics polluting waterways and ingested by marine animals. Martin Mulvihill of venture capital firm SaferMade said none of the companies researching bio-based and biodegradable polyurethane have created material with the same stretch and performance.
The circumstances described by a Globe and Mail reader looking to buy a hybrid or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle would suit a fully electric car, according to journalists writing for the paper. In particular, they recommend a Tesla Model Y, as the reader mostly drives very short distances and takes occasional long trips. As the reader has access to hydro and needs ample trunk space, and budget is not an issue, the Model Y's capacity of 2,100 liters in the trunk and Tesla's charging infrastructure were cited as decisive advantages. However, the article also discusses a range of less expensive electric cars with ample cargo space, including the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4. Conventional hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) including the Lexus NX plug-in hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in-hybrid and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV were also suggested as alternatives.
