Automobiles
‘Robo-Taxi Takeover’ Hits Speed Bumps
Self-driving cars are expanding their ranges in a handful of U.S. cities, but the reality doesn’t yet match the hype
Transportation40 articles archived since 1845
Transportation
Why High-Speed Bullet Trains Won’t Work in the U.S. Right Now
Amtrak will soon get 28 high-speed rail cars. But they won't operate at high speeds because Amtrak tracks are outdated
Climate Change
Airlines Grapple with Flights Delayed by Climate-Fueled Heat
Longer, more intense heat waves fueled by climate change could make it harder for planes to get off the ground
Energy
Hackers Could Use Electric Vehicle Chargers to Attack the Power Grid
Hackers have already infiltrated electric vehicle chargers, usually for innocuous reasons, but bad actors could use that foothold to bring down the power grid
Transportation
Yes, Airline Flights Are Getting Bumpier: Here’s Why
Clear-air turbulence is becoming more frequent and more intense as the atmosphere warms
Engineering
Where Are the Worst Bridges in the U.S.?
More than 42,000 highway bridges across the country are in “poor” condition, according to national bridge inspection standards
Transportation
Missing Titanic Sub: What Could Have Gone Wrong?
A submersible called Titan has gone missing on a dive to the remains of of the Titanic
Climate Change
California’s Ambitious Push for Cleaner Trucks and Trains Needs Charging Overhaul
California state regulators are expected to approve regulations imposing stricter climate rules on trains and trucks, but the charging infrastructure to power them is lacking
Defense
Why We’re Suddenly Spotting Spy Balloons
Every question we have about the airborne objects that may or may not be spying on the U.S.
Renewable Energy
Making the Entire U.S. Car Fleet Electric Could Cause Lithium Shortages
Converting the existing U.S. car fleet to electric vehicles would require more lithium than the world currently produces, showing the need to move away from private cars as a primary means of travel...
Energy
Government Researchers Aim for Better—And Cheaper—Batteries
Department of Energy researchers are partnering with battery manufacturers to help them find new ways to make cheap batteries that can store a lot of energy
Climate Change
Drones Bearing Parcels Deliver Big Carbon Savings
Last-mile delivery by a small drone takes much less energy per package than delivery by diesel truck
Aerospace
Electric Planes Take Off
More than 170 projects are underway worldwide
Renewable Energy
White House Rolls Out $5-Billion Electric Vehicle Charging Program
The announcement unleashes a flood of federal money to states for the construction of a national network of charging stations
Aerospace
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Aces Helicopter and Plane Flight Tests
The biofuel, made from used cooking oil, could help the aviation industry cut climate-threatening carbon emissions
Renewable Energy
Chip Shortage Threatens Biden’s Electric Vehicle Plans, Commerce Secretary Says
The administration hopes to gain support for a bill to domestic semiconductor manufacturing
Automobiles
The New Deal Came Too Late for Electric Vehicles
Lack of energy infrastructure explains the rise of the gasoline car
Automobiles
Access to Electric Vehicles Is an Environmental Justice Issue
We must build tomorrow’s transportation infrastructure with equity at its core
Transportation
‘Self-Driving’ Cars Begin to Emerge from a Cloud of Hype
Developers try to overcome a multitude of technical challenges before vehicles drive on their own
Transportation
Chip Shortage Could Slow Electric Vehicle Rollouts
And no one is certain how long the shortage will last
