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News: US Senate Democrats passed a law last week This could significantly reduce the country’s carbon emissions. One of the key components of the bill is the extension of electric vehicle tax credits designed to aid the adoption of EVs by giving buyers $7,500 to purchase a qualifying new electric vehicle or $4,000 for used cars.
Boredom? For a new vehicle to qualify for a tax credit, the battery and the essential minerals used in it must come mostly from the United States or countries with which it has a free trade agreement.
Why is it important: Currently, most lithium-ion batteries for EV batteries are made in China. The US produces only about 7% of the global supply. The legislation is an attempt to encourage companies to build more capacity for mining and battery manufacturing in the US. While restrictions may help create a secure supply chain for batteries in the US in the long run, some experts are unsure how quickly US companies can respond.
Big picture: Ambitious EV tax credits can play a role in creating local battery production and fostering new supply chains in the US, and is a clear attempt to slow China’s battery dominance. But whether these changes will come quickly enough to keep up with rising EV sales remains an open question. Read the full story.
—Casey Crownhart
must read
I scoured the internet for today’s most entertaining/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 California declares state of emergency over monkeypox epidemic
It has more than 800 confirmed cases and is the second state to announce emergency measures in three days. (CNN)
+ The US has allowed the expiration of millions of vaccines that could protect against monkey disease. (NYT $)
+ India recorded its first death from monkey disease. (BBC)
2 Amazon’s carbon emissions increased 18% last year
Despite his attempts to portray himself as a green champion. (Boundary)
+ Just two years ago, he created a $2 billion climate fund. (MIT Technology Review)
3 What can Facebook friendships teach us about reducing poverty?
Poor kids with rich friends are more likely to earn more when they become adults. (NYT $)
4 Black Mirror didn’t help the situation for brain-computer interfaces
While technology can help millions, many people are still understandably cautious. (wired $)
+ Why facial expressions are the new Xbox controllers. (WP $)
+ Brain implants could be the next computer mouse. (MIT Technology Review)
How does Roblox respond to grooming?
The leaked documents detail the popular gaming platform’s response to major moderation challenges. (motherboard)
6 Schools fail to protect children’s sensitive data
Hacks and breaches can seriously affect their future prospects and employment. (NYT $)
7 A hateful Arab anti-LGBTQ+ group thrives on Twitter
After being kicked off Facebook in early July. (rest of the world)
+ Anti-Vaxx Twitter accounts are selling misinformation about the food crisis. (Guard)
+ The company is investigating Elon Musk’s partners about the deal to buy him.. (WP $)
8 Electric cars are very quiet 🚙
But it’s surprisingly difficult to settle for a sound that won’t distract us all. (New Yorker $)
+ Their adoption means gas stations are ready to turn to something else. (Protocol)
9 How historians got into a long-term relationship with Tinder 📱
After ten years in practice, some users feel that a stable partnership is further away than ever before. (Cut)
10 We still want to look good on BeReal
The app asks us to be original, but that doesn’t take away the urge. (Atlantic Ocean $)
+ Retraining your social media algorithm is tiring work. (Information $)
Word of the Day
“If you’re going to wait for a case to come up, you’re already after your tail.”
—Dr Yvonne Maldonado, professor at the Stanford School of Medicine, explains: dark Because U.S. public health agencies don’t usually test sewers for polio, the virus had spread before a man in Rockland County sought medical attention in June.
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