New Battery Tech Can Increase EV Range, Where to See the Total Eclipse, and Other News

Here’s what you might have missed this week in outdoors, innovation, and EV news.

Best Ways to see the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will make its way across North America, temporarily turning day into night. As states in the path of totality prepare for an influx of new visitors, time is running out for those hoping to snag a coveted campsite. Outside Online lists some more adventurous options for where to spot this celestial event, from a canoe on a national river to a surfboard in Mexico. 

Read More (from Outside Online)

How Norway Became the Leader in EV Adoption

In 2023, a whopping 83 percent of new car sales in Norway were electric vehicles, compared to 7.6 percent in the U.S. How has the Scandinavian country been able to support and encourage this transformation? A major reason is hydropower, a cheap and renewable energy source. Other reasons include effective government communication and valuable tax incentives.  

Watch Video (from CNBC)

Booking a Campsite Becomes Harder as Demand Grows

According to The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report, more than 45 percent of campers found it difficult to book a campsite in 2023. And that makes sense—more than 20 million new campers entered the market last year. And despite campground expansions and new locations added, the demand is growing faster than the supply can keep up with. But according to The Dyrt CEO Kevin Long, things will get a little easier in 2024. 

Read More (from Thrillist)

New Gel Battery Tech Could Enable EVs to Go Much Farther

Today’s typical electric car can go around 300 miles on a single charge. But in a new study published in Advanced Science, researchers found that using a silicon and gel electrolyte system in lithium-ion batteries can unleash a much higher range, allowing EVs to go more than 600 miles on a single charge in the future. 

Read More (from Live Science)

EV Surge Increases Demand for Green Jobs

As the electric vehicle industry continues to grow, so does the job market for those looking to work in the clean energy sector. With battery plants popping up all over the country and automakers pivoting to new electric offerings, the U.S. is seeing a boom in the number of available EV-related jobs, in areas ranging from vehicle design and manufacturing to charging network development and maintenance. 

Read More (from NRDC)