Month: January 2025

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In Tech is our regular feature highlighting what people are talking about in the world of technology — everything from crypto and NFTs to smart cities and cybersecurity.

In the U.S., there’s a prevailing narrative, propelled in part by politics, that the electric vehicle boom is over. But while growth is slowing, new figures released during the annual Detroit Auto Show point to strong sales globally, with a 25.6% year-on-year increase in December for fully-electric and plug-in hybrids. And even in the U.S. and Canada, EV sales rose nearly 9% in December.

But the leader in EV adoption is Norway, according to the BBC, with 88.9% of new cars sold in the country in 2024 electric.

The government there has long held supportive legislation making electric cars a more attractive and economically viable option for consumers. Dating back to the ‘90s, the transition to EVs involved consistent policies like tax incentives for EVs and higher taxes for petrol and diesel cars. Other perks include free parking and access to bus lanes.

“We think it’s wrong to advise a customer coming in here today to buy an ICE [internal combustion engine] car, because the future is electric,” says Ulf Tore Hekneby, chief executive of the Oslo-based car dealership Harald A Møller. “Long-range, high-charging speed. It’s hard to go back.”

Despite being a major oil and gas producer, and even after early Norwegian EV manufacturers ceased operations, Norway aims for all new cars sold to be zero emissions this year.

Even more vital to widespread adoption, Norway supports a comprehensive network of public charging stations. This extensive infrastructure ensures that EVs are convenient to use, even in colder climates where battery performance can be an issue. As a result, consumers have adapted their habits to charge whenever possible instead of waiting until necessary.

Indeed, another new study out in conjunction with the Detroit Auto Show reveals that infrastructure is a sticking point for car buyers globally — 60% of those surveyed by Tata Consultancy Services say charging infrastructure was a major challenge (although 64% said that an EV is likely to be their next vehicle).

At the Detroit show, Jeep showed off its first all-electric SUV, the all-wheel-drive midsize Wagoneer S, and Cadillac highlighted the Vistiq, adding a new three-row SUV to its EV lineup. And last week at CES, Honda stole the show with the debut of its electric 0 series prototypes, including the futuristic, wedge-shaped 0 Saloon, and the news that it could go on sale in North America next year.

Meanwhile, Tesla recently unveiled the facelifted version of their popular Model Y on its China consumer site, indicating that the automaker may be ready to start production on the updated vehicle.

According to a report by the German publication Handelsblatt (and echoed in Road & Track), the first European models of the Model Y could roll off the production line as early as this week.

Although Tesla this month reported the first full-year drop in sales in its history as a public company, the Tesla Model Y continues to be a juggernaut for the company, becoming the fourth biggest-selling car in the U.S. trailing the Ford F-series pickup, the Chevy Silverado pickup, and the Toyota RAV4, according to Car & Driver.

The Australian publication Drive, reports that the Model Y is expected to arrive in Australia by May. That said, there’s been no official announcement from Tesla regarding the U.S. release date.

The updates to the Model Y closely mirror those applied to the Model 3 sedan last year, which includes a revised front end with a new bumper and headlight assembly and a new taillamp that spans the hatchback. Inside, the Y benefits from improved material quality similar to the Model 3, while notably retaining the turn-signal stalk — a feature that many drivers appreciate.

Although U.S. pricing for the refreshed Model Y has yet to be announced, it’s anticipated that the new model will not deviate significantly from the current price of $44,630.

‘Bye,’ robot

With a major redesign to appeal to a new generation, Chuck E. Cheese is making a comeback four years after emerging from bankruptcy, CNBC reports. And yes, sadly, that means those animatronics are gone.

Even though it emerged from their financial woes, another threat loomed: entertaining a new era of tech-savvy children and their parents.

Chuck E. Cheese, founded in 1977 in San Jose by Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell, has become an iconic childhood institution because of its pizza, birthday parties, and animatronic mouse mascot and band. But the days of physical tickets, SkyTube tubes, and animatronics are over.

CEO Dave McKillips says the idea pulling the robots came with some debate but ultimately was a no-brainer. “Kids were consuming entertainment in such a different way, you know, growing up with screens and ever-changing bite-sized entertainment.” These days, the 470 locations feature trampolines, a smartphone app, tons of arcade games and floor-to-ceiling jumbotrons.

According to McKillips, Chuck E. Cheese is looking into various entertainment collaborations that would turn its mouse mascot into a major character, in addition to 30 license agreements for items ranging from clothing to frozen pizzas. Embracing the 21st century continues with a YouTube account with almost a half million subscribers who tune in for videos featuring their cast of characters and six albums of music featuring Chuck E. Cheese available on streaming platforms.

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

More than 15,000 trees distributed through collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation, local communities since 2017Company’s highly trained arborists, contractors care for and maintain trees year-round, including ahead of hurricane season

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., January 22, 2025 /3BL/ – Following a devastating hurricane season, Duke Energy Florida is giving away 1,000 free trees to its customers as part of its ongoing collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation.

On Friday, Jan. 17, which is also Florida Arbor Day, Duke Energy Florida customers can request a free tree online starting at 9 a.m. at arborday.org/dukeenergy, while supplies last.

The 1-gallon trees are shipped directly to customers’ homes with planting and care instructions and are expected to be delivered in time for National Arbor Day in April. Available tree species include the sweetbay magnolia, red maple, bald cypress, bottlebrush and crape myrtle (pink).

The company also participates in several National Arbor Day tree giveaways with local cities, counties and communities and encourages residents to be on the lookout for those opportunities in the coming spring.

Throughout the year, Duke Energy Florida certified arborists and environmental specialists work with skilled contractors to identify potential hazards, trim trees, apply herbicides and remove trees that pose a threat to power lines or could pose a threat in the future.

The company’s arborists are experienced professionals who cover all aspects of tree care and are familiar with the many species of trees in Florida. For nearly 20 years, Duke Energy Florida has been recognized for its tree management practices through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Line USA program and has provided more than 15,000 free trees since 2017.

“No one loves Florida trees and vegetation more than an arborist,” said Tamron Fernandez, Duke Energy manager of distribution vegetation management and ISA certified arborist. “But we recognize that trees are among one of the leading causes of power outages, so it’s important for us to take a balanced approach of following science-based standards to ensure the health of the trees while keeping lines clear and service reliable for our 2 million customers.”

“Every tree we come across is different and must be cared for and considered individually,” said Fernandez. “The action we take depends on the voltage and type of line, as well as the type of vegetation and its proximity to the line. When the right tree is planted in the right place, you are helping to reduce outages for you and your neighbors now and in the long run.”

Customers can do their part by following Duke Energy’s Right Tree, Right Place guidelines.

Find the Right Tree – Once you determine the tree’s purpose, you can select from species that will serve that purpose well. Before selecting your tree, make sure you consider the long-term size, maturity and shape of the tree. For lists of recommended trees for your region, reach out to your local municipality or University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension. 
 Choose the Right Place – If you’re planting trees on your property, look around and note the location of power lines. Consider how your tree will impact existing lines as it grows taller, wider and deeper. Keeping trees away from power lines also helps keep fallen or loose debris farther away from the lines to speed power restoration efforts. 
 Call Before You Dig – If you’ll be performing work in your yard that involves digging, Florida law requires you call 811 before you begin so Duke Energy Florida and other utilities can show you where cables and pipes are. You can also submit your request online at www.Sunshine811.com. 
 Keep Ground/Pad Transformers Clear – Keep the transformer (green box typically found in front of homes) clear at all times to allow for maintenance and repairs. Maintain a clearance of 10 feet in the front and 3 feet on all sides. 
 Stay Safe Around Power Lines – Never attempt to trim trees around power lines yourself. These lines are energized and extremely dangerous. You should hire a qualified professional tree contractor to do this work.

For information about planning and planting vegetation around electrical facilities, visit Duke Energy’s Right Tree Right Place website.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

Contact: Audrey Stasko 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853 
Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

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