Month: January 2026

New research shows Republican hostility to EVs easing, end of federal EV subsidies curbing EV demand, strong EV sales potential in multifamily housing, 49 percent of younger (under 45) open to buying Chinese-made vehicles, and sharply polarized views of Elon Musk and Tesla. President Trump remains controversial among auto consumers, with only 28 percent rating him a friend of the U.S. auto industry

DETROIT, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As President Donald Trump prepares to travel to Detroit this week to address the Detroit Economic Club and tour a Ford Motor Co. plant during the opening of the North American International Auto Show, new national research from EVs for All America finds that Americans’ views on electric vehicles are evolving, with Republican resistance easing but concerns about jobs, China and affordability still shaping the market.

“Our latest national survey of auto consumers has good and bad news for EVs,” said EVs for All America founder and CEO Mike Murphy. “The fierce partisan polarization over EVs is declining, but the removal of federal EV subsidies remains a cooling factor for sales in the short term.”

The report, Fixing America’s Partisan Divide Over EVs: Tracking Three Years of Slow Progress, analyzes three years of national polling of U.S. auto consumers and finds positive movement among Republicans, strong partisan polarization over Elon Musk and Donald Trump, and a clear road map to sell more EVs across America.

Key findings from the new report include:

• Republican hostility toward EVs has lessened by 20 points over three years.
  GOP voters are increasingly less likely to say EVs are “for people who see the world differently,” signaling a gradual thaw in cultural resistance.
• President Trump faces significant doubts among consumers about his support for the U.S. auto industry. Only 28 percent of auto consumer voters in households earning $50,000 or more rate President Trump as a “Friend of the U.S. Auto Industry.” The sample represents more than 80 percent of the new- and used-vehicle market and roughly two-thirds of the presidential-year electorate.
• Opinions of Elon Musk are sharply divided along party lines.
  While Republicans give Musk favorable ratings (which has helped thaw GOP consumers’ hostility to EVs), Democrats overwhelmingly hold strongly unfavorable views at 86 percent, creating a significant branding problem for Tesla.
• Republican voters are deeply concerned about the loss of auto manufacturing jobs to China.
  The majority of Republican voters worry that U.S. national security is at risk if America’s industrial base continues to erode with the loss of manufacturing jobs to China. 88 percent worry at least some, including 53 percent who worry a lot.
• The loss of federal EV subsidies cools consumer interest.
  Roughly half of auto consumers say the end of federal EV incentives makes them less likely to buy or lease an electric vehicle. Conversely, an examination of EV sales in Germany after EV subsidies ended shows a strong recovery over the two years since the credits ended, following an initial sales decline.
• Multifamily building residents remain a significant opportunity for increased EV sales if overnight “Level 2” charging is added to apartment buildings and condo parking.
  65 percent of condo owners and 70 percent of apartment renters say they would be more likely to buy or lease an EV if their building offered overnight Level 2 charging in parking spaces. The finding highlights a major adoption barrier for urban and suburban consumers who lack access to private garages.
• Consumers clearly report that the best path to selling more EVs, both in red states and blue, involves moving marketing messages away from “green” messaging and instead focusing on the many positive vehicle attributes that EV drivers enjoy, including fast, fun to drive, quiet, and the ability to avoid traditional and expensive gas stations.
• The data show that consumers under 45 are far more open to EVs than older consumers, a trend that should grow as younger consumers age and gain market share.  In a troubling long-term sign for existing auto brands in the U.S., younger consumers under 45 show a definite open-mindedness to purchasing Chinese-made vehicles, while consumers over 55 are far more hostile.

“The path to breaking down the partisan EV divide is clear in the data,” said Murphy. “It’s all about focusing on great vehicle performance and attributes, not on political climate dogma. It’s also about smart EV policy at the state level, including state incentives such as California’s proposed new program, since the Trump administration has decided to back away from federal support for EVs. Since 80 percent of all EVs sold in America are sold in 15 states, smart pro-EV policy in those core states is the best public policy move in the short term. Opinions of EVs are always higher in states with a large EV market penetration since our data shows positive word of mouth is a huge factor in attracting more EV customers.”

Murphy said the findings offer timely context as national political leaders spotlight manufacturing and the auto industry.

“With the President heading to Detroit to talk about jobs and American manufacturing, this research underscores that EVs are an important path to creating more American auto jobs and helping secure U.S. auto manufacturing, not targets of a culture war,” Murphy said. “That only helps China seize the future of the global auto industry, a real threat to the U.S. and our allies. Automotive and political leaders should take our findings on younger consumers’ interest in Chinese-made cars seriously as well.”

The report is based on annual national surveys of 600 registered voters age 18 and older in households earning $50,000 or more, representing more than 80 percent of the U.S. new- and used-vehicle market. EVs for All America conducted these surveys each November from 2023 through 2025. The report also incorporates additional research, including an October 2024 survey of 800 registered Republicans and an October 2025 survey of 400 California condo and apartment residents. National polling was conducted by Hill Research Consultants, with the California survey conducted by David Binder and Associates.

About EVs for All America

EVs for All America is a nonprofit research and education organization focused on expanding electric vehicle adoption by advancing practical policies, consumer-focused messaging, and solutions that work across the political spectrum.

For more information or to access the full report, visit www.evsforallamerica.org.

Media Contact:
Dan Krassner
(850) 321-0432
dan@evsforamerica.org

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SOURCE EVs for All America

WIENER NEUSTADT, Austria, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — First comprehensive global study of very large hail in a changing climate reveals contrasting trends and different causes. 

For the first time, scientists have modelled the occurrence of hail larger than 5 cm globally.  European storm researchers analysed long-term trends of hail frequency and associated economic losses over the past 30 years. While very large hail is most common in parts of South America, the United States and South Africa, the study reveals that the strongest increase in frequency has occurred in Europe. In contrast, some regions of the Southern Hemisphere have experienced a decline. Changes in atmospheric moisture near the surface are primarily responsible for these trends.

Although hail-related losses have increased across Europe, with several multi-billion-dollar losses over recent years, the meteorological changes are only partly responsible for this increase.  Rising losses are also driven by greater exposure and vulnerability: as more homes and infrastructure are built in hazard-prone areas, the potential for damage increases. This effect is a key driver of rising losses in the United States and along Australia’s coastlines.

The study was published in Nature Geoscience and lead-authored by the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL) in collaboration with experts from the Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznań (Poland) and German reinsurer Munich Re (Germany).

The map illustrates the mean trend in the annual number of very large hail events per decade between 1950 and 2023. Hail stripes showing the yearly occurrence of very large hail are provided for six metropolitan regions.

Reference: Battaglioli, F., Taszarek, M., Groenemeijer, P. et al. Contrasting trends in very large hail events and related economic losses across the globe. Nat. Geosci. 19, 52–58 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-025-01868-0

www.essl.org/cms/about-us/press 

Link to study: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-025-01868-0

– Picture is available at AP –

PRESS CONTACT:

Stefan Eisenbach
+4366473103344, stefan.eisenbach@essl.org
www.essl.org

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/essl-leading-study-to-find-where-and-why-damaging-hail-is-getting-worse-302658458.html

SOURCE ESSL – European Severe Storms Laboratory

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — California parents showed strong demand for K–12 school choice in the past year, with Golden State families more likely than parents nationwide to choose public charter schools.

According to a survey of 599 California parents released today by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation ahead of National School Choice Week (January 25–31), an estimated 5.1 million California parents of school-aged children considered a new school for at least one of their children in 2025. Overall, 81% of California parents considered a new school for at least one of their children, compared with 75% nationwide. Ultimately, 22% enrolled a child in a new school or learning environment, similar to the national average.

Charter schools accounted for a larger share of new enrollments in California than elsewhere in the country. Among parents who enrolled a child in a new school, 25% chose a public charter school, compared with 17% nationwide.

Parents most often cited practical reasons for searching, including school-level transitions (34%), children entering school for the first time (25%), and moving to a new community (11%). When evaluating options, California parents prioritized a safe, supportive environment (64%), a positive social environment (56%), and a particular educational theme or approach (45%).

Looking ahead, demand shows little sign of easing. Sixty-nine percent of California parents say they are likely to consider a new school for at least one of their children within the next 12 months, exceeding the national rate of 62%.

California families can choose among traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet programs, private schools, online learning options, and homeschooling or microschools. While charter and magnet schools offer tuition-free public options, many have application deadlines or lotteries. California does not provide state funding for private school tuition, though some families access scholarships through schools or nonprofits, and homeschoolers may receive support through charter-affiliated programs.

“The overwhelming demand for school choice in California is especially notable given the state’s mix of charter schools, magnet programs, online learning, and limited choice within the traditional public school system—but no programs that make private education more affordable,” said Andrew Campanella, president and CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. “Recent efforts to restrict public charter schools clearly run counter to what parents want. We hope decision-makers look at these results and recognize that California families need more choices, not fewer. And for parents, starting the school search early is critical in a state where supply is limited.”

National School Choice Week, running January 25–31, will offer California parents opportunities to learn more about their education options. More than 1,900 schools and organizations across the state will host events including school fairs, information sessions, open houses, and parent nights. More information is available at SchoolChoiceWeek.com.

About NSCAF

The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K–12 school choice can change their children’s lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children’s needs. Our three charitable programs––National School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares––raise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government.

Survey Details

California results are based on a survey of 599 California parents of school-aged children ages 5–18, conducted December 2–10, 2025, using SurveyMonkey’s national audience panel. The margin of error is ±4.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-81-of-california-parents-considered-new-k12-schools-for-their-children-last-year-302657787.html

SOURCE National School Choice Week

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — California parents showed strong demand for K–12 school choice in the past year, with Golden State families more likely than parents nationwide to choose public charter schools.

According to a survey of 599 California parents released today by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation ahead of National School Choice Week (January 25–31), an estimated 5.1 million California parents of school-aged children considered a new school for at least one of their children in 2025. Overall, 81% of California parents considered a new school for at least one of their children, compared with 75% nationwide. Ultimately, 22% enrolled a child in a new school or learning environment, similar to the national average.

Charter schools accounted for a larger share of new enrollments in California than elsewhere in the country. Among parents who enrolled a child in a new school, 25% chose a public charter school, compared with 17% nationwide.

Parents most often cited practical reasons for searching, including school-level transitions (34%), children entering school for the first time (25%), and moving to a new community (11%). When evaluating options, California parents prioritized a safe, supportive environment (64%), a positive social environment (56%), and a particular educational theme or approach (45%).

Looking ahead, demand shows little sign of easing. Sixty-nine percent of California parents say they are likely to consider a new school for at least one of their children within the next 12 months, exceeding the national rate of 62%.

California families can choose among traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet programs, private schools, online learning options, and homeschooling or microschools. While charter and magnet schools offer tuition-free public options, many have application deadlines or lotteries. California does not provide state funding for private school tuition, though some families access scholarships through schools or nonprofits, and homeschoolers may receive support through charter-affiliated programs.

“The overwhelming demand for school choice in California is especially notable given the state’s mix of charter schools, magnet programs, online learning, and limited choice within the traditional public school system—but no programs that make private education more affordable,” said Andrew Campanella, president and CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. “Recent efforts to restrict public charter schools clearly run counter to what parents want. We hope decision-makers look at these results and recognize that California families need more choices, not fewer. And for parents, starting the school search early is critical in a state where supply is limited.”

National School Choice Week, running January 25–31, will offer California parents opportunities to learn more about their education options. More than 1,900 schools and organizations across the state will host events including school fairs, information sessions, open houses, and parent nights. More information is available at SchoolChoiceWeek.com.

About NSCAF

The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K–12 school choice can change their children’s lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children’s needs. Our three charitable programs––National School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares––raise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government.

Survey Details

California results are based on a survey of 599 California parents of school-aged children ages 5–18, conducted December 2–10, 2025, using SurveyMonkey’s national audience panel. The margin of error is ±4.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-81-of-california-parents-considered-new-k12-schools-for-their-children-last-year-302657787.html

SOURCE National School Choice Week

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — California parents showed strong demand for K–12 school choice in the past year, with Golden State families more likely than parents nationwide to choose public charter schools.

According to a survey of 599 California parents released today by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation ahead of National School Choice Week (January 25–31), an estimated 5.1 million California parents of school-aged children considered a new school for at least one of their children in 2025. Overall, 81% of California parents considered a new school for at least one of their children, compared with 75% nationwide. Ultimately, 22% enrolled a child in a new school or learning environment, similar to the national average.

Charter schools accounted for a larger share of new enrollments in California than elsewhere in the country. Among parents who enrolled a child in a new school, 25% chose a public charter school, compared with 17% nationwide.

Parents most often cited practical reasons for searching, including school-level transitions (34%), children entering school for the first time (25%), and moving to a new community (11%). When evaluating options, California parents prioritized a safe, supportive environment (64%), a positive social environment (56%), and a particular educational theme or approach (45%).

Looking ahead, demand shows little sign of easing. Sixty-nine percent of California parents say they are likely to consider a new school for at least one of their children within the next 12 months, exceeding the national rate of 62%.

California families can choose among traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet programs, private schools, online learning options, and homeschooling or microschools. While charter and magnet schools offer tuition-free public options, many have application deadlines or lotteries. California does not provide state funding for private school tuition, though some families access scholarships through schools or nonprofits, and homeschoolers may receive support through charter-affiliated programs.

“The overwhelming demand for school choice in California is especially notable given the state’s mix of charter schools, magnet programs, online learning, and limited choice within the traditional public school system—but no programs that make private education more affordable,” said Andrew Campanella, president and CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. “Recent efforts to restrict public charter schools clearly run counter to what parents want. We hope decision-makers look at these results and recognize that California families need more choices, not fewer. And for parents, starting the school search early is critical in a state where supply is limited.”

National School Choice Week, running January 25–31, will offer California parents opportunities to learn more about their education options. More than 1,900 schools and organizations across the state will host events including school fairs, information sessions, open houses, and parent nights. More information is available at SchoolChoiceWeek.com.

About NSCAF

The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K–12 school choice can change their children’s lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children’s needs. Our three charitable programs––National School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares––raise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government.

Survey Details

California results are based on a survey of 599 California parents of school-aged children ages 5–18, conducted December 2–10, 2025, using SurveyMonkey’s national audience panel. The margin of error is ±4.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-81-of-california-parents-considered-new-k12-schools-for-their-children-last-year-302657787.html

SOURCE National School Choice Week

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — California parents showed strong demand for K–12 school choice in the past year, with Golden State families more likely than parents nationwide to choose public charter schools.

According to a survey of 599 California parents released today by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation ahead of National School Choice Week (January 25–31), an estimated 5.1 million California parents of school-aged children considered a new school for at least one of their children in 2025. Overall, 81% of California parents considered a new school for at least one of their children, compared with 75% nationwide. Ultimately, 22% enrolled a child in a new school or learning environment, similar to the national average.

Charter schools accounted for a larger share of new enrollments in California than elsewhere in the country. Among parents who enrolled a child in a new school, 25% chose a public charter school, compared with 17% nationwide.

Parents most often cited practical reasons for searching, including school-level transitions (34%), children entering school for the first time (25%), and moving to a new community (11%). When evaluating options, California parents prioritized a safe, supportive environment (64%), a positive social environment (56%), and a particular educational theme or approach (45%).

Looking ahead, demand shows little sign of easing. Sixty-nine percent of California parents say they are likely to consider a new school for at least one of their children within the next 12 months, exceeding the national rate of 62%.

California families can choose among traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet programs, private schools, online learning options, and homeschooling or microschools. While charter and magnet schools offer tuition-free public options, many have application deadlines or lotteries. California does not provide state funding for private school tuition, though some families access scholarships through schools or nonprofits, and homeschoolers may receive support through charter-affiliated programs.

“The overwhelming demand for school choice in California is especially notable given the state’s mix of charter schools, magnet programs, online learning, and limited choice within the traditional public school system—but no programs that make private education more affordable,” said Andrew Campanella, president and CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. “Recent efforts to restrict public charter schools clearly run counter to what parents want. We hope decision-makers look at these results and recognize that California families need more choices, not fewer. And for parents, starting the school search early is critical in a state where supply is limited.”

National School Choice Week, running January 25–31, will offer California parents opportunities to learn more about their education options. More than 1,900 schools and organizations across the state will host events including school fairs, information sessions, open houses, and parent nights. More information is available at SchoolChoiceWeek.com.

About NSCAF

The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K–12 school choice can change their children’s lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children’s needs. Our three charitable programs––National School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares––raise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government.

Survey Details

California results are based on a survey of 599 California parents of school-aged children ages 5–18, conducted December 2–10, 2025, using SurveyMonkey’s national audience panel. The margin of error is ±4.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-81-of-california-parents-considered-new-k12-schools-for-their-children-last-year-302657787.html

SOURCE National School Choice Week

STOCKHOLM, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe has signed an agreement with Stegra for the delivery of steel from Stegra’s site in Boden, Sweden. First deliveries are expected to start in 2027. The total tonnage of the agreement will be in the high-six-digit range.

In the multi-year agreement, thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe will acquire significant amounts of non-prime steel from Stegra to supply its customers in various industries across Europe.

“At thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, we have the customer base, the logistics capabilities and the processing network to handle these large amounts of steel. At the same time, we are also teaming up with Stegra to support the ramp-up of their large-scale facilities in Boden and their efforts to decarbonize the steel industry,” says Heather Wijdekop, CEO of the Processing business unit at thyssenkrupp Materials Services.

thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe is part of thyssenkrupp Materials Services and is a major European steel and aluminum service center. It supplies processed steel products based on each customer’s specifications in segments including automotive suppliers, construction and OEMs.

Stegra is currently building a new steel production facility in Boden, Sweden, which will produce steel with green hydrogen from renewable electricity. Due to the nature of the steel production process, steel mills produce a certain amount of non-prime steel: material that doesn’t meet the highest quality standards that certain applications may require, but is still a strong and durable material eligible for various uses. As a result, non-prime steel makes up a relevant portion of the steel market in Europe.

“A partner for non-prime steel is important for the ramp up of our steel mill and we see this as the start of a long-term partnership with thyssenkrupp Material Services as a key player in the market. Together we can drive an even stronger pull for steel products made via the green hydrogen route,” says Stephan Flapper, Head of Commercial, Stegra.

Although Stegra’s Boden site uses only hydrogen and renewable electricity, the non-prime steel purchased by thyssenkrupp Materials Services in the course of this agreement will not be considered to be CO₂-reduced as Stegra will sell the green value as Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs) to other customers in the prime steel market.

Stegra announced its first agreement for environmental attribute certificates in September 2025. Agreements for non-prime steel are crucial in the development of the market for environmental attribute certificates in steel.

To ensure there is no double counting of emission performance, the buyer of the physical steel will be obliged to commit to not making any green claims.

For more information, contact: Karin Hallstan, Head of Communications, Stegra at press@stegra.com or +46 76 842 81 04

Stegra announces agreement with Microsoft, driving demand for near-zero emission steel

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/stegra/r/thyssenkrupp-materials-services-and-stegra-agree-on-significant-multi-year-non-prime-steel-supply,c4290895

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thyssenkrupp-materials-services-and-stegra-agree-on-significant-multi-year-non-prime-steel-supply-302658271.html

SOURCE Stegra