Giant Thermal Battery Goes Live in South Dakota

From Americans now being able to use healthcare savings accounts to buy e-bikes, to a massive new 5 GWh thermal battery project in South Dakota that stores renewable electricity as heat inside giant carbon blocks. James and Brian also discuss the UK's record May heatwave and growing calls for air conditioning in schools and care homes as climate change pushes temperatures higher. - Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks including a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes looks, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just $1 per month! The guys also explore why rooftop solar is exploding in Pakistan while prices remain stubbornly high in Canada, and they react to listener mail from a Chevy Bolt owner who received an oil change reminder for an EV with "0% oil life remaining." In the Lightning Round: - Cuba begins installing turbines at its largest-ever wind farm - Tesla launches "Quiet Charging Zones" at some Superchargers - Africa ramps up domestic solar panel manufacturing - China-built car exports to Europe surge - EVs are expected to hit 28% of global new car sales in 2026 - Waymo pauses freeway robotaxi trips over construction-zone issues - India surpasses the United States in EV adoption rates - Why even an EV powered entirely by coal can still beat a gas car on emissions Plus, James shares a shocking comparison between lead pollution during the Flint water crisis and 1970s Los Angeles that helped shape Brian's environmental worldview. **Contact Us** [cleanenergyshow@gmail.com](mailto:cleanenergyshow@gmail.com) or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean **Support The Clean Energy Show** Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. **Store** Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.