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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Despite inventing key clean energy technologies — electric vehicles (EVs), lithium-ion batteries, and solar panels — the United States has ceded global leadership to China, which now dominates global production and market share
• Through aggressive policy support and long-term investments exceeding $231 billion, China turned these innovations into industrial and export powerhouses, leaving the U.S. struggling to maintain competitiveness
🔭 The context: The U.S. pioneered these technologies over the 20th century: solar cells in the 1950s, lithium-ion batteries in the 1970s, and early EVs as far back as the 1890s
• However, shifting political priorities, inconsistent subsidies, and early abandonment of clean tech policies (notably in the Reagan and post-1990s eras) prevented large-scale domestic adoption and commercialization
• Meanwhile, China offered stable incentives, built entire supply chains, and captured market leadership by aligning industrial and climate goals
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: China now produces 94% of lithium iron phosphate batteries, 80% of the global solar panel supply chain, and sold over five times more EVs than the U.S. in 2024
• This concentration raises concerns over supply chain resilience, economic security, and the pace of global decarbonization
• As nations race to meet net-zero targets, the ability to scale and deploy these technologies affordably and reliably is critical — and currently depends heavily on Chinese dominance
⏭️ What's next: With geopolitical competition intensifying, the U.S. faces mounting pressure to rebuild its clean tech manufacturing base and secure domestic supply chains
• The Inflation Reduction Act offers renewed momentum, but its long-term effectiveness depends on consistent policy support, increased demand stimulation, and international collaboration or competition
• Without sustained investment and clearer industrial strategy, the technological isolation of the U.S. may deepen in key sectors
💬 One quote: “The U.S. was really good at creating these technological opportunities — but we just weren’t supporting the market side enough.” – Greg Nemet, professor of public affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison
📈 One stat: Today, China holds 85% of the world’s battery manufacturing capacity — 2,831 GWh compared to just 221 GWh in the U.S.
See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of greentech companies like Tesla, CATL, First Solar, BYD,and LG Energy Solution
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