In the electric vehicle market, there is growing pessimism about the industry's growth rate. Despite a surge in U.S. EV sales in 2023, the pace cooled in the final quarter of the year. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles startup, Concrete.ai, is using AI to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete. The company's AI-driven software has reduced emissions by 30% and cut costs in field tests. The startup's work is crucial as cement, a key ingredient in concrete, accounts for 8% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions.
Key takeaways:
- Energy needs for data centers could triple by 2030, accounting for 7.5% of U.S. energy consumption, with cryptocurrency mining and AI industry contributing significantly.
- AI's vast computer networks and high-powered chips are going to need more electricity, potentially slowing efforts to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.
- U.S. EV sales surged to a record 8% in 2023, but the growth cooled in the final quarter, raising concerns about the industry's future growth.
- Los Angeles startup Concrete.ai has developed AI-driven software that can reduce emissions from concrete by 30% and cut costs by more than $5 per cubic yard.