EnviroPolitics Blog

Tesla Cybertruck is 1 year old. How’s it doing?

By Maxim (October 30, 2024)

If you’re tired of hearing about the Cybertruck, you’re not alone. Since it was first unveiled as a prototype in 2019, the electric truck’s sharp features, boxy frame, and hefty price tag have been the subject of endless memes and criticism — following the wave of fanatic pre-release excitement.

Now it’s been nearly a year since those 2 million or so pre-order customers started receiving their trucks, and in that time, the vehicle has received some pretty intense criticism for its appearance, its design flaws, and its notoriously high price tag.

But weirdly, none of that — not even its growing average transaction price, now north of $116,000 — has stopped the truck from turning into a pretty big success. Here’s what’s happening:

A wave of popularity: The Cybertruck is now the country’s best-selling electric pickup truck, with around 16,000 vehicles purchased in the third quarter of this year.
No problems with price: The truck is also the country’s best-selling vehicle over $100,000 — clear evidence that enough drivers are comfortable with the cost.
The influencer effect: As we’ve noted here before, the Cybertruck has become a bit of a status symbol, with everyone from Beyoncé to Bad Bunny to Jason Kelce driving them.

Love it or hate it, the Cybertruck’s popularity could teach us something. For example, this doesn’t mean EV trucks are becoming a thing — recently, Ford announced it was temporarily halting production on its truck, the F-150 Lightning.

And, despite some very cool new models from Chevy, Rivian, and more, electric trucks in general have underperformed compared to other EVs — let alone gas-powered pickups, which remain one of America’s most popular vehicle types.

So, did Tesla just beat other brands to the punch on finding an electric truck niche, or is the Cybertruck truly a one-off? A few more months of sales reports may give us the answer.

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Tesla Cybertruck is 1 year old. How’s it doing? Read More »

Here’s the latest on five forest fires raging in bone-dry New Jersey

A massive forest fire occurred in Pompton Lakes, NJ, on Nov. 9, 2024. Strong winds caused the smoke from the fire to drift all across Bergen and Passaic counties, causing a smoky smell and poor air quality.
Christopher Sadowski photo,

By Cecilia Levine, Jackson Daily Voice

Here’s the updated status for each of the five wildfires as of noon Saturday, Nov. 9:

Cannonball 3 Wildfire – Pompton Lakes, Passaic County

Currently burning 100 acres with 0% containment, this fire has threatened 55 structures, though no evacuations have been ordered. The NJFFS has deployed ground crews, fire engines, and a helicopter capable of dropping 350 gallons of water. Backfiring operations are underway to reduce available fuel for the fire. Closures include Cannonball Road and the right lane on northbound I-287.

Englewood Cliffs Wildfire, Bergen County

This 39-acre fire near the Palisades Interstate Parkway is now 40% contained. While no structures are threatened, NJFFS has closed Henry Hudson Drive as fire engines and crews continue containment efforts.

Shotgun Wildfire – Jackson Township, Ocean County

The Shotgun Wildfire has burned 350 acres and reached 90% containment. Initially threatening 25 structures and causing the evacuation of 15 homes, it no longer poses a risk to structures. Stump Tavern Road remains closed as fire crews monitor the area.

Bethany Run Wildfire – Burlington and Camden Counties

Burning 360 acres along the border of Evesham and Voorhees Townships, this wildfire also stands at 90% containment. Earlier evacuation orders affecting 12 homes have been lifted, and all previously closed roads have reopened.

Here’s the latest on five forest fires raging in bone-dry New Jersey Read More »

Camden ordered to shut down, remove, three underground tanks

By NEILL BOROWSKI, TapInto Newark

CAMDEN – The City of Camden’s three 10,000-gallon underground fuel tanks at the Department of Public Works must be shut down and removed, according to an order from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The tanks at 101 Newton Avenue do not comply with the DEP’s anti-corrosion standards, which require either a fiberglass-reinforced plastic tank or a steel one with built-in safeguards against corrosion.

A DEP administrative consent order, which City Council is expected to vote to accept at a Thursday afternoon special meeting, notes the violation was self-disclosed by the city in September.

Plans are not yet in place for new tanks and the city has yet to have a cost estimate for the project, Vincent Basara, the City of Camden communications director, told TAPinto Camden in an interview Thursday morning.

Basara said the city has been working with the DEP to fix the issue.

“There wasn’t an emergency situation that caused this,” said Basara, who added that there is no evidence the tanks are leaking.

Read the full story here

Camden ordered to shut down, remove, three underground tanks Read More »

Friday wildfire updates for New Jersey and Pennsylvania

The Bethany Run Wildfire on the Evesham-Voorhees border continues to threaten 104 structures but evacuation orders have been lifted, the NJ Forest Fire Service says. (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection)

Forest fires were burning this afternoon at locations below in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Raging NJ Brush Fire Sends Smoke Into NYC

Firefighters are working to contain a New Jersey brush fire sending smoke into New York City.

The fire broke out on the Palisades in Englewood Cliffs Thursday night. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire spans 19 acres and is 30 percent contained as of 7:36 a.m. Friday.

A red flag warning has been issued from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for most of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut due to dry and windy conditions. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has designated the current fire risk as extreme for the entire state.

Multiple fires burning in New Jersey

There are multiple large wildfires are burning in New Jersey right now.

The first started in Jackson Township, Ocean County on Wednesday. As of Friday, the fire has spread to 350 acres and is 80% contained.

Two other fires started on Thursday. The Pheasant Run Wildfire, in Glassboro Wildlife Management Area, covers 133 acres. It’s 50% contained and isn’t threatening any structures.

There is also another in Evesham Township. That fire forced evacuations and was threatening about 100 homes, but luckily for residents, evacuation orders were lifted Thursday night.

Crews say they are making progress in containing the wildfire that has threatened dozens of buildings at the border of Burlington and Camden counties the Garden State.

“We’re going to keep patrolling this fire, making sure things are good keep up that containment percentage,” said Trevor Raynor, NJFFS Assistant Division Forest Fire Warden.

The fire is located in Evesham and Voorhees townships.

The blaze, dubbed the Bethany Run Wildfire, pans 360 acres and is 75% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.

Officials say a total of 104 structures are threatened but all evacuation orders have been lifted.

Pennsylvania’s Blue Mountain wildfire completely contained; near 600 acres burned

Hundreds of firefighters working around the clock for seven days have finally fully contained a raging wildfire on the Blue Mountain at Lehigh Gap.

Bob Kurilla, a spokesman for the bureau that’s part of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, told lehighvalleylive.com Friday morning flames are now completely under control. The team plans to transition the wildfire back to the local William Penn Forest District at 4 p.m. Friday.

Crews will continue to patrol the area throughout the weekend, Kurilla said.

“There will still be smoldering in places until we get soaking rain, but nothing that will escape our control lines,” he said.

Nearly 600 acres have been scorched since flames ignited at 3:38 p.m. Saturday. It began east of the gap and eroded into the Blue Mountain’s Kittatinny Ridge, near the Lehigh River in Lehigh Township.

Friday wildfire updates for New Jersey and Pennsylvania Read More »

‘Explosive Fire Growth’ warning today for entire state of New Jersey

The weather office and Forest Fire Service ask residents to follow burn restrictions, properly dispose of cigarette butts and matches, and be careful with any equipment that may cause sparks. (National Weather Service, Mount Holly N.J. )

NEW JERSEY — All of New Jersey is under a Red Flag Warning on Friday for potential “explosive” fire growth fueled by the ongoing drought, forecasters and officials said.

State Forest Fire crews have responded to several other major wildfires this week as drought conditions worsen across the state. Friday’s gusty winds and very low humidity mean that any outdoor fires can spread quickly and become difficult to control, the National Weather Service said.

There will be a risk of rapid fire spread from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday with the greatest danger during the afternoon, according to the NWS office in Mount Holly.

Read the full story here

‘Explosive Fire Growth’ warning today for entire state of New Jersey Read More »

EnviroPolitics Events Calendar

Start your weekend hiking the Bordentown Bluffs

The Bordentown City Green Team will be hosting a “Watershed Wonders Nature Walk” at the Bordentown Bluffs on Saturday, November 9 starting at 10AM.

The hike will be short and family-friendly. The walk will be led by a NJ Watershed Ambassador, who will help hikers discover fascinating insights about the local environment, all while taking in stunning views.

Let EnviroPolitics promote your upcoming event. Send details to editor@enviropolitics.com
Include a phone number in case we have questions.

EnviroPolitics Events Calendar Read More »