Switched On

Sales of electric vehicles are set for another record-breaking year. Thanks to falling battery costs and a rise in affordable models, plug-in EVs will represent a quarter of global passenger car sales in 2025. And while a rollback in government support has taken a bite out of EV uptake in the US, other countries are more than making up for this setback. Chinese automakers have been growing their footprint overseas, leading to strong growth in emerging markets. In China itself, organic consumer demand will lead to 50% of new vehicle sales this year coming with a plug, far surpassing government targets, and strong domestic sales of range-extended EVs have led them to become the fastest-growing drivetrain in the world. On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Colin McKerracher, BloombergNEF’s Head of Clean Transport, to discuss findings from this year’s Electric Vehicle Outlook. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Electric Vehicle Outlook 2025 - https://www.bnef.com/flagships/ev-outlookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this discussion, Chris Gadomski, Lead nuclear analyst at BloombergNEF, shares insights into the U.S. nuclear power landscape amidst global competition. He explains how recent executive orders aim to revive the nuclear sector while facing market uncertainties. Gadomski highlights the importance of public engagement and investment strategies, pointing out challenges like historical setbacks and cheaper energy options. The conversation also touches on the role of tech companies and next-generation reactor technologies in shaping the future of nuclear energy.

Solar module prices have been cratering in recent years, dragged down by global oversupply. Yet while this glut of photovoltaics has hammered manufacturer profits, it has also allowed emerging economies that are hungry for affordable energy to get into the solar game, and demand growth is still strong this year. So what lies ahead for this notoriously tricky market, could energy storage help mitigate electricity price spikes, and what impact could the Trump administration’s tariffs have on domestic US solar manufacturing? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Jenny Chase, a BloombergNEF solar specialist, to discuss findings from her note “2Q 2025 Global PV Market Outlook.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: 2Q 2025 Global PV Market Outlook - https://www.bnef.com/insights/36693See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The oil and gas sector invested $33.4 billion in the energy transition last year. Yet while this figure suggests that decarbonization is a serious consideration for some fossil-fuel majors, just seven companies accounted for 85% of the sector’s low-carbon spend in 2024, and only 13 of 41 companies assessed raised low-carbon investment as a share of capex. So what are the different strategies oil and gas companies are pursuing when it comes to the energy transition? And why would a fossil-fuel company invest in clean tech in the first place? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Claudio Lubis, an associate from BNEF’s downstream oil and chemicals team, to discuss findings from his note “Oil and Gas Energy Transition 2024: Clean Capex Jumps.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transitions to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Oil and Gas Energy Transition 2024: Clean Capex Jumps - https://www.bnef.com/insights/36589See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe is making quick work of executing large industrial decarbonization infrastructure projects. The continent now boasts large-scale facilities for carbon capture, storage and transit in the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy and Norway. But how have policymakers managed to incentivize and facilitate the installation of these massive projects, and what’s required to push the sector even further? At the 2025 BloombergNEF Summit Munich, Martin Tengler, BNEF’s head of hydrogen research, moderated a panel titled “Getting Industrial Decarbonization Megaprojects on Their Feet: Evaluating Early Success.” This episode brings listeners that panel, which featured Kristin Myskja, director general and head of climate, industry and technology for the Norwegian Ministry of Energy; Anders Hoffman, deputy permanent secretary for the Danish Ministry for Climate, Energy and Utilities; Dick Benschop, chair of the board at Mission Possible Partnership; and Stefanie Hiesinger, head of unit for low-carbon solutions for Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) at the European Commission. To learn more about BNEF’s Summits taking place around the world and to see recordings of BNEF Talks at previous Summits, head to https://about.bnef.com/summit/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extreme weather has always meant extreme risks for businesses and investors. Yet climate change has varied the calculus, and many businesses are facing new, potentially existential risks as the world and the energy transition heat up. As such, central banks and financial supervisors have begun conducting climate risk stress tests, to ensure these institutions are capable of mitigating the potential impacts of a changing climate. But what do these tests entail, which markets have been the most proactive in conducting them, and what exactly is “climate risk” anyway? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Tifenn Brandily, BloombergNEF’s head of transition risk and alignment, and special guest Edo Schets, Bloomberg’s head of climate, nature and regulatory financial solutions, to discuss findings from the note “Climate Risk Stress Test Review”. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transitions to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Climate Risk Stress Test Review - https://www.bnef.com/insights/35901 TRACT - https://www.bnef.com/insights/34869 Worksheet Sample Library for Physical Risk - WSL PHYSICALRISK<GO> Worksheet Sample Library for Water - WSL WATER<GO>See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Layla Khanfar, an associate on BNEF’s environmental markets team and a carbon credit expert, delves into the complexities of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). They discuss its role in legitimizing carbon credits amidst controversy. The conversation touches on the implications of US and EU participation, the demand for high-quality offsets, and the geopolitical landscape affecting carbon markets. Khanfar emphasizes CORSIA's potential to drive sustainability in aviation, despite ongoing regulatory and participation challenges.

Helen Kou, Head of US Power at BloombergNEF, and Nathalie Limandibhratha, Senior Associate at BloombergNEF, dive into the booming AI data center market. They reveal the staggering forecast that data centers could consume nearly 10% of US electricity by 2035. The duo discusses how major tech firms dominate this landscape and the unique energy dynamics of AI workloads. They explore forecasting methodologies and the significant implications of these rapid developments on energy infrastructure and the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

Andrew Gongaware, Managing Director at BMO Capital Markets, shares his optimism about clean energy investments despite market challenges. Corinne Still, Partner at Apollo Global Management, discusses finding opportunities during uncertainty and the commitment to energy transition. Matt Ransweiler, Senior Vice President at Invenergy, highlights strategies for project execution and securing financing. The conversation dives into crucial topics like battery storage, regulatory landscapes, and innovative models necessary to sustain momentum in the U.S. renewable energy sector.

One hundred days of the second Trump presidency have passed, and the impact has already been significant. While running for president, Donald Trump put the Inflation Reduction Act, ESG investing and clean energy policy in his crosshairs, only to have been held up once in office by courts, members of Congress and some states. The “Liberation Day” tariffs created turmoil on global markets, and his administration has again had to pause and row back some levies, while others are being renegotiated. To guide us through these first 100 days of the second Trump term, Tom is joined on today’s episode by Derrick Flakoll, BloombergNEF senior policy associate for North America, to discuss recent BNEF research notes including “Trump’s Investment Rules Hold Back Made-in-US Clean Tech” and “‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs Spell Chaos for Clean Energy Markets: React”. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Trump’s Investment Rules Hold Back Made-in-US Clean Tech - https://www.bnef.com/insights/36067 Reciprocal’ Tariffs Spell Chaos for Clean Energy Markets: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/su5u2hdwx2ps00See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.