Solar News Today — August 18, 2026
The Clock Is Ticking on Leaded Aviation Fuel and more — today's solar signal.
As the world continues to transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable future, several key developments are worth noting. The aviation industry is finally making progress in phasing out leaded fuel, a toxic and outdated technology that has been in use for decades. This move is a significant step towards reducing emissions and pollution, and it's a reminder that even in sectors that have been slow to adapt, change is possible. Meanwhile, in the solar industry, a factory in Georgia is navigating the ups and downs of US solar policy, which has been marked by uncertainty and fluctuation.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of resilience and growth in the clean energy sector. In California, new rules aimed at improving tire efficiency are expected to save drivers billions of dollars per year, while also reducing emissions. And in the electric vehicle market, the demand for used EVs is surging, suggesting that the transition to cleaner transportation is gaining momentum. As these stories demonstrate, the shift towards a low-carbon economy is well underway, and it's being driven by a combination of technological innovation, policy developments, and changing consumer behavior.
Today's signal:
• The Clock Is Ticking on Leaded Aviation Fuel (insideclimatenews.org)
• How this Georgia factory is surviving America’s solar policy whiplash (grist.org)
• California’s new tire efficiency rules could save drivers $1B a year (grist.org)
• The market for used EVs ‘is so hot’ right now (grist.org)