IDTechEx estimates the global plug-in electric vehicle (BEV + PHEV) population reached 8.1 million units (including light commercial vehicles) by the end of 2019, supported by roughly five million charging outlets. There will be over 111 million plug-in EVs in-use globally by 2031: a massive driver for the wide-spread deployment of charging infrastructure.

Surprises abound in the new IDTechEx Research report, "Supercapacitor Markets, Technology Roadmap, Opportunities 2021-2041"

Wednesday 30 September - An overview of the electricity grid, and the potential of stationary energy storage; explanation and classification of Gravitational Energy Storage technologies; overview of the Compressed Air Energy Storage systems; and much more.

Thursday 24 September - Electric vehicle growth and expansion; introduction to key trends in EV power electronics and the link to die attach technology; technology evolution of die and substrate attach paste; and power modules in EVs.

The electricity grid is undergoing its first evolution since the invention of the power transmission system, and energy storage devices, particularly mechanical energy storage devices, will play a solid role in this evolution.

In 2018, China enacted its "National Sword" policy, effectively banning the import of most waste plastics and materials heading for the nation's recycling processors in an attempt to stop the wave of soiled and contaminated materials that were overwhelming the country's processing facilities and threatening it with a major environmental problem.