The hottest Electric Vehicles Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

Battery production is genuinely difficult

Intercalation Station • 99 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Making batteries is really hard. Even small mistakes can lead to big problems and waste.
  2. Northvolt faced issues with unrealistic goals and timelines from its management, leading to disorganization and challenges in their production process.
  3. Quality control and procurement problems contributed to the company's struggles, highlighting a need for clear communication and better management practices.

Let the Chinese cars in

Noahpinion • 27529 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
💼 Business Electric Vehicles
  1. The U.S. should allow Chinese electric cars in under tight rules — low tariffs and limited imports at first, plus requirements for U.S. factories, joint ventures, and local content to spur domestic production.
  2. Cheap, high-quality Chinese EVs would raise American EV adoption, expand charging infrastructure, and force U.S. automakers to invest and innovate, helping rebuild the domestic battery and motor supply chain.
  3. Espionage and sabotage are real risks, but they can be managed with strong cybersecurity, oversight, American-hosted software and networks, and strict monitoring of components, making controlled access preferable to an outright ban.

Is China Cooking Waymo?

ChinaTalk • 1200 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Chinese AV companies have outpaced U.S. peers in real-world deployment and international deals, offering not just robotaxis but also delivery vans, trucks, and integrated vehicle-cloud-road systems.
  2. China controls much of the LiDAR and EV battery supply chain, giving its firms cost and supply advantages. The U.S. still holds leverage through automotive-grade chipmakers and advanced semiconductor manufacturing, so both sides remain interdependent.
  3. China’s centralized pilot zones, friendlier regulations, and higher public acceptance let firms scale fast and win overseas infrastructure deals. Still, rapid expansion hasn’t guaranteed profits and raises safety, regulatory, and labor tensions.

The Car World Is Going Electric, Without America

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 570 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
💼 Business Electric Vehicles
  1. U.S. automakers have taken huge write-downs — roughly $50 billion combined — from failed or pulled electric vehicle investments like Ford’s canceled F-150 Lightning.
  2. Detroit first denied the EV shift and then rushed into panicked, flawed programs, leaving companies with costly sunk investments and strategic missteps.
  3. The move to electric cars cuts dealers’ traditional service income and risks ceding market leadership to countries like China as the U.S. struggles to get its EV strategy right.

America is losing the physical technologies of the future

Noahpinion • 15294 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. America is falling behind in key physical technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy. This is a big deal for the country's future power and economic success.
  2. The shift in focus towards electrical technologies is often viewed through the lens of climate change rather than national power. This misunderstanding could hurt America's position in global technology.
  3. Countries like China are gaining an advantage in these technologies, which could impact America's leadership in the world. It's essential to prioritize these innovations beyond just climate talk.
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Reading List 12/14/24

Construction Physics • 14823 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Japan is investing heavily in semiconductor manufacturing. They're trying to produce custom chips in smaller batches, which could change the industry.
  2. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more reliable over time. Although they had more problems than gas cars last year, the gap is getting smaller as manufacturers improve.
  3. New drilling technologies are being explored to access geothermal energy. Some companies are looking into using methods like microwaves to create holes in the Earth without traditional drilling.

Part Skis, Part Scooter: Urban Carving on the Skwheel

The Micromobility Newsletter • 2044 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. The Skwheel is a unique urban mobility solution that combines skiing, roller blades, and an electric scooter.
  2. Innovative DIY projects in micromobility include a mountain bike powered by sled dogs and a hand truck converted into a go-kart.
  3. Mobility companies are exploring AI-driven solutions, such as Shimano's suspension components that adjust based on terrain and rider habits.

CROSSPOST: WILL LOCKETT: Musk’s Pathetic Robot Is Looking More And More Like Bad Vapourware

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 292 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Musk’s grand claims for the Optimus robot—mass production, huge productivity gains, and trillions in revenue—read more like hype than realistic projections. They aren’t backed by results so far.
  2. Videos and past admissions suggest many demos are remotely puppeteered or staged, making the robot appear less autonomous and more like an illusion. The mishaps and strange behavior look like operator control, not finished technology.
  3. Tesla’s core EV development looks stagnant and competitors are pulling ahead, so the company’s high valuation depends on speculative future products like the humanoid robot actually delivering. If those breakthroughs don’t happen, the valuation is at risk.

Batteries: how cheap can they get?

aukehoekstra • 262 HN points • 16 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Sodium batteries will become significantly cheaper, revolutionizing the electricity grid and boosting the integration of solar and wind energy.
  2. Batteries are continuously improving in terms of production methods and material composition, providing lighter, longer-lasting, and more cost-effective solutions.
  3. Predictions suggest that stationary batteries will become widespread and affordable, reshaping the energy grid into a decentralized and resilient system, supporting renewable energy expansion.

471: Relative Valuation, Perplexity AI, RIP Artifact, Hertz Sells Teslas, Marc Andreessen, DARPA Plane, Uranium, LEDs, and Jake Gyllenhaal

Liberty’s Highlights • 1041 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Opportunity cost is often invisible but significant, so consider it in decision-making.
  2. Relative valuation in investing can be misleading, so always dig deeper.
  3. Mixing children of different ages in schools could offer benefits in learning and social development.

Autos deepdive 🚗

Genuine Impact - Charting Finance, Investing & Tech • 982 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
💼 Business Electric Vehicles
  1. 2022 saw a significant rise in the electric vehicle market, with companies like Tesla and BYD achieving impressive results.
  2. Tesla's revenue in 2022 hit $81.5 billion, showing a 51% increase from the year before, with net income growing by 128%.
  3. BYD, a Chinese company, reported a remarkable 319% year-on-year increase in net profit in 2022 due to the expansion of the new energy vehicle industry.

🚘 Tesla: AI & Robotics

How They Make Money • 628 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Elon Musk envisions Tesla becoming the most valuable company in the world, emphasizing the need for flawless execution.
  2. Elon Musk wants to increase his voting control at Tesla to focus on expanding AI and robotics initiatives.
  3. Tesla's recent earnings report highlights challenges such as missed expectations in Q4 FY23 and a slowdown in vehicle sales, along with key financial metrics like revenue growth and margin trends.

No slowing down on the smart stuff, ok?

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. AI image generators can easily create sexualized deepfakes that are already harming kids, and the spread of open-source models means company policies alone won’t stop that abuse.
  2. Electric cars are rapidly gaining market share in Europe and offer clear benefits like lower maintenance and better performance, making the shift away from internal combustion seem inevitable.
  3. Self-driving cars promise big safety improvements and pair naturally with electrification, but high‑profile crashes and cautious regulators are slowing deployment — we should keep pushing the technology forward.

Stuck in the Middle With You

Doomberg • 6650 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Electric Vehicles
  1. Norway has a successful energy policy with a focus on clean electricity and oil reserve management.
  2. Norway's oil consumption defies expectations despite high renewable energy usage and electric vehicle sales.
  3. The International Energy Agency predicts a peak in global oil demand within six years, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

Wheels Up

Doomberg • 6819 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Electric Vehicles
  1. Tires are complex products involving multiple components like rubber, steel, and nylon, crucial for driving performance and safety.
  2. End-of-life tires present a significant pollution issue due to difficulty in recycling and burning, leading to emissions of pollutants like zinc.
  3. Government policies can redefine sustainability, such as classifying spent tires as 'biomass,' raising concerns about environmental impact and green energy definitions.

What's going on with electric cars?

Off to Lunch • 511 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Electric Vehicles
  1. Sales of battery electric cars to private buyers in the UK fell by 25% in January.
  2. The UK government's plan to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035 is facing criticism for slow progress.
  3. Challenges in the electric vehicle sector include concerns about demand, government strategies, and business operations.

About that FB EV-bashing meme

The Land Desk • 530 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Some viral posts try to discredit electric vehicles by highlighting the environmental impact of mining materials for their production.
  2. The environmental impact of electric vehicles needs to be compared to that of traditional gas-powered vehicles to provide context.
  3. Despite the mining required for electric vehicles, they often have lower emissions over their lifecycle compared to gasoline-powered cars.

Xiaomi

ChinaTalk • 474 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Xiaomi is moving from budget phones to more advanced technology like chips and electric cars. They believe this shift is necessary to compete with big brands like Apple and Samsung.
  2. Lei Jun, Xiaomi's founder, emphasizes the importance of hard tech, which includes advanced manufacturing and robotics. He thinks focusing on these areas will help build a stronger company.
  3. Xiaomi faced challenges when a fatal accident involving one of their electric cars raised safety concerns. This event highlighted their need to improve quality and public trust in their products.

X-Change: The Race to the Top

Renewable Revolution • 199 implied HN points • 26 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Electric Vehicles
  1. China is currently leading the way in clean technology, especially in solar and battery manufacturing, but the US and Europe are increasing their investments quickly.
  2. Europe has a strong position in generating electricity from solar and wind, while China is ahead in electric vehicle sales with plans to grow even more.
  3. The competition between these regions is good for the world as it drives innovation and reduces costs, speeding up the move away from fossil fuels.

Ante Up, SUV Drivers: Paris Triples Parking Rates

The Micromobility Newsletter • 275 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Electric Vehicles
  1. Paris has tripled parking rates for SUVs over 1.6 tonnes and electric vehicles over 2 tonnes to promote a bike-able and walk-able city.
  2. Cake, an e-motorcycle manufacturer, filed for bankruptcy after facing challenges with recalls and losing an investor in funding.
  3. DYU, a prominent e-bike manufacturer in China, raised $14M in a funding round, planning to expand operations and enhance supply chain.

Greece’s electric car moment?

The Greek Analyst • 279 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. The number of electric cars in Greece is rapidly increasing, with more battery electric vehicles sold in the last year than in the previous four years combined.
  2. The country has seen a significant rise in the number of EV charging stations, with the infrastructure growing from less than 50 stations in 2018 to about 5,000 by the end of 2023, expected to reach over 100,000 by 2030.
  3. Greece's surge in electric vehicle adoption is supported by various incentives and subsidies provided by the government to promote alternative-fuel vehicles and infrastructure, with investments totaling nearly €240M since 2020.

Why Not Both? Surge's Moped-to-Rickshaw Transforming EV

The Micromobility Newsletter • 275 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Battery-swapping specialist Gogoro announced details about their upcoming electric moped, featuring smart features like active-matrix lighting.
  2. Pure EV's entire line of electric two-wheelers will now use the AI-driven X software platform for advanced driving features and increased range.
  3. Surge introduced a unique vehicle that transforms between a moped and a rickshaw, offering the flexibility of two vehicles in one.

📣 Mobility Innovation Awards at Micromobility America

The Micromobility Newsletter • 530 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Micromobility America is hosting the Mobility Innovation Awards for the first time to honor advancements in the mobility sector.
  2. The event will feature a live pitch competition for established transportation leaders showcasing innovation in electric mobility and urbanization.
  3. Industry leaders and companies are coming together to spotlight innovative solutions that can potentially transform travel and transportation.

2023: The year in weird and stupid futures

Read Max • 2054 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Every year, Read Max reflects on weird and stupid futures.
  2. In 2023, there were absurd events like car heater pools from Bitcoin mining, A.I. chatbots causing problems, and more.
  3. Some notable occurrences in 2023 included tech CEOs making unusual decisions and governmental actions raising eyebrows.

🫂 McLaren Embraces Micromobility

The Micromobility Newsletter • 471 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. McLaren has introduced their first electric scooter called the Series 1 with impressive features and design.
  2. An upcoming conference, Micromobility America, in the SF Bay Area offers Early Bird tickets for 24 hours with a 75% discount.
  3. Various companies like Super73, GasGas, and Ducati are launching new innovative micromobility rides with unique features and designs.

Rivian's CEO on Elon's Influence, The Plan For Profitability, And The Grid’s Risky Future

Big Technology • 750 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Rivian wants to make electric cars appealing to everyone, not just one type of buyer. They're focused on inviting all people into the electrification movement and fostering a diverse community of users.
  2. The company is dealing with challenges in becoming profitable while also launching new vehicles. They're now working on lowering costs and improving supply chains to achieve positive cash flow.
  3. Rivian believes that moving away from fossil fuels is essential for the future. They see a big responsibility in transitioning to renewable energy and are committed to creating products that contribute to this change.

🗳 Rider’s Choice Awards Are Back

The Micromobility Newsletter • 412 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
💼 Business Electric Vehicles
  1. The Rider's Choice Awards are back for the second edition with more categories and companies eligible for voting.
  2. The Electric Rider Alliance is launched to unite the small electric vehicle community through global partnerships and standards improvement.
  3. Ebike incentives database now features nearly 400 rebates globally to assist in buying an ebike and save money.

💣 Why Micromobility Is a Huge Weapon Against Climate Change

The Micromobility Newsletter • 432 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Electric Vehicles
  1. Electric two- and three-wheelers displace significant oil demand, marking the arrival of the EV revolution.
  2. Countries like India are making big moves in the micromobility market, with companies raising substantial funds to accelerate growth.
  3. Partnerships and advancements in bike and scooter technology are driving innovation and sustainability in the micromobility sector.

The best argument against electric vehicles are electric vehicles

Tilting At Windmills • 176 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Cold weather affects electric vehicles' performance, causing issues like dead batteries and long charging times.
  2. Investing in electric vehicles like buses can lead to costly repairs and maintenance, making them less viable than alternatives like biodiesel or hybrid buses.
  3. Pushing for widespread use of electric vehicles may not be practical due to their current limitations, despite government incentives to promote them.

Shunning the Practical Plug-in Hybrid for the Microbus Electric-Koolaid Acid Dream

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 176 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles
  1. Plug-in hybrids are great for most daily driving needs, but their sales aren't as strong as expected. Many people still prefer gasoline cars, even when driving less than 40 miles a day, which is well within the range of most plug-in hybrids.
  2. Electric vehicles like the VW ID.BUZZ can seem appealing, but they come with their own challenges, such as charging infrastructure and battery weight. Sometimes people choose them for fun or nostalgia rather than practicality.
  3. It can be tough to balance practical needs with personal desires when buying a car. Sometimes people opt for exciting options over the more sensible choices, even if it means spending more money.