- Demand for lithium — an environmentally devastating mineral to mine that's essential for electric vehicle batteries — is set to explode by 4,000 percent if the number of cars on the road stays the same, highlighting the need for investment in transit, smaller batteries and better recycling. (Grist)
- The Biden administration's focus on EVs is frustrating climate change activists who want to see more emphasis on transit and less driving altogether. (City Lab)
- Tiny low-speed EVs obviously have a much lower environmental impact from mining, and are also more affordable that a Tesla. (Electrek)
- Congestion pricing doesn't really seem to change driver behavior, according to one UK study. (City Monitor)
- McKinsey consultants expect the micromobility industry to grow sevenfold by 2025. (Government Technology)
- Critics say arguments over new bus routes are overshadowing other problems at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, like the way it treats workers and a discriminatory fare system. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
- People of color and low-income Boston residents have access to fewer destinations by transit than wealthier whites. (Transit Center)
- A Brightline/SunRail extension between Orlando and Tampa is complicated by the sheer number of companies and government agencies involved. (Mass Transit)
- Oregon legislators are pushing back against tolling on I-5. (Bike Portland)
- A number of Sound Transit's Tacoma projects are proceeding slowly. (The Urbanist)
- Phoenix has extended its longstanding micromobility pilot program, which Mayor Kate Gallego says will help the city handle Super Bowl visitors next month. (Smart Cities Dive)
- Chicago has found that installing infrastructure forcing drivers to slow down when making left-hand turns reduces crashes by 25 percent. (Axios)
- Milwaukee is hiring for the newly created position of Vision Zero policy director. (TMJ 4)
- Munich will ban most diesel vehicles from a low-emissions zone in the city center next month. (The Mayor)
- The French city of Lille will pay commuters to stop driving alone during rush hour. (Eltis)
Streetsblog
Thursday’s Headlines Are Out of Batteries

An electric car like this Tesla is still a car. Photo: Steve Jurvetson, CC
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
As Portland Fights ICE With Land-Use Regulations, Will Zoning Survive Trump?
Portland's attempt to rein in ICE could trigger a battle over the constitutionality of zoning.
Monday’s Headlines Get Schooled
A shortage of bus drivers has left some school districts and parents struggling to get their kids to class.
Friday Video: Connecting the Dots Between Trump, Transit Cuts, Walkability Rescissions, Big Oil and Union Busting
Take a ride with More Perfect Union and learn about capitalism.
Is Sec. Duffy Holding NY Transit Hostage To Negotiate Away The Rest of America’s Transportation Future?
The federal Transportation secretary is using two large transit projects as a bargaining chip to bully Congress into passing a budget that could be disastrous for communities across the country.
Friday’s Headlines Shut It Down
The government shutdown looks like it will be just another excuse for the Trump administration to cancel transportation projects unless blue states bend the knee.
Can Pedestrian Pop-Ups Go Permanent in the U.S.?
Can temporary pedestrian pop-ups spur permanent change?