Tuesday’s Headlines Lost the Battle but Won the War
A Politico long read details how bureaucracy slowed down but couldn't stop the conversion to EVs.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EST on November 18, 2025
- The Biden administration’s effort to build 500,000 electric vehicle chargers proceeded at a snail’s pace — then the Trump administration tried to kill the program. But Biden’s DOT did succeed in settling on one standard for chargers – a sign that maybe Democrats can achieve an “abundance” agenda after all. (Politico)
- Cities across the country are turning to higher density near transit to solve their housing crises, which also means those residents can save money by going car-free. (Associate Press)
- A record 6.65 percent of subprime borrowers are at least two months behind on their car loans. (Reuters)
- Following up on yesterday’s reporting, other cities and states that memorialized crash victims on World Day of Remembrance include Pittsburgh (WPXI), Louisville (WLKY), Salt Lake City (Fox 13), San Diego (Union-Tribune), Portland (News Center Maine) and Connecticut (NBC Connecticut)
- Phoenix light rail has brought $20 billion in public and private investment over the past 17 years. (Your Valley; paywall)
- The Texas Transportation Commission awarded a total of $285 million to 73 bike and pedestrian projects. (KSAT)
- Seattle’s shared bike and scooter programs set ridership records in 2025 amidst calls for new regulations on e-scooters that could tamp down on usage. (The Urbanist)
- Thousands of Philadelphia transit workers voted to authorize a strike if SEPTA doesn’t meet its demands on sick pay. (CBS News)
- UC-San Diego is experimenting with using AI to keep bike lanes and bus stops clear of parked cars. (Los Angeles Times)
- Reece Martin, the designer of Montreal’s REM rail line, explains why it can be a model for other projects in Canada and elsewhere. (Next Metro)
- Momentum lists 12 cities to explore by bike — and they’re not all ones you’d expect.
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog USA
Where the Battles Against Harmful Highways and Hyper-Scale Data Centers Collide
Hyperscale AI data centers and highways are both harmful forms of fossil fuel infrastructure that get built without much community input — and it's time to fight back against both, one of our favorite podcasters argues.
September 22, 2026
I Survived the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market Crash
A survivor of a mass casualty reflects on what she's learned about car culture, grief, and resilience.
September 22, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines Are a Speed Trap
There's a downside to enforcing traffic laws when cities do it to raise revenue rather than to save lives.
September 22, 2026
What Would It Take to Get ‘Fast, Free Buses’ Nationwide?
It might sound crazy — but is it crazy enough to work, even as governments take aim at steep transit cuts?
September 21, 2026
The Five Questions Every Community Should Ask Itself Before It Debuts a New Bike Path
…or plaza, or transit route, or any other investment in public space
September 21, 2026