Today's Headlines

Wednesday’s Headlines Cut Emissions in Half

Of course walking and biking are emissions-free, but research increasingly shows replacing a gas car with an EV usually carries significant environmental benefits.

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on August 12, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines Cut Emissions in Half

Photo: Raw Pixel

Even accounting for manufacturing, swapping out a gas-powered vehicle for an electric one results in 50 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The break-even point is about 18,000 miles, which the average person drives in a year and a half. The benefits are greater for older cars built under less stringent environment standards and in places with green electric grids. The only exceptions are for plug-in hybrids that run mostly on batteries or a second car that isn’t driven much. (Grist)
Rail projects are still moving forward despite the Trump administration’s animosity toward them. (Quartz)
Robotaxis seem to be getting glitchier as Waymo grows, and the cities it’s expanding into are unprepared. (New York Times)
Cities too often ignore medium-density “missing middle” development that encourages walking. (CNU Public Square)
Walking to school has gotten a lot harder than many adults remember. (Upworthy)
A town just outside Boston prioritized safety over speed, and the result has been zero traffic deaths over the past three years. (Christian Science Monitor)
Richmond announced plans for quick-build safety improvements at 700 intersections as part of its Vision Zero program. (WRIC)
Gov. Mike Braun may have been on shaky legal ground when he extended Indiana’s gas tax holiday. (Indianapolis Star; paywall)
A Houston developer is building a 12-story, 2,000-space parking garage that takes up an entire city block. (Chron)
The increasing popularity of giant U.S.-style trucks and SUVs in Australia has led to an uptick in pedestrian deaths, even as driver and passenger fatalities continue to decline. (The Conversation)
In Bogota, bike advocates are fighting back against the gender stereotype that cycling is only for men. (The Guardian)
The massive Grand Paris Express metro expansion will feature 68 new architect-designed transit stations. (Arch Daily)