🔌 The "charging gap"

Plus: Nintendo World | Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Hertz   Axios What's Next By Alex Fitzpatrick, Joann Muller and Jennifer A. Kingson · Jan 17, 2023 Some neighborhoods are at risk of being left behind as the country goes electric, we found. Today's newsletter is 967 words ... 3½ minutes.     1 big thing: The electric car charging gap Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   Electric vehicle (EV) chargers are easier to find in whiter, wealthier neighborhoods nationwide, per an analysis from Axios' Erin Davis, Alex Fitzpatrick and Joann Muller. Why it matters: Automakers and lawmakers are pushing EVs as a cleaner alternative to traditional cars. Yet charging infrastructure inequities threaten to limit who gets to enjoy the benefits of the generational transition away from internal-combustion engines, such as cleaner air and lower long-term costs. Concerns over charging access is one of the biggest holdups preventing more car buyers from going electric — along with high EV prices. By the numbers: Majority-white tracts are about 1.4 times as likely as majority-non-white tracts to have a charger, while tracts with chargers are about 1.14 times as wealthy as those without them, according to our analysis of the 35 U.S. cities with the highest share of EV sales nationwide. Racial disparities around charging access are particularly pronounced in certain cities and metro areas. In Philadelphia, for example, majority-white tracts are 3.9 times as likely to have a charging station. In Chicago, they're 2.8 times as likely, and in New York, they're 2.6 times as likely. In each of those cities, majority-white tracts are about as likely to have a gas station as majority-non-white tracts. Yes, but: Charging inequities are less pronounced elsewhere. In San Francisco (a major hub for EV ownership), Dallas and Portland, Oregon, for instance, chargers are about as common in majority-white tracts as they are in other neighborhoods. Methodology: Our analysis relied upon EV market share data from S&P Global Mobility and charger location information from the U.S. Department of Energy. Reality check: Charging is only one roadblock when it comes to electric car equity. Price is also a major concern. The average EV sold for $61,448 in December, according to Kelley Blue Book, putting them outside many car buyers' budgets — though they're generally cheaper to operate over the long run and government incentives can reduce out-of-pocket costs. The used car market is growing, but still limited. What to watch: The federal government is aiming to curtail some of these inequities under a program that pumps $5 billion into a nationwide EV charging network and provides another $2.5 billion in grants for "community-based" charging infrastructure. The Biden administration says 40% of the benefits of these investments are supposed to go to "disadvantaged communities" — by providing jobs, cleaner air and, hopefully, more chargers. Share this story.     2. Teslas get a price cut Tesla Model 3 vehicles at the company's gigafactory in Shanghai, China, in 2020. Photo: Ding Ting/Xinhua via Getty Images   Teslas are getting a price cut in the U.S., Axios' Hope King and Rebecca Falconer report. The price of a new Model 3 sedan is down about 6%-14%, per CNBC, while the Model X SUV now costs nearly 20% less — depending on options. Be smart: The price changes could let some buyers qualify for a $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit, effectively bringing costs down even further. Yes, but: These are still luxury cars, and priced as such. The big picture: Tesla's share of the electric car market is declining amid new competition from rivals like Ford and GM. The company's stock plunged 65% in 2022, marking its worst-ever annual drop. The price cut also risks angering customers who recently purchased their cars at the older, higher price points. Share this story.     3. Video, video, video Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   A new era of short-form video is sweeping the internet, Axios' Sara Fischer reports. Why it matters: There have never been so many opportunities to create online content — yet financial incentives are driving all kinds of creative individuals and enterprises to chase the same viral trends. What's happening: Creators are broadly moving into quick, cheap, behind-the-scenes videos. TV journalists, eager to build new audiences as linear TV fades, are leaning into "get ready with me" videos that show their morning-rush routines. Photographers are posting videos of their photo shoots and dramatic before-and-after photo edits. Podcasters are posting videos of themselves interviewing guests in their recording studios that they hope will lure viewers to their shows. Meme-makers even tried posting meme images as short videos on platforms like Instagram to boost their rankings. The big picture: Almost all of the user growth online among teens is going toward short-form video apps. That means that the best shot creators can take at building an audience is to focus on viral video trends. Read the rest.     A message from Hertz Hertz is shaping the future of mobility through electrification     Hertz is investing in the largest EV rental fleet in North America. Why it's important: This is not only a game-changer for the rental car industry, but it will also accelerate consumer transition to electric vehicles. Find out more.     4. 📸 It's-a-me... Photo: Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images   Guests attend "technical rehearsals" — think a soft launch — at Super Nintendo World, a newly built expansion at California's Universal Studios Hollywood. The Mario-themed park includes rides and experiences like Mario Kart: Bowser Challenge, Toadstool Cafe and more. It's set to officially open on Feb. 17. The big picture: Theme parks based on beloved worlds and characters — such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando and Disney's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge experiences — have been all the rage lately.     5. Austin doubles down on e-bikes Data: Austin Energy; Chart: Axios Visuals Austin's public utility is doubling the size of its e-bike incentives as part of a $300,000 pilot program meant to accelerate adoption, Axios' Nicole Cobler reports. Details: Austin Energy customers can now get up to $600 back for an e-bike purchase over $2,000. Those on customer assistance plans can get up to $1,300 back. What they're saying: "We definitely saw a huge uptick in the pandemic," Karl Popham, Austin Energy's manager of electric vehicles and emerging technologies, told Axios, referring to local e-bike usage. "Austin is really pushing to be a bike-friendly city. That helps address clean air ... but just as importantly, it's another alternative to getting around." Yes, but: Austin has roughly the same number of cars as people. Popham said investments in bike lanes and public transit can help reduce that. "We can't use a solution of 100 years ago — more roads and cars — to address the growth trends of 2020 and beyond." Go deeper: With cash and rebates, cities coax residents to swap cars for e-bikes Read the rest.     A message from Hertz Investing in the largest EV rental fleet in North America     Hertz has tens of thousands of EVs available to rent at more than 500 locations across 38 states. The goal: Hertz aims to electrify one-quarter of its fleet by 2024, accelerating the mainstream adoption of electric vehicles. Learn more.   Big thanks to What's Next copy editor Amy Stern. Was this email forwarded to you? Get your daily dose of What's Next by signing up here for our free newsletter. Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. 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