Experts call for lighter batteries, diversification of fuels, and a shift away from private cars and towrad public transit.

The weight of electric car batteries should be cut in half for the vehicles to have a positive environmental impact, according to the CEO of auto manufacturer Stellantis Carlos Tavares, who made the comments during a virtual event for the Freedom of Mobility Forum.
According to an article in Transport Topics by Luke Ramseth, “Tavares said a lack of charging infrastructure remains a primary impediment to EV adoption. Chargers must be much more visible than they are today, he said, and shouldn’t require drivers to search for them.” Other industry experts also called for increased investment in biofuels.
Others at the event pointed out the need to move away from automobiles altogether. “Matthias Schmelzer, the German economic historian and climate activist, said that “we urgently need to shift the debate” away from cars, and toward better public transportation in cities.”
FULL STORY: Stellantis CEO Says EV Battery Weight Must Be Halved

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‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
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The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
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Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
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San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research