DenverUrbanism Way More Waymo? Even More EVs? - #29
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Apr 4, 2026 A lively chat about autonomous and electric vehicles and what they mean for city life. Personal Waymo ride stories and how AV testing is unfolding locally. Debates on charging placement, battery recycling, and the land-use effects of clustered chargers. Concerns about heavier EVs, tire pollution, regulatory gaps, deadhead trips, and transit and workforce impacts.
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EV Batteries Have A Reuse And Recycling Path
- Battery lifecycle and recycling reduce EV material concerns because batteries can be reused before final recycling.
- Andy Cushen argues battery reuse for secondary storage and an evolving circular materials market counters rare-earth scare campaigns.
Denver's Rapid EV Adoption And Market Drivers
- Denver led U.S. per-capita EV adoption and saw roughly one-third of recent vehicle sales as EVs, with short-term dips after tax-credit expirations.
- James warns geopolitical oil supply shocks make EV ownership less volatile than gasoline dependence.
Co-locate Chargers With Existing Auto Zones
- Cluster new EV charging with existing auto‑oriented infrastructure and limit standalone fueling sites to avoid doubling car-centric land use.
- Denver's policy to restrict new gas stations and apply rules to EV charging can prevent permanent parking lot lock-in.