Why electric cars haven’t hit the US mainstream

PLUS: How to Order Free At-Home Covid-19 Tests, and more [View this email in your browser]( | [Manage newsletter subscriptions](newsletter=wir) [WIRED logo and a robot carrying a WIRED magazine]( [01.21.22]( [Hand reaching into box full of boxes of Covid-19 rapid tests]( [SPECIAL DELIVERY | 4-MINUTE READ]( [How to Order Free At-Home Covid-19 Tests]( BY MEDEA GIORDANO [The US government is finally sending 4 at-home tests to every household. Here's how to get yours, and how to troubleshoot common problems.]( [space elevator in foundation]( [DOT PHYSICS | 7-MINUTE READ]( [What Happens If a Space Elevator Breaks]( BY RHETT ALLAIN [These structures are a sci-fi solution to the problem of getting objects into orbit without a rocket—but you don’t want to be under one if the cable snaps.]( [Cooling towers at a nuclear power plant in Germany]( [LIGHTS OUT | 5-MINUTE READ]( [Europe Is in the Middle of a Messy Nuclear Slowdown]( BY MATT REYNOLDS [Germany has almost finished phasing out nuclear plants, and aging infrastructure is leading neighbors down the same path. But will green energy goals suffer?]( [Electric car charging station in California lit up with neon green lights at dusk]( [ELECTRIC CARS | 5-MINUTE READ]( [The US Refuses to Fall in Love With Electric Cars]( BY CHRIS STOKEL-WALKER [As China and Europe lead the race to make electric vehicles mainstream, America lags behind. This is a problem.]( [[GET WIRED]( [A helicopter on Mars. What to expect post-Covid. The next electrifying/terrifying leap in A.I. explained.]( [Get 1 year of unlimited access to WIRED for less than $1 per month. That includes Steven Levy's exclusive newsletter and a free tote!]( [Subscribe now.](]( [people playing Guitar Hero]( [BEAT STEP | 9-MINUTE READ]( [Are Rhythm Games Ready for a Comeback?]( BY VINCENT ACOVINO [Big publishers stepped away from the genre that spawned Guitar Hero and Rock Band. But a few small studios—and hungry fans—are keeping the dream alive.]( [Shear Edge motorboat made from wool]( [SHEAR GENIUS | 4-MINUTE READ]( [This Recyclable Boat Is Made From Wool]( BY CHRIS HASLAM [By adding unwanted wool to the manufacturing chain, this forward-thinking New Zealand firm hopes to save farmers and the planet.]( [Lina Khan sitting at a desk and smiling during her FTC Commissioner nominee hearing]( [PLAINTEXT | 7-MINUTE READ]( [Guts, Not Guidelines, Will Stop Tech Mergers]( BY STEVEN LEVY [Plus: Microsoft’s bid for Yahoo, Silicon Valley’s approach to history, and Tonga’s disastrous eruption.]( [Man and woman reaching into Too Good to Go paper bag]( [RANTS AND RAVES | 6-MINUTE READ]( [Grab a Snack—and Combat Food Waste—With This App]( BY JULIAN CHOKKATTU [Too Good To Go's affordable Surprise Bags are filled with treats made from surplus food from local restaurants and grocery stores.]( [Condé Nast Spotlight | The breaking news and top stories everyone is talking about. All in one place. The most popular stories from Vogue, GQ, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired, Architectural Digest and more. STAY INFORMED]( [(image) WIRED Logo]( [(image) WIRED on Facebook]( [(image) WIRED on Twitter]( [(image) WIRED on Instagram]( [(image) WIRED on LinkedIn]( [(image) WIRED on YouTube]( [Podcasts]( Have questions or comments? [Reply to this email](mailto:hello@wired.com?subject=WIRED%20Newsletter%20Questions,%20Comments%20or%20Feedback). This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book. View our [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe]( or [Manage your newsletter subscriptions](newsletter=wir) Copyright © Condé Nast 2022. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.