My recent stop in Kristiansund was the jumping off point for an extended road trip around Norway. When selecting a rental car for the adventure, I opted for an electric vehicle. I’ve rented them before in the United States, where the experience has been acceptable, though not great. In Norway, I expected better, because EVs are unbelievably popular. In 2025, an astonishing 96% of Norway’s new car sales were electric.

Given that, you would expect the charging infrastructure to be outstanding, and it is. Slower overnight chargers were quite common at hotels, while ultra high-speed chargers were accessible whenever I wanted one. Once I got the lay of the land, I never had a moment of range anxiety.

It’s also worth noting that Norway’s hydroelectrically-produced power is cheap, while their gasoline very much is not. At present, gas is nearing the eye-watering price of $12 per gallon. When the trip ended, my calculations showed that the EV saved hundreds of dollars on fuel compared to a gas vehicle.¹ On top of that, EVs are also privileged with lower toll rates and discounts on ferries, which are an essential part of Norway’s infrastructure. There are just so very many fjords to traverse.

Sadly, in America, we’re going backwards when it comes to clean cars. It’s an incredibly depressing state of affairs, and the contrast against a place like Norway reveals how badly the United States is lagging.

Previously in EV advancements outside the US: The Future Is Elsewhere

Footnotes:

1. The journey covered 1,557 kilometers, or 967 miles, and EV charging totaled $158.41.² If this had been a gas-powered vehicle at a very charitable 40 MPG, it would have needed over 24 gallons of gas, costing more than $280. At a still generous 30 MPG, it would have needed more than 32 gallons, at a cost over $380. ↩︎

2. Yes, I did keep diligent notes about all this. Why, what do you do for fun on a vacation? ↩︎

What began as a project for MIT’s “Product Engineering Processes” class has become a product patients with tremors have described as life-changing. That’s pretty great.

Former NFL coach Mike Tomlin put together an impressive resume during his 19 years leading the Pittsburgh Steelers, including a Super Bowl win in 2009. Over some of those years, he also put together an impressive city in Minecraft. He and his sons are now showing it off to the world, and the internet is loving it. His first video already has over three million views and counting.

Previously in massive undertakings to build virtual metropolises: He Built This City

Pigeon poop is a persistent problem for passengers on public ptransit. Raptors might make things better.

Kathryn Xu rode the Wuppertal Schwebebahn, and she loved it.

Before my trip to Germany, I declared this desire to ride the Wuppertal Schwebebahn to many of my close friends, and also several strangers. Some people thought it sounded pretty cool. Others said they were happy for me. More than once I was accused of making up words.

Should I ever find myself in or near Wuppertal, Germany, I will be sure to ride the Schwebebahn as well.

Apparently, Brazil is full of very loud birds, and UMass biologist Jeff Podos has been studying them. The white bellbird is one of a trio of very loud birds, and it’s currently considered the “World’s Loudest” by no less an authority than Guinness World Records. Here’s how the bird is described.

…sounds like a smoke detector that needs a new battery and attracts mates by screaming in their faces…

Gosh, that’s sexy.