Newsletter | The Change Optimist

Weekly newsletter posts

Newsletter

May 10, 2026

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3 min read

Geely Says, "Oh, Canada!"

Geely starts shipments to Canada. Cadillac sells a lot of EVs. Solid-state batteries go prime time.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

May 10, 2026

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2 min read

I Donut Believe

Where are we at with Solid State Batteries in 2026?

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

The Change Optimist: Weekly News Roundup

May 3, 2026

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4 min read

The Change Optimist: Weekly News Roundup

A judge tells Elon to cool it on the robot apocalypse talk

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

May 3, 2026

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2 min read

Nearly Un-Li-mited

The US Geological Survey just found enough Lithium (Li) to replace 328 years of imports. And that’s the small deposit.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Apr 26, 2026

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5 min read

The Change Optimist: Weekly News Roundup

There was so much to talk about this week, I broke it into two pieces.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

The Uncomfortable Answer To The Uncomfortable Question

Apr 26, 2026

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6 min read

The Uncomfortable Answer To The Uncomfortable Question

Why are Chinese electric vehicles so affordable?

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Apr 19, 2026

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6 min read

Out Of Left Field

Doug Field might be the king of the boomerang.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Apr 12, 2026

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13 min read

Putting Fewer Volks Into Fewer Wagons

Rest in peace ID.4, we hardly got to know you.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Apr 5, 2026

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15 min read

The Donald Was Right

I can admit when I'm wrong.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Mar 29, 2026

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13 min read

Food Security Falters

Global food security is currently experiencing a severe, multi-year decline, with millions of people facing crisis-level hunger or worse in 2026.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Mar 22, 2026

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13 min read

When Will TOPS Beat MPH

Someday, we might measure vehicle performance in terms of "Trillions of Operations Per Second” rather than physical speed. Maybe we’re already there.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Mar 15, 2026

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15 min read

Straight Outta Hormuz

The world's most important oil chokepoint is effectively choked.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Mar 8, 2026

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15 min read

Within Range

Cars with 1,000 KM range are now within reach.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Mar 1, 2026

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15 min read

Maybe We Need To Recall Recalls

Increasingly, recalls are related to software. They’re bugs, not recalls. We’re using the wrong language.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Feb 22, 2026

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14 min read

Emergency Over?

If only The Donald loved Melania the way he loves Tariffs

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Feb 15, 2026

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13 min read

American Idiots

History won't be kind to Lee Zeldin.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Feb 8, 2026

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15 min read

The Beginning Of The End

The automotive industry is reshaping itself in, around, and outside of the United States.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Feb 1, 2026

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14 min read

Just Add Pizza

439-OH-OH-OH-OH Pizza Nova

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Jan 25, 2026

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14 min read

China Gets More Electric

China’s mostly coal-based thermal power generation fell in 2025 for the first time in a decade

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Jan 18, 2026

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15 min read

Partying Like It’s 2024

Carney signed a deal to allow Chinese EVs into Canada. And the news is kinda a nothing-burger.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Consumer Electronics (Auto) Show - 2026 Edition

Jan 11, 2026

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12 min read

Consumer Electronics (Auto) Show - 2026 Edition

Robots, chips, and steering wheels, oh my!

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Jan 4, 2026

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15 min read

Growdy’s Predictions For 2026

I still don't have a crystal ball, but here are my predictions for 2026.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Dec 28, 2025

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3 min read

Thank You (2025 Edition)

Another full year of newsletter writing

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Dec 21, 2025

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16 min read

Leeroy Jenkins

American automakers want to boost profits by selling high-margin gas guzzlers today, all while not falling behind on EV technology. It will be difficult to do both.

Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Dec 14, 2025

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16 min read

Autonomy: A Long Road For Short Trips

Self-driving cars are having a bit of a moment in 2025.

Mathew Growden