LD

Best Book on EVs - Fun and Authoritative

Revisado: 04-16-25

I’ve listened to several books on electric vehicles, and Inevitable ranks among the best. It’s certainly the most current, offering a clear-eyed, up-to-date account of a rapidly evolving industry. Mike Colias, an experienced journalist with The Wall Street Journal, brings sharp reporting skills and a gift for storytelling to this ambitious survey. The result is a fast-paced, highly readable book—at times, it even feels like a page-turner.

This is not a deep historical account of EVs, but rather a sweeping overview of the challenges facing automakers and car buyers as the industry undergoes a fundamental transformation. The central premise is clear: the decision to go electric has already been made, but implementing it has proven far more difficult than expected.

Colias brings the story to life by focusing on the individuals behind the transition. He offers insightful profiles of key players, including Jim Farley (Ford), Mary Barra (GM), and RJ Scaringe (Rivian), grounding complex technical and economic issues in human terms. While the book covers the full landscape of EVs in the U.S., Tesla’s influence looms large. As Colias writes: “This book is not about Tesla. But it wouldn’t exist without Tesla. Whether in name or not, Tesla’s influence is on every page. The extent to which Musk forced traditional automakers down the electric path cannot be overstated.”

The book excels at explaining a wide range of industry issues in accessible terms. Why are car dealerships struggling with the EV transition? Why is public charging infrastructure lagging so far behind? What’s involved in building a battery factory from scratch—or sourcing the raw materials to fill it? Why is automotive software so difficult to get right, and why is it now mission-critical for every automaker?

If the book has a limitation, it’s in its scope. The rise of Chinese EV manufacturers, arguably the most dynamic force in the global market today, receives scant attention. Similarly, the subject of autonomous driving—closely intertwined with the future of EVs—is touched on only briefly.

Still, these omissions don’t detract from the book’s overall value. Inevitable is an essential read for anyone interested in the radical transformation now reshaping the auto industry.

Rating: ★★★★★ — Highly recommended.

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Philosophical and Political Car Talk

Revisado: 03-13-24

Some parts were more enjoyable than others, but overall, I liked it. It was a mix of essays that were loosely connected by having something to do with cars. Philosophical and political ideas were mixed in – with a libertarian, contrarian bent.

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Wide-ranging look at cars

Revisado: 03-06-24

Excellent book. Wide-ranging, it covers the full breadth of automotive history and even looks into the future. I knew some of the stories, but he added new details and reflected on them in fresh ways.

The narrator has an appealing voice, but he frequently changed words for no apparent reason. This should have been picked up by their editors.

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Authoritative and Upbeat

Revisado: 01-21-24

I’ve read many books on the environment in the past 4 decades and this is one of the best. It’s current, authoritative and offers practical advice about what individuals can do; it’s also surprisingly upbeat.

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Fine performance

Revisado: 09-29-23

Meryl Streep does a great job.

The book was good. It grew on me as I kept reading.

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Loved it

Revisado: 09-23-23

Easy to read and important.
Shows both sides of this complex man.
The ending seemed abrupt, perhaps because Musk is still moving ahead.

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Why not stick with what the author wrote?

Revisado: 05-30-17

I wish the reader would read the text as written. On every page they drop or add words; sometimes adding or skipping whole sentences.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Narration does not follow the book

Revisado: 01-27-17

Warning: this audiobook is not exactly what was written. About once a page the reader changes a word or two. Sometimes sentences are skipped. It doesn't change the overall story but I found that distracting.

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Odd Sound Detracts

Revisado: 11-02-14

Any additional comments?

There was an odd audio artifact that I've not heard with other audiobooks from Audible. Occasionally I could hear a faint repeat of the soundtrack in the background. It reminds me of the background of old audio tapes where the soundtrack would bleed onto adjacent tape on the reel.

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