The electric vehicle movement is growing nationwide, but people who live in apartments, low-income neighborhoods and rural areas without easy charging access could get left behind, Axios' Joann Muller reports.

Why it matters: Despite trying to position itself as a mobility pioneer with projects at the Michigan Central train depot and the Joe Louis Greenway, Detroit's lack of widespread access to EV chargers remains a work in progress.

• If the benefits of cleaner transportation — better air quality, less noise, lower energy costs — don't flow equitably to all Americans, EV adoption is likely to stall, limiting the country's ability to achieve its climate goals.
• In a first of its kind study, U of M researchers found that even if all gas-powered cars were replaced with EVs, the lowest-income U.S. households would keep experiencing the highest transportation energy burdens.

Zoom in: Many of Detroit's public charging stations are downtown and along the Woodward corridor, with gaps in surrounding neighborhoods.

• A recent Axios analysis found that public chargers are easier to find in whiter, wealthier neighborhoods.

Driving the news: Michigan and the federal government are trying to spur more investment in public charging.

• The 2021 federal infrastructure law includes $5 billion for highway chargers and $2.5 billion for other community charging sites.
• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's new state budget proposal includes $65 million to expand EV charging infrastructure and access, although it's unclear how that will roll out in Detroit.

What they're saying: For lower-income communities to enjoy lower fuel costs and environmental benefits of EVs, more wealthy households must embrace the transition.

• Purchases of new EVs will increase the availability of used models, making them more affordable, Gregory Keoleian, a co-author of the U of M study, tells Axios.
• "Low-income communities need to participate, but it has to be affordable," Keoleian says.

The Pistons said goodbye to third-year wing Saddiq Bey on Thursday in a multi-team trade that landed them the second overall pick in 2020, 7-foot center James Wiseman.

Why it matters: After three years of trust in general manager Troy Weaver, fans and players are questioning the move.

• The Pistons already have three young bigs — Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren and Marvin Bagley III — and are adding another top pick who hasn't lived up to expectations in Wiseman.

What they're saying: "If we're going to be the real Detroit Pistons and restore this thing, we need defense," Weaver told reporters Friday. "Size and defense."

What happened: Bey and forward Kevin Knox were initially sent to the Golden State Warriors before being flipped to Atlanta and Portland, respectively.

Zoom in: Bey, the No. 19 pick in 2020, has turned into a solid catch-and-shoot player. He's hitting about 35% of his 3-pointers this year, but has been inconsistent since his 51-point game in Orlando last year.

• Knox has shown signs of becoming a decent bench player, but casual fans probably won't notice the 23-year-old's absence.
• Wiseman, meanwhile, has appeared in 60 career NBA games (27 starts) and averaged almost 10 points and five rebounds per game. He's shown flashes since being drafted from Memphis, but didn't fit on the court or the books with Golden State.

Community meetings meant to guide the transformational I-375 project continue this week.

• To keep attendance reasonable, the state is not promoting them as traditional public meetings — but those interested in attending will not be turned away, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Transportation tells Axios.

Why it matters: Meaningful public input will be crucial to the project, particularly the lofty goal to rectify the dismantling of the Black Bottom neighborhood 60 years ago to make way for the highway.

Driving the news: The two local advisory committees meet Thursday at Horatio Williams Foundation, 1010 Antietam Ave.

• The resident committee meets at 5:30pm and the stakeholder committee — representatives from businesses, churches and other groups — meets at 3pm.

Nothing will bring our city together (or tear it apart) like arguing over pizza.

• We all have our go-tos, whether it's places like Loui's in Hazel Park, Michigan & Trumbull in Corktown, Buddy's or Sam's new favorite, ItsfoodDetroit.

Yes, but: Detroit-style pizza is a point of civic pride. Even if we can't agree, we'll stand together against outsiders who try to throw shade on our cheesy pie.

State of play: Axios Local has put together the ultimate tournament to crown the best pizza city.

• Will it be Chicago, with its hefty deep dish pies?
• Will it be Colorado, known for its "mountain pies" that feature a braided honey-sweetened crust?
• Or will the simplicity of a slice in Des Moines help it pull the upset?

The bracket is set and it's up to you to get us to the finals. Detroit-style is so good that we have a bye this round, but you can still vote in the other matchups.

• First-round voting is open until 3pm today. Then, stay tuned for our second round matchup. If Detroit wins the tournament, you get a pizza party!

Vote here

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Windsor is a whole country away, but really it's just a short drive or bus ride.

• Here's your reminder that international travel is uniquely accessible to us in and near Detroit.