What Im Reading this week kicks us off with a feature story that shows how gas stations and utility companies fight over the future of fueling electric vehicles in America. The second recommendation is a fascinating science read about playful bumblebees. And finally, I share a brilliant profile that reveals the person behind the actor Bill Murray.

Todays shared readings begin with an economics and transportation feature. What might sound a bit dry on the surface reveals itself as strong writing about the future of how humanity moves around. The story is as easy and enjoyable to read as it is educational.

The Gas Stations Hidden Battle to Survive is a Politico Magazine feature written by David Ferris.

He explores the future of mobility by examining the question: can gas stations survive the transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles?

As youll learn, thats a question of money and power as the players try to establish who is allowed to sell electricity and at what cost.

Ferris provides an in-depth look at the relationship between gas stations (or convenience stores that are the real money makers) and utility companies.

He explains the differences between the way gasoline is priced (fairly transparent for the customer) and how electric charging is priced (invisible for the customer because of a market structure that is incompatible with large-scale retail required for EV charging).

I enjoy the section on the historical development of gas stations and utility companies. The symbiosis that has developed between the two is fascinating context well presented.

But today, the advent of electric vehicles threatens that symbiosis because utility companies control electricity.

Even if businesses can now charge for charging (details on the history of that are also in the article), theres still a fierce lobbying battle between the two sides over who is allowed to do what in the new sector.

One key term here is demand charge, a special line item utility companies charge high-demand businesses. Its based on a brief moment of peak energy demand, and its such an in-transparent and wildly differing cost driver that it causes headaches for charging stations and customers because its that charge that determines where stations are build, not customer demand.

Ferris gives a convincing example that emphasizes why the charge is such an important factor.

A truck stop he samples for the reporting features two fast chargers. At peak times, those two chargers require as much power as the stops other facilities combined (six restaurants, a convenience store, a number of offices, and gas pumps). In turn, the energy costs for charging stations can skyrocket to levels that make them hard if not impossible to be profitable.

Head over to the well-reported and -written article to learn more of the details and how the two players continue to fight over the EV future. There are also beautiful illustrations between the chapters and a look at what the gas station of the future could look like.

Youll be rewarded with strong journalism thats informative and easy to read.

Todays second read is a short, little treat from the world of science.

Bumblebees rolling wooden balls may be first evidence of insect play by Corryn Wetzel of the science publication NewScientist informs you of a study that a team of researchers from Queen Mary University of London conducted.

The experiment is simple: 45 bumblebees, one arena, one clear path from the entrance to the reward (pollen and sugar water), and two adjacent areas with colored wooden balls.

The outcome suggests that the bees wanted to play. While it can be difficult to determine the reason for animals behavior, the bees interacted with small balls even though there was no incentive to do so, causing experts to state that in other animals they would classify that behavior as play.

Very fascinating. Go have a look for more details about the study. And theres a short video that will make you smile.

Finally, I have a wonderfully relaxing long read for you. Its a profile, one of my favorite forms of journalism. In this case, its a profile of a well-known actor.

Being Bill Murray, is a 2014 RollingStone profile written by Gavin Edwards, which I found through the read-later service Pocket, where the feature appears in a reader-friendly format.

I usually prefer stories of ordinary people and shy away from writing about famous people.

But this piece is entertaining, fascinating, and well worth every second of your time.

Youll read about freedom, impulses, and lovely anecdotes that reveal the person behind the public persona we know from movies. In Murrays case, a stress-free one that enriches the world far beyond his acting. A person who lives by the motto the more fun I have, the better I do makes for a refreshing change from the stress of life if you ask me.

But I leave those anecdotes for your reading.

Thats all for todays reading updates. Later in the week, Ill hopefully have another post from my A Journalists Diary series. Until then, enjoy your readings.