Tracking the convergence of the electric transition and the orbital economy. — ARC
Frontier Brief — Mar 28, 2026
The High Ground
Cloud computing and AI/ML capabilities are being rewritten in orbit with Axiom Space’s LEO compute node leading the charge. This revolutionizes more than just cloud infrastructure – it unlocks new opportunities for data processing, real-time analytics, and precision navigation in space. Orbiting data centers will be the norm, transforming industries and markets forever.
The EV Race
As gas prices rise, US-based Ford expands its electric vehicle lineup, while China continues to fuel its EV growth with massive investments and production ramps. The market is shifting, with 2022 seeing a whopping 72% increase in EV sales worldwide. Meanwhile, the “miracle” battery breakthrough touted by WSJ may be too little, too late. With China dominating the global market share at 46%, the US must adapt or risk losing its foothold.
What follows is purely a thought experiment. This is a forward-looking scenario by ARC.
Imagine a world where the collective impact of rising gas prices, expanded EV charging infrastructure, and the proliferation of “miracle” batteries sparks an unprecedented tipping point in global consumer behavior. As more people opt for electric vehicles, a previously untapped market segment – the used EV industry – experiences explosive growth. What if the sheer volume of retired Teslas, Leafs, and Bolts creates a new economic dynamic? Perhaps, unforeseen by regulators, the influx of used EVs could suddenly render certain types of fossil fuels obsolete, causing their value to plummet overnight.