Tesla test: West Coast road trip highlights carmaker’s EV lead

“The Ford is like you’re driving a car. Tesla feels like it’s a computer or a spaceship you’re driving.”

• That’s the take from Aaron Blank, CEO of Seattle PR firm Fearey, who documented his latest EV road trip on the West Coast. 

• Last year, Blank used a Ford Mustang between Seattle and Los Angeles. He lamented the lack of charging stations, wait times, and having to download multiple apps. 

• In the Tesla for this year’s trip, he was wowed from the start, and found it much easier to keep his car charged. The video games on the Model 3’s console were another plus. 

Robot reviews: Amazon says it’s using artificial intelligence to automatically generate and present summaries of customer reviews, helping shoppers quickly understand the overall sentiment and key highlights about products before purchasing. Read more. 

Cocrystal Pharma, a Seattle-area company co-founded by a Nobel Prize winner and backed by biotech veterans, is taking aim at high-profile viruses.

Tech Moves: Hootsuite hires a CMO: Flexe adds a COO; and Absci names a CFO. Read more. 

Hot Links

• Drivers in Washington state may save the most by switching to an electric vehicle, based on a new study analyzing average savings per fill-up. (Spokesman-Review) 

• The Ballmer Group gave $9 million to Communities in Schools of Washington, a nonprofit that helps support low-income public schools. (Seattle Times) 

• Moto, the popular Seattle pizza joint, is using a pizza-making robot from Seattle startup Picnic in its newest location. (Eater Seattle)

• Spokane, Wash.-based angel investor Tom Simpson explains his least favorite investment pitch question. (LinkedIn)