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The U.S. electric-vehicle supply chain is starting to contract even before it’s fully built out. Ford is reducing the scale of its planned battery plant in Michigan, citing a pullback in the outlook for future electric-vehicle demand. The WSJ’s Mike Colias reports Ford’s new plan comes after the automaker paused work on the factory in September, saying it was reassessing its ability to competitively operate the plant, which will make batteries using technology from China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology. Ford now plans to produce roughly 40% fewer batteries than originally planned and has cut employment projections by nearly a third. Sales of electric vehicles still are growing rapidly. But the pace of growth has cooled, and automakers have responded by dialing back their electric-vehicle investments or the pace of their new-model rollouts. Congressional Republicans have criticized the China connection and argued against the project qualifying for federal tax subsidies.

• Stellantis is exploring a partnership with China’s CATL to build low-cost electric-car batteries in Europe. (Financial Times)
• About 97% of Russia’s automotive imports in the first nine months of this year came from China. (Automotive Logistics)

A wrong-way bet on the price of wood pellets has jeopardized America’s biggest exporter of the fuel. Demand for wood pellets has never been higher among the European and Asian power plants burning wood instead of coal, but the WSJ’s Ryan Dezember reports that Enviva’s gambit to buy pellets from a customer and resell them for more backfired when prices fell. The nine-figure losses from the deal could trigger default with its lenders by year end. The market for pellets by the boatload emerged when rules in Europe encouraged biomass over fossil fuels. With 10 plants across the South and six marine terminals, Enviva accounts for most U.S. exports, which have increased steadily over the past decade as pellets spread to more countries. Enviva bet pellet supplies would remain short and on-the-spot deliveries would get even more expensive. But European fuel stockpiles have swelled and prices have dropped.

U.S. home sales fell last month to a 13-year low. (WSJ)

Consumer inflation in Canada cooled in October to its slowest pace since June. (WSJ)

Lowe’s cut its annual outlook for the year after its core shoppers pulled back on discretionary purchases and big-ticket items. (WSJ)

Best Buy lowered its guidance after earnings and same-store sales slipped last quarter. (MarketWatch)

Amazon Vice President of Last Mile Delivery and Technology Beryl Tomay says early on-the-job mistakes taught her resilience that has helped her in her career. (WSJ)

Kohl’s is shifting its focus toward physical stores after the retailer said its online efforts were undermining its performance. (Retail Dive)

Big parcel carriers say they have plenty of capacity to meet projected seasonal shipping demand. (Associated Press)

The American Trucking Associations’ truck-tonnage index rose 1.1% in October, reversing a 1.1% decline the month before. (DC Velocity)

Several maritime insurers are seeking rate increases of 7.5% for 2024. (TradeWinds)

Drought conditions at the Panama Canal may start restricting U.S. energy exports. (Energy Intelligence)

A.P. Moller-Maersk has started job cuts that have eliminated around 200 positions at its Copenhagen headquarters. (ShippingWatch)

The Port of Oakland’s loaded container exports in October reached the highest level since May 2022. (Port Technology)

Loaded container imports into Port Houston fell 4% in October and are down 7% so far this year. (gCaptain)

Online booking platform Freightos expanded its third-quarter loss 33% to $7.2 million despite increasing revenue. (The Loadstar)

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York wants an investigation into a shortage of half-pint milk cartons that is hitting school supplies. (Supply Chain Dive)

Paul Page is editor of WSJ Logistics Report. Reach him at paul.page@wsj.com.

Follow the WSJ Logistics Report team: @PaulPage, @bylizyoung and @pdberger. Follow the WSJ Logistics Report on X at @WSJLogistics.