volkswagen Volkswagen Software Unit Exposes Location Data for Nearly Half a Million Cars Volkswagen's Cariad software division leaves precise location data for approximately 460,000 electric vehicles exposed online for months across Europe. The company states it has no evidence of malicious access beyond the security researchers who discovered the massive data spill.
evs Transportation Sector Faces Strategic Whiplash as EV and Robotaxi Plans Shift Legacy automakers and startups change course dramatically in 2024, scaling back EV ambitions and pivoting autonomous vehicle strategies to survive shifting consumer demands.
san francisco San Francisco Leads Global Cities in Readiness for Autonomous Transportation A new urban mobility readiness index from the Oliver Wyman Forum and UC Berkeley ranks San Francisco as the top city globally for new transportation technologies. The city earns the number one spot due to its strong infrastructure and high adoption of autonomous vehicles.
rivian Rivian Secures $6.6 Billion Federal Loan for Georgia EV Factory Rivian wins a conditional $6.6 billion Department of Energy loan to restart construction on its paused Georgia factory. The plant is now expected to open in 2028 and eventually employ 7,500 workers.
trump Trump Taps Former Rep. Duffy for Transportation Secretary as Pony AI Boosts IPO Target President-elect Trump selects former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy as transportation secretary, bringing an unpredictable approach to autonomous vehicle regulations. Meanwhile, Pony AI increases its US IPO fundraising goal to $260 million.
northvolt Northvolt Slashes Workforce as Europe's Battery Champion Faces Demand and Execution Hurdles Northvolt lays off 1,600 employees and halts factory expansion due to sluggish EV demand and production missteps. The European battery startup struggles to compete with mature Asian manufacturers despite raising billions in capital.
batteries Federal Government Distributes $3 Billion to 25 Battery Startups The Department of Energy allocates $3 billion to 25 battery technology startups across 14 states to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on China.
nvidia Major Automakers Adopt NVIDIA DRIVE Thor for Next-Gen EVs at GTC 2024 Top global automakers and autonomous vehicle startups are converging at GTC 2024 to showcase their adoption of NVIDIA's new DRIVE Thor platform. The technology integrates the newly announced Blackwell GPU architecture to transform vehicles with advanced generative AI capabilities.
mercedes-benz Mercedes-Benz Shifts Focus to AI and Software at CES 2024 Mercedes-Benz reveals upcoming AI-powered virtual assistants and in-car gaming features at CES 2024, signaling a major shift toward software-driven automotive experiences.
volkswagen Volkswagen Integrates ChatGPT Into Vehicle Voice Assistants Starting In Europe Volkswagen announced at CES 2024 that it is adding a ChatGPT-powered chatbot to its IDA voice assistant across several models. The feature launches in Europe during the second quarter, while US availability remains pending internal approval.
electric vehicles Electric Vehicle Market Poised for Major Expansion in 2023 The electric vehicle industry accelerates into 2023 with new tax incentives, a surge in U.S.-built models, and a broader range of affordable options for everyday consumers.
arrival EV Maker Arrival Shifts Focus to US Market Amid New Job Cuts Commercial EV startup Arrival is restructuring for the second time in six months, pivoting away from the UK to focus on the US market. The move brings significant global job cuts as the company aims to stretch its $330 million cash runway.
evs Recalled EVs Should Not Count Toward Automaker Fuel Economy Standards An eight-month recall of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid leaves owners unable to charge their vehicles, forcing them to burn gas instead of electricity. The author argues that automakers should face regulatory consequences when recalled electric vehicles contribute to increased emissions.
apple Apple Event and YC Demo Day Collide in a Busy Tech Week This week's biggest tech news centers around Apple's new hardware releases and Y Combinator's latest Demo Day pitches. Other major stories include ongoing legal battles in the Elon Musk and Twitter acquisition saga.
california California Mandates Full Transition to Electric Vehicle Sales by 2035 California regulators officially require all new car sales to be zero-emission by 2035, with gradual targets starting in 2026. The landmark rule allows plug-in hybrids and does not restrict used gas cars or existing drivers.