Seven-year-old electric vehicle startup Canoo has filed for bankruptcy and will “cease operations immediately.” The company is liquidating its assets in a Chapter 7 proceeding in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court. The company said in a press release published late Friday that it was “in discussions with foreign sources of capital” that proved unsuccessful, and also…
Category: EVs
electric vehicles, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Rivian, Transportation
Rivian finalizes $6.6B loan for its Georgia factory
Rivian and the Department of Energy have finalized a $6.6 billion loan announced in November with just a few days left until Donald Trump’s inauguration. The company will use the loan to help build out its planned factory in Georgia, east of Atlanta, with construction beginning in 2026. The first R2 SUVs are scheduled to…
electric vehicles, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Polestar, Transportation
Polestar digs in for another grim year
Volvo spinoff Polestar had a rough 2024, and 2025 looks like it could be just as difficult. The EV maker announced Thursday that it expects to generate less revenue in fiscal year 2024 than it did in 2023, after previously estimating sales would stay the same. That’s thanks to “fewer than expected Polestar 3 and…
Enterprise, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hindenburg Research, Nate Anderson, Nikola, short report, short selling, TC
Hindenburg Research, a short seller that targeted tech and EV companies, is closing up shop
When Hindenburg Research posts a blog on its website, it often means a company’s final days are near. Today, that company is Hindenburg Research. Nate Anderson announced Wednesday he has shut down short-selling firm Hindenburg Research, after a seven-year run issuing damning reports about high-profile companies, including many of the technology world’s giants and buzzy…
electric vehicles, EVs, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Tesla, Transportation
Tesla to split $100M award for electric truck charging corridor in Illinois
Tesla, along with three other industry partners, quietly backed an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency application that won $100 million in funding to build electric truck charging stations across the state, TechCrunch has learned. The award was the biggest given out by the Biden Administration’s Federal Highway Administration last week in the second round of what’s…
department of transportation, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Sean duffy, Transportation
Trump’s DOT pick wants EV owners to pay to use roads
Sean Duffy, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to head the U.S. Department of Transportation, thinks owners of electric vehicles should pay to use roads. “How to do that, I think, is a little more challenging,” Duffy said at his confirmation hearing Wednesday before the Senate Commerce Committee. The former Republican lawmaker is correct that it would…
electric vehicles, EVs, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Harbinger, Transportation
EV startup Harbinger’s obsession with simplicity fuels $100M Series B
It’s not an easy time to raise money for an electric vehicle startup, especially given how many have failed or are close to failing. But Los Angeles-based Harbinger has pulled it off by taking an hyper-focused approach to electrifying commercial trucking. The reward is a $100 million Series B, co-led by early Tesla investor Capricorn…
electric trucks, electric vehicles, EVs, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Tesla, Transportation
Biden admin snubs Tesla’s $100 million big-rig charging funding request — again
The Department of Transportation announced Friday another $636 million in funding that will be awarded to 49 applicants for electric vehicle charging infrastructure — and Tesla’s application for nearly $100 million to fund a big rig charging corridor was once again passed over. Tesla’s name was not among the list of recipients released, and its partner…
Asia Pacific, autonomous vehicles, CES, EVs, Global Security News, TC, Toyota, Transportation, Waymo, zoox
CES 2025: Self-driving cars were everywhere, plus other transportation tech trends
Even before CES 2025 kicked off a few trends began to emerge — or more accurately, some gaps appeared. All U.S. and some European automakers that have helped turn CES into an auto show were absent. Several Chinese automakers filled that void, notably Zeekr, the EV brand owned by China’s Geely Holdings. Wey, a premium…
Arc, CES, ces 2025, electric boats, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation
I got soaked driving the Arc Sport electric boat
I did not go to CES 2025 with the goal of getting drenched by Lake Mead’s chilly January waters. But when I discovered Los Angeles-based boat startup Arc had brought its new sport boat to Las Vegas, I figured it was worth the risk. It was. The Arc Sport was a joy to drive, even…
CES, electric vehicles, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, interview, Scout Motors, Transportation
Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh says modern cars have become ‘dystopian’ and ‘disconnected’
Volkswagen-backed startup Scout Motors broke cover just a few months ago, and at this week’s CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, they hold the honor of being one of the only American automakers with a presence at the show. That’s not the only thing that stands out about Scout being here, though. In a sea…
BMW, CES, electric vehicles, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation
BMW’s new UI puts widgets on the windshield
BMW is totally revamping its in-car user interface, starting with the Neue Klasse sedan later this year and ultimately spreading to all models, the company announced at CES 2025. Some of it looks and feels familiar, but the big change is a widget-based system that lets users customize the layout — including on the car’s…
afeela, CES, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, honda, Sony, Transportation
Sony-Honda’s Afeela EV will start at $89,900
Sony has been trickling out details of the Afeela brand it launched with Honda, ever since it unveiled the EV in 2023. But it’s held back one big detail — until today. Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida announced Monday at CES 2025 that the four-door Afeela EV would have a starting price of $89,900. The Sony-Honda…
EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, Startups, Toyota, Transportation
Toyota’s Woven City is open for business and looking for startups
Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda revealed Monday at CES 2025 his vision for a living laboratory chock full of startups and technology. His message: Woven City — a prototype city on a 175-acre site at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan — is open for business and searching for inventors. “Today, I say to…
CES, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, RV, Transportation
Pebble reveals its EV travel trailer designed for digital nomads
Three years ago, Bingrui Yang founded Pebble to bring electrification, automation, and the usability of an iPhone to the RV world. The public got its first glimpse Monday at CES 2025 of what that looks like: a production-ready all-electric travel trailer loaded with tech designed to make towing and camping stress free. The 25-foot all-electric…
Akio Toyoda, autonomous vehicles, CES, ces 2025, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, robots, Toyota, Transportation
Toyota’s CES 2025 press conference: How to watch
Five years ago, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda went to CES to share with the world his “personal field of dreams” — a plan to build a prototype city on a 175-acre site at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, where people would live and work amongst all of Toyota’s projects, including autonomous vehicle technology,…
electric vehicles, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Rivian, Transportation
Rivian wraps 2024 with more than 50,000 EVs delivered
Rivian finished last year having delivered 51,579 electric SUVs, trucks, and vans, more than triple the number it shipped to customers in 2023. The company announced Friday that it also built 49,476 EVs in 2024. That’s about 8,000 fewer than it expected to manufacture as recently as July. Rivian was forced to lower its expectations,…
Akio Toyoda, autonomous vehicles, CES, ces 2025, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, robots, Toyota, Transportation
Toyota’s CES 2025 press conference: How to watch
Five years ago, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda went to CES to share with the world his “personal field of dreams” — a plan to build a prototype city on a 175-acre site at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, where people would live and work amongst all of Toyota’s projects, including autonomous vehicle technology,…
Cariad, Cybersecurity, data exposure, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, Transportation, Volkswagen
Volkswagen leak exposed precise location data on thousands of vehicles across Europe for months
The data was found exposed on an Amazon cloud server, and contained precise location data on thousands of vehicles. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
autonomous vehicles, Cruise, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotaxi, robotaxis, Startups, Tesla, Transportation, Waymo
The trends that shaped EVs, robotaxis, and electric flight in 2024
If there was one phrase that captured the vibe and theme of 2024 — at least in the transportation sector — it was business whiplash. Legacy automakers changed direction on their all-EVs-or-bust strategy, startups pivoted, and some Silicon Valley VCs and executives adjusted their views to a changing political landscape, in which they now are…
EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, hertz, Polestar, Tesla, Transportation
Want a cheap EV? Hertz is handing out discounts to renters
Hertz has been contacting people who are in the middle of renting electric vehicles recently to offer them the option to buy the car instead of returning it, reports The Verge. And the offers are pretty sweet, according to some renters who shared the offers on Reddit. One renter was reportedly offered a 2023 Chevy…
EVs, eVTOLS, Global IT News, Global Security News, Lilium, Transportation
Shuttered electric air taxi startup Lilium may be saved after all
A consortium of investors has resurrected Lilium just days after the electric air taxi startup ceased operations and laid off about 1,000 employees. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
electric vehicles, Evergreen, EVs, Ford, Global IT News, Global Security News, GM, North American Charging Standard, Supercharger, Tesla, Transportation
Tesla Superchargers: GM, Ford, Rivian, and other EV brands with access
EV owners of GM vehicles like the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Cadillac Lyriq will now officially have access to Tesla’s Superchargers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
ev charging stations, EVs, Global Security News, hyundai, nacs, North America, Tesla, Transportation
Hyundai is giving away free Tesla NACs adapters to its EV customers
Hyundai said Monday it will send customers who have bought or leased an EV before January 31 a free charging adapter that will let them access Tesla’s supercharging network. The Hyundai-authorized adapter will give CCS-port-equipped Hyundai EV drivers access to more than 20,000 Tesla Superchargers in the United States, according to Hyundai. Free adapters will…
electric aircraft, EVs, eVTOLS, Germany, Global IT News, Global Security News, Lilium, Startups, Transportation
Electric aircraft startup Lilium ceases operations, 1,000 workers laid off
The company’s co-founder confirmed the shutdown in a LinkedIn post. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Asia Pacific, electric vehicles, EVs, Global Security News, honda, Nissan, Transportation
Honda and Nissan plan major merger focused on ‘intelligence and electrification’
Japanese car giants Honda and Nissan are working out the details of a major merger that could create the world’s third-largest automaker, as the companies look to survive in an industry faced with uncertainty. The Tesla-led shift towards electric vehicles, and China’s increased importance in the automotive market, have companies like Honda and Nissan feeling…
Apple, autonomous vehicles, Cruise, EVs, Fisker, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, Transportation
The biggest flops and fizzles in 2024 transportation, from Apple Car to Fisker
Autonomous vehicle technology and electrification startups were once the darlings of the VC and corporate world. The two technologies promised billions of dollars in revenue — and a new pathway for automakers to make money beyond building and selling cars. Those VC-money-printing days have been over for AVs for a while now, with a few…
Canoo, electric vehicles, EVs, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation
EV startup Canoo places remaining employees on a ‘mandatory unpaid break’
Struggling electric van startup Canoo has placed its remaining employees on what it’s calling a “mandatory unpaid break” through at least the end of the year, according to an email obtained by TechCrunch. The company told employees they are being locked out of Canoo’s systems at the end of the day Friday, according to the…
EVs, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, lawsuit, Rivian, Transportation
Rivian executives accused of harassment in previously unreported lawsuits
Four employees have sued Rivian in separate lawsuits this year over allegations they were harassed, in some cases by top executives, and that the company’s leadership did little to address their concerns, according to a TechCrunch review of court records. Rivian has also reached settlements in three other harassment and discrimination cases, TechCrunch has learned. …
Canoo, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Layoffs, layoffs and furloughs, Transportation
Canoo furloughs workers and idles factory as it scrapes for cash
Struggling EV startup Canoo says it has furloughed 82 employees and is idling its factory in Oklahoma while it grasps for the capital needed to survive. The company claims it is in “advanced discussions with various capital sources” to raise emergency funding. The announcement comes just a few days after board member James Chen resigned,…
electric vehicles, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, In Brief, Rivian, Transportation
Rivian EVs finally get YouTube, Google Cast, and SiriusXM
Rivian has released a new software update to its vehicles that brings some long-awaited apps to its in-vehicle experience. Owners who update their R1S SUV or R1T pickup truck can now use YouTube (while parked) or SiriusXM (with a subscription). The company is also adding Google Cast functionality. That also can only be used while…
EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Stellantis, Transportation
Ram delays electric truck launch to 2026, bets on extended range Ramcharger
Stellantis is tapping the brakes on the all-electric Ram 1500 REV truck and will push its launch into 2026, the company said Wednesday, citing slowing industry demand for half-ton battery electric pickups. The automaker had originally planned to begin selling the electric truck to customers in the first half of 2025. The automaker will instead…
autonomous vehicles, Cruise, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Tesla, Transportation, Trump
The federal crash-reporting rule Tesla opposes could be on the chopping block
The Trump transition team wants to end a federal rule requiring automakers to report crashes when advanced driver-assistance or autonomous driving technology is engaged, Reuters reports. Federal safety agencies would lose the ability to investigate and regulate the safety of vehicles with automated-driving systems should the rule — which went into effect in 2021 —…