TechCrunch Mobility: Inside the Rivian skunkworks program, and Trump’s gift to Tesla
Welcome again to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for information and insights on the way forward for transportation. Enroll right here without spending a dime — simply click on TechCrunch Mobility!
Earlier than we soar into the transportation information of the week, it’s price pointing you to a few articles which can be centered on Elon Musk, the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla and the founding father of a number of different firms, together with SpaceX and Neuralink.
You may recall an investigation the crew right here at TechCrunch printed in February on the people in Elon Musk’s DOGE universe. The article, which continues to be up to date, centered on these working for the Division of Authorities Effectivity, an entity established by way of President Trump’s govt order. A brand new report, by one other crew right here at TechCrunch, focuses on the founders and VCs working with DOGE. Test it out!
Talking of Musk, his shut ally Trump has positioned 25% tariffs on all vehicles imported to the US, together with these from Mexico and Canada. He’s additionally positioned a 25% tariff on sure components used to construct vehicles. As reporter Sean O’Kane notes, it’s a choice that may possible supercharge the price of new and used vehicles, nevertheless it’s also a gift to Tesla, the corporate run by Musk, his largest monetary supporter within the presidential election.
And at last, in different am-I-in-a-simulation information, Trevor Milton, the founding father of bankrupt hydrogen trucking startup Nikola who was convicted of fraud, has been pardoned by Trump, the White Home confirmed to TechCrunch. Tidbit: We waited for hours and hours earlier than the White Home would verify.
OK, onward with the remainder of the information of the week.
Just a little chicken
Just a little chicken not too long ago instructed us that Lucid is eyeing partnerships as a approach to attain larger ranges of autonomy, significantly with the brand new Gravity SUV. Might we see a partnership with Mobileye or another unlikely automated driving know-how supplier?
Obtained a tip for us? E-mail Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or my Sign at kkorosec.07, Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or Rebecca Bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. Or try these instructions to learn to contact us by way of encrypted messaging apps or SecureDrop.
Offers!
Welp, here’s a deal that’s not transportation associated, however very a lot deserves some consideration.
TechCrunch was acquired by private investment firm Regent. No monetary phrases have been disclosed, however our soon-to-be earlier proprietor Yahoo Holdings is sustaining a small share of possession. The acquisition, which has but to shut, comes just some days after Regent purchased Foundry, the writer residence to tech publications like PCWorld, Macworld, InfoWorld, and CIO.
Different offers that received my consideration …
BetterFleet, the Michigan-based firm that developed EV charging fleet administration software program, raised $15 million in a Sequence A funding spherical led by Aligned Local weather Capital, Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF), and Outstanding Ventures Local weather (RVC).
The Bot Firm, the robotics startup based by former Cruise co-founder and CEO Kyle Vogt, has raised $150 million in a spherical led by Greenoaks, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources.
DeCharge, an EV charging infrastructure startup, raised $2.5 million in a spherical led by Lemniscap. Different buyers embody Colosseum, Daedalus Angels, EV3 Labs, Echo Fundraiser Chainyoda Jedis, and Levitate Labs.
Fleetio, a automobile fleet software program administration firm, raised $450 million in a spherical co-led by Elephant VC and Goldman Sachs Options. The funds can be used to finance the acquisition of maintenance-authorization platform Auto Combine.
Manna, the Dublin-based drone supply firm, raised $30 million in a spherical led by Tapestry VC and Molten Ventures. Coca-Cola and Dynama Enterprise additionally participated.
Notable reads and different tidbits
Autonomous automobiles
Waymo will start providing robotaxi rides in Washington, D.C., by way of the Waymo One app in 2026. There is a crucial catch: Earlier than Waymo can launch commercially, the corporate should up its lobbying recreation within the capital, the place autonomous automobile permits nonetheless require a human behind the wheel, in keeping with reporter Rebecca Bellan.
Electrical automobiles, charging, & batteries
BYD’s breakthrough EV-charging announcement final week prompted reporter Tim De Chant to find out more.
Cadillac debuted one other EV: the Optiq SUV. Contributor Emme Corridor received an opportunity to drive the Optiq and the new Escalade IQ.
Revel, the Brooklyn-based electrical automobile charging infrastructure startup, launched its first fast-charging station in San Francisco.
Rivian operated a skunkworks program for years centered on electrical micromobility, founder and CEO RJ Scaringe instructed TechCrunch. Now, Rivian is spinning out the startup — often known as Additionally — with $105 million in funding from Eclipse Ventures. Rivian has a minority stake in Additionally and Scaringe will serve on its board. Chris Yu, Rivian’s VP of future packages, can be its president.
In-car tech
Waze has removed Google Assistant from iOS because of ongoing points. The corporate plans to introduce an “enhanced voice interplay answer” someday within the close to future as a alternative.
