Last updated on February 9th, 2026 at 05:17 pm
Zoox is expanding its robotaxi testing fleet to Washington, DC (Scooter Doll, 09-30-25)
Zoox has announced that it is launching robotaxi test vehicles in Washington, DC, marking its eighth US city for testing. The company aims to offer paid rides in the future and has begun with free rides in Las Vegas. DC’s unique street layout and seasonal weather present testing challenges. Initially, Zoox will use retrofitted SUVs with safety drivers to map the area. The city is seen as a key location for expanding sustainable transportation options.
Tesla Is About to Launch a New Vehicle. It May Be a Game-Changer (Daniel Sparks, 09-28-25)
Tesla is working on a new, more affordable vehicle expected to launch in the second half of 2025, aiming to expand its market and support its autonomy goals. CEO Elon Musk indicated this model may be a simplified version of the Model Y, potentially priced around $30,000. A lower-priced Tesla could boost sales by addressing affordability gaps in the electric vehicle market. Although this new vehicle might not create a change as significant as the Model 3, it may enhance demand related to affordability and self-driving capabilities.
Autobrake slashes rear-end crash risk associated with red light safety cameras (IIHS, 09-25-25)
A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems reduce rear-end crashes caused by sudden stops at red light safety cameras. While these cameras decrease dangerous right-angle crashes, they can increase minor rear-end collisions. The study suggests that as more vehicles are equipped with AEB, the safety benefits of red light cameras will improve. Despite their advantages, only 343 U. S. communities use these cameras, partly due to opposition citing increased rear-end crashes. The research highlights the need to reassess the effectiveness of safety measures as vehicle technology evolves.
California police pull over a self-driving Waymo for an illegal U-turn, but they can’t ticket (Janie Har, 09-30-25)
During a DUI checkpoint in San Bruno, California, police officers stopped a Waymo robotaxi after it made an illegal U-turn. But when they approached it, there was no human driver to cite, leaving them unable to issue a moving-violation ticket. The department even joked, “our citation books don’t have a box for ‘robot’.” Officials contacted Waymo to flag the incident as a “glitch” and hope to prevent repeats. Under current law, only human drivers can be cited; however, a new California statute set to take effect in 2026 will allow officers to issue notices for autonomous vehicle violations directly to manufacturers or operators.
Tesla hikes lease prices as US electric vehicle tax credit expires (Reuters, 10-01-25)
Following the expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit on September 30, Tesla has increased lease rates across its U.S. vehicle lineup. Monthly payments for the Model Y now range from $529 to $599 (up from $479–$529), while Model 3 leases have jumped to $429–$759 (from $349–$699).
Though the sticker prices of the vehicles remain unchanged, the removal of the tax credit has effectively made Tesla leases more expensive for consumers. The move underscores how deeply the tax incentive was integrated into pricing strategies—and it raises questions about how demand will hold once costs rise.
