Electric vehicles (EVs) are cheaper to maintain but depreciate faster than traditional cars, losing about 13% more value over five years. Their greater depreciation is due to heavy incentives affecting resale values and rapid technology changes. The EV market is expanding with more affordable models coming soon.

China Is Making 800-Mile EV Batteries. Here’s Why America Can’t Have Them (Suvrat Kothari, 10/20)

Chery Automobile has developed a new solid-state battery technology that could significantly increase the driving range of electric vehicles and improve safety. However, China’s new export controls may prevent this technology from reaching North America. Chery’s prototype boasts an energy density of 600 watt-hours per kilogram, potentially allowing for a range of 1,300 kilometers. They aim for a pilot program next year and broader rollout by 2027, competing with automakers like BYD and CATL. Despite the exciting possibilities, widespread use may take longer.

GM Unveils AI-Driven Autonomous Future (Self Drive News, 10/22)

GM showcased its next-generation autonomous technologies at the GM Forward media event in New York. Key points include plans for eyes-off driving by 2028 in the Cadillac ESCALADE IQ and conversational AI from Google Gemini launching next year. A centralized computing platform will enhance AI performance by 35 times. GM is also advancing robotics in manufacturing and energy systems enabling vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid capabilities. Overall, GM aims for intelligent mobility, where vehicles communicate and evolve through AI and advanced technology.

Uber will pay drivers $4,000 to switch to EVs (Andrew Hawkins, 10/22)

Uber is aiming for all trips to be in electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030, offering $4,000 grants to drivers who replace their gas vehicles with zero-emission ones. The company plans to be carbon neutral in North America and Europe by 2030, and globally by 2040, reversing its previous decision not to pay drivers directly. The new “Go Electric” program is initially available in specific states. Uber is also enhancing its features for EV drivers and offering discounts for EV rides.

Tesla to recall nearly 13,000 US vehicles over battery risk (Reuters, 10/22)

Tesla is recalling 12,963 vehicles in the U. S. due to a battery pack defect that may cause loss of drive power, increasing crash risk. The recall affects specific 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles. Tesla will replace the faulty component for free. No injuries linked to this issue have been reported. Additionally, the NHTSA is investigating 2.88 million Tesla vehicles for safety violations related to its Full Self-Driving system. Tesla will also report its third-quarter financial results today.

California’s rate review system is under fire again as Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara targets reforms to Proposition 103. His proposed rules would limit attorney fees and require conflict disclosures for consumer advocates like Consumer Watchdog, which has long challenged insurer rate hikes. Supporters say the changes will bring transparency and speed; critics warn they could silence the public’s watchdog.

California’s insurance code allows the public to review rate increase requests from insurers and receive compensation for their efforts. This provision, part of Proposition 103, has frustrated the industry, especially with the current Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara wanting to regulate it more strictly. Lara claims that the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has benefited disproportionately from the process and delayed reviews.

Consumer Watchdog defends its role, stating it has saved consumers billions and has been effective in challenging rate increases. Lara’s proposed changes would limit how many attorneys and experts intervenors can hire and require them to disclose conflicts of interest. The proposals aim to streamline the rate review process and address complaints about lack of transparency and delays. Public comments are being collected, and a hearing is set for November 20.

Tesla Autopilot visualization gets big upgrade with tons of new additions (Joey Klender, 10/13)

Tesla’s Autopilot visualization has been upgraded to better display objects around vehicles, including types of cars, pedestrians, and animals. New renders for vehicles like ambulances, firetrucks, and school buses will be available soon. Tesla is also working on using Unreal Engine for more realistic visualizations.

Tesla under investigation after cars with the self-driving feature drove on the wrong side of the road (The Associated Press, 10/10)

US federal regulators are investigating Tesla’s self-driving feature due to numerous incidents where cars ran red lights or drove incorrectly, causing crashes and injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is examining 58 incidents involving Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode. Critics question if the software works, and there are multiple ongoing investigations regarding Tesla’s safety practices and reporting. Tesla’s stock fell amid concerns over the FSD system’s reliability and competition from other electric vehicle manufacturers.

A New Road Safety Group Targets Self-Driving Cars (Aarian Marshall, 10/15)

A newly formed advocacy organization named SAVE-US (Safe Autonomous Vehicles Everywhere in the U.S.) is pushing for tougher state-level regulations on self-driving cars to prevent public safety from being sacrificed as companies rush to roll out emerging technology. The group’s recommendations include better disclosure of what automated systems can’t do, enhanced transparency in accident data, and requirements for vehicles to use multiple types of sensors rather than relying solely on cameras.

Tesla has become a primary target of SAVE-US, which labels the company “the worst actor in this space” and warns that weak oversight could enable any manufacturer to cut corners dangerously. The organization intends to begin its efforts in major states such as Illinois, New York, and New Jersey, where policy changes would have the most significant influence.

GM to take $1.6 billion charge as tax credit blow muddies EV plans (Utkarsh Shetti, 10/14)

General Motors revealed it will take a $1.6 billion hit to its third quarter earnings as the company reassesses its electric vehicle plans in response to softening market demand and changing federal policies. The charge breaks down into $1.2 billion in non-cash write-downs related to reduced EV production capacity, plus $400 million in costs from cancelled contracts and settlements.

The pivot comes after the elimination of the $7,500 EV tax credit and the easing of emissions regulations, changes that GM believes will dampen the pace of electric vehicle adoption. Although the company insists its existing electric offerings from Chevrolet, GMC, and

Cadillac will stay in production, it cautioned that further financial charges could emerge as it adjusts its operations to align with current market conditions.

Tesla, the car company run by Elon Musk, is asking a federal court to dismiss a $243 million damages award related to a deadly crash involving its Autopilot feature. A jury found the speeding driver mostly at fault but held Tesla responsible for faulty technology. Tesla claims the plaintiff’s lawyers misled the jury by introducing irrelevant evidence and that the company’s technology did not contribute to the crash. They are also concerned that the verdict may discourage innovation and pose liability risks for manufacturers with self-driving features. The case has implications for Tesla’s self-driving credibility and the use of the term “Autopilot.”

BMW to unveil ‘superbrain’ EVs to challenge Chinese rivals – Sebastien Ash and Kana Inagaki (September 3, 2025)

BMW is focusing on software-controlled electric vehicles with advanced technology called the “Neue Klasse. ” The new iX3 SUV will launch soon, part of a planned 40 models over two years. This shift aims to enhance performance and reduce complexity through powerful computer systems. BMW has invested over €10bn in this initiative, aiming to advance its software capabilities and battery technology. Although the company has seen growth in EV sales, it faces challenges in competing with lower-cost Chinese rivals.

EV Armageddon? Tesla, GM, Ford EV sales will be cut in half when tax credit expires, analyst says. – Pras Subramanian (September 3, 2025)

The expiration of Biden-era federal EV tax credits on September 30 under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” threatens to devastate the electric vehicle market, with analysts predicting a 50% drop in U.S. EV sales. Karl Brauer from iSeeCars.com expects market share to plummet from today’s 9.1% to “well below 4%” after a third-quarter surge driven by last-minute purchases. Automakers are already witnessing this pre-deadline rush, with GM reporting record August EV sales of 21,000 units.

However, the industry faces a challenging transition as companies prepare for drastically reduced demand. GM’s Duncan Aldred has acknowledged they “will almost certainly see a smaller EV market,”, while analysts expect automakers to slash prices. The situation is compounded by the White House’s elimination of federal manufacturing subsidies and emissions penalties, creating what Brauer calls a “two-pronged assault” that removes both consumer incentives and regulatory pressure to produce electric vehicles.

Tesla FSD turns off more U.S. consumers than it attracts, survey finds – Lora Kolodny (August 28, 2025)

A recent survey reveals that Tesla’s FSD technology is deterring more U.S. consumers than attracting them. Conducted by Slingshot Strategies, the Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report shows only 14% of Americans see FSD as a reason to purchase a Tesla, while 35% consider it a deterrent. This perception challenges Tesla amid an aging product lineup, increased competition, and declining sales, particularly in Europe. Elon Musk’s aggressive promotion of FSD as a key advantage has not alleviated concerns, with half of the surveyed consumers suggesting FSD should be illegal and wanting stricter regulations for autonomous vehicles. The survey also noted Tesla’s declining brand reputation, possibly exacerbated by high-profile legal issues and safety perceptions. Despite these challenges, Tesla continues honing its autonomous offerings, recently expanding FSD availability to new markets like Australia.

‘This is mission critical’: Inside Tesla’s battle to get Full Self-Driving approved in Europe – Grace Kay and Jack Newsham (September 3, 2025)

Since October 2024, Tesla has been conducting weekly meetings with the Netherlands’ RDW regulators to secure approval for its “Full Self‑Driving” (FSD) system across the EU. This regulatory push has shown early progress, with nine Tesla vehicles approved for testing in the Netherlands by December, while similar efforts are underway in Denmark and Norway.

Despite these advances, Tesla’s FSD remains heavily restricted in Europe compared to the U.S. The system still requires a licensed driver at all times, needs explicit approval for highway lane changes, and cannot independently handle complex scenarios like intersection navigation—reflecting Europe’s notably more cautious regulatory approach to autonomous vehicle technology.

How China’s electric vehicle juggernaut is reshaping the global car market – Sam Meredith (August 27, 2025)

China’s EV industry is dramatically transforming the global car market through rapid growth supported by significant subsidies, tax incentives, and research investments. As of 2025, China leads worldwide in both EV production and export, surpassing other countries like Japan. High-profile companies like BYD have ascended to global prominence, overtaking competitors such as Tesla in revenue and fostering dynamic domestic innovation. The surge is not without challenges, as Western markets have taken protective measures like imposing duties on Chinese EV imports, citing anti-competitive practices. However, this hasn’t stopped China’s expansion, with companies investing heavily abroad. Analysts predict continued growth, projecting dominance similar to China’s influence in other industries like shipbuilding and solar panels. Europe, meanwhile, grapples with its response strategy, seeking competitive policies to contend with China’s rising automotive power.

General Motors is reviving its self-driving car efforts with a crucial shift in strategy: abandoning robotaxi ambitions in favor of developing autonomous vehicles for personal buyers. The company is bringing back ex-Cruise employees while growing its engineering teams, led by Sterling Anderson, GM’s newly appointed product development head who previously spearheaded Tesla’s Autopilot program. Additionally, GM is conducting real-world testing with lidar-equipped vehicles operated by human drivers on public streets, collecting critical data to advance fully autonomous technology that will ultimately deliver “eyes-free, hands-free” driving capabilities.

Wait times for this Chinese EV are so long that the CEO is telling buyer to consider rivals (Peter Johnson August 12, 2025)

Xiaomi’s new YU7 electric SUV, positioned to undercut Tesla’s Model Y with a longer range and a lower price, has sparked a frenzy in China, receiving a staggering 240,000 orders within just 18 hours of launch. But while the demand has exceeded expectations, production constraints mean customers may have to wait up to a year or more for delivery. In a statement, CEO Lei Jun acknowledged the delays and encouraged potential buyers in urgent need of a vehicle to consider alternatives such as XPeng’s G7, Li Auto’s L8, or even Tesla’s Model Y. While the YU7 has quickly established itself as a competitive force in the crowded Chinese EV market, Xiaomi’s open acknowledgment of its limitations reflects a transparent and pragmatic approach to customer expectations.

Tesla shuts down Dojo, the AI training supercomputer that Musk said would be key to full self-driving (Rebecca Bellan August 7, 2025)

Tesla is shutting down its Dojo supercomputer project, ending in-house chip development for driverless tech. Lead engineer Peter Bannon is leaving, and remaining team members will be reassigned within Tesla. The move follows the departure of about 20 employees who started their own AI firm, DensityAI, building chips and hardware for robotics, AI agents, and automotive use. This shift marks a major change in Tesla’s AI strategy, moving away from Musk’s vision of Dojo as the core of full self-driving and robotaxi ambitions. Musk recently emphasized Tesla’s focus on Cortex, a new AI supercluster in Austin. Tesla plans to rely more on external partners like Nvidia, AMD, and Samsung for chips, including a $16.5 billion deal with Samsung for AI6 inference chips. This decision comes as Tesla’s board offers Musk a $29 billion pay package to maintain his leadership and push AI initiatives forward.

Tesla is hiring robotaxi test drivers in New York City, but company hasn’t applied for permits (Lora Kolodny, August 12, 2025)

Tesla has launched a hiring campaign in Queens for “vehicle operator, Autopilot” roles, tasking operators with driving engineering vehicles, collecting audio and video data, troubleshooting software, and filing detailed reports. Despite this ambition, the city’s Department of Transportation confirms that Tesla has not applied for the permits required to test autonomous vehicles on NYC streets, a legal step that remains unfulfilled as Tesla presses forward with robotaxi preparation.

Concurrently, Tesla is running limited robotaxi operations in Austin and San Francisco with safety personnel inside but aims to scale its autonomous ride-hailing footprint, potentially covering “half of the U.S. population by year-end,” according to Elon Musk, pending regulatory approvals.

NHTSA Issues First-Ever Demonstration Exemption to American-Built Automated Vehicles (U.S. Department of Transportation, August 6, 2025)

The NHTSA granted Zoox an exemption for its driverless vehicles, marking the first-ever exemption for American-built vehicles under the expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (AVEP). This change, part of Secretary Duffy’s Innovation Agenda, levels the playing field for U.S. companies by allowing them to participate in AVEP, previously limited to foreign AVs. The program simplifies the exemption process, promoting U.S. technology and safety by enabling companies to test noncompliant vehicles on U.S. roads. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy praised the initiative as a dual victory for safety and innovation, positioning the U.S. as a leader in autonomous vehicle development. Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser emphasized the efficiency of the expanded review process. As part of the exemption, Zoox must alter vehicles to indicate non-compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. NHTSA is also closing its investigation into Zoox’s self-certification.

Elon Musk teases new Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving Supervised’, but manage your expectations (Fred Lambert, August 6, 2025)

Elon Musk has announced a new update for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) which promises “10x improvements.” However, past experiences suggest caution in managing expectations. In a recent post, Musk mentioned enhancements like a tenfold increase in parameters and better video compression, slated for public release next month if testing succeeds. Although Tesla’s FSD for consumer vehicles hasn’t shown notable progress this year, focusing instead on its Robotaxi service in Austin, shareholders hope this new update leverages lessons learned from the Robotaxi deployment. In June, Musk initially teased a “4x increase” in parameters for this update, now expanding it to “10x.” However, previous promises, like the disappointing FSD v12.5 update claiming a “5x increase,” resulted in less reliable performance, making it prudent to remain cautious about these new claims.

SUVRAT KOTHARI 1-29-2025

Even though General Motors shut down its robotaxi venture, Cruise, in late 2024, the carmaker is still pushing with autonomous driving technology through its consumer-focused system, Super Cruise. Currently, Super Cruise is available on certain Chevy, Cadillac, GMC, and Buick models, with around 360,000 vehicles equipped with the system, according to GM’s 2024 earnings call earlier this week. Superior Cruise is an SAE Level 2 driver assistance system, comparable to Tesla’s Autopilot, and boasts a 20% subscription uptake among customers.

GM plans to expand Super Cruise to 24 different models by the end of the year and remains optimistic about the ongoing development and consumer demand for the tech. GM CEO Mary Barra noted, “80% of our customers say they either wouldn’t buy a car without it, or they would strongly want it in their next vehicle.”

Norway is set to become the first country to fully transition to electric vehicles

SAM MEREDITH 1-28-2025

Norway is a global leader in sustainable transportation, with EV sales soaring from less than 1% in 2010 to 88.9% in the previous year. Norway aims to erase gasoline and diesel cars from its market, supported by policies rather than bans. EVs surpassed 96% of new car sales early this year, nearing Norway’s goal from 2017. Celebrations are planned, marking this shift amid global environmental challenges, including Trump’s actions against low-carbon tech. Norway’s Deputy Transport Minister attributes success to supportive policies, contrasting EU’s and U.K.’s future bans on carbon-emitting cars. Incentives like VAT exemptions and charging infrastructure investment are pivotal. Looking ahead, Norway plans fully electric city buses by 2025 and aims for 75% renewable heavy-duty vehicles by decade’s end, signaling a new normal in transportation.

NHTSA proposes exemptions tailed for autonomous vehicles

JEREMOY WOLFE 1-29-2025

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a new voluntary oversight program to monitor automated vehicles, called the Automated Driving System-equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program (“AV STEP”). The program aims to offer exemptions for the deployment of autonomous vehicles and provide benefits to manufactuers, ADS developers, and commercial fleets that enroll in AV STEP. It also includes safeguard requiring participants to disclose their commercial operations and show how these efforts contribute to public interest, such as a focus on environmental sustainability or improving transportation efficiency. To be eligible for AV STEP, vehicles must meet SAE’s Levels 3, 4, or 5 of autonomy.

A new AI assistant from China has Silicon Valley talking

ANGELA YANG and JASMINE CUI 1-27-2025

A small lab in China, DeepSeek, has created an advanced AI assistant that has taken the U. S. tech industry by surprise. This assistant recently reached No. 1 on the Apple App Store and is said to outperform leading U. S. AI models with far fewer resources. DeepSeek’s large language model, R1, has quickly gained recognition, ranking just below OpenAI’s o1 model. The company has released another model, Janus-Pro-7B, that can handle different media types.

Tech stocks fell sharply following the news of DeepSeek’s success. Microsoft and other tech leaders have shown admiration for the new AI model, which is open-source and free to use. DeepSeek’s achievements have sparked discussions about the capabilities of small companies compared to bigger U. S. firms. Concerns about potential ties to the Chinese government have emerged, but many in the industry have praised DeepSeek’s innovative work.

Rivian to launch hands-free driving system in 2025

ARSHEEYA BAJWA 1-23-2025

Rivian plans to introduce its advanced hands-free driver assistance systems in 2025 and its “eyes-off” systems in 2026, according to CEO RJ Scaringe. Despite recent executive orders from President Trump targeting the EV sector, Rivian does not anticipate significant risks to its $6.6 billion loan for a Georgia plant. Rivian’s Gen 2 vehicles currently include the “Rivian Autonomy Platform,” requiring driver attention similar to systems from other automakers. This announcement occurs as scrutiny over driver assistance technologies intensifies, with competitors like Tesla advancing towards self-driving capabilities. Trump also recently overturned a 2021 decree seeking to make half of U.S. vehicle sales electric by 2030 and plans to reconsider EV tax credits.

2025 Model Y Juniper Arrives With End of ‘EV Mandate’

BROOKE CROTHERS 1-21-2025

The Tesla Model Y Juniper update faces pricing issues in the U. S. due to a changing EV market. The updated model, which is already in China, is set to arrive in the U. S. soon. President Trump announced plans to revoke the “EV mandate” and eliminate subsidies that favor EVs, which could affect the $7,500 tax credit for consumers. The credit is key to keeping Model Y prices low. Future pricing for the Model Y Juniper remains uncertain, and prospective buyers should consider purchasing now to benefit from the tax credit.

• Questions about the safety of Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ system are growing (The Associated Press, August 28, 2024)

  William Stein, a technology analyst at Truist Securities, has tried the latest version of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system several times over the last few months at the invitation of Elon Musk. He reported that his most recent test drive left him feeling unsafe after the vehicle made several illegal maneuvers, and it left his 16-year-old son, who joined him during the drive, “terrified.”

  Tesla’s FSD software, now called “Full Self-Driving (Supervised),” uses artificial intelligence to control steering and pedals. Stein reported that the ride felt more human than previous rides, but that the vehicle “made a left turn from a through lane while running a red light,” during a drive that lasted less than 10 miles. Stein told Tesla investors that the system does not “appear to approach robotaxi capabilities,” as the carmaker is expected to unveil a new robotaxi in the next few months. Tesla has not responded to messages seeking a comment after Stein’s report.

• Tesla can challenge Louisiana direct sales ban, US appeal court rules (Reuters, August 26, 2024)

  In a 2-1 decision, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived Tesla’s lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s prohibition on direct vehicle sales to consumers. The court reversed an earlier dismissal of Tesla’s constitutional due process claim and vacated the dismissal of its antitrust claim, though it upheld the dismissal of Tesla’s equal protection claim. Tesla filed the lawsuit in August 2022 against members of the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission and the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, alleging these groups exploited their control to eliminate Tesla from the market due to its direct sales model. Tesla claimed that since 2017, Louisiana unlawfully banned direct sales and limited leasing and servicing of its cars. Judge Jerry Smith noted Tesla sufficiently alleged “plausible actual bias” from the commission via internal communications. The case now returns to U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance, who initially dismissed it.

• US closes one of 2 probes into behavior of GM Cruise autonomous vehicles after recall (ABC News, August 22, 2024)

  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it is closing one of two investigations into the performance of GM’s Cruise robotaxis after the carmaker agreed to a recall. The investigation began in December of 2022 with over 7,000 reports of hard braking and complete stops by the autonomous vehicles. Cruise finally agreed to recall all of its robotaxis for the braking concerns and has fixed the problem through a software update. “In view of the recall action taken by Cruise and ODI’s (NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation) analysis of available data, including data presented by Cruise demonstrating a reduced occurrence of hard braking incidents after the software updates, ODI is closing this preliminary evaluation,” NHTSA stated.

  However, NHTSA continues to investigate the Cruise vehicles after reports of the robotaxis encroaching on pedestrians in roadways and crosswalks, including the October 2023 incident involving a Cruise robotaxi dragging a pedestrian in San Francisco.

• Texas is suing GM for tracking drivers’ data – but these other car companies do the same thing (Fast Company, August 20, 2024)

  The battle for data privacy is extending into vehicles, as highlighted by a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against General Motors for allegedly selling driver data without consent. GM reportedly gathered data from 1.8 million Texan drivers since 2015 via services like OnStar Smart Driver, which it recently discontinued. However, this data was allegedly sold to third parties, influencing insurance rates negatively. GM states it is reviewing the complaint and aims to protect consumer privacy. Mozilla and a New York Times investigation have criticized the auto industry’s widespread data-sharing practices, with 84% of surveyed brands engaging in such activities. Similar concerns prompted senators Ron Wyden and Ed Markey to investigate auto data practices, finding companies like Honda and Hyundai shared driver data for minimal compensation. This growing scrutiny suggests a shift in consumer treatment, as carmakers increasingly monetize collected data, raising ethical concerns over privacy violations.

• Former Tesla Supercharging head to help Uber with EV transition (Teslarati, August 20, 2024)

  Former Tesla Senior Director of the Supercharger program, Rebecca Tinucci, has joined the Uber team as Uber’s Global Head of Sustainability in an effort to help the company in its shift to electric vehicles. “After many conversations with great people about my next steps, I was still struggling on where to land and how to be truly impactful,” stated Tinucci on LinkedIn.

  Tinucci was let go from Tesla, along with a large part of the Supercharger team, as a part of the Tesla layoffs this spring. Last year Tinucci pushed for the auto industry’s mass adoption of Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), and she oversaw the development of the V4 Supercharging software. Despite the inclusion on the Time Magazine 100 Climate List last year, Tinucci was not re-hired by Tesla. Instead, she is now focusing on helping Uber “advance clean energy efforts” with the development of its EVs and robotaxis.

• Sen. Dave Cortese looks to reintroduce legislation allowing cities to regulate robotaxis (Mountain View Voice, August 16, 2024)

  Waymo recently expanded its service ride area in the bay area to include Daly City, Broadmoor, and Colma.  As local governments do not have any say in how or where robotaxis operate, this expansion is causing concern among some city officials.

  California Senator Dave Cortese from San Jose is trying to pass legislation to allow larger cities and counties to limit the number of robotaxis on the road, set maximum fare amounts, and introduce fines for moving violations and traffic obstructions.  The bill, SB 915 received strong opposition from the autonomous vehicle industry as well as local chamber of commerce organizations.  Cortese pulled the bill from consideration after it has passed in the Senate due to proposed amendments that would take away the original intent of the bill, stripping all parts about local regulations.  He plans to reintroduce similar legislation in 2025.

• Tesla reports profit drop on price cuts, lower vehicle sales (France 24, July 24, 2024)

  Tesla reported a significant second-quarter drop in profits after aggressive price cuts on vehicles and steep expenses for reorganization of the company after laying off 10% of its staff earlier this year. The carmaker reported profits of $1.5 billion in the second quarter of 2024, a 45% drop from last year. Despite the dramatic drop in sales, Tesla feels optimistic about its plans to begin production of its more affordable Tesla models in early 2025. The company also expects its Cybertruck vehicle to stay on track for profitability by the end of 2024.

  As we recently reported, Tesla has also postponed its robotaxi event that was scheduled for August, which “allowed [Tesla] to improve the robotaxi as well as add in a couple of other things for the product unveil,” stated Elon Musk after moving the event to October.

  It seems that despite a poor Q2, the automaker remains “overly optimistic” about its future and the likelihood of fully autonomous robotaxis, Musk adding that he “would be shocked if we cannot do it next year.”

• GM indefinitely delays Cruise Origin autonomous vehicle (CNBC, July 23, 2024)

  General Motors has indefinitely delayed production of its Origin autonomous vehicle as it navigates difficulties with its self-driving unit, Cruise. Instead, the focus will shift to using the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt for developing autonomous technology. This decision, outlined by GM CEO Mary Barra, is aimed at reducing costs and mitigating regulatory issues linked to the vehicle’s lack of manual controls. The production halt follows a November incident where a Cruise robotaxi in San Francisco dragged a pedestrian, prompting a suspension of driverless operations and a $600 million setback in GM’s second-quarter earnings. Former Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt expressed disappointment, noting GM’s history of losing technological leads. A third-party review found that regulatory oversights contributed to the San Francisco accident. Cruise, with major investors such as Honda, Microsoft, and Walmart, is now resuming supervised driving in other cities but has not yet relaunched in San Francisco.

• British motorists overwhelmingly reject self-driving and AI vehicles despite road safety benefits (GB News, July 19, 2024)

  A recent survey conducted in Brittan shows that the public is not ready for self-driving vehicles on the road.  Only 37% of those polled support autonomous vehicle technology.  Not surprising, adults between the ages of 18-44 were more in favor of the technology vs those over 45.  When asked what bad habits could be cut out by self-driving vehicles, being impatient, distracted and exceeding the speed limit topped the list of answers. 

  Simon Staton, client management director for Venson Automotive Solutions said, “While many company car drivers may shy away from switching to autonomous as soon as they become legal, acceptance will grow rapidly, and many will be keen to explore the options.”

• Generative AI could power the next wave of self-driving cars (Axios, June 18, 2024)

  The future of self-driving cars may rely on advancements being made in artificial intelligence in order to accelerate the development of AVs in a more capital-efficient manner. Many believe that AV development is stuck, as many automakers struggle to advance the technology needed for self-driving vehicles while maintaining profits. Many investors are calling the next phase of autonomous vehicle development, “AV 2.0.” Companies, such as Nvidia and Waabi, are creating self-driving systems for vehicles using AI as a tool to make “human” decisions safely and correctly from intuitive learning.

  “Learning-based AVs can be taught driving skills more quickly, but the black-box nature of machine learning-based behavior makes it more difficult to validate safety,” states Phil Koopman, associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University and AV safety expert. “Even if you drive a billion miles in simulation, you still need to make sure the simulation wasn’t missing edge cases that will cause crashes in the real world.” The world of AI is still far from perfect, but as the technology develops, the stakes for autonomous driving will become much higher.

• China tops the world in driverless car testing (MSN, June 15, 2024)

  China has embraced driverless car technology like no other country in the world.  In Wuhan, tech giant Bidau has 500 driverless taxis on the road, many of which operate without safety drivers, and plan to add another 1,000 to its fleet. Currently, sixteen cities in China participate in driverless vehicle testing with at least nineteen automakers and their suppliers vying to establish dominance.  The Chinese government plays a large role in the success of the autonomous vehicle sector as it controls the narrative about safety, designate areas for on-road testing, limit discussion with online censorship, and have stringent data control policies. Countries like the US and Japan continue to test driverless car technology, but at a more cautious rate.

• GM pumps $850 million in Cruise to keep struggling robotaxi company afloat (The Verge, June 11, 2024)

  General Motors is injecting $850 million into Cruise to support its operations following the highly publicized suspension of its robotaxi service, after a driverless car was involved in a pedestrian accident. The funding will help Cruise resume testing in various U.S. cities and seek additional investors. Despite significant losses — $8.2 billion since 2017, including $3.48 billion in 2023 — GM remains committed to Cruise. After the incident, Cruise recalled all 950 vehicles for a software update, launched a safety review, and faced executive resignations. Co-founders Kyle Vogt and Dan Kan, plus a quarter of the staff, departed, leading to leadership changes, with GM executives taking key roles. Cruise is cautiously returning to the roads with safety drivers in cities like Houston, Phoenix, and Dallas, and continues its efforts towards fully autonomous operations.