Author: Jonathan Collins

Rivian said a rollback of U.S. fuel economy rules under the Trump administration has left it unable to collect about $100 million in revenue, highlighting the growing impact of policy shifts on electric vehicle makers. The EV manufacturer and peers such as Tesla and Lucid generate significant income from selling credits tied to Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. That market has stalled after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stopped issuing compliance letters, following the removal of penalties for automakers failing to meet fuel economy targets. “NHTSA is focusing on fixing CAFE standards to make cars more affordable…

Maryland-based ION Storage Systems has shipped its first commercial generation of solid-state batteries, known as Cornerstone, to leading consumer electronics companies. The multilayer cells are designed for devices such as smartphones, laptops, and wearables, aiming to provide long cycle life, stable form, and improved safety without bulky compression hardware. “Cornerstone powers the most expansive solid-state sampling programs in the industry,” said CEO Jorge Diaz Schneider. The company said the shipments mark a transition from laboratory prototypes to products suitable for real-world use. The cells are also undergoing testing with customers in the electric vehicle, aerospace, and defense industries. CCO Eric…

Continental has unveiled its aContact tire line, developed specifically for autonomous vehicle fleets such as robotaxis, shuttle services, and delivery vehicles. The tires are designed to address the operational demands of AI-controlled vehicles, with a focus on safety, durability, and energy efficiency. Initial deployment in the United States will include cities such as Las Vegas and San Francisco, with operations already underway in markets including Shanghai, Beijing, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The aContact range features adaptations for lower-speed, controlled-environment driving typical of autonomous fleets. Designs include narrow and tall profiles to reduce air and rolling resistance, reinforced sidewalls for…

VinFast founder Pham Nhat Vuong will acquire the Vietnamese electric vehicle maker’s research and development arm for $1.52 billion, marking his latest financial injection into the loss-making company as it targets break-even by the end of 2026. The transaction will see Novatech Research and Development JSC, a Vietnam-incorporated unit, carved out of VinFast Trading and Production JSC (VFTP), the firm’s domestic manufacturing subsidiary, VinFast said in a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Novatech will retain investment costs linked to completed R&D projects, while VFTP will continue to oversee EV production and future research in Vietnam. Since debuting…

Lithium-sulphur batteries, viewed as a promising alternative to today’s lithium-ion technology, could deliver lighter, more cost-efficient and sustainable energy storage. But researchers say the technology still faces technical hurdles before it can be widely adopted. A team at the Helmholtz Centre Berlin (HZB) has used neutron tomography to study how electrolytes behave inside lithium-sulphur (Li-S) cells. These batteries, which could exceed 700 Wh/kg in energy density compared with about 250 Wh/kg for current lithium-ion cells, use sulphur as a plentiful and less critical material than cobalt or nickel. Such performance gains could benefit electric vehicles, drones, aviation and space applications.…

Acura is bringing back the RSX nameplate nearly two decades after discontinuing the compact coupe, this time for an electric coupe SUV slated to enter production in the second half of 2026. Previewed at Monterey Car Week as the Acura RSX Prototype, the vehicle will be the first to use Honda’s proprietary global EV platform, marking a departure from the GM-sourced underpinnings of the current Acura ZDX. It will feature dual motors, all-wheel drive and a sport-tuned suspension with front double wishbones, along with the brand’s latest driver assistance systems. While the prototype retains the coupe-SUV profile of last year’s…

Volkswagen has introduced a subscription option for UK drivers of its ID.3 electric vehicles to unlock the models’ full performance. The ID.3 Pro and Pro S are currently listed with 201 horsepower on Volkswagen’s UK website. To access the full 228 horsepower, drivers can either pay £16.50 ($22) per month or a one-time lifetime fee of £649 ($880). Volkswagen said the performance upgrade does not impact the vehicle’s range. The one-time payment is tied to the car itself, meaning the upgrade remains with the vehicle if it is sold. The subscription fee structure is notably higher than standard streaming services,…

Lyft said on Thursday that co-founders Logan Green and John Zimmer are stepping down from the company’s board, following the completion of a two-year transition plan. Green and Zimmer had served as chair and vice chair of the board since 2023, after stepping down as CEO and president, respectively, handing operational leadership to David Risher, a board member since 2021. “After a thoughtful transition period, Logan and John are leaving the board as planned, ensuring continuity in leadership for Lyft,” the company said. Sean Aggarwal, who served as board chair from 2019 to 2023, will resume the role. Lyft, founded…

Ford is investing approximately $5 billion across its Louisville Assembly Plant and BlueOval Battery Park Michigan to produce a new midsize electric pickup and advanced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) prismatic batteries, supporting nearly 4,000 jobs. The automaker said the new vehicle will be the first built on the Ford Universal EV Platform and using the Ford Universal EV Production System, designed to deliver a family of affordable, software-defined electric vehicles. The midsize, four-door pickup will be assembled at Louisville Assembly Plant for U.S. and export markets, with production targeted to begin in 2027. Doug Field, Ford’s chief EV, digital and…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle unit of Geely Auto, reported fiscal second-quarter revenue of 27.43 billion yuan ($3.83 billion), down 0.9% year-on-year (Y/Y) but up 24.6% quarter-on-quarter (Q/Q). Total vehicle deliveries reached 130,866 units, representing a 9.3% Y/Y increase and a 14.8% Q/Q rise. Zeekr delivered 49,337 vehicles, while Lynk & Co delivered 81,529 units, with 58.8% of the latter’s sales coming from new energy vehicles (NEVs). Adjusted net loss per American depositary share (ADS) was 1.42 yuan, or 20 cents in U.S. dollars. Vehicle sales revenue for the quarter was 22.92 billion yuan ($3.2 billion), a 2.2% increase Y/Y, supported…

Pony.ai, a global autonomous mobility company, said it has accelerated production of its Gen-7 Robotaxi, aiming to deliver 1,000 vehicles by the end of 2025, as it expands fully driverless services in China’s tier-one cities and explores international markets. The company reported Q2 2025 revenues of $21.5 million, a 76% increase from $12.2 million a year earlier, driven by a 158% surge in Robotaxi service revenues and strong growth in licensing and applications. “Our focus on scaling fully driverless operations and deploying strategic partnerships globally is reflected in our revenue growth and operational milestones,” said Pony.ai CEO James Peng. Pony.ai…

Tesla Inc. is hiring testers in New York City to help develop its autonomous driving technology, according to a job listing on the company’s website. The role, titled “Vehicle Operator, Autopilot,” involves driving engineering vehicles to collect audio and camera data, perform minor software debugging, and provide detailed daily reports on operations. The position offers full-time employment out of Flushing, New York, with pay ranging from $25.25 to $30.60 per hour depending on the role, and includes full benefits. Shifts are available during the day, afternoon, or night. Tesla said the job requires ensuring the vehicle’s safety and operational status…