Tesla, Tariffs & EV Startups: TechCrunch Mobility News

TechCrunch Mobility: Updates on the Evolving Automotive Landscape

Welcome to TechCrunch Mobility, your primary source for the latest news and perspectives on the evolving world of transportation. Registration is complimentary – simply access TechCrunch Mobility through this link!

Tesla and Elon Musk: A Trajectory of Change

Throughout 13 years of covering Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, a complex narrative of growth, setbacks, and resilience has unfolded. Musk’s propensity for calculated risks is well-documented, and he has openly acknowledged the near-bankruptcy experience the company faced before its eventual turnaround.

Initially, a narrative of defiance – a struggle against established norms – contributed significantly to Musk’s image as an innovator.

Shifting Public Perception and Impact on Tesla

Musk’s political associations, particularly with President Trump, and his informal role in governmental efficiency initiatives, have altered public opinion. However, it is Tesla that is currently experiencing the most substantial repercussions. These include a decline in first-quarter sales, widespread Tesla Takedown protests, and a decreasing stock valuation.

Competitors, previously lagging behind Tesla in electric vehicle (EV) sales, are now capitalizing on this situation by offering attractive trade-in programs and other incentives.

Ongoing Coverage of Tesla’s Challenges

Senior reporter Rebecca Bellan has been meticulously tracking the developments impacting Tesla over recent months. Her reporting will be continuously updated, so frequent revisits are recommended.

Potential for Recovery and the Impact of Tariffs

The question of Tesla’s ability to recover remains. Newly announced tariffs by Trump could potentially benefit Tesla, given that its vehicles – and a significant portion of its components – are manufactured within the United States. However, this protection may prove insufficient to halt current losses.

Furthermore, these tariffs are likely to negatively affect Tesla’s energy storage division.

Automaker Responses to Tariff Changes

The repercussions of the implemented tariffs will continue to be felt. We are only beginning to observe how automakers are responding and adapting. Companies like Ford are proactively offering discounts to stimulate short-term sales.

Volkswagen, as reported by The New York Times, has informed its dealerships of plans to incorporate an import fee into the pricing of vehicles imported into the United States.

The resulting chaos from these tariffs will be a long-term factor in the automotive industry.

Tesla's Robotaxi Plans and City Interactions

Information received suggests that Tesla is on track to initiate a robotaxi service in Austin during the coming summer months. However, the company’s communication with the city regarding this launch has been minimal.

In contrast, other autonomous vehicle companies, such as Waymo and the now-inactive Cruise, prioritized establishing connections with various city representatives prior to their respective launches.

Concerns regarding the safety of Tesla’s autonomous driving system have been voiced by several governmental authorities.

These officials express apprehension that Tesla vehicles may possess a restricted understanding of their environment, given their exclusive reliance on camera-based perception, excluding the use of lidar and radar technologies.

Contacting TechCrunch

Confidential information can be shared with Kirsten Korosec via email at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or through Signal at kkorosec.07.

Alternatively, Sean O’Kane can be reached at sean.okane@techcrunch.com, and Rebecca Bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com.

Detailed guidance on contacting TechCrunch through encrypted messaging applications or SecureDrop is available here.

Investment Highlights

Despite a relatively calm week for mergers and acquisitions, several noteworthy funding rounds and an impending IPO were observed within the mobility sector.

EVident Battery Secures Seed Funding

EVident Battery, a company specializing in cutting-edge battery inspection technology, has successfully completed a $3.2 million seed funding round.

The investment was spearheaded by Ibex Investors, with significant participation from Nationwide Ventures, Automotive Ventures, and the Avesta Fund.

Fourier Raises Series A

Fourier, a startup focused on hydrogen technology development, announced the closing of an $18.5 million Series A funding round.

General Catalyst and Paramark Ventures led the round, attracting further investment from Airbus Ventures, Borusan Ventures, GSBackers, MCJ Collective, and Positive Ventures.

Windrose Technology Pursues IPO

Windrose Technology, an electric vehicle manufacturer with operations in Belgium and originating from China, is preparing to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States.

According to reports from The New York Times, the company is aiming to raise up to $400 million through this IPO.

Key Takeaways

• EVident Battery is advancing battery inspection with new funding.
• Fourier is scaling its hydrogen initiatives through a substantial Series A.
• Windrose Technology is seeking public investment to expand its EV production.

Recent Developments and Industry Updates

Self-Driving Technology

Maxwell Zeff, a reporter for TechCrunch, recently conducted an interview with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. The discussion encompassed the topic of autonomous vehicles. A recording of the interview is available for viewing here.

Uber has established a collaborative agreement with the Road and Transport Authority of Dubai. This partnership will enable the operation of autonomous vehicles within the city in the United Arab Emirates. Uber will utilize partnerships, as it does not independently develop its own AVs.

The initial collaboration in Dubai will be with WeRide, a Chinese autonomous vehicle company.

Furthermore, WeRide has been granted permission to conduct driverless testing and operation of its vehicles on public roads in France.

Electric Vehicles, Charging Infrastructure, and Battery Technology

Harbinger, a manufacturer specializing in medium-duty electric vehicles, has commenced production. The company has successfully produced its first 100 vehicles intended for sale. This represents a significant achievement for the California-based startup, established in 2021.

These initial vehicles are slated for delivery to a range of customers, including the prominent RV manufacturer, Thor Industries.

Concurrently, Harbinger has intervened in the bankruptcy proceedings of Canoo, another EV startup. The company has formally objected to the proposed sale of Canoo’s assets to its current CEO.

This objection potentially complicates the bankruptcy case, which has been ongoing for approximately two months.

Rivian reported delivering 8,640 vehicles during the first quarter of 2025. This figure represents the company’s lowest quarterly delivery total since the end of 2022.

Despite this recent performance, Rivian maintains its projection of delivering between 46,000 and 51,000 electric vehicles by the conclusion of 2025.

Redwood Materials, a company focused on battery materials and recycling, founded by JB Straubel, the former CTO of Tesla, has inaugurated a new research and development center in San Francisco.

The 15,000-square-foot facility, situated in the city’s Design District, is equipped with laboratory space. This will support engineers working across the entire battery lifecycle, encompassing chemical engineering, cathode science, software development, and electrical engineering.