China Pulls Ahead in EV Charging and Software

RV Tech, the Volkswagen Group–Rivian joint venture formed after VW’s $5.8 billion strategic investment in 2024, completed its winter testing program for a new zonal vehicle electronic architecture, triggering a $1 billion milestone payment to Rivian. VW partnered with Rivian to leverage Rivian’s clean-sheet software and electronic architecture expertise after years of VW internal software struggles that produced delayed platforms and executive shakeups. The successful tests validate the joint venture’s technical approach and advance VW’s plan to modernize vehicle software across future models while providing Rivian with critical funding. The outcome matters for EV software consolidation, supplier relationships, and the pace of vehicle platform modernization in the auto industry.

Volkswagen is in talks with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems to convert one of its factories from car production to missile-defence work, the Financial Times reported on March 24, 2026, citing people familiar with the plan. The proposal would repurpose Volkswagen’s Osnabrück plant in western Germany to manufacture components for Rafael’s Iron Dome air-defence system. The companies reportedly aim to protect all 2,300 jobs at the site, which has faced potential closure, and to market the systems to European governments. The FT said the German government is “actively supporting” the plan, though Germany’s defence ministry declined to comment. Production could start within 12 to 18 months, contingent on workers agreeing to shift to weapons-related manufacturing. Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report.

Sony and Honda have halted their joint electric vehicle venture Sony Honda Mobility (SHM), canceling development and launch plans for the Afeela models. The split follows Honda’s decision to cancel three planned U.S. EVs and cite rising U.S. tariffs, reduced EV incentives, and fierce competition from fast-moving Chinese EV makers as reasons it can’t deliver competitively priced products. Honda also said it could not supply certain technologies and assets it had committed to SHM, leaving the partnership without a viable path to market. Sony had contributed imaging, sensing, connectivity and in-car entertainment expertise, while Honda supplied automotive know-how; the cancellation underscores industry pressure on new software-defined car efforts amid geopolitical trade shifts and aggressive Chinese competition.

California regulator confirms Tesla is not operating autonomous vehicle service

California regulator confirms Tesla is not operating autonomous vehicle service

Sodium-ion EV battery breakthrough delivers 11-min charging and 450 km range

Researchers report a sodium-ion EV battery that can purportedly charge in about 11 minutes and deliver roughly 450 km range, a milestone that could make sodium-ion chemistry a practical, lower-cost alternative to lithium-ion for some vehicles. Key players discussed include the unnamed research team and industry comparisons to BYD/Denza’s fast-charging LFP packs; commenters note different chemistries, pack sizes and testing cycles (CLTC vs WLTP/EPA) affect range and charge-rate comparisons. The development matters because sodium-ion cells use abundant materials, are cheaper, tolerate cold better, reduce fire risk, and may degrade less — potentially enabling more affordable, safer EVs if independent validation confirms the performance and scaling viability.

Sodium-ion EV battery breakthrough delivers 11-min charging and 450 km range

Waymo relies on firefighters and police to bail out stuck robotaxis

Sony and Honda give up on their joint EV project

Sony Honda Mobility has shelved plans to bring its jointly developed electric vehicles to market after Honda canceled three U.S.-planned EVs. The decision follows broader struggles at Honda to scale battery-electric models — the niche Honda e sold only about 12,000 units in four years, while the North American Prologue sold 33,000 in 2024 and 39,000 in 2025 but faces production end and collapsing sales after tax-credit changes. A prior plan to adopt GM’s battery platform for lower-cost EVs, targeting 2027, was already abandoned in late 2023. The move undercuts a high-profile automaker-electronics JV and highlights challenges automakers face in EV strategy, partnerships, and supply-chain/platform choices.

Harbinger’s next product will be hybrid emergency vehicles

Rafe Rosner-Uddin / Financial Times : Amazon's Zoox plans to launch a paid robotaxi service in Las Vegas by late June, pending local approvals and an NHTSA exemption, ahead of a San Francisco launch — Driverless car group pushes forward with commercial rollout to catch up with rivals Waymo and Tesla

Bloomberg : Xiaomi reports Q4 revenue up 7.3% YoY to ~$17B, narrowly above est., its slowest growth since 2023, as EV sales failed to make up for slumping smartphone demand — Xiaomi Corp. posted its slowest quarterly growth since 2023, after strong sales of its EVs failed to make up for slumping smartphone demand.

Natalie Lung / Bloomberg : London-based luxury ride-hailing app Wheely launches in NYC, aiming to compete with Uber Elite; Wheely reports ~1,250 corporate accounts and ~100K active riders — Luxury ride-hailing app Wheely is making its debut in the US, presenting competition to Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. …

Financial Times : Addison Lee CEO Liam Griffin says London cab drivers should be protected via “a minimum price” on Waymo's and Tesla's robotaxis to prevent “predatory pricing” — CEO of private hire group says cab drivers need protection against ‘predatory pricing’

Federal regulators (NHTSA) have expanded an investigation into Tesla’s driver-assist/self-driving feature after nine crashes where the software failed to alert drivers in poor-visibility conditions because cameras didn’t detect hazards. The probe, begun in 2024, could lead to enforcement actions including a possible recall of about 3.2 million Teslas. The escalation arrives as Elon Musk pushes a strategy shifting Tesla toward robotaxis and plans to sell a Cybercab without steering wheel or pedals, and to deploy driverless robotaxi services in U.S. cities. The inquiry highlights risks of Tesla’s camera-only approach versus rivals that use radar or lidar and could affect its safety claims, product rollout and stock performance.

Federal regulators (NHTSA) have expanded a probe into Tesla’s Autopilot after nine crashes where the system failed to warn drivers in low-visibility conditions because cameras didn’t detect hazards. The investigation, begun in 2024, could lead to enforcement actions including a recall of about 3.2 million Tesla vehicles. The move intensifies scrutiny as Elon Musk prepares to deploy robotaxi services and sell a steering-wheel–less Cybercab, and while Tesla pushes its camera-only approach to autonomy rather than lidar or radar. The probe risks regulatory, financial and product-delivery setbacks for Tesla’s broader strategy to monetize self-driving software and convert cars into ride-hailing assets.

Chinese automaker BYD deployed a scaled DC fast-charging approach that achieves pump-like speeds by using high-power modular chargers, vehicle-side battery management optimization, and local grid buffering. BYD’s system pairs large-capacity outdoor chargers with integrated liquid cooling, active battery thermal control, and software that stages charging rates to sustain high throughput without overheating or destabilizing the grid. The result: significantly reduced charging times at public stations and better station utilization, which matters for EV adoption and infrastructure economics. Key players include BYD, charger manufacturers, and grid operators; the innovations lower hardware costs per kW and ease peak-grid impacts, making fast public charging more practical at scale.

The SEC has closed a four-year investigation into EV startup Faraday Future without bringing charges, ending scrutiny that began amid questions over the company’s accounting and disclosures. Faraday Future, a highly touted electric-vehicle challenger that has repeatedly faced financing, production and leadership turmoil, was under review as regulators probed its public filings and related transactions. The decision matters because it removes a major regulatory overhang for the startup, potentially easing fundraising and partnership discussions, though the company still faces operational and financial hurdles common to EV challengers. The outcome highlights ongoing regulatory oversight risks for deep-pocketed EV startups and their investors.

The SEC drops its four-year-old investigation into EV startup Faraday Future

Reuters reports that Ford Motor Co. lost roughly $12 billion on its Brazil operations over several years, leading the company to withdraw from manufacturing in the country and sell its assets. Ford’s decision reflects sustained losses driven by shrinking market share, high costs, and intensifying local competition, prompting a strategic shift toward imports and regional partnerships. The move affects employees, dealers, suppliers, and Brazil’s auto industry, and signals how legacy automakers are reallocating capital amid global restructuring, electrification pressure, and pursuit of more profitable markets. Ford’s exit underscores broader industry trends of consolidation, supply-chain reevaluation, and strategic retreat from unprofitable manufacturing bases.

Ford disclosed it burned about 61 billion reais (roughly $11.6 billion) over the past decade in Brazil and will pay another $4.1 billion to exit commitments, bringing the total cost to nearly $12 billion. Corporate filings show $7.8 billion of losses and cash injections mainly in the past eight years, with Reuters calculating Ford lost about $2,000 per car sold. Executives cite an unfavorable economic environment, weak demand, high industry idle capacity and slow product shifts — particularly a delayed move from low-margin compact cars to higher-margin SUVs — as drivers of the retreat. The pullout highlights structural challenges in Brazil’s auto market, including high taxes, labor and logistics costs and poor export competitiveness versus Mexico.

Ford revealed it lost roughly 61 billion reais (about $11.6 billion) over the past decade in Brazil and will spend another $4.1 billion to exit obligations, bringing the total cost of its retreat to nearly $12 billion. Corporate filings show $7.8 billion in accumulated losses and cash injections, mostly in the last eight years, with Reuters estimating losses of about $2,000 per car sold. Executives cite an unfavorable economy, weak demand, high idle capacity and strategic missteps — notably slow shifts from low-margin compact cars to higher-margin SUVs — as drivers of the pullout. The move highlights broader risks in Brazil’s high-cost auto market compared with export-focused Mexico.

U.S. federal safety regulators concluded that one-pedal driving systems — which let drivers slow and stop by lifting off the accelerator using regenerative braking — do not pose a widespread safety risk. The finding follows review of automakers’ implementations and accident data, with agencies noting current systems meet safety standards and that proper design and driver education mitigate misuse. Key players include federal safety regulators and automakers deploying one-pedal modes in electric and hybrid vehicles. The decision matters because it affects regulation, EV feature design, liability, and consumer adoption of regenerative-braking driving modes as automakers expand EV offerings.

Western carmakers are retreating from ambitious electric vehicle (EV) investments as rivals — notably Tesla, BYD, and Chinese OEMs — accelerate product, battery and software integration. The article argues this strategic pullback, driven by short-term profit pressure, slow EV sales perception, and reliance on legacy combustion platforms, risks ceding market share and software-defined vehicle leadership to better-funded, vertically integrated competitors. Key players include legacy U.S. and European automakers, Chinese manufacturers, battery suppliers and tech-focused EV firms. This matters because vehicles are becoming software and battery platforms: lagging on EVs undermines future revenues, supply-chain control, and relevance in mobility and autonomous services. The piece warns that strategic hesitation could lead to long-term decline for incumbents.

A report argues that some Western automakers are pulling back from electric-vehicle (EV) plans, a move critics say could leave them uncompetitive as the global market shifts toward battery-powered cars. The article frames the retreat as a strategic mistake, suggesting that slowing investment in EV platforms, batteries, and software risks ceding leadership to rivals that continue scaling production and lowering costs. It highlights the broader stakes for legacy carmakers: EVs are increasingly central to regulatory compliance, supply-chain strategy, and future profit pools tied to software and services. The piece’s core message is that delaying the transition may protect short-term margins but could undermine long-term relevance in a market where electrification is accelerating. The provided excerpt contains limited additional details or figures.

The Guardian piece warns that Western automakers’ pullback from aggressive electric-vehicle (EV) investment risks sidelining them as Chinese and dedicated EV players seize market leadership. It criticizes legacy firms—Ford, GM, Stellantis, Toyota and others—for cautious strategies, delayed product lines, and reliance on internal combustion cash cows, while challengers like Tesla and numerous Chinese manufacturers scale EV production, batteries and supply chains. The article matters because automotive manufacturing is undergoing electrification-driven disruption: market share, supplier ecosystems, software architectures, and long-term competitiveness hinge on EV timing and investment. If incumbents lag, they could lose manufacturing, software talent, and global market access, shrinking to niche or brand-license roles.

Western carmakers are retreating from EV investments just as oil prices spike and Chinese manufacturers such as BYD and Leapmotor rapidly scale affordable, well-made electric models across Europe. Executives and industry observers warn this mirrors past strategic failures (eg, Detroit vs Japan) and risks ceding lasting market share and battery/software leadership to China. Major groups—Stellantis, Volkswagen and Ford—have significantly written down EV-related assets or canceled projects after poor near-term EV margins, while US policy shifts under Trump have removed incentives and emissions rules that supported electrification. The result: delayed EV transitions, potential job losses, and a strategic disadvantage if fossil-fuel shocks accelerate consumer EV demand.

Western carmakers are retreating from electric vehicles just as Chinese EV makers such as BYD and Leapmotor scale rapidly, a strategic error experts warn could cost market share and jobs. Executives point to recent writedowns and cutbacks—Stellantis wrote down €22bn, Volkswagen made similar cuts, and Ford took a $19.5bn hit while cancelling electric models—to explain the pullback as EV margins lag petrol vehicles. Surging oil prices and geopolitical shocks (cited here as the Iran war) have reignited consumer interest in EVs across Europe, underlining the risk of ceding long-term capabilities in batteries and software to Chinese rivals. Observers say delayed investment risks leaving western manufacturers structurally disadvantaged.

How BYD Got EV Chargers to Work Almost as Fast as Gas Pumps

Chinese EV maker BYD has seen a surge in showroom traffic across Asia following disruptions to oil supplies after the Iran-related shock, Bloomberg reports. Customers in multiple markets are increasingly considering battery-electric vehicles as fuel price and availability concerns rise, boosting demand for BYD’s mass-market models. The story highlights BYD’s expanding regional footprint, competitive pricing, and vertical integration in batteries and manufacturing as factors enabling it to capitalize on the moment. This matters for automakers, suppliers and policymakers because a demand shift toward EVs accelerates competition, supply-chain realignment, and energy transition planning across Asian markets. Incumbent oil and auto industries may face faster disruption.

WIRED lists 19 notable EVs and hybrids arriving in 2026 from legacy marques and newcomers, highlighting models from Rivian, Hyundai, Honda, BMW, Aston Martin, Audi, and Slate. The roundup notes geopolitical and market shifts—rising Chinese makers like BYD overtaking Tesla, waning US EV demand after tax-credit changes, and oil-price volatility tied to geopolitical tensions—that could reshape buyer loyalty and automakers’ strategies. Key highlights include the Aston Martin Valhalla plug-in hybrid supercar, Audi’s electrified F1 R26 as a tech testbed, and BMW’s Neue Klasse-based iX3. The piece matters because these releases and broader industry trends will influence EV adoption, supply chains, brand retention, and competition between Chinese and Western automakers.

BYD's bet on EVs is paying off as drivers ditch gas amid rising oil prices

Chinese automaker BYD is benefiting from rising oil prices as drivers shift from gasoline cars to electric vehicles, boosting EV sales and market momentum, particularly in Asia where new EV adoption is strong in countries like Thailand. The Hacker News thread highlights consumer experiences with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery EVs, debates over real-world PHEV usage and emissions, and skepticism about headline adoption figures that conflate new-sales share with total fleet penetration. Commenters note BYD's aggressive pricing and product competitiveness against legacy brands, and point to broader industry moves—some automakers cutting EV models despite fuel-price-driven demand shifts. This matters for automakers, supply chains, and EV policy and infrastructure planning.

BYD's bet on EVs is paying off as drivers ditch gas amid rising oil prices

Federal regulators (NHTSA) said they will not order a recall of Tesla vehicles over claims that the automaker’s one-pedal driving or regenerative braking causes sudden unintended acceleration. The petition, filed in 2023 by a Greek engineer, argued lift-off regen and one-pedal programming might lead to driver confusion and unintended acceleration; NHTSA reviewed the issue and declined to mandate a recall for Tesla vehicles built since 2013. The decision underscores the distinction between human factors and engineering defects in EV regen systems, which in Teslas (and some Rivian and Lucid models) rely on motor-based regenerative braking rather than brake-by-wire. The outcome matters for EV safety oversight, recall thresholds, and how regulators treat software-driven vehicle behaviors.

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Tesla: Failure of the FSD's degradation detection system [pdf]

Tesla: Failure of the FSD's degradation detection system [pdf]

A Hacker News thread highlights Waymo’s claim that its autonomous vehicles are 13x safer than human drivers, with users sharing local observations of smooth, cautious behavior in Atlanta and San Francisco. Commenters note Waymo’s consistent perception and faster reactions compared with humans, recounting instances of empty driver seats and conservative responses at intersections and speed humps. Skeptics question whether improved safety stems partly from human drivers reacting cautiously around novel AVs and ask if the 13x figure comes from independent studies. The discussion matters for AV deployment, public trust, regulation, and urban planning as real-world user reports and scrutiny of safety claims influence adoption and policy.

Tesla: Failure of the FSD's degradation detection system [pdf]

Regulators are closing in on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) after mounting safety concerns and crash reports tied to its driver-assist software. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other agencies have investigated incidents where FSD engaged in risky behavior, prompting discussions about a potential recall or mandated fixes. Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, continues to beta-test FSD with customers while defending its system and rolling out over-the-air updates. This matters because a recall or regulatory action could set precedents for liability, safety standards, and deployment timelines for autonomous driving tech across the auto and AI industries.

Feds intensify investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software

Ryan Felton / Wall Street Journal : The NHTSA escalates its investigation into Tesla's FSD to an “engineering analysis”, a step that could lead to a mandatory recall or other enforcement action — The probe covers about 3.2 million Tesla vehicles — Federal safety regulators are sharpening their focus …

BMW announced a new i3 EV variant that claims to deliver more driving range than any current Tesla model, marking a notable shift in the electric vehicle competitive landscape. The updated i3 features a larger battery pack and efficiency improvements—though BMW's exact specs, testing standards, and pricing were not fully detailed in the article. This matters because range remains a key buying factor and a battleground for legacy automakers challenging Tesla's dominance in electric vehicle performance and consumer perception. The development could pressure Tesla on efficiency and pricing while accelerating adoption of longer-range EVs from traditional carmakers.

Honda is shelving several planned electric-vehicle projects and scaling back EV ambitions after disappointing early returns and changing regulatory incentives. TechCrunch and industry commenters note Honda’s Prologue — a rebadged GM SUV sold mainly for compliance — and other canceled models; Honda will still pursue hybrids and continue EV launches in markets like India, but long-term BEV investment is being reduced. This matters because Honda is a major auto OEM, and its retreat signals shifting economics in the EV market, impacts suppliers, software and battery partners, and highlights how regulations, subsidies and platform partnerships shape automakers’ EV roadmaps.

A Reuters Breakingviews column argues that the Iran conflict and effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have exposed the risks of a slow energy transition, driving fuel price spikes and shortages in Asia and Australia. The piece highlights Australia’s particular vulnerability—90% of its petrol and diesel are imported, average oil reserves cover just over 30 days (well below IEA guidance), and recent government moves to release reserves and relax sulphur limits. The column says faster electrification—citing BYD and Tesla EV adoption examples and China’s rapid EV-driven slowdown in oil demand—would have reduced pain from supply shocks, and warns that incremental change leaves countries exposed. It urges accelerating EV uptake and broader decarbonization.

Honda’s reported shift away from dedicated battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) is the headline: the automaker is reportedly shelving or scaling back standalone EV models to focus on hybrids, fuel-cell tech, and software-defined vehicle strategies. The move involves senior company decisions and signals a retreat from full-EV commitments many saw as key to competing with Tesla and other EV-focused startups. It matters because Honda is a major legacy OEM; deprioritizing BEVs could reshape supplier roadmaps, charging infrastructure demand, EV software ecosystems, and competitive dynamics across the auto and mobility tech sectors. The decision underscores tensions between short-term profitability, battery costs, product strategy, and long-term electrification and software ambitions.

BYD’s new Brazil manufacturing plant has secured roughly 100,000 vehicle orders from Argentina and Mexico, marking a major regional sales win for the Chinese EV maker. The orders — for locally produced electric cars and possibly hybrids — underline BYD’s push to expand production and supply chains in Latin America, boosting local employment and reducing logistics costs. The deal matters because it accelerates EV adoption in the region, strengthens BYD’s position against global automakers, and highlights Brazil as a manufacturing hub for exports across neighboring markets. For the auto and tech industries, this signals intensified competition in electric powertrain, battery supply, and regional EV infrastructure development.