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Before we bounce into the transportation information of the week, it’s value pointing you to a few articles which might be centered on Elon Musk, the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla and the founding father of a number of different firms, together with SpaceX and Neuralink.
You would possibly recall an investigation the workforce right here at TechCrunch revealed in February on the folks in Elon Musk’s DOGE universe. The article, which continues to be up to date, centered on these working for the Department of Government Efficiency, an entity established through President Trump’s government order. A brand new report, by one other workforce right here at TechCrunch, focuses on the founders and VCs working with DOGE. Check it out!
Speaking of Musk, his shut ally Trump has positioned 25% tariffs on all vehicles imported to the United States, together with these from Mexico and Canada. He’s additionally positioned a 25% tariff on sure elements used to construct vehicles. As reporter Sean O’Kane notes, it’s a choice that can possible supercharge the price of new and used vehicles, nevertheless it’s additionally a present to Tesla, the corporate run by Musk, his largest monetary supporter within the presidential election.
And lastly, in different am-I-in-a-simulation information, Trevor Milton, the founding father of bankrupt hydrogen trucking startup Nikola who was convicted of fraud, has been pardoned by Trump, the White House confirmed to TechCrunch. Tidbit: We waited for hours and hours earlier than the White House would affirm.
OK, onward with the remainder of the information of the week.
A little bit hen
A little bit hen just lately informed us that Lucid is eyeing partnerships as a technique to attain larger ranges of autonomy, significantly with the brand new Gravity SUV. Could we see a partnership with Mobileye or another unlikely automated driving expertise supplier?
Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or my Signal at kkorosec.07, Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or Rebecca Bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. Or try these directions to learn to contact us through encrypted messaging apps or SecureDrop.
Deals!
Welp, here’s a deal that isn’t transportation associated, however very a lot deserves some consideration.
TechCrunch was acquired by non-public funding agency Regent. No monetary phrases had been disclosed, however our soon-to-be earlier proprietor Yahoo Holdings is sustaining a small share of possession. The acquisition, which has but to shut, comes just some days after Regent purchased Foundry, the writer residence to tech publications like PCWorld, Macworld, InfoWorld, and CIO.
Other offers that received my consideration …
BetterFleet, the Michigan-based firm that developed EV charging fleet administration software program, raised $15 million in a Series A funding spherical led by Aligned Climate Capital, Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF), and Remarkable Ventures Climate (RVC).
The Bot Company, the robotics startup based by former Cruise co-founder and CEO Kyle Vogt, has raised $150 million in a spherical led by Greenoaks, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources.
DeCost, an EV charging infrastructure startup, raised $2.5 million in a spherical led by Lemniscap. Other traders embrace Colosseum, Daedalus Angels, EV3 Labs, Echo Fundraiser Chainyoda Jedis, and Levitate Labs.
Fleetio, a car fleet software program administration firm, raised $450 million in a spherical co-led by Elephant VC and Goldman Sachs Alternatives. The funds will probably be used to finance the acquisition of maintenance-authorization platform Auto Integrate.
Manna, the Dublin-based drone supply firm, raised $30 million in a spherical led by Tapestry VC and Molten Ventures. Coca-Cola and Dynama Venture additionally participated.
Notable reads and different tidbits
Autonomous automobiles
Waymo will start providing robotaxi rides in Washington, D.C., through the Waymo One app in 2026. There is a crucial catch: Before Waymo can launch commercially, the corporate must up its lobbying recreation within the capital, the place autonomous car permits nonetheless require a human behind the wheel, in response to reporter Rebecca Bellan.
Electric automobiles, charging, & batteries
BYD’s breakthrough EV-charging announcement final week prompted reporter Tim De Chant to seek out out extra.
Cadillac debuted one other EV: the Optiq SUV. Contributor Emme Hall received an opportunity to drive the Optiq and the brand new Escalade IQ.
Revel, the Brooklyn-based electrical car charging infrastructure startup, launched its first fast-charging station in San Francisco.
Rivian operated a skunkworks program for years centered on electrical micromobility, founder and CEO RJ Scaringe informed TechCrunch. Now, Rivian is spinning out the startup — generally known as Also — with $105 million in funding from Eclipse Ventures. Rivian has a minority stake in Also and Scaringe will serve on its board. Chris Yu, Rivian’s VP of future applications, will probably be its president.
In-car tech
Waze has eliminated Google Assistant from iOS because of ongoing points. The firm plans to introduce an “enhanced voice interplay answer” someday within the close to future as a substitute.
