Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
welcome back TechCrunch Dynamics – Your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. Sign up for free here — just click TechCrunch Dynamics!
Before we get to this week’s news, we have another roundup of transportation technology at CES 2025. As I mentioned last week, autonomous vehicle technology was everywhere. But there were other themes, too. Check it out here.
Now, on to the latest and greatest future of transportation technology news.
a little bird
No little birds this week, but it felt like the best place to say goodbye Hindenburg ResearchShort-seller firm that investigates tips from whistleblowers and uses its own research to root out fraud in publicly traded companies. Nat Anderson is the founder of Hindenburg Research Posted a note The firm is closing on Wednesday.
In the world of transportation and climate technology, Hindenburg is famous for opening up Nicola Motors, Lordstown Motorsand Adani Group billionaire Gautam Adani, who was Accused of an alleged scheme to pay more than $250 million in bribes to Indian officials in exchange for a contract for a 12 gigawatt solar power project.
Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korose kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.comAt Sean O’Kane sean.okane@techcrunch.comOr at Rebecca Bellan rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. or check out These are the instructions To learn how to contact us through the encrypted messaging app or SecureDrop.
Deal!
Just a bunch of deals this week! What stands out here.
CaramelA startup that helps car sellers and buyers complete the final steps of the transaction being achieved by Ebay. Terms were not disclosed.
EV startups Harbinger raised $100 million A Series B round was co-led by Tesla investors Capricorn Investment Group and Leitmotif, a new US fund co-founded by Volkswagen’s former M&A chief. Also joining the round were Tiger Global and mobility venture firm Manib, both existing investors.
Sarla Aviation Raised $10 million A new funding round led by Excel and includes angel investors like Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath and Swiggy co-founder Sreeharsh Majeti.
Tesla The latest round of federal funding for electric-vehicle charging infrastructure has a winner and a loser. Department of Transport Tesla snubbed Based on his request for $97 million to fund a big-rig charging corridor from California to Texas. But Tesla, along with three other industry partners, received a separate award $100 million in funding To build electric truck charging stations across Illinois.
The shipA startup that develops real-time tracking software across all modes of transportation has raised $30 million in a funding round led by Toyota’s growth fund Owen Capital. Battery Ventures, Pertech, NGP Capital, BPFrance Digital Ventures, LFX Venture Partners, Shift4Good and Yamaha Motor Ventures also participated.
Notable reading and other tidbits
Autonomous vehicles
Aurora Innovations is Taking federal security regulators to court One such case centers on the rather common practice of placing physical warning triangles around semi trucks stopped on highways. TL;DR: This could have far-reaching implications for self-driving truck companies operating in a regulatory environment designed around humans.
D US Department of Commerce announced a final rule that would ban the sale or import of connected vehicles from China and Russia due to national security concerns. Chinese car companies like Wayride and Pony AI will also be barred from the rule Self-driving cars are being tested On the US road.
D National Highway Traffic Safety Administration His investigation is closed in Cruise and whether the company’s robotaxi took proper precautions around pedestrians. The company noted that Cruise has issued a recall on its software and that GM’s self-driving vehicle subsidiary has ceased business operations.
Electric vehicles, charging and batteries
Ark Boat Arrived at CES 2025, and is senior reporter Sean O’Kane Took the Ark Sport Boat for a pleasure ride in Lake Mead. here What did he think? New offerings from startups.
Tesla Disclosure a The new-look Model Y Meant for the Chinese and other Asia Pacific markets, the SUV marks the first major update since its launch in 2020.
Sean DuffyPresident-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to head the US Department of Transportation thinks electric car owners should Pay to use the road. As a reporter Rebecca Belan As explained, achieving that goal is not so easy.
This week’s rules
Just before the holidays, I had a chance to get a production prototype 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus. I plan to spend more time driving the production version soon, but for now here are some thoughts on this all-electric minibus that was priced at $69,595.
I have been waiting for this electric minibus since 2017 when it was presented by Volkswagen as a concept. This reimagined microbus had a near-impossible mission. It needs to be instantly recognizable and nod to its iconic past while paving a new futuristic and EV road ahead. And ID in many ways. Buzz does that. It’s eye-catching; People interrupted me constantly. It’s fun while being practical. And while it’s more expensive than other minivans on the market, it’s not entirely outrageous.
The version I tested had all-wheel drive, Metro Silver metallic paint and “copper” interior with leatherette seating. There’s a ton of space — really cavernous — and nice details throughout, giving it an upscale feel. It was easy to maneuver on tight city streets despite its 195.4-inch length. Which yes, it is long!
It met a lot of my expectations. But I am thinking about its future. This car would be great as a kid around town and grocery shopping. I could see it being used in commercial fleets in urban environments as well. But with a 91 kWh battery that gets an estimated 234 miles of range, I wonder if it will live up to its past as a roadtrippin’ machine?
Side note: In the last newsletter, I gave some news about my Zoox Robotaxi ride. here is mine Full text on me Zoox Experience in Las Vegas.
What is “Wheel of the Week”? It’s an electric or hybrid car, an e-bike, or even a ride in an autonomous vehicle, an opportunity to learn about the various transportation products we’re testing.
