EV Sales Predictions Suggest Steep Decline After U.S. Federal Tax Credit Expires: Survey Results from TechCrunch Mobility

Transportation industry insiders express cautious optimism about electric vehicle (EV) sales post-federal tax credit expiration. In a recent poll conducted exclusively for email subscribers of our mobility newsletter, nearly 60% anticipate a steep decline in EV sales over the next two quarters following the end of the federal tax incentive.

Automakers such as Tesla and GM are expected to adjust pricing strategies to mitigate the impact of the expired credit. However, tariffs may potentially narrow profit margins for manufacturers transitioning to the North American Charging Standard.

General Motors (GM) has recently introduced several EV charging adapters to ensure compatibility with various charging standards. While this move enhances flexibility, it could complicate matters for multi-EV households who may end up managing multiple adapters. For further details, read the full article here.

In other news, Lucid Motors is searching for a permanent replacement for its former CEO, Peter Rawlinson, who stepped down six months ago during a critical period when the company was preparing to launch its Gravity SUV. Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff, previously a consultant at Roland Berger and CFO of Lucid since 2023, is reportedly considering taking on the permanent role.

Tesla’s supercomputer project in Buffalo, New York, remains on track despite the disbandment of its AI training team. The company has already invested approximately $314 million towards the project, with plans to spend an additional $186 million. Buffalo officials are keen to maintain their relationship with Tesla due to the automaker’s significance as a top private employer in the city.

The mobility sector saw limited deal activity this week, but here are a few highlights:

– Blue Water Autonomy, a startup specializing in autonomous ships for the U.S. Navy, raised $50 million in Series A funding led by GV, with additional participation from Eclipse Ventures, Riot, and Impatient Ventures.
– Joby Aviation completed its acquisition of Blade.
– Vox AI, a Dutch startup developing voice AI for quick-service restaurants, raised €7.5 million in seed funding.
– Aurora Innovation integrated its self-driving trucking platform with McLeod Software’s transportation management system, allowing customers to manage autonomous shipments using the TMS software and potentially boosting adoption.
– The Boring Company began testing Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) advanced driver-assistance system in tunnels connecting hotels near Las Vegas’ Convention Center.

Several developments worth noting this week include:

– Fisker Inc.’s last remnants have been dissolved, with founder Henrik Fisker and his wife winding down a private charitable foundation.
– Kodiak Robotics appointed Surajit Datta as chief financial officer ahead of its upcoming public listing through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
– Tesla could have potentially avoided the $242.5 million Autopilot verdict, according to filings. The Washington Post also reported that a hacker retrieved critical crash data missing from the trial.
– A security researcher discovered over 1,000 publicly exposed hobby servers run by Tesla vehicle owners leaking sensitive vehicle data, including granular location histories.

California lawmakers have reached an agreement with ride-hailing companies Lyft and Uber to provide a pathway for driver unionization just before the Labor Day weekend.

Biotechnology startup Uncaged Innovations is collaborating with Hyundai’s Cradle division to refine its plant-based artificial leather material for automotive use, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional leathers. The product even mimics the scent of real leather or can be customized with other signature scents.

Lastly, Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov shared a video on X showcasing one of its robotaxis navigating through a haboob (giant dust storm) in Phoenix. Waymo’s commercial fleet now surpasses 2,000 autonomous vehicles, with over 800 in the San Francisco Bay Area, 500 in Los Angeles, 400 in Phoenix, 100 in Austin, and “dozens” in Atlanta – its newest market.

The Autonocast, a podcast co-hosted by Alex Roy and Ed Niedermeyer, features an intriguing episode on the intersection of boats, autonomy, and planes. Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of Regent, is interviewed in the episode.