End of Week — February 13, 2026

Week ending: 2026-02-13

Autonomous Vehicles

Waymo is asking DoorDash drivers to close robotaxi doors when riders leave them open, addressing an operational challenge for driverless vehicles. Ars Technica / TechCrunch
Waymo begins fully autonomous operations with 6th-generation Driver, targeting 1 million weekly rides and expansion to 20+ cities after raising $16 billion at $126 billion valuation. Electrek / The Verge
Aurora's driverless trucks can now travel farther distances faster than human drivers, tripling their network coverage. TechCrunch / The Verge
Lucid-Uber robotaxi spotted testing in Bay Area ahead of late 2026 launch. EV Blog
House Committee approves bill easing path for autonomous vehicles in the US. EV Blog
Waymo leverages Google's Genie 3 to create world models for self-driving simulation. Ars Technica
Self-driving startup Waabi raises $1B and partners with Uber to expand into robotaxis. Phocuswire

Tesla US sales estimated to have dropped 17% in January, with China sales crashing 45% to lowest level in over three years. Electrek / Electrek
Europe surges while US stumbles and China cools, with global EV sales dipping in 2026. Electrek
BYD outsells Tesla 10-to-1 in Australia as Chinese EVs dominate January sales. Electrek
Tesla UK sales plunge 57% in January as BYD races ahead. Electrek
Xiaomi YU7 beats Tesla Model Y as China's best-seller in January. EV Blog
Norway sold only 98 diesel cars in January even after cutting EV incentives. Electrek
Ford takes a page from BYD after the Chinese EV maker outsold it for the first time. Electrek

Hyundai is spicing up new EVs with design updates, including a new Crater-inspired SUV spotted testing. Electrek / Electrek
Audi is putting finishing touches on its most affordable EV, a sibling to the VW ID.3. Electrek
Toyota reveals Highlander EV as first 3-row electric SUV with 320 miles range. Electrek / The Verge
Genesis unveils $200,000+ GV90 ultra-luxe electric SUV with coach doors. Electrek
Kia's electric van gets first camping kit that turns PV5 into campsite in minutes. Electrek
Subaru is next in line to launch a three-row electric SUV. Electrek
Volvo cuts 2026 EX90 prices despite major upgrades. Electrek
Ferrari reveals name of first electric car, 'Luce,' with Jony Ive-designed interior. Electrek
2026 Nissan Leaf review: The best budget EV on sale right now. Ars Technica

XPeng European sales more than double in January ahead of first P7+ deliveries. EV Blog
BYD and Geely bid for 230,000-unit Nissan-Mercedes Mexico plant in North American push. Electrek
China expects EU to honor price agreements for Chinese EVs. EV Blog
Nio ET9 demand sinks to new record low with 59 units recorded in January. EV Blog
Xiaomi reveals 990-horsepower YU7 GT performance SUV with 186 mph top speed. Electrek
World's first sodium-ion battery EV debuts and could be a game changer. Electrek

Rivian stock soars after better than expected Q4 results, with tremendous YoY growth led by software. Electrek / TechCrunch
Multiple analysts upgrade Rivian ratings following Q4 beat, with UBS dropping sell rating and Deutsche Bank updating to buy. EV Blog / EV Blog
Rivian to expand EDV lineup with higher-range and AWD variants. EV Blog
Rivian R2 prototypes hit media with new performance specs as Tesla Model Y competitor: 656 HP, 10-80% charge in 30 minutes. Electrek / EV Blog
Rivian quietly delays R2 launch in Canada and Europe. EV Blog
Rivian prepares to unlock another $1B from VW Group once winter testing ends. EV Blog
Rivian expands campaign for direct EV sales with Iowa bill support. EV Blog

Tesla announces Powerwall 3P with native three-phase inverter. Electrek
BYD hits milestone with solid-state EV batteries due out as soon as 2027. Electrek
Solid-state EV battery standard will be introduced in China as real-world tests begin. Electrek
FAW installs 'industry first' semi-solid-state battery in an EV, promising 1,000+ km range. Electrek
Toyota partner breaks ground on solid electrolyte plant for all-solid-state EV batteries. Electrek
XCMG unveils world's biggest all-electric wheel loader for Fortescue. Electrek
AI power crunch sparks 1.5 GWh sodium-ion battery deal. Electrek

ChargePoint data shows new EV bottleneck forming. Electrek
Washington DC curbside parking just became EV charging. Electrek
An astounding number of DC fast chargers came online in 2025. Electrek
Trump administration adds new 'Buy American' requirement for EV charging that would dramatically curtail build-out. The Verge
Boston Public Schools installing 105 DC fast chargers. Electrek
XPeng to deploy 1,000 kW chargers in Europe later this year. EV Blog

EPA finalizes controversial air plan projected to hike fuel costs 76 cents/gallon despite public outcry. Electrek
Trump administration moves to repeal greenhouse gas regulations and undermine EPA enforcement of Clean Air Act. The Verge / TechCrunch
China finalizes proposed ban on Tesla-style hidden door handles for safety. Electrek
Mercedes-Benz recalls nearly 12,000 EVs in the US, recommends parking outside. [EV Blog](https://eletric-vehicles.com/mercedes/mercedes-benz-recalls