Week ending: 2026-02-13
Autonomous Vehicles
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Waymo is asking DoorDash drivers to close robotaxi doors when riders leave them open, addressing an operational challenge for driverless vehicles. Ars Technica / TechCrunch
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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
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Aurora's driverless trucks can now travel farther distances faster than human drivers, tripling their network coverage. TechCrunch / The Verge
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Lucid-Uber robotaxi spotted testing in Bay Area ahead of late 2026 launch. EV Blog
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House Committee approves bill easing path for autonomous vehicles in the US. EV Blog
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Waymo leverages Google's Genie 3 to create world models for self-driving simulation. Ars Technica
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Self-driving startup Waabi raises $1B and partners with Uber to expand into robotaxis. Phocuswire
Electric Vehicles - Sales & Market Trends
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Tesla US sales estimated to have dropped 17% in January, with China sales crashing 45% to lowest level in over three years. Electrek / Electrek
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Europe surges while US stumbles and China cools, with global EV sales dipping in 2026. Electrek
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BYD outsells Tesla 10-to-1 in Australia as Chinese EVs dominate January sales. Electrek
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Tesla UK sales plunge 57% in January as BYD races ahead. Electrek
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Xiaomi YU7 beats Tesla Model Y as China's best-seller in January. EV Blog
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Norway sold only 98 diesel cars in January even after cutting EV incentives. Electrek
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Ford takes a page from BYD after the Chinese EV maker outsold it for the first time. Electrek
Electric Vehicles - Product Launches & Updates
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Hyundai is spicing up new EVs with design updates, including a new Crater-inspired SUV spotted testing. Electrek / Electrek
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Audi is putting finishing touches on its most affordable EV, a sibling to the VW ID.3. Electrek
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Toyota reveals Highlander EV as first 3-row electric SUV with 320 miles range. Electrek / The Verge
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Genesis unveils $200,000+ GV90 ultra-luxe electric SUV with coach doors. Electrek
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Kia's electric van gets first camping kit that turns PV5 into campsite in minutes. Electrek
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Subaru is next in line to launch a three-row electric SUV. Electrek
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Volvo cuts 2026 EX90 prices despite major upgrades. Electrek
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Ferrari reveals name of first electric car, 'Luce,' with Jony Ive-designed interior. Electrek
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2026 Nissan Leaf review: The best budget EV on sale right now. Ars Technica
Electric Vehicles - Chinese Manufacturers
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XPeng European sales more than double in January ahead of first P7+ deliveries. EV Blog
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BYD and Geely bid for 230,000-unit Nissan-Mercedes Mexico plant in North American push. Electrek
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China expects EU to honor price agreements for Chinese EVs. EV Blog
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Nio ET9 demand sinks to new record low with 59 units recorded in January. EV Blog
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Xiaomi reveals 990-horsepower YU7 GT performance SUV with 186 mph top speed. Electrek
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World's first sodium-ion battery EV debuts and could be a game changer. Electrek
Rivian
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Rivian stock soars after better than expected Q4 results, with tremendous YoY growth led by software. Electrek / TechCrunch
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Multiple analysts upgrade Rivian ratings following Q4 beat, with UBS dropping sell rating and Deutsche Bank updating to buy. EV Blog / EV Blog
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Rivian to expand EDV lineup with higher-range and AWD variants. EV Blog
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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
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Rivian quietly delays R2 launch in Canada and Europe. EV Blog
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Rivian prepares to unlock another $1B from VW Group once winter testing ends. EV Blog
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Rivian expands campaign for direct EV sales with Iowa bill support. EV Blog
Battery Technology & Energy Storage
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Tesla announces Powerwall 3P with native three-phase inverter. Electrek
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BYD hits milestone with solid-state EV batteries due out as soon as 2027. Electrek
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Solid-state EV battery standard will be introduced in China as real-world tests begin. Electrek
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FAW installs 'industry first' semi-solid-state battery in an EV, promising 1,000+ km range. Electrek
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Toyota partner breaks ground on solid electrolyte plant for all-solid-state EV batteries. Electrek
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XCMG unveils world's biggest all-electric wheel loader for Fortescue. Electrek
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AI power crunch sparks 1.5 GWh sodium-ion battery deal. Electrek
EV Charging Infrastructure
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ChargePoint data shows new EV bottleneck forming. Electrek
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Washington DC curbside parking just became EV charging. Electrek
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An astounding number of DC fast chargers came online in 2025. Electrek
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Trump administration adds new 'Buy American' requirement for EV charging that would dramatically curtail build-out. The Verge
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Boston Public Schools installing 105 DC fast chargers. Electrek
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XPeng to deploy 1,000 kW chargers in Europe later this year. EV Blog
Regulatory & Policy
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EPA finalizes controversial air plan projected to hike fuel costs 76 cents/gallon despite public outcry. Electrek
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Trump administration moves to repeal greenhouse gas regulations and undermine EPA enforcement of Clean Air Act. The Verge / TechCrunch
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China finalizes proposed ban on Tesla-style hidden door handles for safety. Electrek
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Mercedes-Benz recalls nearly 12,000 EVs in the US, recommends parking outside. [EV Blog](https://eletric-vehicles.com/mercedes/mercedes-benz-recalls