Slate Presents Transforming EV Truck; Tesla Faces Mixed Realities Amid New Regulations

TechCrunch Mobility brings major updates from the transportation sector. The U.S. Department of Transportation introduced a new Automated Vehicle Framework, notably revising crash reporting rules. Companies now have five days to report accidents involving Level 2 automated systems, relaxing previous stricter guidelines, a move contested by consumer advocates. Meanwhile, Slate, a Bezos-backed startup, officially unveiled its ‘transformer’-like electric truck at an event in Long Beach, highlighting its multi-functional design. In the EV world, Tesla’s situation appears paradoxical: its financial performance shows a 71% year-over-year drop in profits, yet excitement grows over its AI-driven ambitions and upcoming robotaxi services. Volkswagen and Uber also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in Los Angeles by 2026. Rivian strengthened its AI capabilities by appointing Cohere’s Aidan Gomez to its board. Faraday Future’s founder Jia Yueting returned as co-CEO despite ongoing SEC investigations. In the ride-hailing industry, Uber expanded its reach through a new Delta partnership and faced an FTC lawsuit over unauthorized subscription charges. These developments showcase the dynamic, sometimes contradictory, evolution of mobility technologies and businesses.