Luminar Technologies has deepened ties with Volvo Cars to develop and eventually sell an automated driving system for highways to other automakers. The partnership, announced Thursday, is between Luminar and Volvo’s self-driving software subsidiary Zenseact. The two companies are combining their tech to create what Luminar founder and CEO Austin Russell described as a “holistic… Continue reading Luminar, Volvo subsidiary partner to sell automated driving systems to automakers
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
GM partners with startup SolidEnergy Systems to pack more energy in its batteries
GM’s venture arm invested in battery startup SolidEnergy Systems five years ago. Now, GM is tapping the MIT spinout to help it pack more energy into its batteries, the latest in a string of moves by the automaker aimed at accelerating its shift to electric vehicles. GM president Mark Reuss, who announced the partnership Thursday… Continue reading GM partners with startup SolidEnergy Systems to pack more energy in its batteries
Canoo combines work and play in its new electric pickup truck
Los-Angeles based startup Canoo revealed its newest — and now third — electric vehicle, a pickup truck that does away with the sharp corners and huge engine housing of both comparable EV trucks and legacy diesel pickups and is aimed at both commercial customers and weekend warrior-minded consumers. The truck, which Canoo says is the… Continue reading Canoo combines work and play in its new electric pickup truck
South Africa’s FlexClub adds $5M to seed round to scale its car subscription marketplace
The traditional process of buying, insuring and financing cars across emerging markets can be challenging, and it defeats the purpose of building an all-around car shopping experience. Today, FlexClub, a South African company, has been provided with $5 million to improve drivers’ experience in these markets. FlexClub was founded in 2019 by Marlon Gallardo, Rudolf… Continue reading South Africa’s FlexClub adds $5M to seed round to scale its car subscription marketplace
EV subscription service Onto partners with Shell to expand access to charging
British electric vehicle subscription service Onto has partnered with Shell to give its users access to charging stations in preparation for a wave of new EVs coming to market over the next several years. The partnership, which Shell announced Tuesday, will give Onto customers access to more than 3,400 Shell Recharge charge points in the… Continue reading EV subscription service Onto partners with Shell to expand access to charging
Populus AI plots expansion with $5M in new funding
The wave of shared electric scooters that swept through cities several years ago helped Populus AI get its start. Now, surging demand for delivery — and the pressure it places on curb space — is helping the transportation data startup attract new capital and expand to more cities. Populus, a San Francisco-based startup founded in… Continue reading Populus AI plots expansion with $5M in new funding
Polestar, ChargePoint introduce seamless charging in new partnership
A new alliance between Swedish electric performance automaker Polestar and EV infrastructure startup ChargePoint takes aim at the charging experience with the debut of an in-car app that will let customers seamlessly charge their Polestar 2 model vehicles. Seamless charging—being able to pull up to a charging station, plug in and let the vehicle handle… Continue reading Polestar, ChargePoint introduce seamless charging in new partnership
While eyeing a SPAC, Swedish autonomous EV company Einride nears $75 million in new funding
Swedish autonomous electric vehicle startup Einride is aiming to continue the momentum sparked by partnerships with Oatly and Lidl by seeking additional capital, TechCrunch has learned. Einride is seeking $75 million in new financing, while at the same time exploring the potential for a public listing through a special purpose acquisition company, according to people… Continue reading While eyeing a SPAC, Swedish autonomous EV company Einride nears $75 million in new funding
Last-mile delivery robotics company Refraction AI raises $4.2M
Ann Arbor-based Refraction AI announced today that it has raised a $4.2 million seed round. The startup, which debuted on the TechCrunch Sessions: Mobility stage back in 2019, was founded by a pair of University of Michigan professors (Matthew Johnson-Roberson — now CTO — and Ram Vasudevan) seeking to solve a number of issues posed… Continue reading Last-mile delivery robotics company Refraction AI raises $4.2M
California bill would require all self-driving vehicles to be zero emission by 2025
California might be the first state to give self-driving cars a deadline to electrify. In mid-February, a bill was quietly introduced into the California State Legislature that would require all autonomous vehicles to also be zero emission by 2025. Proposed Bill SB 500, which was introduced by Senator Dave Min and sponsored by the Union… Continue reading California bill would require all self-driving vehicles to be zero emission by 2025