Tesla, autonomy, charging and the wider EV market.
The 2027 Ford Mustang Mach-E now comes standard with an 88 kWh battery and starts at $40,000. A new Trail model is available as a $2,295 package upgrade. The 2027 Mustang Mach-E lineup includes five trims: Select, Premium, GT, Rally, and Trail.
Why it matters: This change makes the extended-range battery more accessible to a wider range of buyers.
Ford has updated the 2027 Mustang Mach-E with a standard extended-range battery, increasing its range. The new battery is available across all trim levels without an additional cost. A new Trail trim with lifted suspension has also been added.
Why it matters: This update may appeal to buyers who prioritize range and off-road capability.
Winning over a skeptical test driver takes more than horsepower.
Redwood Materials and Rivian are expanding their partnership to include battery material recycling, with Redwood collecting, sorting, and recycling Rivian's battery production scrap materials. The partnership will also see retired Rivian batteries repurposed for stationary energy projects before being recycled. The deal aims to minimize waste and reduce costs.
Why it matters: This partnership demonstrates a growing trend of electric vehicle manufacturers prioritizing sustainable battery recycling and reducing waste in the industry.
The city of Seattle is installing hundreds of curbside electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Residents will be involved in deciding where the chargers are placed. The city is prioritizing areas with apartment buildings.
Why it matters: This initiative aims to increase EV adoption and accessibility in Seattle.
Spotify has developed a native in-car app for electric vehicles, specifically designed for Audi's e-tron models. The app will be available on the Audi A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron worldwide. The app was built without Google's design restrictions.
Why it matters: This new app provides a more seamless and customized music experience for Audi e-tron owners.
Tesla has announced that the Cybercab will be available for purchase by the end of 2026, with initial deliveries starting small as the company gains experience with delivery logistics and autonomous vehicle operation. The Cybercab is a two-seater vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, relying on Tesla's Full Self-Driving suite. Production is currently underway at Gigafactory Texas, with all units initially going to Tesla's internal Robotaxi fleet.
Why it matters: This announcement provides clarity on the availability of the Cybercab, a key product in Tesla's autonomous transportation plans.
Tesla reported that 75% of new car buyers in North America subscribe to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The subscription costs $99 per month. The data is based on Tesla's latest subscription numbers.
Why it matters: This trend suggests a strong demand for advanced driver assistance systems in the automotive industry.
Tesla has released an update to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, version 14.3.12, which includes various improvements to the system's neural network, AI compiler, and reaction time. The update also addresses issues with lane biasing, tailgating, and parking. Additionally, the update introduces new features such as improved traffic light handling and parking location prediction.
Why it matters: This update is significant for Tesla owners who use the FSD system, as it improves the system's performance and safety features, making it more reliable and efficient.
Rio Tinto is working with Rondo Energy to develop a large heat battery to store midday electricity and use it to generate steam at its Yarwun alumina refinery in Australia. The battery would reduce the refinery's direct emissions by 67,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. The project is still in the study stage, with a feasibility study expected to take about 12 months.
Why it matters: This project could provide a viable alternative to fossil fuels for part of the refinery's steam requirements, reducing emissions and costs.
Tesla plans to deliver Cybercab, a car with no steering wheel, to customers by the end of 2026. The vehicle will be part of Tesla's Robotaxi fleet, but it is unclear how customers will use it. Tesla also stated that unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) software will be available to customers in Q2 2027.
Why it matters: This development raises questions about the practicality and usability of Tesla's autonomous vehicles.
Tesla has pushed back its timeline for unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) to Q2 2027, with the feature only available in Tesla's managed Robotaxi zones. The feature will allow owners to add their vehicles to Tesla's fleet, enabling unsupervised driving within designated areas. This is a narrower scope than previously promised, with Tesla limiting the feature to low-speed routes and avoiding highways and harder parts of town.
Why it matters: This development may impact Tesla FSD buyers who were expecting a car that would drive them anywhere, and may need to adjust their expectations.
But the vast majority of Cybercabs will be owned by Tesla, CEO Elon Musk says.
Even if Democrats flip congress, they won't be able to make meaningful change.
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature is now included with 75% of new Tesla deliveries in North America, and active FSD subscriptions reached a record 1.74 million. The numbers were announced in Tesla's Q3 2026 earnings report. FSD adoption has increased by nearly 20 percentage points in a single quarter.
Why it matters: The growing adoption of FSD subscriptions suggests that the feature is becoming a key factor in Tesla's sales strategy and may have implications for the company's future revenue and profitability.
Porsche has introduced wireless charging for its Cayenne Electric SUV, allowing drivers to charge the vehicle by parking it over a charging pad. The system uses inductive charging and has safety features to prevent overheating. The technology is being rolled out globally in stages, starting in Germany and other European markets.
Why it matters: This technology could become a standard feature in future electric vehicles, making charging more convenient and reducing the need for cables.
Tesla's energy revenue dropped 16% year-over-year to $2.88 billion in Q3 2026, despite a 10% increase in storage deployments to 13.7 GWh. The company attributed the decline to 'tariff-related customer refunds'. Tesla's energy gross profit fell to $954 million from $1.07 billion a year ago. The company deployed 36 GWh of energy storage in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% from the same period in 2025.
Why it matters: The decline in energy revenue highlights the ongoing impact of tariffs on Tesla's business, which may continue to affect the company's financial performance.
BYD is set to launch the Denza N8 EV, a luxury electric SUV with a range of over 623 miles, featuring BYD's second-generation Blade Batteries and Flash Charging Technology. The vehicle will be available in single rear-wheel-drive or tri-motor all-wheel-drive configurations. The Denza N8 EV will have a 130.15 kWh battery and two digital screens, including a 30-inch center infotainment screen and a 43-inch panoramic head-up display.
Why it matters: The Denza N8 EV's long range and advanced charging capabilities make it a significant player in the luxury electric SUV market.
Tesla's active Full Self-Driving subscriptions have reached 1.74 million, a 67% increase from a year ago, with 260,000 new subscriptions added in Q3. The metric includes both upfront payments and monthly subscriptions. Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has a pay package tied to reaching 10 million active FSD subscriptions by 2025.
Why it matters: This milestone is significant for investors as it is one of the operational milestones required for Elon Musk to earn his 2025 pay package.
Tesla reported Q3 2026 sales were down 2% year-over-year, with 486,532 vehicles delivered. The company cited battery supply as the limiting factor, but its prices continued to fall. Tesla's factories ran at 81% capacity, with a 11-day global inventory supply.
Why it matters: This situation highlights the complexities of Tesla's production and pricing strategies, which may be influenced by both supply chain constraints and business decisions.
Tesla reported Q3 2026 earnings with revenues of $28.046 billion, beating expectations. The company's operating margin was 2.6%, and non-GAAP EPS was $0.48. Tesla also began volume production of the Tesla Semi and continued to grow its Full Self-Driving (FSD) attach rate.
Why it matters: The earnings report provides insight into Tesla's financial performance and progress on its product development and autonomous driving initiatives.
Tesla reported Q3 2026 financial results with revenue of $28.05 billion, flat from a year ago, and non-GAAP earnings of $0.48 per share, beating the consensus but down 4% from a year ago. Operating income fell 56% year-over-year due to increased spending on AI and Optimus. Total gross margin was 19.6%, up 160 basis points from a year ago.
Why it matters: The results show Tesla's profit slide has continued, despite a rebound in margins, and the company's spending on AI and Optimus is a key factor in its operating income decline.
Tesla has released eight official wallpapers for the new Roadster, featuring various designs and features of the car. The wallpapers showcase the car's capabilities, including its kickflip and hover mode. The new Roadster has a distinct design, with a sharp, wedge-shaped silhouette and active aero features.
Why it matters: These wallpapers provide a closer look at the new Roadster's design and features for fans and enthusiasts.
BMW's first three-row electric SUV, the iX7, has been spotted testing at the Nürburgring in Germany, offering a sneak peek at the full-size luxury SUV. The iX7 will feature a more traditional design than BMW's Neue Klasse EVs, with a wider and chunkier grille and split headlights. The SUV is expected to debut in mid-2027 and go into production at BMW's Spartanburg plant in the US in late 2027.
Why it matters: The iX7's debut will be an important milestone in BMW's transition to electric vehicles and its expansion of electric SUV options.
Tesla has launched a Robotaxi Vehicle Safety Report website, revealing safety data and upcoming cities for Robotaxi service. The report shows the miles driven autonomously by Tesla's Robotaxi fleet, including breakdowns by city. The fleet has driven over 3.3 million miles autonomously, with no reported incidents.
Why it matters: The report provides insight into the safety and performance of Tesla's autonomous driving technology.
General Motors is introducing a new feature called OnStar Connected Cameras, which allows owners to record and store footage from their vehicle's cameras. The feature is similar to Tesla's Sentry Mode, which allows owners to record and monitor their surroundings. The feature will be available on select 2022 models.
Why it matters: This feature provides owners with an added layer of security and peace of mind, allowing them to review footage in case of an incident.
Move over Chevy, there's a new second-place in town.
AlixPartners found that Chinese EV manufacturers have lower production costs compared to European ones. The consulting firm analyzed the costs of building electric vehicles in China and Europe. Chinese manufacturers have a significant cost advantage due to lower labor, material, and regulatory costs.
Why it matters: This cost disparity may impact the competitiveness of European EV manufacturers in the global market.
GM has revealed details of its fourth-generation EV platform, which features 30% less wiring and 20% less battery. The platform is designed to support a wide range of electric vehicles. The company did not provide further information on the platform's specifications.
Why it matters: This new platform could lead to more efficient and cost-effective electric vehicles.
Heybike is offering exclusive deals on its Mars 2.5 and Ranger S 2.0 e-bikes, with savings of up to $389. Segway's E2 Pro Electric Scooter is also discounted to $419.99. BougeRV's Electric Utility Cart is available for $869.99.
Why it matters: These deals can help readers save money on electric vehicles and accessories.
