Techcrunch Mobility: Within the Rivian Skunkworks program and Trump's gift to Tesla

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Before jumping to the transport news of the week, it is worth noting a couple of articles that focus on ELON ALMIZCLEThe CEO and the largest shareholder of Tesla and the founder of several other companies, including Spacex and Neuralink.

It is possible to remember an investigation that the team here in Techcrunch published in February about the Doge de People in Elon Musk universe. The article, which continues to be updated, focuses on those who work for the Government Efficiency DepartmentAn entity established through the executive order of President Trump. A new report, from another team here in Techcrunch, focuses on the founders and VC that work with Dege. Check out a look!

Speaking of musk, his close ally Triumph It has placed 25% tariffs on all imported cars to the United States, including those of Mexico and Canada. It has also placed a 25% tariff in certain parts used to build cars. As the reporter Sean O'Kane points out, it is a decision that will probably overcome the cost of new and used cars, but it is also a gift for Tesla, the company led by Musk, its largest financial supporter in the presidential elections.

And finally, in other news from am-in-a-simulation, Trevor MiltonThe founder of the Startup of Hydrogen Trucks in Banking Nikola, who was sentenced by fraud, was forgiven by Trump, confirmed the White House to TechCrunch. Tidbit: We wait for hours and hours before the White House confirms.

Ok, go ahead with the rest of the news of the week.

A bird

A bird recently told us that Lucid He is looking at associations as a way of reaching higher levels of autonomy, particularly with the new gravity SUV. Could we see an association with Mobileye or some other unlikely automated driving technology provider?

Do you have advice for us? Send an email to Kirsten Korosec in kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com Or my signal in kkorosec.07, be o'kane in se.okane@techcrunch.com, or Rebecca Bellan in Rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. Look These instructions To learn to contact us through encrypted messaging applications or securedrop.

Business!

WELP, here is an agreement that is not related to transport, but deserves much attention.

Techcrunch It was acquired by the Private Investment Firm Regent. Financial terms were not revealed, but our previous sooner Yahoo Holdings is maintaining a small part of the property. The acquisition, which has not yet been closed, occurs only a few days after Regent bought Foundry, the editor in the home of technological publications such as PCWORLD, MacWorld, InfoWorld and CIO.

Other offers that caught my attention …

BetterfleetThe company based in Michigan developed in charge of charge management, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/18/3044615/0/en/BetterFleet-Lands-15M-to-Accelerate-Global-Adoption-of-Breakthrough-ai-Enabled-EV-Charging-Management-for-Fleets.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>Raised $ 15 million In a financing round of the A Series A directed by the aligned climate capital, the Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) and the remarkable climate of Ventures (RVC).

The Bot companyThe robotics startup founded by former co -founder and CEO of Cruise Kyle VogtHe has raised $ 150 million in a round directed by Greenoaks, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/former-cruise-ceo-vogts-robotics-startup-valued-2-billion-new-funding-sources-2025-03-21/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>Reuters He informed, citing unidentified sources.

Dischargea startup of EV load infrastructure, <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/DeCharge__/status/1905257602289930515″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>raised $ 2.5 million

Fleeta vehicle fleet software management company, raised $ 450 million in a round led by Elephant VC and Goldman Sachs alternatives. The funds will be used to finance the purchase of the Autorate Maintenance Authorization Platform.

Mannathe Dublin -based drone delivery company, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/manna-drone-delivery-firm-raises-30m-bringing-total-to-60m/a1161974177.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>Raised $ 30 million in a round led by Tapestry VC and Molten Ventures. Coca-Cola and Dynama Venture also participated.

Notable readings and other little things

Autonomous vehicles

Waymo Robotaxi trips will begin to offer Washington, DC, through the Waymo One application in 2026. There is an important trap: before Waymo can be launched commercially, the company will have to increase its lobbying game in the capital, where autonomous vehicle permits still require a human behind the steering wheel, according to Rebecca Bellan.

Electric vehicles, load and batteries

BydThe advance of the EV load last week led Chant's reporter Tim to get more information.

Cadillac Another EV debuted: the SUV OPTIQ. The taxpayer Emme Hall had the opportunity to drive the Optiq and the new IQ of Escalade.

RollickThe Brooklyn headquarters cargo infrastructure startup launched its first fast charging station in San Francisco.

Riviano Operated a Skunkworks program for years focused on electric micromobilility, founder and CEO RJ Scaringe He told TechCrunch. Now, Rivian is turning the startup, also known, with $ 105 million in Eclipse Ventures funds. Rivian has a minority participation in also and Scaringe will serve on his board. Chris Yu, Vice President of Future Programs of Rivian, will be its president.

<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-n-car-tech“>YoN-Car tech

Waze has eliminated the iOS Google assistant due to ongoing problems. The company plans to introduce an “improved voice interaction solution” at some point in the near future as a replacement.