Transportation Archive

EV prices could go up by as much as $1,000 thanks to the Trump administration’s decision to impose a 93.5 percent tariff on graphite imports from China. Tesla lobbied against the levy, arguing that US-based graphite producers aren’t prepared to supply the essential battery material “at the quality and purity required by Tesla and other battery cell manufacturers.” But those pleas fell on deaf ears. In addition to Tesla, companies like Ford and Panasonic that are building battery plants in the US are going to be negatively impacted.

Yet another reason we need local news: Cleveland’s WKYC interviewed the guy who’s been piloting a hot-dog-shaped motorboat on Ohio rivers. A hot dog boat? I never sausage a thing.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Troy Jones, director of Tesla’s North American sales, is leaving after 15 years at the company. This comes after Tesla reported a steep drop in sales for the second quarter. Other execs have similarly been fleeing. Elon Musk fired Omead Afshar, who formerly led operations in North America and Europe. And the company’s director of human resources for North America, Jenna Ferrua, departed in June, according to the Journal. The C-suite is getting thin.

The electric automaker is launching its new map built on top of Google Maps using the service’s Automotive SDK. Rivian, which notably does not allow Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in its vehicles, says the new maps feature real-time traffic updates, tappable points of interest, and satellite imagery.

Don’t expect Elon’s EV company to turn its fortunes around any time soon after launching in India today. It may be the world’s third-biggest auto market, but EVs make up less than 5 percent.

The Swedish automaker said it will take a one-off, non-cash impairment charge of 11.4 billion Swedish kronor ($1.19 billion) in the second quarter related to two plug-in models: the EX90 and ES90. That means Volvo is basically reducing the value of the EVs on its balance sheet. The reason is because Donald Trump’s tariffs are making it impossible for Volvo to make a profit on these models. The EX60 is still on track, apparently.

The automaker announced today that it will upgrade its Spring Hill, TN factory for the production of low-cost lithium-ion phosphate batteries. The factory is run by Ultium Cells, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, building on a $2.3 billion investment from 2021. Tesla and Ford are also producing electric vehicles with LFP batteries, which tend to be cheaper and longer lasting but aren’t as energy dense as NCM (nickel cobalt manganese) batteries. Ultium Cells also supplies batteries to Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, and Rivian.