Autos
Tesla embraces recurring revenue, offering FSD autonomy as a subscription-only service
Tesla’s Chief executive Elon Musk has confirmed that the company will eliminate the one-time purchase option for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) package in the U.S., moving exclusively to a monthly subscription model beginning February 14.
The move illustrates the brand’s decision to lean heavily in to recurring revenue streams and subscription services—think X premium, launched in October 2023.
New York Governor gives the green light to robotaxis in state address
Robotaxis may be a familiar sight in Texas and California, but as self-driving vehicles ramp up in more than 20 states, New York has historically shown trepidation when it comes to advancing welcoming AV legislation.
All of this could be set to change following New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s unveiling of plans to legalize robotaxis in the state of New York during her State of the State address on Tuesday.
Ford promises Level 3 autonomy by 2028 at CES
A host of exciting developments came out of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas last week.
Among the speakers was Ford’s chief EV, digital, and design officer, Doug Field, who laid out Ford’s roadmap for hands-free, eyes-off driving. Alongside this announcement, Ford revealed plans for an AI assistant and a new “vehicle brain” module.
UK Government unveils new Road Safety Strategy combatting drink driving and inexperienced motorists
This week, the UK government announced its new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade.
The government claims this new strategy will save thousands of lives on UK roads through a series of reforms, including a crackdown on drunk driving and mandatory eye tests for older drivers.
Latest McKinsey report concludes autonomous technology is “developing rapidly, but the future is still in flux”
Globally leading consultancy firm McKinsey & Company yesterday published its third biannual survey on autonomous vehicle technology, the first since 2023.
The report attempts to provide a comprehensive forecast of autonomous technology, offering a deep dive into the current trends and predictions dominating the fast-paced autonomous vehicle industry. Summarising its global findings from 2025, the report began: “Autonomous-vehicle technology is developing rapidly, but the future is still in flux.”
Nvidia unveils AI platform to equip self-driving cars with human-like “reasoning”
News The world’s leading AI chipmaker, Nvidia, has announced a new tech platform, Alpamayo, which promises to equip self-driving cars with “reasoning” capabilities. Taking to the stage at Las Vegas’ CES, Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, laid out the next leg of the...
China’s BYD overtakes Tesla in annual EV sales for 2025
News Chinese automaker BYD has usurped Tesla’s title as the world’s biggest electric car maker in 2025. As founder Elon Musk turns his attention to humanoid robots and autonomous driving technology, the American electric car maker is facing declining vehicle sales for...
Waymo to update its software after San Francisco power outage wreaks havoc on its robotaxi fleet
News Last weekend, Waymo came under fire after several of its vehicles were affected by a citywide power outage in San Francisco that left many of its vehicles stalled at intersections. Waymo has since announced it will update software across its robotaxi fleet to...
Battery manufacturers say “Made in Europe” regulation is essential to compete with China
News Europe’s race to secure its electric vehicle future is increasingly centred on one question: how much of an EV should be made at home? As Brussels prepares proposals to raise local content requirements for products such as cars and solar panels, senior figures...
Baidu’s partnerships with Uber and Lyft promise robotaxis in London from 2026
News Baidu has announced it will be teaming up with both Uber and Lyft to deliver autonomous robotaxis in London, consolidating the UK as the next hotbed for autonomous innovation. On Monday, Uber announced it would begin pilot programmes in the UK capital following...
Flying taxi technology ‘takes off’ in the UK and U.S.
News Flying taxis may sound like a space-age fantasy, but they could be with us sooner than we think. China has recently approved its first flying taxis for commercial passenger service, granting EHang holdings and its subsidiary Heyi Aviation air operator...
Europe accused of ‘mixed signals’ as it softens its 2035 EV mandate
News In 2022, the European Union voted to impose a decisive vehicle emissions mandate banning the sale of all new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, including hybrids. The legislation reflected the EU’s united effort toward mass electrification and a clean energy...
Europe accelerates towards a circular economy with new regulation on End-of-Life Vehicles
News The European Union has announced new legislation that could reshape how vehicles are designed, produced, dismantled and recycled across the EU, following a provisional agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission's...
Ford and Renault announce strategic partnership to co-develop small EVs in Europe
News Ford may have walked back its decision to go all-electric in Europe by 2030, but its commitment to electrification persists. Today, Ford announced a landmark alliance with French automaker Renault to co-develop a series of small electric vehicles for the European...
From metal to monthly fees: How subscription services are redefining the SDV
News Subscription services are, for many of us, an accepted part of modern life; from streaming platforms such as Netflix or Spotify to meal subscriptions, gym memberships, and pay-as-you-go dating apps, the paid subscription model has transformed the way we consume,...
Building resilient SDVs: The importance of integrated cyber defence
News Today, cars are less a vessel to get you from A to B and more an extension of our homes, living rooms, and phone screens. As vehicles become increasingly software-defined, equipped with features such as over-the-air updates, adaptive cruise control, smartphone...
U.S. government endorses female crash dummy to close safety gap for female motorists
News In the U.S., licensed female drivers outnumber licensed male drivers by about three million, and yet when it comes to safety features, the majority of vehicle testing is still carried out using outdated data and models designed to protect the average man....
WeRide and Uber launch first driverless robotaxi service in the Middle East
News Uber is ramping up its investment in autonomous vehicle technology, launching its driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, the first of its kind in the Middle East. The announcement, made on Wednesday, is part of a joint venture with Chinese company and global...
Pony.ai and Bolt launch strategic partnership to accelerate autonomy in Europe
News Europe’s transport and mobility landscape is edging closer to full automation, as Estonian ride-hailing giant Bolt announces a strategic partnership with Chinese autonomous driving specialist Pony.ai. The collaboration marks a significant step toward introducing...
China’s diesel-powered trucks face rapid electric overhaul
News China is accelerating its transition from diesel-powered trucks to electric alternatives at breakneck speed. Once almost entirely dependent on diesel for heavy freight, the country has seen a sharp rise in electric truck adoption, signalling profound changes for...
Autonomy on a macro scale: Pony.ai announces line-up of Gen 4 autonomous trucks
News Pony.ai, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, today announced its line-up of fourth-generation (Gen-4) autonomous trucks, positioning itself at the forefront of China’s autonomous logistics transformation. Set to hit Chinese roads in 2026, these...
Zoox to rival Waymo as they launch in San Francisco
News Google began testing its autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo, in San Francisco back in 2009. Since then, the Bay Area has become a hotbed for autonomous innovation, with Waymo now expanding its service to Californian freeways, as announced earlier this month....
Rivian and Volkswagen’s transatlantic SDV alliance races ahead
News A year ago, German legacy automaker Volkswagen announced a strategic partnership with American EV innovator Rivian under the joint venture RV Tech. The collaboration aims to produce a new line-up of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), combining the automotive...
EV sales steadily rise in Latin America
News With the EU’s EV mandate up for debate and the politicisation of electric vehicles casting doubt on the American EV market, the global outlook for EV uptake seems, at first glance, murky. However, if we look more broadly at the global landscape, the race to...
EVs to pay London congestion charge from 2026
News London’s congestion charge is set for one of its biggest shifts in years, with both the cost of entering the zone and the treatment of electric vehicles set to dramatically shift in 2026. The development represents mayor Sadiq Khan’s latest step to incentivize...
Waymo’s driverless robotaxis are arriving on highways in these U.S. cities
News The autonomous ride-hailing service Waymo is set to expand its operations onto U.S. highways in the coming days, offering the world’s first paid, driverless highway service. Waymo has selected three U.S cities to roll out its driverless robotaxi service- San...
GM urges supply chain to end reliance on China
News In an effort to tackle the company’s reliance on Chinese markets, American automotive giant General Motors is urging its suppliers to remove Chinese parts from their supply chains. Executives at the company have warned suppliers to rethink where they are sourcing...
Should the EU stand firm on its EV mandate?
Opinion Two years ago, the European Union decided to impose a mandate, banning the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars by the year 2035. Now, just a decade out from this historic target, the mandate is up for review with the process likely to begin in the...
