Trucks | Future of Transportation for 2026.03.16
FoT is the intelligence arm of Trucks Venture Capital

Notable

Lucid's investor day previewed a new modular SUV platform in addition to a new purpose-built robotaxi 2-seater called the Lunar (link). We have entered an interesting era of small two-seater AVs (Tesla's 'robotaxi' being the other) where the form factor is mimicking a coupe shape, even though that's not super usable from an ingress/egress perspective. Two designer friends on our group chat: 'If I were Lucid CEO, I would have my team start with Giugiaro’s taxi design...Height and step-in are foundational components.' (link to Giugiaro's concepts).

Researchers show the first large dataset focused on ADAS-to-manual transitions (link). Drivers most frequently use braking (39.6%) to reclaim control, followed by steering (25.3%) and acceleration (13.5%). Most takeovers occur 'within safe kinematic margins (median time-to-collision of 14.9 seconds), suggesting they are often proactive rather than emergency responses.'

NHTSA's forum on AVs last week was industry optimistic, with a message permeating that red tape will be reduced (link). Videos from the event can be found here (link). From a policy friend whose team attended: 'Duffy is committed to monthly updates on AVs with industry.'

Why demand charges can make or break EV charging stations (link). 'For example, a 150 kW fast charger on a tariff with an $8/kW demand charge costs $1,200 per month before delivering a single kWh. At low utilization, that can push the effective electricity cost above $1/kWh, far beyond what most stations can charge drivers.'

The US is counting traffic deaths wrong (link). 'By emphasizing the number of people killed per mile rather than deaths per capita, traffic safety groups risk normalizing the factors that make American roads so deadly.'

Qatar helium shutdown puts chip supply chain on a two-week clock (link). 'SK Hynix forced to diversify after 30% of global supply removed from the market.'

Perhaps the ultimate question for the US auto industry: Can American car companies survive American politics? (link).

Video: 'stance bike cruisers' (link). Video: Harry Metcalf reviews the Gordon Murray T.50 (link). Video: racing sidecars at Nurburgring, 1988 (link).

M&A / Deals / Changes:

Atoms is the new name and structure for Travis Kalanick's CloudKitchens/City Storage entity, this time now including a focus on robotics and automated vehicles (link, link to interview discussing the new project). Reportedly with funding provided by Uber, of all companies. This move by Kalanick back to AVs feels inevitable — and the most reliable signal about AVs rise back up the Gartner curve; more so than another 20 Waymo city announcements.

Home electrification hardware startup Span raises $75 strategic round from Eaton (link).

Teleoperations startup Teleo acquired by defense tech startup Havoc AI (link).

Rivian's robotics startup Mind Robotics raises $500M (link). Led by Accel and Andreessen ‌Horowitz.

Uber, Hyundai-Backed Motional relaunch robotaxi service in Vegas (link).

Vietnamese e-motorcycle startup Dat Bike raises $4M (link). Led by Thien Viet Securities Joint Stock Company (TVS).

Aptiv's spinoff of its electrical distribution system business is approved, will be called Versigent (link).

After Honda shut down a number of EV projects (link), questions remain about its EV joint venture with Sony, named Afeela (link).

Indian vehicle ownership platform Vehicle Info acquired by Cars24 (link).

Qualcomm and AV startup Wayve partner to make AV systems easier to integrate (link). 'The tie-up combines Wayve's "AI Driver" software with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride automotive ​chips and active safety software, creating a platform for carmakers to ​use across models ranging from entry-level systems to advanced automated driving ⁠capabilities.'

Pakistani quick commerce startup Krave Mart acquired by ridehailing firm inDrive (link).

Wireless charging startup InductEV acquired by Electreon (link).

Board & Executive Changes:

Advance Auto Parts: Cynthia Jamison joins board (link).

Plug Power: Jose Luis Crespo, current CEO, joins board (link).

ALV: Monika Grama to become CFO, replacing Fred Westin (link).

Rivian: Sheldon Quan named Chief Corporate Counsel (link). Quan was previously at GM's Cruise.

Nissan: George Leondis to become CFO, replacing Jeremy Papin (link).

Tesla: Thomas Dmytryk departs as director of OTA software (link). Sendil Palani departs as VP of Finance (link).

Curated Jobs:

Autonomous Aircraft Program Chief Engineer at Joby Aviation in Concord, CA, USA (link).

Hiring? Post a job (link). If you're a startup, use code 'Trucks' for free standard listings.

Hunting? View all 242 postings on the MobilityJobs job board (link).

New Stuff:

Joby Aviation's first production model electric air taxi takes off (link). 'Joby ​aims to produce four aircraft a month ​in 2027, at manufacturing facilities in California and Dayton, Ohio.'

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the selection of 8 proposals for the new advanced air mobility and electric vertical takeoff and landing integration pilot program (link). 'The projects span 26 states and involve partnerships between leading aircraft manufacturers (such as Archer, Joby, and BETA), state departments of transportation, and city governments.'

Rivian Announces R2 Trims, Pricing (link). First trim, designated Performance, available in late spring at $59k.

Waking up distracted drivers with in-cabin scents (link). 'Peppermint produced the largest reduction in reaction time and increased beta-related alertness, with higher sympathetic activation. Bergamot yielded smaller speed gains but stronger stabilization of response rhythms and lower perceived workload with reduced confusion.'

US Postal Service introduces low-rider stamps (link). Via FG.

The hot markets for flipping Australian number plates (link). 'I bought 9 more VIC plates for $108k total, sold all 9 for in the secondary market over 1 year for $318,600. Made $196k net after fees.’

Patents & Patent Applications:

GM's patent application shows offline heating of windshield areas to retain camera visibility (link).

Statistics / Projections:

Using miles per kWh as the 'new MPG' on new efficiency rankings: Lucid (1), Tesla and Hyundai (tied for 2), Toyota / Subaru (3) (link). I suppose it's a narrative violation that the most efficient EVs for sale in the US include names Lucid, Hyundai and Toyota.

Global shipments of humanoid robots rose to around 18,000 units in 2025, up 508% year on year (link). Via CGTN / International Data Corporation (IDC). 'AgiBot ranked first in global humanoid robot shipments in 2025 with about 5,200 units, including 1,300 full-size humanoid robots, followed by Unitree Robotics, according to the IDC's report.'

The average transaction price for a new car in the US rose 40% from December 2018 through December of 2025, to about $47,000 (link). Via Reuters / JD Power.

Global EV sales hit 1.1 million in February, down 11% month-on-month (link). Via EVIN / Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI).

With US gasoline prices up $.50/gallon from one month ago, EV searches rise (link). Via Edmunds. '22.4% of searches were for electrified models during the week of March 2, up from 20.7% the week prior.'

Thank you:

Thank you to Ben Bator (link) and Jeremy Jones (link) for offers of introductions to new founders, investors and friends over the last week.

Trucks portfolio companies mentioned in this issue:

Joby Aviation (link), Havoc (link), Motional (link), Teleo (link). View the full portfolio of Trucks companies (link).

One cannot know the limit of speed without first exceeding it (Tazio Nuvolari),

Reilly Brennan