The Vergecast We can’t quit electric cars — or robotaxis
231 snips
Feb 25, 2025 
Transportation reporter Andy Hawkins shares insights on the current shift in the electric vehicle industry, spotlighting the slowing pace of EV production and the renewed interest in robotaxis. He discusses why legacy automakers are struggling to adapt, especially against the backdrop of rising competition from Chinese manufacturers. Meanwhile, Evan Prodromou reveals updates on the ActivityPub protocol and the evolution of the fediverse, discussing platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky, and sharing thoughts on the future of decentralized social networking.
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Car Industry Momentum Shift
- The car industry is experiencing a shift in momentum.
- Electric vehicles are becoming less popular, while robo-taxis are gaining traction.
EV Market Stagnation
- EV sales have plateaued, both in the U.S. and Europe, as well as in China.
- Smaller EV startups, like Nikola, are struggling due to market conditions and policy changes.
Nikola Bankruptcy
- Nikola, an EV truck maker, filed for bankruptcy after facing fraud allegations and market challenges.
- One of their promotional videos showed a non-operational truck rolling downhill.