Transpo

After tracking down an unsuspecting Cybertruck stopped at a traffic light, the anonymous TikToker in a Jack Skeleton mask uses a projector mounted on their dash to display crude jokes about Musk on the truck’s lift gate. Messages include “The most recalled truck in 2024” and “Musk, this truck is really like you... tons of hype, underwhelming in bed.” There’s also plenty of Nazi imagery, after Musk’s infamous fascist salute at Trump’s inauguration. Sure, it requires more technical skills than spraying “Fuck Elon” on a bunch of Teslas. But @cybertruck_hunters certainly wins points for ingenuity.

This isn’t much of a shock, considering Trump has been loudly considering this for weeks. But today, the Federal Highway Administration made it official by rescinding its approval for congestion pricing in New York City. Interestingly, one of reasons given for cancelling the toll was that the price was “set primarily to raise revenue for transit, rather than at an amount needed to reduce congestion.” (You’ll remember NY Gov. Kathy Hochul tweaked the price before its launch.) Data has shown that congestion pricing is succeeding in both aspects, raising needed cash for transit and discouraging drivers from entering congested Manhattan. Anyway, this seems like yet another Trump thing headed for the courts.

The Rideshare Guy’s Harry Campbell got ahold of a survey asking about a potential Waymo membership program, with potential perks such as cash back and discounts for future robotaxi rides. The monthly plans could cost between $9.99-$29.99. As Campbell notes, with a small but ardent customer base, it makes sense that Waymo is trying to lock in loyalty of its fans, especially as it looks to grow to new markets. Still, it begs the question whether the company is jumping the gun by introducing a membership program while operating in only three cities. And unlike Uber, Waymo doesn’t have a food delivery business with which to whet appetites.

One race of a double-header Formula E weekend saw the first use of Pit Boost stops as the nearly decade-old series required drivers to stop for a quick 600kW battery charge that increases energy by about 10 percent.

Tesla leaker Chris Zheng claims the company will return the signal stalk to the Model 3, which went stalkless after its 2024 redesign. Tesla deleted the turn signal and drive stalks on its redesigned Model S and Model X vehicles as well, moving the controls to steering wheel buttons and the center touchscreen and relying on automation. But now it seems like the stalk is making a comeback. For example, the recent Model Y redesign included a simplified turn signal stalk.

Once a vehicle primarily favored by circus clowns, unicycles have not only gotten an electric upgrade, but other enhancement like knobby tires, hi-torque motors, and batteries good for 100 miles. As The Autopian’s Emme Hall recently shared, for the past couple of years some intrepid riders have even been taking them off-road in the deserts of California, racing down steep rock-covered hills without the safety benefits of roll cages or five-point harnesses.

Delta Airlines flight 4819 from Minneapolis, MN crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, USA Today reports. Images shared by Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley show the plane upside down on the tarmac.

Tesla sales have plummeted in several countries over the last month, dropping by 38 percent in Norway, 63 percent in France, and 75 percent in Spain. Only 1,277 new Teslas were registered in Germany in January, a 60 percent drop compared to the previous year.

Along with the event launch date, VW Group CEO Thomas Schäfer posted a new sketch on LinkedIn showing a cute high-roofline crossover that probably won’t come to the US. The EV was referred to as the “ID. Every 1,” but that’s only the show car name.

Avride’s fleet of sidewalk delivery robots has arrived in Jersey City, New Jersey, where they will begin ferrying Uber Eats orders starting this week. The bots have a range of 31 miles and can drive at up to 5mph, even through rain or snow.

The two Japanese automakers said the deal had been terminated to prioritize “management measures in an increasingly volatile market environment heading into the era of electrification.”

Ars Technica reports that the agency has removed a 2022 dataset of car crash fatalities that had some unique statistics:

A new interface update adds search and quick navigation buttons to the main screen on the right side, so you don’t have to tap to make the top bar appear to start your next trip, 9to5Google and autoevolution report. The new shortcut button lets you tap to quickly begin navigating to home or work based on the time of day.

Captured by one of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s passive acoustic recorders moored approximately 900 miles away, the audio clip includes sounds believed to be the acoustic signature of OceanGate’s Titan submarine’s implosion on June 18th, 2023

To promote its trains as the ideal way for gamers to travel (a marketing approach that once included a branded Nintendo DSi) Amtrak suggests bringing a CRT for a “Smash Melee tournament,” as spotted by X user Smyles.

The rideshare company just reported its first full year of profitability (based on generally accepted accounting principles). And it only took *checks notes* 13 years! (Uber accomplished this last year.) Net income for 2024 was $22.8 million on adjusted earnings of $382.4 million, compared to a net loss of $340.3 million in 2023. Gross bookings were up 17 percent, and revenue was up 31 percent. But shares were down in after-market trading based on a slightly gloomier than expected outlook for 2025. Still, a significant milestone for the historically money-losing rideshare company.

Tesla confirmed the launch of Full Self-Driving in Mexico, replying “¡Hola México!” to a Tesla Owners Mexico post that shows the software running in the country. Previously, FSD would downgrade to Autopilot for US Tesla owners who cross the border to Mexico. Mexico doesn’t have as stringent safety rules as the EU, which was expected to approve a version of FSD in early 2025. Musk later said that’s “proving challenging” during an earnings call.

The electric automaker posted a set of images on X, including one showing tire tracks on sandy grounds and another with desert land visible through an R1T gear tunnel. It could be a new Hard Sand drive mode to accompany the Soft Sand mode that’s been available since 2022. It could also be an additional trim for the R1T pickup.

The investment builds on last year’s $430 million equity deal and leaves the aviation company with approximately $1 billion in liquidity. Archer says the money will be put toward building out its manufacturing capability in anticipation of launching an air taxi network in Los Angeles in time for the 2026 Olympics. The company is also moving more into the defense space, with plans to next-gen military aircraft for Anduril Industries. This funding round included investments from Blackrock, Willington, and leading institutional developers, Archer says.

Boom’s XB-1 test craft has flown at supersonic speeds for a second time following its first flight last month, and this time nobody heard a thing. Microphones below the flight path confirmed no sonic boom was audible at the ground.

Originally scheduled to go on sale in spring 2024, the SS version of Chevy’s Blazer EV is finally close to shipping amid rumors the gas-powered Blazer is going away. Orders are now open for the vehicle that promises 615hp in Wide Open Watts mode and a 3.4 second 0 - 60 time.