Consumer Electronics

An EV monkey wrench: As the end nears for looser EV tax credit requirements, Rivian fights to retain customers while VinFast seizes an opportunity. EVs could get pricier in the short term.

Foxconn shifts from smartphones to tractors: The iPhone maker’s deft moves led to strong Q2 profits. Now, as demand changes, it positions itself to weather uncertainty with a diverse manufacturing base.

An EV pricing debacle: Rising prices for EVs like Ford’s F-150 Lighting run afoul of proposed US tax credit requirements. Premature pressure for domestic EV battery sourcing could make inflation worse.

EV credits or EV crisis? The Inflation Reduction Act moves forward, but automakers think its requirements are bad for the industry. Without robust domestic battery manufacturing, EV adoption could falter.

Amazon looks to give itself a boost before the next Prime Day: The ecommerce giant is purchasing Roomba maker iRobot for $1.7 billion.

Infotainment over environment? Greenpeace praises and criticizes EV-makers’ attitudes on deep-sea mining. The companies may have their reasons, but they can make batteries and respect ocean ecosystems too.

This year, 42.6 million US adults will use a connected fitness platform such as Peloton at least once a month. This figure ballooned from 24.0 million in 2019.

Road clears for new EVs: Automakers catch a break with federal support and increased EV production. Vietnam’s VinFast could shake-up the industry and put eyes on Southeast Asia’s minerals.

More bad news for the EV industry: Already facing mineral shortages, the EV industry is dealt another blow with an aluminum-smelting drop-off. New production methods and more recycling offer hope.

100 companies face coronavirus restrictions in China: The Chinese economy is in peril as it scrambles ramp up production of key exports like iPhones and computers in the face of COVID-19 spikes.

Another EV charging problem: As ACs blast during a Texas heatwave, EV charging could lead to blackouts—but it doesn’t have to. Bidirectional charging can make EVs a lifeline, not a burden.

BYDing for the EV top spot: BYD wins top EV-maker status over Tesla this year, but it isn't a fair comparison. Tesla could take some supply chain lessons from BYD’s playbook.

Gigafactories = ‘gigantic money furnaces’: Supply chain disruptions grind Tesla’s new factories to a near halt. Even when things come back online, the mineral shortage will still be a scourge.

A new battery recipe: Startup Alsym Energy is developing a new EV battery formula to fix lithium-ion’s flaws. But it’ll take automakers deprioritizing luxury models to bring prices down.

As EV adoption accelerates, the necessary charging infrastructure to support it lags behind in the US. The Biden administration has ambitious goals to get the country up to speed, but well-crafted implementation will be crucial to protecting the electrical grid. Part of the solution is harnessing the full potential of EV batteries to bolster energy supplies.

Sun-powered work commute: Lightyear built an EV that can drive 43 miles powered by solar panels. It could usher in an influx of solar-equipped models from other automakers.

We expect relatively strong performance on Prime Day despite a slow start to the year for Amazon and other etailers.

EU agreement could push USB-C standard: For holdouts like Apple, this means the end of proprietary charging cables. For consumers, it means more convenient cross-device charging and substantial savings.

The metaverse market could shortly get a lot bigger: Apple’s RealityOS, rumored for an announcement next Monday, will encourage many on-the-fence consumers to adopt VR.

Didi gets short shrift, again: Forced to delist from NYSE, the ride-hailing giant was made an example of by Beijing’s ruling. Now that China is loosening controls, Didi remains in delisting limbo.