
Electric vehicle sales are projected to increase by over 20% in 2025, reaching 21 million units, but funding for EV startups remains below previous highs. Notable investments include Wayve's $1.2 billion for autonomous driving technology and Slate Auto's $650 million for customizable electric trucks.
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Sifted · April 28, 2026 · Background
© TechCrunch AIxAI's attempt to dismiss the NAACP's Clean Air Act lawsuit failed after a federal judge ruled that its gas turbines are not exempt mobile sources and that plaintiffs have standing. This legal setback confirms that AI infrastructure operators cannot bypass environmental permitting by classifying heavy industrial equipment as temporary or mobile. The ruling forces xAI to face scrutiny over air quality impacts at its Colossus data center, setting a precedent for how large-scale compute facilities are regulated under existing environmental laws.
© TechCrunch AICrunchbase News · June 22, 2026 · Background
TechCrunch AI · July 1, 2026 · Background
Crunchbase News · August 18, 2026 · Background
OpenAI is scaling back its ambitions as investor appetite for massive AI infrastructure bets cools. The company has lowered its fundraising target from $30 billion to $20 billion, with only $11 billion secured so far against a valuation that has dropped from $1.4 trillion. This retreat signals a growing wariness among Wall Street investors regarding the capital intensity of the AI race, forcing even the most dominant players to adjust their financial expectations.