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Fifteen years ago, I began writing for a small EV start that was trying to survive even after others failed in the bum and pure technology bust. then Tesla It had captured the interest of some celebrities and enthusiasts of EV – but it was a small circle.
Many things have changed since then, including the shareholder profile and his largest CEO, Elon Musk. His companies, which include ROOMTesla, X, Xai, IrritableAND The boring companyare multiplied. And he is using it to find talent to support Government Efficiency DepartmentAn entity created through the executive order of President Trump.
I have recently put my institutional knowledge to work – covering Musk all these years, you teach some things – and joined some Techcrunch editors and reporters. Our task was not only to identify people working in Doge, but also to help readers understand their connection to the Universe of Musk.
This is a living document – and the one we will update regularly as we continue our reporting. Do you have a tip for Doge, its workers or other related topics? Arrive with me in kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or my signal in Kkorosec.07.
A small bird
Do you have some advice for us? E -mail Kirsten Korosec in Kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com, Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or Rebecca Bellan in Rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. Or see these guidelines to learn how to contact us through coded or secured messaging applications.
Deals!

This week’s deals faded by a partnership that ended before it really started, a closing, a bankruptcy and a dead IPO.
First, the manufacturer of hydrogen-electric electric trucks Nikola He has finally presented bankruptcy as he failed to collect sufficient funding to continue the operations or find a buyer. He was a battle for the company after suffering a series of scandals that surrounded its founder and former -ceo Trevor Milton, who was convicted of securities and wire fraud after making exaggerated claims about the company’s electric truck technology. We all remember that infamous marketing video, right?
Meanwhile, the beginnings of separating car by peers had a chaotic week.
FootA Startup of San Francisco and QV Darling returned to Spac trading, closed its operations in the US a year after shortening 30% of its workforce in North America as part of a restructuring. Geritaund said she has now focused on her European business where she operates in six countries, including Norway, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium and Austria.
The crazy part of this closure was how the company managed it. The Board made the decision on February 7, but did not warn the owners and tenants of closing until February 12. Oh, and their insurance coverage would expire by the end of the day.
Then it was learnwhich has removed its long-awaited IPO. The company publicly submitted in January 2022 for an initial public offer, but IPO conditions changed soon afterwards. Still, it seemed like a tour could finally be given in 2025 – until it happened.
Other deals that got my attention
Aurora Last week he entered a deal to sell up to $ 500 million in shares with a “market” offer. Aurora said in her profits report at Q4 2024 that she has enough money to pass initial commercialization in April, but this agreement places it to raise money quickly in the future if the funds should scaling and go to the flow of positive money.
closelyA group application for Austin -based stocks raised a round of $ 7.35 million led by Mark Cuban, with participation by Y Combinator, Goodwater Capital, and others.
Mega-Union $ 60 billion between Honda AND Nissan died. And for Reuters’s resources, pride is partly to blame.
A partner of net capitalA private equity firm, is buying Wheel fleeta post -market distribution company. The terms were not detected.
SaronicA military manufacturer of drone boats has raised $ 600 million in funds with a $ 4 billion rating. General Catalyst led the round to a company less than three years old.
Visible readings and other announcements

Autonomous vehicles
AvrideAutonomous sidewalk distribution robots are now giving orders to Uber Eats customers in Jersey City.
path It looks like a membership program can launch. Some Los Angeles clients received a survey invitation that asked them what types of membership would be more likely to choose. When asked, Waymo said he regularly conducts research and experiments to understand which traits, promotions and experiences that knights may like, but have not shared anything else.
Robotics has launched its surrender bots in Miami. The company also expanded its existing partnership with Shake Shack and added another Mystery O1 O1 Pizza, so customers in Miami ordering those restaurants to Uber Eats may have their own food submitted by a bot.
Electric vehicles, charging and batteries
Elon MuskPolitical activities – namely its involvement in the Government Efficiency Department – have turned some consumers against Tesla. The old reporter Sean O’kane was linked to two people who organized the Tesla Takeover Movement, which led to protests in Tesla showrooms in dozens of US cities.
Black whaleA lithium-jon battery recycling company has partned with Call2recycle To advance the recycling of household batteries and meet the need for local source battery materials.
Future of flight
Beta technologies It has flown somewhat more under radar than its competition in the electrical aviation industry, but the beginning has been quietly increasing business and collecting more pilot hours of flight than anyone else under the guidance of its tattooed, enigmatic and CEO founder , Kyle Clark, writes high reporter Rebecca Bellan.
Trump administration Hundreds of federal aviation administration employees that hold critical air traffic control infrastructure. Fires come after Elon Musk’s Spacex has been tapped to help create a new air traffic control system.
Micromobility
Lime He reported his second year in a row to be the free cash flow. The scooter and bicycle sharing company also said its regulated EBITDA exceeded $ 140m for $ 2024, from $ 94 million to 2023. These results are not unused, so you get them with a grain of salt.
Traveling Traile and Concert Economy
Jacket filed a lawsuit against pigeonaccusing the wearing of dissemination of obstructing competition while afraid of restaurant owners in exclusive deals.
This week’s wheels

We are again with another edition of this week’s wheels, this time with 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5which goes to the price between $ 43,975 and $ 59,575, depending on the ornament.
contributor Emme It passed some time after the wheel of this compact plaster refreshed all-electric and found much to love. But there is a genuine absence, at least at the moment. This EV is equipped with the standard Port of North America of Tesla, but Hall revealed that the location of the charging port did not match the Tesla Supercharger cord. Simply failed.
This meant that she would have to wait for another tesla to rest her space and use that charging cable, essentially taking two spaces, or using navigation in the car to find a CCS -equipped charging station and use the car that comes with the car.
Not wonderful. But here is what was excellent-the 2025 model year comes in a new XRT ornament that includes an elevator an inch and CrossContact Attr continental 29 inches for better performance in dirt and on gravel. And this year 2025, which also received some technology updates, is still ready on the sidewalk with well -balanced treatment and a comfortable journey.
What is the “wheels of this week”? It is a chance to find out about the various transport products we are testing, whether it is an electric or hybrid car, an electronic bike, or even a trip to an autonomous vehicle.