July 24, 2025

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Zeekr Navigates EU Tariffs as U.S. Entry Lurks

Zeekr Europe is soldiering on in the face of steep EU duties, absorbing tariff costs and tweaking its value proposition. At the recent EU-China summit in Beijing, Brussels’ 27.8% levies on Chinese EVs dominated trade talks, with acting CEO Lothar Schupet warning that the extra duties feed directly into consumer prices. Yet Zeekr has maintained competitive pricing through supply-chain tweaks and partial cost absorption while sales volumes continue to climb.

Looking ahead, Zeekr is eyeing the U.S. market, where similar trade restrictions could emerge under Section 301 and 232 probes. The automaker plans to leverage flexible production, local assembly options and strategic partnerships to mitigate future levies and keep sticker prices in check for American buyers.

Elon Musk Flags Tough Quarters Ahead for Tesla

Tesla warned it could face "rough quarters" as U.S. EV incentives expire and core sales slipped 13% in the first half of 2024, CEO Elon Musk said on the company’s latest earnings call. Q2 revenue from regulatory credits plunged to $439 million, roughly half of last year’s level, while $300 million in tariff-related costs will climb in 2025.

Musk expects to scale a robotaxi fleet covering half the U.S. population by year-end, but California permits remain pending. Tesla shares fell 6% premarket, extending a nearly 30% slide since December amid investor concerns over the EV market transition.

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Lucid Launches Domestic EV Supply Chain Alliance with U.S. Miners

Lucid Group has formed a new alliance—Minerals for National Automotive Competitiveness Collaboration (MINAC)—with four U.S. critical mineral producers to fortify domestic supply chains for electric-vehicle batteries. The partners include Alaska Energy Metals (nickel), Electric Metals USA (manganese), Graphite One (natural and synthetic graphite) and RecycLiCo (recycled lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese). By sourcing key battery ingredients on home soil, MINAC aims to boost manufacturing resilience, create American jobs and reduce reliance on foreign materials.

QuantumScape, PowerCo Boost Solid-State Battery Scale-Up

QuantumScape Corp. and PowerCo SE, VW’s battery arm, have expanded a July 2024 licensing deal to accelerate the industrialization of QSE-5 solid-state batteries in San Jose. Under the revised agreement, PowerCo will unlock up to $131 million in new payments over two years as joint scale-up milestones are met—on top of $130 million previously pledged.

This expanded pact lets PowerCo engage earlier in pilot-line automation, secure an extra 5 GWh of annual QSE-5 cell production rights (including for non-VW customers), and license future QS technology—underscoring deepening strategic, technical and financial alignment.

Colorado Ballot Measure Would Redirect EV Fees to Road Maintenance

A proposed 2026 Colorado ballot initiative would reroute revenue from vehicle fees, tolls and delivery charges—currently funding EV charging and transit projects—back into roads and bridges, a shift its backers say will inject up to $200 million annually into aging infrastructure. Retired contractor Donald Hanneman and ex-Aurora mayor Michael Hancock filed two versions, one with a 10-year sunset, with support from county commissioners and the Colorado Chamber of Commerce.

Opponents, including the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, warn the amendment could stall EV adoption, cut transit options and worsen congestion by stripping funding from electrification and multimodal grants. As a constitutional amendment, it requires 55% voter approval and must clear an August 1 title-setting hearing and a signature-gathering process to reach the 2026 ballot.

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Tesla Warns of 'Rough Quarters' Ahead as U.S. EV Incentives Expire