Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your premier source for the latest in transportation innovation! Let’s dive into a busy week packed with groundbreaking updates in the EV sector.

US Transportation Department's New Regulations

This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation introduced its new Automated Vehicle Framework, featuring significant changes to how crashes involving advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are reported. One notable shift is the extension of the reporting window from 24 hours to five days for certain crashes involving Level 2 systems.

Previously, all vehicles utilizing Level 2 or above systems were mandated to submit crash reports within five days, regardless of fatalities. Now, the federal requirement primarily focuses on crashes involving automated driving systems, effectively streamlining the process for the majority of vehicles on the road. This means that incidents involving Tesla's Autopilot or similar systems may not need to be reported unless they result in serious injury or fatalities.

Slate's Electric Truck Takes Center Stage

In exciting news from Long Beach, California, Slate, the electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, unveiled its innovative EV truck, described internally as a 'transformer.' This moniker hints at the company's ambitious vision of creating a vehicle that offers more than meets the eye.

Business Moves in the EV Landscape

In the world of funding, Ather Energy has scaled back its IPO goal by 18%, aiming for $308.3 million. Meanwhile, DoorDash is reportedly eyeing a $3.6 billion acquisition of Deliveroo, and Electra raised $115 million in Series B funding for its hybrid electric aircraft.

Noteworthy Developments in Autonomous Driving

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai recently made headlines discussing Waymo's potential for personal vehicle ownership during an earnings call. This comes as Tesla begins testing its autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin and the Bay Area.

Additionally, Volkswagen and Uber are collaborating to launch a commercial robotaxi service in multiple U.S. cities, targeting a 2026 launch in Los Angeles, albeit initially with human safety drivers.

Tesla's Contradictory Realities

Tesla's latest earnings report exposes a conflicting picture: while profits have plummeted 71% year-over-year and automotive revenues are declining, the company is simultaneously positioned as a leader in AI with ambitious plans for an autonomous ride-hailing service and a more affordable EV.

Investors seem to cling to the narrative of Tesla as an innovator, despite increasing scrutiny over CEO Elon Musk's distractions and the potential brand impact, as noted in regulatory filings.

FTC Takes Action Against Uber

In regulatory news, the Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against Uber, alleging unauthorized charges for its Uber One subscription service. This case could have significant implications for the ride-hailing industry.