The final TechCrunch Mobility newsletter of 2024 is a poignant one, as we bid farewell to the year and pay tribute to the legendary automotive journalist Jean Jennings, who passed away on December 16 at the age of 70 after living with Alzheimer's disease. Jennings' impact on the industry is undeniable, with Ford CEO Jim Farley and Chairman Bill Ford issuing an official statement on her death, and numerous others in the industry sharing their own memorials to Jean on social media.

Jennings' remarkable career spanned from being a mechanic to becoming a renowned journalist and editor, with stints at Car and Driver and Automobile Magazine. Her articles and travels are part of automotive lore, and her energetic personality made her a central character in other articles, including Brock Yates' 1983 Baja Mexico Sedan Torture Test article in Car and Driver.

In other news, the Biden administration has approved a $1.25 billion loan to electric vehicle charging startup EVgo, which will enable the company to install 7,500 public chargers at 1,100 charging stations across the U.S. over the next five years. The first deployments will feature 350kW DC fast-charging equipment capable of charging two cars simultaneously.

Other notable deals include Bikmo, a U.K. startup providing insurance for bikes and cyclists, raising £4.75 million ($5.9 million) in a round led by Puma Growth Partners. Meanwhile, Honda and Nissan are reportedly in merger talks, which could potentially form the world's third-largest carmaker. The intrigue surrounding the potential deal intensified when Bloomberg reported that discussions accelerated after Foxconn, the Taiwan-based producer of iPhones, approached Nissan about acquiring a stake in the company.

In the autonomous vehicle space, Waymo is expanding its presence in Tokyo, partnering with taxi-hailing app GO and taxi company Nihon Kotsu as part of its Japanese "road trip." This development comes as Waymo continues to dominate the autonomous vehicle landscape, although its robotaxis still face challenges, such as getting caught in roundabouts.

Reuters obtained a document from the Trump transition team revealing deep interest in ending a federal rule that requires automakers to report crashes when advanced driver-assistance or autonomous driving technology is engaged. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has long opposed the federal crash-reporting rule, and the timing of this development is notable, as it could impact federal safety agencies' ability to investigate and regulate the safety of vehicles with automated-driving systems.

In other news, Canoo is struggling to stay afloat, idling its factory and furloughing workers as it seeks emergency funding. The Environmental Protection Agency has allowed California to ban most sales of new gas- and diesel-powered cars and light trucks starting in 2035, although this decision is likely to be reversed by the incoming Trump administration. Ram has delayed its electric truck to 2026, instead prioritizing the range-extended truck known as the Ramcharger, citing lagging EV demand as the reason behind the decision.

Tesla has brought back free Supercharging to customers who buy a new Model S, although this move appears to be a shell game, as the company also increased the price of the Model S by $5,000. Rivian has released a new software update to its vehicles, introducing long-awaited apps to its in-vehicle experience, including YouTube, Google Cast, and SiriusXM (with a subscription).

Finally, TechCrunch reporter Rebecca Bellan spent time in the 2025 Lucid Air Pure, praising its luxurious design and decent tech, although she notes that the vehicle's value hinges on Lucid continuing to improve its software through over-the-air updates. As someone who has driven the Lucid Air a few times, it's reassuring to know that some of the biggest complaints, such as the vehicle ping-ponging when the lane-centering feature is engaged, have been resolved.

This concludes the final TechCrunch Mobility newsletter of 2024. We'll be back in 2025, bringing you the latest news and insights on the future of transportation. Until then, happy holidays and a happy New Year!