News
Rivian patent application hints at 900V fast charging capabilities
A recently published Rivian patent application titled “Configurable Battery Pack for Fast Charge” describes a method of switching between battery pack connection types to allow for both 450V and 900V fast charging without the need for specialized components. The invention was filed in both the US and internationally, and both applications just published today as US Patent Publication No. 2019/0126761 A1 and International Publication No. WO/2019/084507 A1.
Rivian’s application sets out to solve three specific issues with electric vehicle battery charging. First, increases in charging rates typically require more expensive parts that are rated for the higher current requirements. Second, electronic devices operated while a battery is charging may be impacted via increased voltage when a battery’s charging rate is increased. Finally, when a fault occurs in a battery module, a battery system often needs to be completely disconnected from any loads or the charging voltage must be changed.
The basic concept of the application purports to solve the above-referenced problems. As described, the invention claims that battery modules connected in parallel achieve a targeted maximum high voltage for an electric load (such as 450V), but when connected in series that voltage can be doubled (900V). Details of why this is advantageous are explained in the application as follows:
“A configurable battery system allows the techniques of [this invention] to be applied to an electric vehicle…to more fully utilize a battery charger’s potential [where] it is desirable to achieve a particular charging target. For example, a charging target of 150 kW at 450 V may require a current of 334 A…[and] components may need to be sourced to handle up to 400 A continuously to handle the charging….If a battery system were able to take advantage of charging at 900 V, the charging target of 150 kW could be achieved at just 167 A, which may allow for more numerous, better quality, or cheaper options for charging components. For example, a current of 167 A may allow different hardware to be used than if the current were nearer to 400 A.“
- Figure from Rivian’s battery connection switching patent application. | Image: Rivian/USPTO
- Figure from Rivian’s battery connection switching patent application. | Image: Rivian/USPTO
- Figure from Rivian’s battery connection switching patent application. | Image: Rivian/USPTO
The application also includes a battery management system to determine which connection should be used at a given point and switch the connection type accordingly. This same management system is also used to detect faults in the system while charging and use the switching capability to handle them accordingly rather than disconnecting any battery loads.
The US application for this invention was filed June 8, 2018 and thus has not yet been examined. However, in the international version, an examiner has already searched for related inventions based on the first 10 claims of Rivian’s application. These claims only describe “a configurable battery system in which connection of two batteries can be switched between a series and a parallel connection”, which is not considered novel on its own.
This kind of finding is not uncommon for applications undergoing the international filing process and will be further addressed once filed in specific countries. Three other inventions were determined to be present in the application which will likely be incorporated with the first ten as the invention’s proceedings continue.

Rivian aims to be the leading expert on battery technology, and patent applications such as this one are a nod towards that innovation goal. The Michigan-based all-electric car maker runs a battery lab in Irvine, California where it has picked up several engineers from renowned supercar brand McLaren. This talent pool includes hypercar engineer Richard Farquhar who is their VP of Propulsion, leading Rivian’s battery and powertrain development.
Currently, each Rivian battery module holds 864 cells, stacked evenly on top of one another, with a thin 7mm aluminum plate with liquid coolant in between. In addition to connection testing, the company uses machine learning to adjust battery cell settings to build predictive models and tune the cells based on situations that may be encountered, such as weather conditions.
Altogether, Rivian’s aim to achieve a level of battery technology that’s reliable and optimal for the electric outdoor adventure branding it has embraced looks to be moving in a promising direction.
News
Tesla just unlocked sales to 50,000+ government agencies
It marks a significant step in expanding Tesla’s presence in the public sector, where procurement processes have traditionally slowed electric vehicle adoption.
Tesla just unlocked sales to over 50,000 government agencies by entering a new agreement with Sourcewell, a purchasing cooperative.
Tesla entered a new master purchasing agreement with Sourcewell, the largest government purchasing cooperative in the U.S. This will enable streamlined sales of its EVs to more than 50,000 U.S. public entities. Tesla entered Designated Contract 0813525-TES, and the agreement covers Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck, and potentially other vehicles the company could release.
It marks a significant step in expanding Tesla’s presence in the public sector, where procurement processes have traditionally slowed electric vehicle adoption.
The deal allows eligible agencies, including cities, school districts, state governments, and higher-education institutions, to purchase Tesla vehicles directly through Sourcewell without conducting their own lengthy competitive bidding or request-for-proposal (RFP) processes.
Pricing is pre-negotiated and capped, providing transparency and predictability. Agencies simply register for a Sourcewell account online or by phone and place orders under the existing contract. This cooperative model aggregates demand across thousands of members, reducing administrative costs and time while ensuring compliance with public procurement rules.
For Tesla, the agreement removes major barriers to government fleet sales. Public-sector procurement cycles often stretch 12 to 18 months due to bidding requirements and committee reviews.
Tesla buyers in the U.S. military can get $1,000 off Cybertruck purchases
By securing the master contract, Tesla gains immediate, simplified access to a massive customer base that previously faced friction in adopting EVs. The company highlighted in its announcement that the partnership will help these 50,000-plus agencies “save thousands of $$$ in operating costs for their vehicle fleet over time” through lower maintenance, energy efficiency, and the elimination of tailpipe emissions.
The initial four-year term runs through November 13, 2029, with options for up to three one-year extensions, offering long-term stability for both parties.
Sourcewell’s role is central to execution. As a cooperative purchasing organization, it negotiates and manages vendor contracts on behalf of its members, then makes them available nationwide. Participating entities contact Tesla’s dedicated fleet team or Sourcewell representatives to complete purchases, bypassing redundant paperwork.
This structure accelerates fleet electrification while maintaining fiscal accountability—agencies receive pre-vetted pricing and terms without reinventing the wheel for each vehicle order.
The partnership positions Tesla to capture a larger share of the public fleet market, where total cost of ownership often favors electric vehicles once procurement hurdles are removed.
For government buyers, it translates to faster deployment of sustainable fleets, reduced long-term expenses, and alignment with environmental mandates. As more agencies transition, the contract could contribute to broader EV infrastructure growth and taxpayer savings across the country.
Elon Musk
How much of SpaceX will Elon Musk own after IPO will surprise you
SpaceX’s IPO filing confirms Musk will maintain his voting power to make key decisions for the company.
Elon Musk will retain dominant voting control of SpaceX after it goes public, according to the company’s IPO prospectus that was filed with the SEC. The filing reveals a dual-class equity structure giving Class B shareholders 10 votes each, concentrating power with Musk and a handful of other insiders, while Class A shares sold to public investors carry one vote.
Musk holds approximately 42% of SpaceX’s equity and controls roughly 79% of its votes through super-voting shares. He will simultaneously serve as CEO, CTO, and chairman of the nine-member board after the listing. Beyond that, the filing includes provisions that may limit shareholders’ influence over board elections and legal actions, forcing disputes into arbitration and restricting where they can be brought.
The case for Musk holding this level of control is grounded in SpaceX’s actual history. The company’s most important bets, from reusable rockets to a global satellite internet constellation, were decisions that ran against conventional aerospace thinking and would likely have faced resistance from a board accountable to investor gains. Fully reusable rockets were considered economically irrational by established industry players for years. Starlink, which now generates over $4 billion in annual operating profit, was widely dismissed as financially unviable when it was proposed. The argument for concentrated founder control seems straightforward, and the decisions that built SpaceX into what it is today required someone willing to ignore consensus and absorb years of losses.
SpaceX files confidentially for IPO that will rewrite the record books
For context, Musk’s position is significantly more dominant than Zuckerberg’s at Meta. The comparison with Tesla is also worth noting. When Tesla did its IPO in 2010, it did not issue dual-class shares. Musk has only recently pushed for enhanced voting protection, proposing at least 25% control at Tesla in 2024 after selling shares to fund his Twitter acquisition left him with around 13%.
SpaceX has clearly learned from that experience and structured the IPO differently by planning to allocate up to 30% of shares to retail investors, roughly three times the typical norm for a large offering. The roadshow is expected to begin the week of June 8, with a Nasdaq listing rumored to be a $1.75 trillion valuation and a $75 billion raise.
News
Tesla bolsters App with new safety, insurance, and storage features
The Tesla Smartphone App is one of the biggest and best features and advantages owners have. Everything from moving the vehicle with Summon, to getting Navigation sent to the car, to preconditioning the cabin can be done with the Tesla App.
Tesla is bolstering its smartphone App with a series of new features to streamline operations for owners. The new additions include fixes to safety, its in-house insurance offering, and storage management for Dashcam clips.
The Tesla Smartphone App is one of the biggest and best features and advantages owners have. Everything from moving the vehicle with Summon, to getting Navigation sent to the car, to preconditioning the cabin can be done with the Tesla App.
But in classic Tesla fashion, the company is aiming to improve the offerings of the app, and it is doing so with a handful of new features. They were first discovered by Tesla App Updates.
Tesla Insurance – Safety Score 3.0
This is truly part of the Spring 2026 Update, but Tesla has now given more transparency on how FSD has saved people money on their premiums.
Tesla intertwines FSD with in-house Insurance for attractive incentive
Additionally, Tesla is now automatically awarding a Safety Score of 100 for every mile traveled on Full Self-Driving (Supervised).
Update Tracking
Updates traditionally appear on the App or on the Center Touchscreen in the car. There is nothing better than seeing that Green Arrow at the top of the screen, or opening your app and seeing that there is a Software Update available.
Now, there will be no need to manually check the app and initiate the download. Tesla is enabling a new feature that will automatically download updates for you.
Storage Management
Your USB drive can now be remotely formatted, and old Dashcam clips can be deleted straight from the phone. When you record a lot of things using the Dashcam feature, that storage fills up pretty quickly.
Now, manually deleting the Dashcam videos is easier than ever.
Trailer Light Test
This is perhaps the coolest and most crucial addition to the Tesla App, as those who tow and haul will now be able to trigger a diagnostic light sequence from the app while standing behind your trailer to ensure the brake lights work.
Verifying your trailer lights are connected properly and operating normally and as intended is normally a massive hassle.
Now, a new trigger will be available to initiate a diagnostic light sequence directly from your phone.


