In a major move to reduce dependence on Chinese imports, South Korea’s LG Energy Solution (LGES) has reportedly secured a $4.3 billion deal to supply Tesla with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage systems. As the U.S. ramps up tariffs on Chinese goods, the agreement marks a strategic pivot for Tesla, which has heavily relied on China for its battery needs.
Reuters disclosed that neither company has confirmed the deal publicly, but a source familiar with the matter said that the LFP batteries will be produced at LGES’s Michigan factory, which recently began production.
The contract, among LGES’s largest to date, will run from August 2027 through July 2030, with an option to extend for up to seven additional years and increase volumes based on future discussions.
LG Energy Solution’s (LGES) Power Shift: From EVs to Energy Storage
CNBC reported that LG Energy Solution had earlier disclosed a $4.3 billion contract to supply LFP batteries globally over three years, but did not name Tesla as the customer or clarify whether the batteries would be used for electric vehicles or energy storage systems (ESS). However, growing signals point to Tesla’s booming energy business as the likely focus.
With EV demand slowing, LGES has shifted gears toward energy storage. The company is betting on a surge in demand fueled by the rapid expansion of AI data centers and renewable energy installations.
Liz Lee, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, confirmed to CNBC that the deal is expected to be closely linked to LGES’s Michigan facility, which now serves as its first North American ESS battery manufacturing hub.
This strategic shift comes as LGES considers repurposing some of its U.S. EV battery lines for ESS production in response to weakening EV market dynamics.

Strong Q2 2025
The company recently posted solid second-quarter earnings for 2025, even without North American production incentives. The company reported revenue of KRW 5.6 trillion, down 11.2% from the previous quarter. However, operating profit surged 31.4% to KRW 492.2 billion, with an 8.8% margin. Notably, North American incentives contributed KRW 490.8 billion to the operating profit.
CFO Chang Sil Lee stated,
“In the second quarter, we secured stable EV battery sales and also started production at our new ESS battery facility in North America. However, constrained customer purchase sentiment, coupled with the reflection of metal price decline to our average selling price (ASP), affected our quarterly revenue.”
Moving forward, LGES anticipates a short-term slowdown in EV demand due to new tariffs and cost pressures on automakers. Yet, the company remains optimistic about mid- to long-term growth, driven by advances in autonomous driving and energy storage.
To adapt to this shift, it is focusing on maximizing output at existing production lines, particularly for ESS batteries. It plans to expand its annual production capacity for ESS to 17 GWh by year-end. The company also aims to reduce fixed costs by scaling back investments while securing a competitive supply chain.
Sustainability Goals
Beyond profits, the company is committed to achieving carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050. One major step involves converting 100% of its power use across all global sites to renewable energy by 2030.
LGES is also working on creating a closed-loop battery ecosystem. With millions of tons of used EV batteries piling up, the company is actively exploring ways to reuse them for energy storage and recycle production waste. These initiatives aim to minimize environmental harm while securing critical raw materials.

- READ MORE: The Battery Shift: How Energy Storage Is Reshaping the Metals Market with LFPs Taking Charge
Tesla’s Push for U.S.-Made Batteries Gains Momentum
The global battery market is shifting rapidly, driven by policy changes like the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and similar initiatives in Europe and the UK. These regulations are encouraging companies to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers. For LG Energy Solution (LGES), this creates a clear advantage. With operational plants in Michigan and an upcoming facility in Arizona, LGES is well-positioned to meet growing U.S. demand while staying aligned with evolving trade rules.
China has long dominated the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery space, but LGES is emerging as one of the few manufacturers building significant LFP production capacity on American soil. Its Michigan plant began operations in May, and the Arizona plant is set to further strengthen its U.S. presence.
CEO Elon Musk reinforced the importance of this shift, noting that energy demand is booming despite ongoing tariff and supply chain pressures.
He said during the company’s latest earnings call,
“Not many people realize just how massive battery demand has become.”
While Tesla plans to open its own LFP cell manufacturing facility in Nevada by the end of the year, it’s expected to cover only a fraction of the company’s overall battery needs. That’s where LGES comes in.
Its new U.S.-based capacity provides Tesla with a critical, non-Chinese alternative. The partnership aligns perfectly with Tesla’s goal to localize its battery supply chain—offering both strategic location and advanced manufacturing capability.
Battery Demand Powers Growth Outlook
Tesla’s energy generation and storage division, which includes its Megapack and Powerwall products, continues to play a growing role in its business. Despite overall revenue falling 12% in Q2 2025 to $22.5 billion, the energy segment generated more than $2.8 billion. However, this was a 7% year-over-year drop due to pricing pressure and supply chain challenges.
Still, the segment stands out as a growth area amid softening EV sales. Tesla has stressed that battery demand is growing at an unprecedented pace, making partnerships like the one with LGES essential to scaling operations.

The Rise of Solid-State Batteries
As lithium-ion battery innovation continues, solid-state batteries are emerging as the next frontier in battery technology. These advanced batteries utilize solid ceramic or polymer electrolytes, providing enhanced safety, higher energy density, and longer lifespan.
The global solid-state battery market is expected to grow from $0.26 billion in 2025 to $1.77 billion by 2031, with a projected CAGR of 37.5%, according to MarketsandMarkets.
Solid-State Battery Market Size

Solid-state batteries are ideal for electric vehicles, medical devices, and industrial sensors due to their resistance to leakage and thermal runaway. Primary solid-state batteries, commonly used in smart packaging, RFID tags, and medical patches, will likely dominate the market in the short term.
North America is set to lead in both research and commercialization. U.S. companies like Solid Power, QuantumScape, Sakuu Corporation, and Excellatron are spearheading innovation, with Mercedes-Benz and Factorial Energy collaborating on a technology that could offer EVs over 600 miles of range on a single charge.

Other major players like ProLogium (Taiwan), Ilika (UK), and Blue Solutions (France) are also advancing the global rollout of solid-state battery technologies, signaling a strong future for energy storage innovation.
The LGES-Tesla deal signals a major shift in the energy market. As EV demand slows and energy storage rises, resilient, tariff-friendly supply chains and advanced battery tech are taking center stage. With new U.S. plants and strong sustainability goals, LGES is emerging as a key player in powering Tesla’s energy growth amid global trade and policy shifts.
The post Is Tesla (TSLA) Securing U.S. Battery Independence with $4.3 B LG Energy Solution Deal? appeared first on Carbon Credits.
Carbon Footprint
Joby Aviation’s 2027 Vision: Four Electric Air Taxis per Month and Stronger Emission Cuts Amid Advanced Air Mobility Boom
Joby Aviation is moving into a new phase of growth and confidence. The company, which is developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger travel, announced major investments to double its manufacturing capacity in the United States. By 2027, Joby plans to build four aircraft per month, showing how serious it is about leading the future of advanced air mobility.
This expansion aligns with rising global support for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. With strong demand, government backing, growing partnerships, and accelerating certification progress, Joby is positioning itself at the front of a rapidly emerging industry.
Joby’s New Strategy: Building More Aircraft, Faster
Joby’s production growth plan is based on real industry momentum. The company already operates manufacturing facilities in California and Ohio, both of which will support the production ramp-up.
Recently, Joby revealed that it has over $1 billion in potential aircraft and service sales, highlighting confidence from customers and governments. At the same time, support from U.S. authorities has strengthened. The country’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, announced in September, aims to speed up the launch of air taxi services.
A Presidential Executive Order has directed the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow mature eVTOL aircraft to begin operations in select cities as early as next year, even before full certification is completed.
According to Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt, this moment marks the beginning of a “new golden age of aviation.” He believes Joby will soon be one of the few companies in the world capable of building aircraft at high volumes while maintaining quality and safety.
Given the maturity of its air taxi program and the level of market demand, Joby says now is the right time to invest in equipment, facilities, and skilled workers. The company is already purchasing new capital equipment and expanding operations to support non-stop, round-the-clock manufacturing in California.
In July, Joby completed an expanded factory in Marina, California. In October, it began producing propeller blades in Ohio, ahead of bigger manufacturing activities planned in the state. These milestones show that Joby is not just announcing plans—it is actively executing them.
Toyota Partnership Strengthens Manufacturing Power
A key pillar of Joby’s growth strategy is its long-term collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation. In May 2025, Joby closed the first $250 million tranche of a strategic investment from Toyota. Both companies are now finalizing a strategic manufacturing alliance designed to support Joby’s production ramp-up.
Toyota brings decades of expertise in high-volume, precision manufacturing, something that could be a game-changer as aviation transitions toward electric mobility. Joby has credited Toyota’s knowledge and guidance as essential to scaling up safely and efficiently.
Together, the companies share a vision: making electric air taxis a reliable, trusted part of future transportation.
Certification Progress and Flight Readiness
Joby is also moving steadily toward FAA certification. The company recently began power-on testing of the first FAA-conforming aircraft built for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA). This is the final and most critical stage of FAA Type Certification, during which FAA test pilots will fly Joby’s aircraft themselves. Four additional FAA-conforming aircraft required for TIA are already under production.
Meanwhile, Joby ended 2025 on a strong note with its final international flight demonstration of the year at Japan’s Fuji Speedway. Conducted in partnership with Toyota, the campaign included 14 piloted flights and marked Joby’s fourth major global demonstration of the year.
This capped a year filled with progress. In 2025 alone, Joby completed more than 850 flights across its fleet, logging over 50,000 miles, a 2.6× increase from the previous year. This expanding flight activity is essential for collecting real-world performance data, validating design decisions, and proving reliability.
Proving Real-World Operations Around the Globe
Joby’s aircraft flew in three major markets in 2025—the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan. Highlights included:
- 41 flights at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka
- 21 flights in the UAE during environmental and operational testing
- Active participation in the Dubai Airshow, where Joby was the only eVTOL aircraft to perform a full week of flights
Joby also completed point-to-point flights between public airports, including routes between Marina and Monterey and Marina and Salinas in California. In the UAE, Joby completed the first piloted point-to-point air taxi flight from Margham to Al Maktoum International Airport.
The company also advanced future technologies. It successfully flew a turbine-electric demonstrator aircraft, only three months after first revealing the concept, proving how fast it can innovate. Meanwhile, Joby’s Superpilot™ autonomous flight technology logged over 7,000 miles during a major U.S. defense exercise.
Overall, Joby’s aircraft covered more than 9,000 miles in 2025, supporting over 4,900 test objectives. This data is now feeding directly into final FAA certification activities and helping finalize operating and maintenance manuals.
- READ MORE: JOBY Aviation Stock Soars on Blade Acquisition and Electric Air Taxi Commercial Launch Plans
Joby sees urban air mobility as a strong complement to existing transportation, offering faster, quieter, and cleaner travel. Its fully electric air taxi reduces emissions per passenger, and in 2024, the company also demonstrated hydrogen-electric flight, showing potential for longer-range operations.

Despite a 29% rise in energy use due to manufacturing growth, Joby cut emissions by 44% in 2024 by relying on renewable electricity.
- Renewable electricity use increased 19% from 2023
- 84% of facility power came from renewables, including 3% from on-site solar
- Employees used 268,355 kWh for EV charging, replacing about 7,182 gallons of gasoline
Thus, the company continues to scale while lowering its environmental footprint.

AAM: A Growing Market With Huge Potential
Joby’s expansion is happening within a booming global Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market. Industry forecasts suggest:
- Analysts say global AAM revenue could reach $1.76 billion by the end of 2025, with some estimates much higher. By 2035, the market could soar to $90.3 billion, growing at more than 20% CAGR
- Urban Air Mobility (UAM), a key segment, could jump from $6.59 billion in 2025 to $126 billion by 2035
Infrastructure development, including vertiports and air traffic systems, will help unlock this growth.

At the same time, Joby’s own market outlook is strong. The Joby eVTOL aircraft market was valued at $1.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $13.8 billion by 2033, growing at a robust 28.7% CAGR. As cities face congestion and pollution challenges, clean electric air taxis are emerging as a real solution for passenger travel, logistics, and emergency response.
Significantly, JOBY stock (NYSE: JOBY) trades at $13.85, up 4.92% or $0.65 today amid positive momentum from manufacturing expansions and certification progress.

If Joby succeeds, daily mobility could change forever. Short, fast, zero-emission air taxi flights may soon become as normal as booking a ride-share today. And with global governments and major companies backing the vision, the world appears ready for this new era of aviation.
ALSO READ:
- Uber Stock Hits Record High with Joby and Blade Air Mobility Deal
- Archer Aviation Stock (ACHR) Soars: Leading the U.S. eVTOL Market with Zero-Emission Air Taxis in NYC, LA, and Beyond
The post Joby Aviation’s 2027 Vision: Four Electric Air Taxis per Month and Stronger Emission Cuts Amid Advanced Air Mobility Boom appeared first on Carbon Credits.
Carbon Footprint
Stay in the game: What CSRD means for supplier carbon footprints in 2026
For years, sustainability reporting sat squarely on the shoulders of large corporations. Smaller suppliers were rarely pulled into the process, and certainly not at a detailed data level. That landscape is changing fast. With the introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), big companies are now expected to publish structured, verifiable climate information—and they can only do this with their suppliers’ support.
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Carbon Footprint
Tesla Tests Driverless Robotaxis in Austin While Analysts Predict 1 Million by 2035 Growth, Sending Stocks Up
Tesla (TSLA) is making big progress in testing driverless robotaxis on public roads and attracting attention from analysts and investors. The company started testing its self-driving cars in Austin, Texas, on December 15. No human safety monitor was on board. This was a milestone that Tesla’s leaders said would happen by year’s end. This shift represents a key part of the EV giant’s long‑term strategy for autonomous vehicles and future mobility services.
At the same time, Wall Street firms, including Morgan Stanley, are issuing forecasts about Tesla’s robotaxi plans and their potential impact on the company’s future. Analysts calculate the scale of robotaxi fleets and potential valuation effects over the next decade.
These changes have kept Tesla’s stock in the spotlight for investors and the market, even with challenges in electric vehicle sales growth.
Driverless Robotaxis Hit Austin Streets
Tesla (TSLA stock) began testing its self-driving cars on public roads in Austin, Texas. There were no human drivers or safety monitors in the front seats. CEO Elon Musk confirmed that fully driverless tests are happening. He sees this as an important step toward commercial operation.
Earlier in 2025, Tesla had already launched a limited robotaxi service in Austin using modified Model Y vehicles. Initially, these vehicles included a human safety monitor in the passenger seat to observe system performance.
Over the months, Tesla grew its service area and fleet size. By December 2025, reports showed about 31 active robotaxis operating in the city.
Recent tests without monitors show progress. However, they are still for internal validation, not for daily commercial use. Tesla confirmed that tests aren’t open to paying customers yet. The company hasn’t provided a specific date for when fully autonomous rides will be available to the public.
The Technology Behind Tesla’s Autonomous Effort
Tesla’s autonomous driving push relies on its Full Self‑Driving (FSD) software and onboard sensors. The FSD system can manage various driving situations. It uses cameras, radar inputs, and neural network processing. This differs from some competitors that rely on additional sensors such as LiDAR for redundancy.
In June 2025, Tesla shared its Q2 tech update. The company boosted AI training by adding tens of thousands of GPUs at its Gigafactory in Texas. This expansion supports improvements in FSD, where the company reported its first autonomous delivery. A Model Y drove itself without human help for 30 minutes.
Vehicles with FSD software need regulatory approval to drive on their own. In the Austin pilot, removing physical safety monitors marks progress toward that goal. Achieving fully reliable, unsupervised autonomy is still a challenge. This is true, especially when it comes to safety standards and different road conditions.
- SEE MORE on TESLA:
- Tesla Rolls Out Full Self-Driving (FSD) in Australia & New Zealand: What Drivers and Investors Need to Know
- TSLA Stock Slides After Tesla Unveils ‘Affordable’ Model Y and Model 3 — Investor Confidence Wavers
- Tesla (TSLA Stock) Sparks $2.1B Samsung Battery Deal as Global EV Demand Charges Ahead
Wall Street Eyes Tesla’s Robotaxi Potential, Sending Stock Near Record Highs
Tesla’s autonomous ambitions are closely watched by financial analysts. Morgan Stanley just shared forecasts that say Tesla could greatly grow its robotaxi presence in the next 10 years.
The bank says Tesla might have 1 million robotaxis on the road by 2035. These will operate in various cities as part of its autonomous fleet plan.
Morgan Stanley’s analysis sees active robotaxi units growing in 2026. However, the first fleets will be small compared to the long-term plan. The forecasts show the possible size of the autonomous vehicle market. They also highlight Tesla’s role in this growth. However, there are uncertainties tied to technology and regulations.
Stock markets have reacted to these developments. Tesla’s stock price nearly hit record highs. It rose almost 5% during trading sessions. Investors were excited about progress in driverless testing and the promise of future autonomous revenue. Analysts say Tesla’s value might go up more if its autonomous services and AI products perform well.

Tesla’s Vision for Autonomous Mobility Services
Tesla’s robotaxi initiative fits into its broader vision of mobility services and artificial intelligence (AI)‑driven transport. The company plans to launch purpose-built autonomous vehicles, like the Cybercab. These vehicles won’t have traditional controls, such as steering wheels or pedals. They aim for mass production in April 2026.
Tesla sees a future where owners can add their cars to a decentralized robotaxi network. This could boost fleet availability and usage. This strategy could shift parts of Tesla’s revenue profile away from vehicle sales toward recurring service revenues if adopted at scale. The global robotaxi market could reach over $45 billion in 2030, as shown below.

Analysts say that major technical, regulatory, and safety issues still stand in the way of robotaxis operating widely and making a profit. Building public trust, meeting varied local regulations, and demonstrating consistent safety across different road environments will be key factors in future deployment.
Tesla vs Competitors and Safety Regulations
Tesla is not alone in the autonomous vehicle race. Other companies, such as Alphabet’s Waymo, owned by Alphabet, have been operating fully autonomous services in multiple cities for several years and continue to expand.
The company operates about 2,500 robotaxis across multiple cities. Waymo has logged millions of paid autonomous rides and already meets higher autonomy standards in some regions. In comparison, Tesla operates around 31 robotaxis in Austin, with plans to expand to several major U.S. cities by 2026.

Tesla chose camera-centric sensors over multi-sensor arrays. This decision shows their focus on scalability and cost. Critics and some experts argue that adding LiDAR or other sensors could improve safety and performance under challenging conditions.
Regulators also play an important role. In some states, pilot autonomously driven services are permitted under special testing allowances. Widespread commercial use needs approval from both state and federal agencies. This ensures that vehicles meet safety and operational standards.
What’s Next for Tesla’s Driverless Fleets
Tesla’s move to test robotaxis without onboard safety monitors in Austin marks a clear technical milestone, though it is not yet a commercial service. The company’s next steps will likely focus on scaling test fleets, improving software robustness, and navigating regulatory approvals to allow expanded operations in other cities in 2026 and beyond.
Morgan Stanley and other analysts think robotaxis might play a big role in Tesla’s growth. They could boost service revenue as traditional vehicle sales slow down. However, forecasts at this stage remain based on long‑range assumptions about adoption, pricing, and regulatory landscapes.
Investor sentiment has been mixed. Stock movements show excitement about tech advances but also worry about short-term vehicle sales and profit pressures in the auto industry.
Overall, Tesla’s autonomous ambitions continue to shape its corporate strategy and public profile. The speed of robotaxi rollout, along with improvements in Full Self-Driving software and AI, will be key to seeing if the company can shift from an EV maker to a driverless mobility platform.
The post Tesla Tests Driverless Robotaxis in Austin While Analysts Predict 1 Million by 2035 Growth, Sending Stocks Up appeared first on Carbon Credits.
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