The Electric: Volkswagen Suggests It Is No Longer Pursuing Tesla

Volkswagen may be acknowledging what no other major automaker has done so far—that it stands little chance of catching up to Tesla anytime soon.

Most of the auto industry continues to barrel forward with headlong construction of electric vehicle and battery plants, often in the name of competing with Tesla. But in reports Thursday, VW was said to be suspending plans for its flagship self-driving EV, Trinity, projected to go into production in 2026. VW is also possibly killing a planned $2.2 billion EV production plant near its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany. VW had described the Trinity as the spearhead of a VW EV fleet with cars that could go 430 miles on a charge and have near-human self-driving capability.