Summary3 min read

WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute – Rivian’s Illinois Factory to Run on Recycled EV Batteries

Date: April 14, 2026
Host: Julie Cheng (Wall Street Journal)

Episode Overview

This Tech News Briefing “Tech Minute” spotlights new partnerships and strategic moves across the EV and AI sectors. The episode’s main theme centers on Rivian’s groundbreaking use of recycled EV batteries to power its Illinois factory, while also delivering headlines on Lucid Group’s funding, expansion moves in the robotaxi sector, and Anthropic’s advances in healthcare AI.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rivian & Redwood Materials: Repurposing EV Batteries

[00:38–01:11]
- Rivian partners with battery recycling firm Redwood Materials.
- Old EV batteries are being reused to create an energy storage system at Rivian’s Illinois factory.
- Scale: Set to become the largest repurposed battery energy storage for an automaker in the U.S.
- Details: The system, fueled by over 100 Rivian EV batteries, will deliver an initial 10 megawatt hours of energy.
- Impact: Reduces Rivian’s reliance on the power grid during peak hours.
- Timeline: Expected project completion later in 2026.
Notable Quote:
- Julie Cheng: “Executives told the Journal that the system will be the largest repurposed battery energy storage system for an auto manufacturer in the country.” [00:47]
- “It’ll reduce Rivian’s dependence on the power grid during peak hours.” [01:09]

2. Battery Energy Storage Industry Boom & Lucid's Expansion

[01:11–01:51]
- Highlights continued expansion and momentum in U.S. battery energy storage.
- Lucid Group Developments:
  - Secured $750 million in new funding—primarily from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and Uber.
  - Appointed Silvio Napoli as the new CEO after a lengthy search.
  - Uber will purchase 35,000 additional Lucid vehicles for its upcoming robotaxi fleet.
  - Partnership with Nuro and Uber to launch a new-generation robotaxi service commercially later in 2026.
Notable Quote:
- “Lucid Group has secured $750 million in fresh funding commitments from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and Uber as the electric vehicle maker looks to fuel its next phase of growth.” [01:13]
- “Uber will purchase 35,000 additional Lucid vehicles for its Robotaxi fleet.” [01:36]

3. Anthropic’s Healthcare Push & Board Reshuffle

[01:51–02:25]
- AI company Anthropic appoints Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan to its board—second major addition in recent months.
- The move aligns with Anthropic’s anticipated IPO and an increased focus on healthcare enterprise solutions.
- Active partnerships with major pharmaceutical and health companies (Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Genmab) to accelerate drug development.
- Expanded Claude's capabilities for clinical trial management and regulatory functions in life sciences announced earlier in 2026.
Notable Quotes:
- “Anthropic has appointed Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan to its board of directors, its second new board addition in recent months.” [01:55]
- “Anthropic has already partnered with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Genmab to shorten drug development cycles.” [02:03]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Julie Cheng on Rivian’s battery repurposing:
- “Executives told the Journal that the system will be the largest repurposed battery energy storage system for an auto manufacturer in the country.” [00:47]
On Lucid’s expansion:
- “Uber will purchase 35,000 additional Lucid vehicles for its Robotaxi fleet.” [01:36]
On Anthropic’s strategic board appointment & healthcare AI reach:
- “Anthropic has already partnered with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Genmab to shorten drug development cycles.” [02:03]

Timestamps for Important Segments

Rivian & Redwood partnership details: [00:38–01:11]
Battery storage industry & Lucid Group moves: [01:11–01:51]
Anthropic’s healthcare and board news: [01:51–02:25]

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a succinct, no-nonsense tone, prioritizing clear, factual delivery of major developments in the tech and EV sectors. Julie Cheng reports with a measured, news-driven cadence, spotlighting corporate strategy and innovation.

This TNB Tech Minute offers essential insights into the future of EV batteries and the intersection of AI innovation and healthcare, delivering headline news with practical detail for industry watchers and enthusiasts alike.

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Transcript22 lines

[00:00]
A
No one goes to Hank's for spreadsheets. They go for a darn good pizza. Lately, though, the shop's been quiet, so Hank decides to bring back the $1 slice. He asks Copilot in Microsoft Excel to look at his sales and costs and help him see if he can afford it. Copilot shows Hank where the money's going and which little extras make the dollar slice work. Now Hanks has a line out the door. Hank makes the pizza. Copilot handles the spreadsheets. Learn more@m365copilot.com here's your afternoon TNB Tech
[00:33]
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Minute for Tuesday, April 14th.
[00:36]
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I'm Julie Cheng for the Wall Street Journal.
[00:38]
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We exclusively report that Rivian is partnering
[00:42]
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with battery recycling firm Redwood Materials to
[00:45]
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reuse old EV batteries for energy storage
[00:48]
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at its Illinois car factory. Executives told the Journal that the system will be the largest repurposed battery energy storage system for an auto manufacturer in the country. The project is expected to be completed later this year.
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It will initially provide 10 megawatt hours
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of energy with electric drawn from more than 100 Rivian EV batteries, and it'll reduce Rivian's dependence on the power grid during peak hours.
[01:11]
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The partnership is the latest example of
[01:13]
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the battery energy storage industry boom in the US Lucid Group has secured $750 million in fresh funding commitments from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and Uber as the electric vehicle maker looks to fuel its next phase of growth.
[01:29]
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The company also named Silvio Napoli as
[01:31]
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its new CEO after searching for someone to fill the role permanently for over a. As part of its expanded partnership, Uber will purchase 35,000 additional Lucid vehicles for its Robotaxi fleet. Lucid, Uber and autonomous technology company Nuro are preparing for the commercial launch of their next generation Robotaxi service later this year.
[01:52]
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And Anthropic has appointed Novartis CEO Vas?
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Nar Simon to its board of directors, its second new board addition in recent months.
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It comes as the company prepares for
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a potential IPO and expands its enterprise push into healthcare. Anthropic has already partnered with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and genmab to shorten drug development cycles. In January, Anthropic announced new features for healthcare providers, insurers and health tech companies. Plus, it expanded Claude's capabilities for clinical trial management and regulatory operations in life sciences.
[02:25]
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And that's it for your TMB Tech Minutes.
[02:27]
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We'll have another quick tech update in the morning.
[02:31]
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Hey, this is Telus Demos, and I'm Miriam Gottfried. We're reporters at the Wall Street Journal and The hosts of WSJ's take on a weekly show that gives listeners a leg up in the world of markets and investing.
[02:41]
E
From the Fed's moves to market bubbles, we dive into the biggest deals, key players and business news ahead. If you're looking for more news and tools that you can use to help navigate the markets, consider becoming a subscriber to the Wall street journal.
[02:53]
D
Visit subscribe.WSJ.com Take on the Week to subscribe now.