Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla to build own Autopilot chip, Gigafactory employs 850 with more to come

Tesla is reportedly building its own System on Chip (SoC) for its autonomous driving system. Tesla recently ditched MobilEye's EyeQ3 chip in favor of Nvidia's DrivePX2, but has been rumored to be developing its own, especially after hiring Jim Keller as VP of Autopilot Hardware Engineering. Now, South Korea's Electronic Times says that Tesla is partnering with Samsung to build its own SoC for Autopilot. Read more at Electrek.

Tesla now employs over 850 people at its Gigafactory in Nevada. It also plans to hire 1,000 more people in the first half of 2017. The increased workforce is needed as Tesla plans to ramp up production of battery cells along with energy storage products like the Powerwall and Powerpack. Tesla is aiming for a battery production capacity of 35 GWh in 2018. CEO Elon Musk says that the Gigafactory could eventually employ around 10,000 workers, with battery production capacity up to 150 GWh. Read more from Electrek.

Five African countries are demanding cleaner diesel fuel from their suppliers. In hopes of reducing harmful emissions, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Nigeria, and Benin have announced that they will no longer accept shipments of high-sulfur diesel from Europe. Traders have been exporting their dirtier fuel to African countries with looser regulations, but now these recipients are demanding the same diesel Europe uses. A study from advocacy group Public Eye showed that "African Quality" fuel samples collected at the pump contained sulfur levels up to 378 times what is allowed in Europe. Read more at Green Car Reports.

Chevrolet Bolt customers can save $500 through the Farm Bureau. Technically, Farm Bureau members get the same discount on any Chevy vehicle, but this deal combined with federal, state, local, and corporate incentives mean that owning an EV will be even more affordable. Farm Bureau membership dues vary by state, but you don't necessarily need to be a farmer to join, and the $500 discount pays for itself several times over. Read more from Chevrolet.