Tesla Model Y robotaxis hit Austin streets for testing as Musk sets 'tentative' launch date
Tesla's self-driving Cybercab has hit the streets of Austin, kicking off the company's initial robotaxi rollout — one of the first real-world deployments of CEO Elon Musk's long-promised autonomous vehicle service as launch day nears.
The business tech mogul unveiled the model last October at the electric car manufacturer's "We, Robot" event, shortly after he announced the plans to launch the Tesla-operated ride-sharing service.
'Beautifully simple design,' Musk wrote on X in response to a video showing the testing.
In preparation for the launch, residents in one southeast Austin neighborhood say Tesla Model Ys — with drivers behind the wheel — have been circling their blocks repeatedly, Forbes reported.
The repeated test runs have created what some describe as a parade of Teslas winding through the area, drawing attention as the robotaxi rollout ramps up.
Here's what to know about the launch timeline, expected pricing, and where the robotaxis might appear first.
The two-door models showcased have no steering wheels, gas pedals or brake pedals. Musk asserted during the October unveiling that these fully autonomous vehicles would be "10 times safer than a human," adding that they could reduce the need for parking and save personal time.
Since 2016, Musk has been promising Tesla investors, customers and fans that the company is about a year away from delivering a self-driving car that's capable of transporting passengers safely without human interventions, or a human at the steering wheel.
The Tesla CEO first teased the Cybercab in 2019, but has yet to reach the public officially.
The self-driving taxi rides will finally make their debut in Austin by the end of the month. Musk says the official launch date is tentatively planned for June 22, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The vehicle is also slated for production in 2026, and each vehicle will cost $30,000 or less. While the cost of each ride is not yet clear, it's likely to be between 40 and 80 cents per mile, according to PYMTS.com.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Tesla robotaxis hit Austin streets as Musk sets 'tentative' launch date
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Rare Earth Trap: How China Could Cripple America's Tech and Defense in One Move
China may not have Silicon Valley, but it controls the minerals that make Silicon Valley run. From electric motors to missile systems, rare earth elements are the silent backbone of modern techand Beijing owns the playbook. In 2024, China produced 270,000 tons of rare earthsabout six times more than the it dominates global refining. When trade tensions flared again, Beijing didn't just talk tough. It added seven rare earths to its export control list, causing headaches for American manufacturers. Tesla (TSLA) flagged rare-earth magnet shortages as a bottleneck for its humanoid robot, while Ford was forced to idle a major Chicago plant due to supply disruptions. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Sign with MP. The pressure doesn't stop at consumer goods. The F-35 fighter jet alone requires over 900 pounds of rare earths. And yet, the U.S. has just one major rare-earth mineMP Materials' (NYSE:MP) Mountain Passand almost no refining capacity. Trump, aiming to break China's chokehold, invoked emergency powers in March to accelerate domestic mining and processing. He followed up with an investigation into the national security risks of mineral imports, with recommendations expected within 270 days. Still, even fast-tracked projects could take years, and in the meantime, tariffs could drive up prices for the very materials U.S. companies depend on. China's control runs deep. It can approveor delayexport licenses without explanation, leaving global supply chains exposed. The message is clear: if the U.S. wants to restrict chip exports, China can slow-roll the magnets that drive EVs and missiles. Trump has floated Greenland and Ukraine as alternative sources, but neither has proven, scalable capacity. Rare earths aren't rarebut reliable supply chains are. And as the trade war evolves, the world is learning that dominance in materials might be more powerful than dominance in manufacturing. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
$13,296 blow for EV drivers as major incentive could soon be scrapped: 'Would not buy'
Generous tax subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs) could soon be phased out as the federal government tries to rein in spending. EV drivers have been able to save thousands of dollars thanks to Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemptions and other incentives. Sydney resident Tom Gao told Yahoo Finance these tax breaks were the main reason he jumped on the EV bandwagon when he bought his first Tesla. Productivity Commissioner chairwoman Danielle Wood has indicated it could be on the chopping block to make way for cheaper initiatives. 'We have a whole range of policies at both federal and state level to try and reduce carbon emissions,' she said on the ABC's 7.30 programme. Tesla driver backs $13,000 cash boost for EV drivers as popular rebate under fire ATO, Centrelink warning over $100 million Powerball lottery win Aussie teen's job paying $300 per hour without a uni degree 'Each of those has sort of an implicit cost per tonne of abatement. Some of those we've said in the past are pretty high, things like fringe benefit tax subsidies for EVs.' The tax break was introduced by Anthony Albanese in 2022 and was designed to boost the number of EVs on Aussie roads. That has definitely been achieved. According to the Australian Automobile Association, there were 6,752 battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) sold in the first quarter of 2022. Fast-forward to the first quarter of 2024, there were 25,552 sold. BEV sales have dropped off since then as plug-in hybrids became more popular due to being the best of both worlds between a battery and internal combustion engine (ICE).You can deduct the cost of an electric vehicle if: The EV was worth less than $91,387 The car was bought with a novated lease A novated lease allows an employee to buy a new or used car and have their employer cover the cost of lease repayments to an agreed financial supplier. The employer makes the repayments to the leasing company out of the employee's pre-tax salary in a salary sacrifice arrangement, which reduces the employee's taxable income. For example, if a worker secured a $68,000 EV through a novated lease through their company, they could save around $13,296 thanks to the exemption. As many as 100,000 people have taken up the tax break so far, according to the National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association. "I would not be buying an EV if FBT exemption is removed," Goa told Yahoo Finance, who feared there would be a "significant drop in EV purchases" if it was scrapped. "If you look at uptake of EVs in countries like Norway, it's completely driven by government incentives," the Sydney driver said. "That's the case across the world." The government ended the FBT exemption for plug-in hybrids at the end of March this year. The Productivity Commission is currently reviewing the tax break ahead of a government summit in August. It's set to release a report on its findings before that meeting in a few months. Treasury had forecast the FBT exemption policy would only cost taxpayers $55 million in the 2024-25 financial year. But figures from the Institute of Public Accountants found it cost closer to $560 million per year. The Commission estimated in 2023 that the policy cost between $987 to $20,084 per tonne of carbon abatement. This means the government is spending that much money for every tonne of carbon emissions it has helped prevent. That reportedly makes it the most expensive climate policy on the government's balance sheet by a long shot. For comparison, the next most expensive policy at a federal level is the discounted excise for E10 petrol, which is $128 to 274 per tonne of carbon abatement, according to the Australian Financial Review. While Gao has enjoyed the benefits of the policy, even he admitted it was an "outrageously" generous handout and bordered on being "extremely fair" for ICE drivers. While the FBT exemption for EV drivers might get scrapped, the Commission could suggest allocating the money towards broader emissions reductions strategies. This could include expanding the carbon emissions cap to additional sectors like road transport and electricity. During the 2025 election campaign, Peter Dutton said the Coalition would axe the exemption if his party won. The promise sparked major concerns in the EV community, with Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio saying she was "extremely disappointed and confused". 'The electric car discount has been helping thousands of workers finally afford to buy an electric vehicle. When Australians make the switch to an EV, they stand to save up to $3,000 per year on fuel and maintenance costs, but the biggest roadblock is the upfront cost," she said. "The FBT exemption has been helping to lower that barrier. "The Australians who're set to lose out most are those in outer suburbs, who have embraced the electric car discount in droves. "People living in the outer suburbs and regional communities — who typically drive longer distances — are finally able to access the savings that EVs offer, thanks to this discount." She said the exemption had been "highly effective" at getting more EVs on the road and getting rid of it could "stall progress toward cleaner, cheaper-to-run transport".
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tesla (TSLA) Jumps on Looming Robotaxi Launch
We recently published a list of . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) stands against other top-performing companies on Tuesday. Tesla grew its share prices for a third straight day on Tuesday, jumping 5.67 percent to finish at $326.09 apiece as investors gobbled up shares ahead of the expected launch of its robotaxis this month. Investor sentiment was particularly spurred by a spotted Tesla robotaxi plying the road in Austin, Texas, just this week. The video sparked optimism that Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) may be ramping up its preparations for its official rollout. In a video shared on various social media sites, a Tesla Model Y can be seen operating completely driverless and confidently making a turn. Additionally, the state of Texas has hinted at the company's robotaxi launch on its website on Monday, listing the company as an autonomous vehicle operator on Austin's official Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Other AV operators listed on the site are Waymo and Zoox, among others. Billionaire Elon Musk said earlier that the company has already been preparing for the official rollout since last month. Overall, TSLA ranks 9th on our list of top-performing companies on Tuesday. While we acknowledge the potential of TSLA as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
