Latest news with #SuvratKothari
Ya Libnan
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Ya Libnan
Tesla's Robotaxi service is coming to Austin on June 12: Report
File Tesla Model Y which will be used for Robotaxi service in Austin , TX starting June 12 By: Suvrat Kothari A new chapter in Tesla's story is set to begin in a few days as the automaker pivots away from its core passenger vehicle business towards self-driving taxis and artificial intelligence. After years of promises, Tesla will begin its driverless ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas, on June 12, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday citing a person familiar with the matter. We knew that self-driving Tesla taxis were coming to Austin in June, but this is the first time that a publication has reported a final date on when that actually might happen. CEO Elon Musk previously said that Tesla would begin its robotaxi service with only about 10 Model Ys ferrying passengers around the 'safest areas of Austin' in the beginning, followed by a cautious and gradual increase in the number of deployed vehicles. The service won't immediately be available to the public, but instead be offered to an 'invite-only' group of riders. However, Musk reiterated in an interview with CNBC recently that Tesla plans to scale to thousands of robotaxis 'within a few months' and then expand to other cities depending on how fast the permits are granted. It's worth noting that Musk has himself previously acknowledged that he tends to be overly optimistic with timelines and targets. The State of Texas has relatively simple rules around autonomous vehicles. The rules state that 'AVs must adhere to the same regulations as cars in which a driver is present (e.g., insurance, registration). State law also requires AVs to comply with all traffic laws.' Austin has formed a task force to collect information about incidents and communicate with AV operators. As of the time of publication, the city of Austin has not listed Tesla as an AV operator. In the initial phase of the rollout, Tesla is expected to employ remote human operators . The automaker has been hiring 'teleoperations' specialists who can intervene remotely, sitting thousands of miles away in California, if the vehicle encounters complex traffic situations. We'll see how effective this approach will be, especially after the company scales up. Tesla will also compete with Waymo, which recently began its robotaxi service in Austin with Jaguar I-Pace EVs and is now clocking over 250,000 driverless rides per week across four U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles. Tesla, however, says that it can scale up faster than its rivals because it already has millions of cars on the road equipped with the Full-Self Driving (FSD) software. However, the true safety of Tesla's camera- and AI-based system is yet to be proven on a large scale as FSD's safety data isn't publicly available yet. And Tesla's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have been linked to hundreds of crashes and multiple fatalities. Inside
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Subaru stuns with bold new EV designed for extreme outdoor performance: 'Feels like a breath of fresh air'
Subaru's Solterra successor has a lot to offer. The Japanese car brand unveiled its newest electric vehicle, the Trailseeker, at the 2025 New York International Auto Show. It's a big moment for Subaru, as it is fairly new to the EV scene. The Trailseeker features over 8 inches of ground clearance and all-wheel drive, making it a decent choice for off-road adventures. With a 3,500-pound towing capacity and roof rails, the Trailseeker can haul boats, trailers, and more. The model is compatible with the North American Charging Standard, so drivers can charge at thousands of stalls across the United States. Refueling time is quick, too, going from 10% to 80% charge in just 30 minutes. The Trailseeker's price tag has yet to be revealed, but the "the average transaction price for electric cars was $59,205 in March," according to data from Kelley Blue Book. Since the vehicle's production is overseas, tariffs will likely raise the price. Despite the "chaos and the uncertainty over the future [of] the auto industry, the Trailseeker EV feels like a breath of fresh air," said Suvrat Kothari at InsideEVs. EV prices are closing in on their gas-powered counterparts, especially when combined with government incentives like tax credits and rebates. That's not to mention the money you would save on gas, which could be anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars a year, depending on usage. There are environmental benefits, too, since electric vehicles produce no planet-warming tailpipe emissions when out on the road. Even when factoring in production-related pollution, electric vehicles are still far better for the environment compared to gas guzzlers. Subaru's Solterra wasn't extremely successful, but the Trailseeker shows promise. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "The Trailseeker enters the most competitive EV space," said Sean Tucker of Kelley Blue Book. "But it's an attractive package with the styling and spirit that Subaru loyalists expect, and helps solve some of the Solterra's limitations." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
