Imagine a future where autonomous taxis zip through your city without a driver in sight—sounds revolutionary, right? Well, Tesla is charging full speed ahead with its Robotaxi ambitions, and the latest buzz is all about expanding into fresh territories that could transform how we think about urban mobility. Let's dive into the exciting—and sometimes eyebrow-raising—developments shaking up the EV world right now.
First off, Tesla is setting its sights on two promising new states for its groundbreaking Robotaxi service: Colorado and Illinois. This move signals the company's determination to broaden its autonomous ride-hailing network across the U.S., building on the successes it's already notched up. For those new to this, Robotaxi is Tesla's vision of a fully driverless taxi fleet powered by its advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, designed to offer safe, efficient rides without the need for human intervention. It all kicked off in late June when Tesla rolled out the service in Austin, Texas, marking a historic launch with no driver behind the wheel. Just a month later, they extended it to the bustling San Francisco Bay Area, giving tech-savvy residents a taste of the future.
But here's where it gets interesting: while public rides haven't hit other states yet, Tesla has been quietly securing approvals for initial testing phases in several locations. A smart tactic they've employed is posting job listings on their Careers site for roles like Vehicle Operators for Autopilot. This isn't just random hiring—it's a proactive step to have a team ready to jump in the moment regulatory green lights appear. Think of it like prepping your kitchen before a big dinner party; everything's in place for a seamless start. For example, months before getting the go-ahead in Arizona and Nevada, Tesla began recruiting for these positions. Those approvals came as testing licenses, allowing the company to validate and fine-tune the system in real-world conditions before opening it up to the public. Now, fresh job postings have popped up for operators in Aurora—a vibrant suburb just outside Denver, Colorado—and right in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. These hints point to Tesla's relentless push to grow, aligning with CEO Elon Musk's earlier declaration this year that he wants Robotaxi accessible to at least half of the U.S. population. Since that June debut, the service has grown impressively, but as Musk himself admits, there's still a long road ahead to hit year-end goals.
And this is the part most people miss: Tesla's job postings for Autopilot Vehicle Operators now span a wide swath of states, including Arizona, California, Texas, Florida, Colorado, Nevada, and Illinois. It's like watching a map light up across America, showing how methodically Tesla is plotting its expansion. For beginners wondering what an 'Autopilot Vehicle Operator' does, these folks are essentially safety monitors during the testing phase, ensuring everything runs smoothly as the AI learns from diverse environments like busy highways or suburban streets.
Shifting gears to another hot topic, Tesla's approach to advertising is flipping the script in a way that's got everyone talking—and not always in agreement. Hold on, because this could stir up some real debate: Is Tesla finally ditching its no-ads philosophy, or is this just a sneaky pivot? For years, the company has prided itself on zero traditional marketing spend, relying instead on word-of-mouth, viral social media, and Elon Musk's personal flair to sell vehicles. Investors and fans have been divided like a sports rivalry—half clamoring for Tesla to pour cash into ads to boost sales, the other half cheering the unique, organic growth strategy. Tesla's stance? That budget is better funneled into R&D for cutting-edge products like next-gen batteries or autonomous tech, rather than flashy billboards.
Yet, things took a dramatic turn recently, especially with the upcoming Shareholder Meeting looming as potentially the most pivotal in Tesla's history. At stake is a crucial vote on approving a massive new pay package for CEO Elon Musk—a deal that could catapult his wealth into trillionaire territory if Tesla's market cap soars to around $8.5 trillion from its current $1.36 trillion. To rally support, Tesla broke new ground by running paid ads, but not for cars. Instead, these spots on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and even streaming giant Paramount+ are laser-focused on urging shareholders to vote yes on November 6. One ad poignantly declares, 'The future of Tesla is in your hands,' framing the vote as essential for the company's next big leap in innovation and growth.
This shift feels bold, almost desperate to some observers. But here's where it gets controversial: Why advertise the CEO's payday instead of the sleek Model Y or Cybertruck that could actually drive sales? Critics are piping up, calling it a sign of urgency from the board to keep Musk locked in, especially after past controversies. One viewer tweeted that it reeks of begging for votes because the board hasn't held Musk accountable for brand-damaging actions in the public eye. Another questioned the ethics: No promotions for the business, just for executive compensation? On September 5, Tesla detailed this CEO Performance Award, tying it directly to sky-high valuation goals. It's clear they're pulling out all stops, reallocating some of that sacred R&D budget to influence the vote. A counterpoint to ponder: Could this be genius retention strategy, ensuring the visionary leader stays to steer the autonomous revolution? Or does it undermine trust in Tesla's priorities? What do you think—smart move or misstep? Drop your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you're voting yes or no.
Looping back to Robotaxi, fresh sightings are fueling excitement about even more expansion. Tesla's been spotted validating the service in a new spot: Gilbert, Arizona, with two units equipped with LiDAR gear for precision mapping and testing. LiDAR, for the uninitiated, is like a high-tech laser eye that helps cars 'see' their surroundings in 3D, complementing Tesla's camera-based FSD system during early stages. Another vehicle was caught in Tempe, and pairs have been roaming from Mesa to Tempe, covering the East Valley region. These aren't random drives; they're crucial validation runs to ensure safety and reliability before public rollout.
This builds on Tesla's pattern—similar equipped vehicles appeared in Austin and the Bay Area pre-launch. Now, with nods to Nevada, Arizona, and even job postings in New York and Florida, the ride-hailing project is gaining serious momentum. Musk has reiterated the goal of reaching half the U.S. by year's end, though regulatory hurdles mean it's a marathon, not a sprint. Recently, Tesla made its Robotaxi app available to more users, letting folks in Austin or the Bay Area hail rides and experience the seamless interface firsthand. As these validation efforts spread nationwide, it's becoming crystal clear: Tesla's betting big on autonomous transport reshaping daily commutes, deliveries, and more.
Finally, a peculiar report is stirring the pot on Tesla's affordable vehicle plans. And this is the part most people miss—and it might just spark heated debates on Tesla's long-term strategy. Word from Chinese media outlet 36kr suggests Tesla is dusting off and revamping its long-rumored $25,000 car project, codenamed internally as E41 and D50. Sources claim designs and verifications are borrowing from the current Model 3 and Y, aiming for models $5,000 to $5,500 cheaper than the freshly launched Standard trims of those vehicles, which debuted last week as more budget-friendly options.
But wait—this seems far-fetched, especially since Tesla just introduced those Standard Model 3 and Y variants to hit the affordable sweet spot without compromising too much on features. The report floats that these ultra-cheap cars would only proceed if the Standards flop in sales. Social media is abuzz, with posts claiming Tesla's restarting scrapped projects like NV91 and NV93 for sub-Model Y sizes, tied to that $25k dream Musk once hyped before pausing in February 2024.
Skeptics point out that Tesla's true affordable bet is the Cybercab, a dedicated autonomous vehicle without steering wheel or pedals, priced under $30,000 and optimized for robotaxi fleets. During the Q3 2024 Earnings Call, Musk dismissed a traditional $25k car as 'pointless' and 'silly,' arguing it wouldn't compete with purpose-built autonomous rides where cost-per-mile trumps everything. He emphasized that hybrids or manual cars can't match a fully dedicated self-driving machine. Plus, last month's unboxed manufacturing process patent screams efficiency for high-volume production, perfectly suited for Cybercab scaling to meet massive demand.
So, is this report a wild goose chase, or a sign Tesla's hedging bets amid economic pressures? Controversially, some argue reviving the $25k idea could democratize EVs faster, but at the risk of diluting focus on autonomy—do you agree, or should Tesla stick to its guns on Cybercab? Share your take below; let's discuss if this rumor holds water or if it's just noise in the EV race.
Joey, who's been covering electric mobility for Teslarati since August 2019, dug into these stories. When he's not reporting, you'll find him on the golf course, catching MMA fights, or rooting for his fave teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, or Penn State Nittany Lions. Reach him at joey@teslarati.com or on X @KlenderJoey. And if you're gearing up your Tesla with cool accessories, swing by shop.teslarati.com for some top-notch picks.
