Tesla Robotaxi set for Austin debut 10 days late, still bolsters company stock
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Elon Musk and Tesla want to take the driver out of the equation. At the core of that push, the Tesla Robotaxi is set to begin its self-driving services on Austin streets later this month. And although the rollout has already on a 10-day delay, Tesla’s stock is enjoying a bump.
Elon Musk says the Tesla Robotaxi service may ferry Austinites by the 22nd, 10 days after the previously leaked date
Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the Tesla Robotaxi is on schedule to begin its self-driving service on Austin, Texas, streets by the 22nd. In a post on X, Musk announced that the Robotaxi is “tentatively” set to start transporting passengers in less than two weeks. That does, however, put the launch of the so-called Cybercab 10 days behind the previously rumored launch date.
But Musk has an explanation for the delay. The South African former DOGE head posted on X that Tesla is being “super paranoid about safety,” per AP News. Understandable, given the nature of the Robotaxi. Most notably, the Robotaxi is a self-driving platform that will operate on public streets without a steering wheel or pedals.
Then there’s the issue of Austin itself. While it’s not Los Angeles, Austin is home to around one million people. And if you’ve ever driven there, you know that Austin’s over-burdened highway system, city streets, and lack of light rail are a poor mix for a population of that size. That means traffic density, and that much more of a complicated environment for the Robotaxi rollout.
Still, Musk seems confident about the Cybercab’s ability to take on Central Texas streets. “Austin >> LA for robotaxi launch lol,” Musk posted in what was likely a less-than-cheeky commentary on the unrest in LA. He also told CNBC that Tesla would start its Austin operations by “geofencing” 10 or so Robotaxis to predetermined parts of Austin.
But Tesla wants to ramp up the number of its self-driving two-seaters to many more. Musk’s autonomous cabby plans also include operations in nearby San Antonio, as well as Los Angeles and San Francisco. But the June 22nd service isn’t the first time a Tesla Robotaxi will hit the road in Austin; the EV automaker has been testing them in the Texas capital since at least last month.
And the news has reinvigorated Tesla’s stock for now. The CEO-POTUS feud prompted a 14% drop last Thursday. However, Tesla’s stock rose today to the highest point since the public falling out with President Donald Trump.
