Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi recently spoke at the Future Investment Initiative Institute Priority conference, where he discussed Tesla’s robotaxi network and its integration with Cybercabs. While Tesla has said that it would sell Cybercabs directly to customers in addition to adding them to the Robotaxi network itself, Khosrowshahi said that Musk is not open to adding Cybercabs to Uber’s platform.
They want to build it alone, so to some extent in Austin, we and Waymo will be competing with Tesla when they launch. — Uber CEO
Tesla App, not Uber App
Tesla is developing its own app to launch the Robotaxi network. While Tesla itself has not said it would be against partnering with Uber or other rideshare platforms, it certainly doesn’t want to rely on them for any parts of the process. The Robotaxi network will initially roll out in Austin, Texas, with Tesla’s Cybercab fleet set to hit the roads this June.
Tesla’s executive team has repeatedly emphasized—both during the Q4 2024 Earnings Call and at other events—that their vision for autonomy requires full control over the entire user experience. From summoning a ride in the Tesla app to the Cybercab arriving, transporting passengers, and completing the trip, every aspect of the journey is meant to remain under Tesla’s control.
The Flipside
There are some advantages to integrating Tesla’s autonomous vehicles with Uber’s platform, and Khosrowshahi highlighted them. Economically, it would make sense—Uber already has a massive, established user base, something Tesla currently lacks.
Tesla will be entering a competitive market where riders are already accustomed to using platforms like Uber, which has their payment information stored and ready to go. Convincing users to switch to Tesla’s in-house Robotaxi service could be a challenge. While the novelty of Tesla’s offering may attract some early adopters, long-term success will require a shift in consumer habits.
However, let’s not underestimate what motivates consumers. If Tesla can make their rides more convenient, safer, or drastically cheaper, consumers will quickly adapt.
Tesla’s Advantage
To maintain momentum beyond the initial novelty, Tesla must deliver an exceptional end-to-end experience. Otherwise, riders may revert to familiar services after trying out Tesla’s robotaxis. This could be one of the rare instances where Tesla needs to move cautiously rather than embracing its typical “move fast and break things” approach. Public acceptance of autonomous vehicles remains limited, and widespread adoption will require a combination of education, reliability, and a seamless user experience.
Fortunately, Tesla is well-positioned to meet these challenges, and the Cybercab is designed with the average rideshare user in mind. With a spacious, comfortable, and easy-to-clean interior, it offers a premium experience—without the premium price tag.
Tesla has stated its goal of lowering the cost of Robotaxi rides to as little as eight cents per mile—an incredibly low figure, even compared to subsidized public transit in major cities. If Tesla can achieve this price point, affordability will become a major selling point, long after the novelty factor fades.
Ultimately, Tesla’s Robotaxi service has the potential to be a game-changer. While excitement and curiosity may drive early adoption, it’s the economic advantage—offering a lower-cost alternative to Uber and traditional rideshare services—that will keep customers coming back.
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Tesla has just opened up their Early Access Program, which we found out about just a few days ago - to FSD owners and subscribers in the United States. This new Early Access Program will offer regular owners the ability to get early FSD updates before they get widely released.
Early Access
Tesla has begun to slowly roll out a pop-up (and button) in the Tesla app, offering users the ability to enroll in the FSD (Supervised) Early Access Program in the United States. This update is rolling out slowly, so don’t be surprised if you don’t have it yet.
For now, this program appears to be limited to the United States. Users in Canada and Mexico, even those with existing Early Access, have not yet received an invite to the program.
Once you join the Early Access Program, at the very bottom of your app, where your VIN and software version normally appear, you’ll see a new “Early Access” link. Tapping this will show your status as a member of the Early Access program and also offers you the opportunity to leave the program if so desired.
To be offered the program, you must own an AI4/Hardware 4 vehicle with FSD, either purchased or actively subscribed. Unfortunately, HW3 owners are not receiving this right now.
A pop-up will be displayed in your Tesla app once you get selected to join the program. If you dismiss the pop-up in a hurry, don’t worry. The ability to join Early Access stays as in the image below, and you can join the program at any time.
Ending your subscription while part of Early Access means your vehicle will be removed from the program.
The post pop-up opportunity.
Sawyer Merritt
Privacy
In exchange for receiving early builds of FSD, Tesla will increase the amount of data, video, and audio gathered from your vehicle, and the data will be VIN-associated, meaning less privacy and anonymity for users.
Any software updates or release notes you receive, both in-vehicle and in-app, will be watermarked with your vehicle's VIN. Tesla has been watermarking employee release notes since June of 2024 to reduce leaks, and this new Early Access program appears to follow a similar format, even though it is more widespread.
A watermarked release note.
@BrianX2023 on X
Cautions
Of course, earlier FSD builds are usually less stable and potentially less safe than wide release, so it’s important to remain more vigilant during FSD’s use. If anyone else uses the vehicle, make sure they’re also aware of the situation.
On the flip side, this is really exciting for many Tesla owners. Tesla’s Early Access program has normally been limited to employees and influencers, so it’s awesome to see regular owners getting an opportunity to get in on all the fun of testing out Tesla’s latest FSD functionality.
This new Early Access program could also mean that Tesla has a new level of confidence in future builds, where it’s now willing to make them available to more users. It could also have to do with Tesla’s FSD Unsupervised ambitions, where they may need more data than was already collected in order to successfully launch their Robotaxi this June.
Emissions Pooling is an incentive-based program supported by various governments—most notably the European Union—to help automakers meet strict carbon reduction goals under Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.
CAFE standards mandate that automakers reduce the average CO₂ emissions across their fleet of newly manufactured vehicles. The EU’s 2025 targets are particularly aggressive, and manufacturers risk hefty fines if a sufficient portion of their new vehicles aren’t low- or zero-emission.
Emission Pool
Emissions pooling is a regulatory mechanism that allows automakers to combine their fleet CO₂ emissions to collectively meet environmental targets. Companies with low or zero emissions—like Tesla—can partner with higher-emitting automakers to help reduce their combined average and avoid costly fines.
In practice, this means pool members purchase emissions credits from Tesla, which uses its all-electric lineup to generate surplus credits. These credits help other manufacturers offset their emissions, while Tesla earns a tidy profit.
Tesla has long capitalized on this model, regularly selling emissions credits to strengthen its financials. Now, its European Union emissions pool is expanding again—with Honda and Suzuki joining existing members like Stellantis, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, and Subaru.
Every automaker in Tesla’s emissions pool is effectively buying credits from a company with a 100% zero-emission fleet. In Q4 2024 alone, Tesla earned $692 million from regulatory and emissions credits, making up nearly 30% of its quarterly net income.
That’s a major chunk of profit driven by programs like emissions pooling—and with Honda now onboard, Tesla gains a significant new partner (and revenue stream) in the EU.
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