Tesla Cyber Cab Gets an 18% Smaller Rare Earth-Free Motor

geeky-gadgets.com Oct 9, 2026

Tesla Cyber Cab Gets an 18% Smaller Rare Earth-Free Motor

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 9, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Tesla unveiled a new electric motor for its Cyber Cab that eliminates rare‑earth materials, using ferrite magnets instead of neodymium. The motor is 18% smaller and 25% lighter than comparable units, achieving performance through a hybrid system that blends permanent‑magnet torque with reluctance torque. Engineers added a dual‑layer magnet arrangement and a non‑magnetic rotor filler to offset ferrite’s lower magnetic strength. The compact design streamlines manufacturing, reduces production costs, and supports Tesla’s sustainability objectives by cutting supply‑chain and environmental risks.

💡 Why It Matters

· By proving that high‑performance EV motors can run on abundant, low‑impact materials, Tesla challenges the industry’s reliance on geopolitically sensitive rare earths and opens a path to more resilient, eco‑friendly vehicle production.

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Tesla renames ‘Full Self-Driving’ to ‘Tesla Assisted Driving’ in Europe

Tesla has renamed its advanced driver‑assistance system in Europe to “Tesla Assisted Driving” after Germany’s transport ministry criticized the “Full Self‑Driving (Supervised)” label as misleading. The change follows discussions between the ministry and Tesla and aims to ease regulatory approval across the continent, a step that could unlock a large new revenue stream. Germany’s transport minister, Steffen Bilger, said the previous name suggested capabilities the software does not possess and pledged to support the revised branding ahead of an EU‑wide vote later this year. Elon Musk thanked Bilger on X, reiterating his claim that European approval will save lives. The rebrand comes as the Netherlands recently approved the system despite questions about Tesla’s safety data and regulatory scrutiny continues worldwide.

💡 A clearer label removes a key regulatory obstacle, accelerating Tesla’s push into Europe’s lucrative market and setting a precedent for how autonomous‑driving claims are framed.

carscoops.com · Oct 9

Tesla Will Now Let You Rip A Supercharger Apart To Escape An…

Tesla announced the Emergency Drive Away feature, allowing vehicles to move while still connected to a Supercharger. The update, version 2026.38.3, is available only in the U.S. and requires the driver to hold the brake and tap “Activate” after a warning screen appears. Tesla cautions that the action will damage both the car and the charging station, with repair costs potentially reaching $25,000. The company also notes that the vehicle’s charge port will need a mandatory service visit. The feature was demonstrated this week and is intended for genuine emergencies.

💡 By permitting cars to leave a charger in distress, Tesla addresses safety gaps that previously forced drivers to wait for a technician, potentially preventing accidents at charging sites.

wjcl.com · Oct 9

Tesla Megacharger opens in Ellabell with 6 stalls for Semi trucks

Tesla opened its first Megacharger site at a Pilot Travel Center in Ellabell, Georgia, installing six high‑power stalls dedicated to Tesla Semi trucks. The chargers, located near Interstate 16’s mile marker 143 and close to the Hyundai Metaplant, deliver up to 1.2 megawatts each, enabling a 60% energy recovery in about 30 minutes. The site was chosen for its strategic position on freight traffic between the Port of Savannah and Atlanta. Tesla plans additional Megacharger posts in California and Texas, targeting over 100 installations by year‑end 2026 and 700 by 2027.

💡 The launch demonstrates a tangible expansion of infrastructure that could reduce operating costs for electric freight fleets, reshaping logistics along key southeastern corridors.

taipeitimes.com · Oct 9

Do not pave the way for competitors

Elon Musk has engaged Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to discuss a partnership for his Terafab project, a planned Texas facility aimed at producing over 1 terawatt of AI computing power annually. TSMC is evaluating the investment, but the partnership’s structure, ownership, manufacturing processes, and timeline remain undecided. Terafab would integrate logic, memory, advanced packaging, testing, and photomask production under one system, requiring 2‑nanometer Gate‑All‑Around technology. The arrangement could shift TSMC from a customer to a potential competitor, redefining the foundry’s competitive moat.

💡 The deal could give Musk’s companies unprecedented control over cutting‑edge chip production, altering supply‑chain dynamics and potentially eroding TSMC’s long‑standing manufacturing advantage.

teslarati.com · Oct 8

Elon Musk shuts down talk of TSMC taking over Terafab

Elon Musk clarified that Tesla and SpaceX will build and operate the Terafab chip factory in Texas, rejecting speculation that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) would take control. Musk stated the companies would retain full ownership and operation, allowing only a possible sublease of part of the facility. The announcement follows earlier reports of TSMC exploring involvement and underscores Musk’s intent to secure in‑house chip production for future AI, robotics, and SpaceX data‑center needs. The project, valued at up to $119 billion, aims to deliver 1 terawatt of computing power annually.

💡 By keeping Terafab under its own management, Musk eliminates reliance on external foundries, ensuring priority access to critical chips for Tesla’s autonomous systems and SpaceX’s orbital infrastructure. This move could reshape the semiconductor supply chain, positioning Tesla and SpaceX as independent players in a market dominated by a few contract manufacturers.

teslarati.com · Oct 8

Tesla FSD changed its mind mid-intersection, and it may have saved a…

Tesla posted a dash‑cam video showing its Full Self‑Driving (FSD) Supervised system averting a T‑bone collision at a stop sign. The owner, who shared the clip as TheNewGrid, explained that the vehicle initially proceeded into the intersection, assuming the oncoming car would stop. When the other driver ran the stop sign, FSD braked sharply in the middle of the intersection, allowing the crossing vehicle to pass safely. Tesla highlighted the incident alongside other recent safety demonstrations, including a Cybertruck yielding to an ambulance and a Model Y fleet for a real‑estate firm. The clip follows the rollout of Automatic Collision Evasion in FSD v14.3.9 and precedes the upcoming v15, which Tesla says will improve hazard prediction and reaction times. The company cites FSD Supervised as 4.1 times less likely to crash than manual driving over 100 million kilometres in Europe, a claim it is presenting to regulators as eight EU states approve the system.

💡 The episode proves that Tesla’s software can intervene faster than a human driver in split‑second danger, bolstering its case for broader regulatory acceptance and future robotaxi deployment.