Tesla’s Cybercab fleet jumped 8x in a month, with Dallas up next

teslarati.com Oct 11, 2026

Tesla’s Cybercab fleet jumped 8x in a month, with Dallas up next

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 11, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Tesla announced its Cybercab service in Austin now operates more than 300 vehicles, an eight‑fold increase since the September 4 launch. The figure was posted on the Robotaxi X account, which quoted AI software head Ashok Elluswamy saying the cabs are “everywhere in Austin now” and that Dallas will be next. Tesla added 150 Cybercabs to the Texas registry on Thursday, raising the total to 319. Independent tracker RobotaxiTracker logged 275 active units, noting that wait times stayed short despite an event. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an audit query into the Cybercab’s federal safety certification, with responses due Oct. 30. Tesla’s Q3 earnings on Oct. 21 are expected to confirm fleet numbers and a Dallas rollout timeline.

💡 Why It Matters

· Demonstrating rapid scaling in Austin gives Tesla concrete data to defend its autonomous‑driving claims ahead of regulatory scrutiny and a high‑profile earnings release.
· The announced Dallas expansion signals the company’s intent to turn the Cybercab into a nationwide revenue stream.

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Leaked emails: Tesla pressured Dutch vehicle regulator

Reuters disclosed that Tesla has been aggressively lobbying the Dutch vehicle regulator, the RD W, to accelerate approval of its Full Self‑Driving (Supervised) system across Europe. Hundreds of emails exchanged with authorities in seven EU nations show Tesla urging the RD W to narrow test scopes, shorten timelines, and accept company‑prepared reports instead of on‑site inspections. The firm also sought personal details of safety drivers and passengers and mobilised Musk’s followers to pressure regulators through mass emails, framing delays as a threat to lives. Researchers hired by Reuters say Tesla’s own safety data do not convincingly prove that the system cuts crashes. The RD W, whose assessment can be reused by other EU states, made concessions and considered withholding key test data from the public.

💡 Tesla’s pressure tactics could set a precedent for automakers to shape safety oversight, potentially compromising rigorous evaluation of autonomous driving technology.

geeky-gadgets.com · Oct 9

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

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.

💡 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.

techcrunch.com · Oct 9

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.