Tesla opens door for businesses to buy and operate Cybercab fleets

Tesla published an online form on Thursday allowing businesses to express interest in buying Cybercab fleets or partnering on infrastructure for its robotaxi network. The form appeared ahead of the company's Cybercab event in Austin and suggests Tesla's long-term plans extend beyond operating its own robotaxi service to include third-party partners.

The form does not confirm that Tesla will definitely sell its autonomous vehicles to outside operators, but it points to a direction the company may be heading. Interested parties are asked to choose from several options, including purchasing Cybercab fleets, providing mobility hubs and infrastructure, collaborating on events, or other arrangements.

From personal ownership to a company-run fleet

Since as early as 2016, CEO Elon Musk has spoken about a future where Tesla owners equipped with self-driving software could earn money renting out their vehicles. At the company's Autonomy Day in 2019, he described the Tesla Network concept, which would let owners add their vehicles to a Tesla ride-sharing app similar to Uber's model. In 2020, Musk predicted robotaxis would arrive the following year, though not everywhere due to regulatory hurdles. That vision didn't materialize; instead, Tesla built out its own fleet, first with Model Y vehicles and now with the purpose-built Cybercab.

Growing competition in fleet management

Until now, Tesla has kept its robotaxi operations in-house. The new form suggests the company sees value and profit potential in bringing in third-party operators. A number of companies already work in autonomous fleet management — for example, African fintech startup Moove, which raised $250 million last month at a $2.1 billion valuation, manages Waymo fleets in Phoenix, Miami and Las Vegas, and will soon add London. Uber has also partnered with fleet operators Avomo and New Horizon, alongside traditional rental companies like Avis and Hertz. Tesla's openness to outside fleet operators could help it saturate markets more quickly.