For years, we’ve heard Tesla was working on an electric car that would be even more affordable than the Model 3. Allegedly, it was going to cost about $25,000 and revolutionize the EV industry. It’s also not happening. InsideEVs reports that on last night’s Q3 earnings call, Musk put the final nail in the coffin of the affordable Tesla that will not be. Instead, you’re going to get a robotaxi, and you’re going to like it.
Now, in Musk’s defense, he insists the robotaxi is a perfectly logical substitute for an electric Honda Civic competitor. If you’re gullible enough to take him at his word (and, hopefully, you aren’t), true autonomy is just around the corner, and the robotaxi will cost about the same as the so-called Model 2 would have, so it’s not the worst idea in the world. You know, in an alternative reality where Musk can actually be trusted and isn’t a conniving liar.
“Basically, having a regular $25K model is pointless. It would be silly. It would be completely at odds with what we believe,” said Musk when asked about a cheaper model that still had a steering wheel and pedals. “I think we’ve been very clear that the future is autonomous.”
If you’ve been following the news, this wasn’t exactly a groundbreaking announcement. Back in April, Reuters reported that Tesla had already canceled the Model 2 in favor of the robotaxi, citing sources inside the automaker. Musk denied the truth of that claim, saying it was a lie and that Reuters was dying. Fast forward to today, and Reuters is still very much not dead, unlike the Model 2.
As for the robotaxi, which has no controls that would allow a human to take over in the event of an emergency and will allegedly go on sale in 2026, so far, all we’ve really seen is a brief demonstration in a movie studio lot, and even that may have been remotely controlled. Where are the videos of it operating safely in a blizzard or expertly recovering while hydroplaning? You’d think a company that plans to sell a robotaxi you can’t control would be actively demonstrating how safe it is even in terrible weather.
Then again, Tesla also says it will be able to sell this truly autonomous two-seater for under $30,000, too, which is just laughable. Sure, Elon. Whatever you say, buddy.