Elon Musk confirms new Tesla Robotaxi reveal on 8 August: what does it mean for the compact EV?
April 08, 2024 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
Elon Musk has taken to social media to announce Tesla’s latest product. Read on for all you need to know.
- New Tesla Robotaxi to be unveiled in August
- Fully self-driving car with no steering wheel
- May allow buyers to make money from their cars
- Rumours that it will replace the forthcoming compact EV
- Elon Musk denies these rumours on X
- Compact EV and Robotaxi likely to share parts
The new Tesla Robotaxi is going to be revealed on 8 August, a fully self-driving car with no steering wheel or pedals which is likely to share tech with the forthcoming entry-level Tesla hatchback.
The announcement was made on X (formerly known as Twitter) following reports from Reuters that the brand was scrapping the entry-level hatchback in favour of the Robotaxi. Elon Musk has since denied these claims.
New Tesla Robotaxi coming 8 August
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has announced that a new Robotaxi will be unveiled on 8 August.
Tesla Robotaxi unveil on 8/8
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 5, 2024
Rumours of a Tesla self-driving taxi have been around for a long time now, with CEO Elon Musk hinting at the idea almost eight years ago in his “Master Plan Part Deux”.
In the 2016 blog post, Musk said that, once true self-driving is approved by regulators, you’ll be able to summon your Tesla from pretty much anywhere, and you’ll be able to sleep or read on the way to your destination.
He also said that you’d be able to add your car to a “Tesla shared fleet” using an app, allowing you to share your car with other people while you’re not using it and generate income. Tesla would also run its own fleet of these self-driving cars in some cities where the demand was high enough.
A lot has happened in the eight years since this plan was first published, with Tesla launching the Model 3, Model Y, Semi and the Cybertruck. The new Robotaxi is actually being revealed before the highly-anticipated entry-level hatchback, and there have been rumours flying around about that car’s future.
Has the new Tesla Compact EV been scrapped?
Elon Musk’s announcement about the new Tesla Robotaxi follows rumours that the brand’s new compact EV is going to be scrapped. A report from Reuters cited three Tesla insiders who allegedly told the publication that Tesla would cancel the new entry-level model to focus on this new self-driving Taxi.
Reuters is lying (again)
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 5, 2024
Taking to X once again, Musk appears to have denied these claims. In one post he said simply “Reuters is lying (again)”, without referencing any specific inaccuracies in its report, while another said “Reuters is dying”.
Reuters is dying https://t.co/yvlXfu9oeI
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 5, 2024
During Tesla’s 2023 Financial Results call, Musk told investors that the new compact EV would go into production in late 2025. It would be quite the U-turn then if the brand were to scrap it now.
While the future of the sub-£22,000 electric car remains unclear, it’s highly likely that the new Robotaxi will use the same collection of parts being developed for it. This means you can expect to see a new, more efficient battery than the one used in the Model 3 and Model Y, as well as a new electric motor which is cheaper to produce.
Looking for an easy way to change your car? Then Carwow is the place to go. You can sell your old car for a great price, and get the best deals on a new one. All through our network of trusted dealers and all from the comfort of your home. Tap the button below to get started today.