Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted on X that Tesla vehicles will make money for their owners. This message supports Tesla’s long-standing plan to let its cars operate as driverless robotaxis. The idea is simply, when you’re not using your car, it could drive people around and earn income.
Musk replied to a post by an X user, who described how Tesla owners could turn their vehicles into robotaxis. The post read,
“Tesla owners will have the ability to turn their cars into robotaxis. Technically, your car will earn money for you. It’s like Uber, but the car drives itself.”
Musk responded, “Your Tesla car will earn you money.”
Tesla has talked about this before. The robotaxi plan is part of its push to make Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology useful in daily life through a network often called the “Tesla Network.”
Tesla’s progress so far
Back in October 2024, Tesla introduced the “Cybercab” at an event in Hollywood. This two-door car has no steering wheel or pedals. It’s built only for autonomous ride-sharing. Tesla said it would cost under $30,000 and start production in 2026.
But the Cybercab isn’t the only piece. In January 2025, during Tesla’s Q1 earnings call, Musk said the company aimed to launch an unsupervised FSD service in Austin, Texas, by June 2025. This would let current Tesla models like the Model 3 and Model Y join the network and pick up passengers on their own. He added that California and other U.S. cities might follow later in the year.
How owners might earn
The main idea is that owners can rent out their cars while not using them. For example, your car could drive people around while you’re at work. You’d earn part of the ride fee. Tesla hasn’t said how profits would be split yet, but the plan is clear: help owners cover car costs with passive income.
Musk has said before that this setup could make cars pay for themselves over time. Like other ride-share services, cars would pick up and drop off passengers, but with no driver needed.
FSD tech still needs work
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving is still under watch. It’s labeled as “supervised,” which means it needs a human in the driver’s seat. Musk says it’ll be safer than human drivers, but that hasn’t been proven yet.
People have concerns
Some people still worry about safety. One big concern is what could happen if cars are left alone in public. Some think they could be damaged or used in crimes. There are also concerns about cleaning and upkeep. Tesla hasn’t said how it plans to deal with these risks.
Public and Market response
Musk’s post got lots of attention. Some people were excited and joked they could now say, “My car works for me.” Others weren’t sold, pointing out cleaning costs and possible damage from riders.
Investors are split. Tesla’s stock has dropped 36% in the first quarter of 2025. Some believe the robotaxi plan could help turn things around. Others say Tesla needs to prove it first before trust is regained.
Past promises
This isn’t the first time Musk has talked about robotaxis. In 2019, he said Tesla would have a fleet by 2020. That didn’t happen. So while this week’s post repeats old plans, it keeps people watching. However, Tesla has made progress in FSD, and some approvals have come through, but it’s still not a finished system.
If Tesla can get this right, it could change how we use cars. But for now, the company has a lot of work ahead. The plan depends on safe tech, legal approval, and people trusting self-driving cars. More info is expected soon. Tesla may share how owners can join the network and what rules will be in place to protect their vehicles.
With June approaching, all attention is on Tesla to show that robotaxis aren’t just a concept, but something real.
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