Tesla opens door to third-party Cybercab fleet operators
A new interest form suggests the EV giant is considering selling its autonomous vehicles to external businesses, marking a potential shift from its previous in-house robotaxi strategy.
Tesla has published a form on its website to solicit interest from businesses seeking to purchase Cybercab fleets or provide infrastructure for its robotaxi network. The move, released on Thursday ahead of a dedicated Cybercab event in Austin, indicates the company is considering widening its autonomous vehicle operations to include third-party operators.
While the form is not definitive proof that Tesla will officially sell its vehicles to external parties, it serves as a clear indicator of the company’s longer-term strategic direction. Tesla appears to be moving away from a model where it keeps its robotaxi business entirely in-house, instead looking to scale its network with the assistance of other firms.
The interest form allows potential partners to select specific roles, including Cybercab fleet purchasing, mobility hubs and infrastructure, event collaboration, or other unspecified options. This approach contrasts with Tesla’s earlier vision, where CEO Elon Musk proposed a "Tesla Network" that would allow individual owners to rent out their self-driving vehicles, a concept similar to the Uber model.
That initial vision never fully materialised, leading Tesla to focus on testing and operating its own fleet, initially using Model Y vehicles and now transitioning to the purpose-built Cybercab. By inviting external businesses to participate, Tesla may be seeking to saturate markets faster without bearing the full capital burden of fleet expansion alone.
The robotaxi fleet management sector is currently experiencing significant growth, with several companies positioning themselves to capture a share of the market. Moove, an African fintech startup that recently raised $250 million at a $2.1 billion valuation, operates Waymo fleets in Phoenix, Miami, and Las Vegas. Although Moove does not currently own the Waymo vehicles, its leadership has indicated plans to do so in the future.
Other players in this emerging space include Avomo and New Horizon, both of which have partnered with Uber to secure a foothold in the robotaxi market. Traditional rental giants such as Avis and Hertz are also entering the sector. Tesla’s outreach to fleet operators could encourage smaller players to enter the market, potentially accelerating the adoption of autonomous vehicles across various jurisdictions.
