Tesla published a form on September 1, 2026, for businesses interested in purchasing Cybercab fleets or providing infrastructure for its network. This move indicates that the company’s plans for its autonomous vehicle extend beyond operating a robotaxi service. The interest form was released ahead of Tesla’s Cybercab event in Austin and suggests that the company is considering partnerships with third-party operators, although it does not confirm that Tesla will sell its autonomous vehicles to these operators.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has frequently discussed the goal of building a large fleet of low-cost robotaxis. Initially, these plans focused on Tesla owners being able to earn money by renting out their vehicles equipped with self-driving software. Musk mentioned this vision as early as 2016 and reiterated it during Tesla's Autonomy Day in 2019, where he compared it to Uber’s business model.
In 2020, Musk expressed confidence that autonomous robotaxis from Tesla would be available the following year, although he acknowledged that regulatory approval would vary by jurisdiction. However, this vision has not yet been realized, as Tesla has concentrated on testing and operating its own fleet of robotaxis, starting with Model Y vehicles and now the Cybercab.
The recent interest form suggests a shift in Tesla's strategy, indicating that the company may be open to collaborating with third-party companies to expand its robotaxi network. The form allows interested parties to select from various options, including purchasing Cybercab fleets, establishing mobility hubs, and event collaboration.
Several companies are entering the robotaxi fleet management sector. Moove, an African fintech startup, is expanding into autonomous fleet management and is currently the fleet operator for Waymo in multiple cities. Other companies in this space include Avomo and New Horizon, as well as traditional rental car companies like Avis and Hertz.
Tesla's outreach to fleet operators may facilitate faster market saturation by encouraging smaller players to enter the market.