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01Robotaxi

Researcher Maps Show Tesla Robotaxi Geofences Smaller Than Advertised

Independent mapping reveals Tesla's actual Robotaxi pickup and drop-off zones in Texas are smaller than the advertised geofences.

Tesla enthusiast Koby Pierce mapped real pickup and drop-off locations in Tesla's four Texas Robotaxi markets using emulators. The usable areas range from 22% to 41% smaller than advertised boundaries, though they cover most residents.

Austin shows the largest gap at 41% smaller, with 160 sq. miles usable versus 273 sq. miles advertised. Dallas matches most closely at 78% of advertised land area. Houston and Fort Worth fall in between.

Gaps often occur near airports, railroads, and eastern edges, while central areas remain well covered. Pierce notes population coverage exceeds land coverage in all markets.

Key facts

  • Usable Robotaxi areas are 22% to 41% smaller than advertised geofences across Texas markets.13
  • Austin usable area is about 160 sq. miles, 41% smaller than the advertised 273 sq. miles.1
  • Dallas usable area covers 63 sq. miles of the advertised 81 sq. miles.1
  • Population coverage exceeds land coverage in all mapped markets.3
Image: Electrek
02RobotaxiUpdated

Tesla Files Cybercab Answers but Seeks Full Secrecy

Tesla submitted its sworn NHTSA response on the October 30 deadline and asked the agency to keep the entire filing confidential.

Tesla met NHTSA’s October 30 deadline for answers to a Special Order on Cybercab federal safety compliance. The company filed a one-page letter stating the entirety of the response is confidential business information, along with a placeholder for Request 8 and a 30-page first-responder plan already public on its website.

The public filing reveals nothing about how Tesla certified a vehicle without steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors to standards such as FMVSS 135 and FMVSS 111. NHTSA has not ruled on the confidentiality request or found any noncompliance.

This follows Tesla’s earlier September request for more time and mirrors its June 2025 confidentiality claim on Robotaxi launch answers that also remained sealed.

“The entirety of this file is confidential business information.”

Tesla1

Key facts

  • Tesla submitted its response on the October 30 deadline and requested confidentiality for the entire filing.1
  • The only public document is a 30-page Cybercab First Responder Interaction Plan dated September 3.1
  • NHTSA’s Special Order questioned compliance with FMVSS 135, FMVSS 108, and FMVSS 111.1
Sources1Electrek
Image: InsideEVs
03Charging

EVgo Opens First Tesla Supercharger Site in Chicago

EVgo opened its first 12-stall Tesla-powered Supercharger site near downtown Chicago on November 5.

The station is the first of hundreds EVgo plans to deploy nationwide under Tesla's Supercharger for Business program. It serves both NACS and CCS vehicles via Magic Dock and will appear in Tesla navigation when third-party charging is enabled.

Initial sites will be at Regency Centers grocery properties. EVgo aims for 500 NACS stalls by year-end separate from this buildout and NACS connectors at all post-2023 locations within two years.

Illinois EV registrations rose nearly 60 percent in two years, per the company.

Key facts

  • EVgo opened a 12-stall Tesla Supercharger site near downtown Chicago.23
  • The site is the first under Tesla's Supercharger for Business program with hundreds more planned.12
  • EVgo Superchargers appear in Tesla navigation when third-party charging is enabled.23
@SawyerMerrittEVgo has opened its first Supercharger site. It ultimately expects to install hundreds of Supercharger stalls in high-demand locations. These were purchased as part of @Tesla's Supercharger for Business program.
Image: Illustration: Grok Imagine
04Vehicles

IMC Logistics Receives First Tesla Semi

The largest US marine drayage provider has taken delivery of the first truck from its 50-unit Tesla Semi order for California operations.

IMC Logistics received its first Tesla Semi. The truck is the initial unit from a 50-truck order placed in September for use in California.

The company is the largest marine drayage provider in the US.

Key facts

  • IMC Logistics took delivery of its first Tesla Semi from a 50-truck order
  • The order was placed in September for California operations
@SawyerMerrittIMC Logistics, the largest marine drayage provider in the US, has just taken delivery of its first @Tesla Semi. The truck is the first to arrive from the 50 Tesla Semis IMC ordered in September for its California operations. https://evwire.com/p/imc-logistics-first-tesla-semi-delivery-photos
Image: Tesla North
05Energy

Canberra 250 MW Megapack Battery Farm Now Online

The Big Canberra Battery at Williamsdale has come online as the largest battery energy storage system in the Australian Capital Territory.

The 250 MW / 500 MWh Tesla Megapack site uses 136 units across 12 collector grids and connects to the grid via a main transformer weighing more than 180 tonnes. It was developed by Eku Energy and is intended to cover about one-third of Canberra’s electricity needs for up to two hours at peak demand.

ACT officials and Eku Energy stated the project finished on time and on budget. Peak construction supported about 150 jobs, and the site includes $1 million in community-benefit funding for local groups and research.

Australia already has other large Tesla Megapack installations, including a 1.6 GWh site near Melbourne that came online earlier this year.

Key facts

  • The Williamsdale BESS is a 250 MW / 500 MWh Tesla Megapack site now online.1
  • It is the largest battery energy storage system in the Australian Capital Territory’s history.1
  • The facility packs 136 Tesla Megapacks and ties into the grid through a main transformer weighing more than 180 tonnes.1
@SawyerMerrittThe largest battery energy storage system in Canberra, ACT, Australia's history is now online, and its a ~$150 million @Tesla Megapack system. The government says the batteries could power one-third of Canberra's electricity needs for two hours in times of peak demand.

More from today

VehiclesTesla First Argentina Store Set for Late November
Image: Tesla North
06Vehicles

Tesla First Argentina Store Set for Late November

Cencosud confirmed the Unicenter showroom in Martinez will open toward the end of November.

Cencosud announced on November 4 that Tesla will open its first Argentina location at Unicenter mall in Martinez, Buenos Aires province. The Level 1 space will display two vehicles, with a test-drive area holding ten cars in parking lot H.

The site is not a traditional dealership. It will support display, questions, and drives while Tesla continues direct online sales. Tesla has not yet posted its own confirmation or pricing for Argentina.

Unicenter draws about three million visitors monthly. The opening continues Tesla's South America expansion after its Chile showroom and orders in Colombia.

Key facts

  • Cencosud said Tesla’s first Argentina store will open at Unicenter in late November.12
  • The Level 1 showroom will display two vehicles and a test-drive zone with ten cars will sit in parking lot H.12
  • Unicenter attracts approximately three million visitors every month.12
RobotaxiProduction Cybercab Displayed at China Import Expo
Image: Drive Tesla Canada
07Robotaxi

Production Cybercab Displayed at China Import Expo

Tesla places a production Cybercab on display at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Tesla is showing a production Cybercab at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, which runs November 5–10. The two-seat robotaxi sits in the company’s dedicated area in Hall 3H.

The display also features the Model Y Performance, the latest Optimus humanoid robot, Megapack information, and details on Giga Shanghai production processes. Chinese outlet The Paper reports this is a production version, unlike last year’s show car.

Before the expo the Cybercab appeared at Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower from October 29 to November 1.

Key facts

  • Tesla displays a production Cybercab at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai November 5–10.1
  • The vehicle is shown in Hall 3H alongside Model Y Performance, Optimus robot, and Giga Shanghai details.1
  • The Paper reports this is a production version after last year’s show car at the same event.1
  • The Cybercab was displayed at Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower October 29–November 1.1
CompanyGiga Shanghai Parts Localization Rate Reaches 98 Percent
Image: Drive Tesla Canada
08Company

Giga Shanghai Parts Localization Rate Reaches 98 Percent

Tesla reported that the localization rate for parts at its Giga Shanghai factory has climbed to 98 percent.

Tesla’s Giga Shanghai parts localization rate has risen to 98 percent, up from the over 95 percent level reported in 2022. The figure was cited as Tesla exhibited at the 9th China International Import Expo.

About 93.3 percent of the Shanghai plant’s building area is dedicated to workshop space. Design elements such as the armrests and leg rests on Model Y L seats were jointly developed by Tesla and Chinese suppliers.

That localization climb tracks earlier milestones at the plant. Tesla had targeted a 90 percent localized parts rate by the end of 2021 and later reported rates above 95 percent as more Chinese suppliers entered the chain.

Key facts

  • Tesla’s Giga Shanghai parts localization rate has risen to 98%, up from over 95% in 2022.1
  • Tesla had targeted a 90% localized parts rate by the end of 2021 and later reported rates above 95%.1
  • Shanghai-built Model 3 and Model Y deliveries reached 67,829 units in October, up 10.3% year-on-year.1
CompanyGiga Berlin Hits Two Years of Wastewater Recycling
Image: Tesla North
09Company

Giga Berlin Hits Two Years of Wastewater Recycling

Tesla's German factory has recycled 100 percent of its process wastewater for two years.

Giga Berlin marked two years of recycling all process wastewater on November 5. Tesla Manufacturing reported that the site has returned 465 million liters to production instead of discharging it.

The milestone follows the one-year mark announced last November. Factory head André Thierig had noted that no process wastewater entered the public sewer during that period thanks to on-site treatment.

Tesla distinguishes process water from other streams and has not claimed zero fresh-water use across the entire site. Expansion plans include a second hall and an additional loop for sanitary wastewater.

“2 years of 100% process wastewater recycling at Giga Berlin – putting 465 million liters back in production”

Tesla Manufacturing1

Key facts

  • Giga Berlin completed two years of 100% process wastewater recycling.1
  • The factory put 465 million liters back into production over that period.1
  • The update builds on the one-year milestone announced last November.1

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