Tesla’s Cybercab promises a better future — for Elon Musk
Out now in The Spectator: on Tesla's disapointing Robotaxi
“Beyond the inferior tech, unrealistic price and unbelievable production deadline, the bigger, fundamental problem with Musk’s vision is that it is not concerned with making the best future possible; the purpose is more about making the best future possible that’s in Tesla’s self-interest.
Why make a robotaxi that looks really cool, but isn’t that practical? Because it pumps the stock more. Why make it only two seats, if you want it to be a ubiquitous product? Because then Tesla would have to sell a lot more of them; and if you want something bigger, you have to pay a way bigger price-hike to get the full-size van.
This is not a vision of a future without bumper-to-bumper traffic, despite Musk’s insinuations. If the future is this reliant on taxis, then traffic would be worse; it’s just that you would be able to work better during it. A truly cleaner, safer future has fewer cars on the road, with more people using trains, subways and bikes. It has more remote work, meaning fewer employees would commute — and they could live in more rural areas. But public transit and remote work decrease car sales, so Musk is rabidly opposed to both of them.”
Out now in The Spectator: give it a read!