Uber CEO Questions Tesla's Robotaxi Plans

In a recent interview on The Logan Bartlett Show, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi voiced skepticism regarding Elon Musk's ambitious plan to transform Tesla vehicles into a fleet of privately owned autonomous taxis. Musk's proposal suggests that Tesla owners could earn up to $30,000 annually by renting out their cars as autonomous taxis when not in use. However, Khosrowshahi raised concerns about whether Tesla owners would be comfortable allowing strangers to ride in their personal vehicles, citing the potential for unpleasant experiences similar to those faced by Uber drivers. Khosrowshahi highlighted the challenge of aligning the availability of Tesla vehicles with peak demand for rides. He noted that the times when Tesla owners would likely want to use their cars would coincide with high demand periods, making it difficult to ensure a sufficient supply of vehicles. In contrast, Uber has the flexibility to adjust its number of part-time drivers to meet demand during busy times, such as rush hours or major events. Additionally, Khosrowshahi emphasized the complexities of the ride-hailing business, contrasting it with the manufacturing of autonomous vehicles. He pointed out that building a $50,000 piece of hardware involves different challenges than managing over 30 million daily transactions, which require robust customer service capabilities. Khosrowshahi suggested that a more viable approach could involve Tesla producing autonomous vehicles while partnering with Uber to create a ride-hailing service, leveraging Uber's extensive experience in the industry.