Tesla’s robotaxis are moving in reverse
Tesla's Robotaxi service experienced a 36% decline in paid miles driven during the second quarter of 2026 compared to the first. This downturn occurs as the company faces broader financial challenges and shifts its focus toward data collection for its upcoming Cybercab.
Why it matters
The decline in performance metrics challenges Tesla's narrative regarding the rapid scalability and success of its autonomous ride-hailing business.
Tesla’s budding “Robotaxi” network drove fewer miles for paying customers in the second quarter than it did in the first, according to a chart the company released on Wednesday.
The quarter-over-quarter decline runs counter to Tesla’s rhetoric and actions in the past year. Tesla has staked much of its future on the idea of a massive, low-cost, cash-generating Robotaxi fleet — or going “balls to the wall for autonomy,” as CEO Elon Musk framed it in 2024. The quarterly step-down in Robotaxi miles also comes amid weakening profits in Tesla’s core businesses, which underperformed Wall Street’s expectations, according to figures released Wednesday. Tesla’s stock plunged more than 13% in early trading on Thursday.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in