Tesla is asking people if they want to buy and run Cybercab fleets

Tesla has published an online form asking businesses whether they are interested in buying fleets of its autonomous Cybercab vehicles or providing infrastructure for its robotaxi network. The form, released ahead of the company’s Cybercab event in Austin, signals that Tesla may be planning to sell its driverless vehicles to third-party operators rather than keeping the entire operation in-house. While the document is not definitive proof of such sales, it points to a broader strategy for scaling the robotaxi business beyond Tesla acting alone.

The form asks interested parties to select from several options, including Cybercab fleet purchasing, mobility hubs and infrastructure, event collaboration, and an "other" category. The wording invites respondents to "help us build our robotaxi network," suggesting the company sees value in widening participation. Tesla has not yet defined what the partnerships would look like or how third-party ownership might function.

This marks a shift from Tesla’s earlier vision, which centered on individual owners earning money by renting out their own vehicles through a ride-hailing app. As far back as 2016, Tesla CEO Elon Musk spoke about such a plan, and he revisited the idea at the company’s Autonomy Day in 2019, comparing it to Uber’s model. In 2020, Musk predicted that autonomous robotaxis from Tesla would arrive the following year, though he acknowledged regulatory approval would not be universal.

That early approach never materialized as described. Instead, Tesla has concentrated on testing and operating its own robotaxi fleet, first using Model Y vehicles and now purpose-built Cybercabs. Until the release of this interest form, the company appeared committed to running the service internally. The new form indicates that Tesla may now see benefits in recruiting third-party companies to help expand its network.

Several firms are already active in the robotaxi fleet management space. Moove, an African fintech startup that began with vehicle financing for ride-hailing drivers, is scaling up its autonomous fleet operations. Moove, which raised $250 million last month at a $2.1 billion valuation, currently manages fleets for Waymo in Phoenix, Miami, and Las Vegas, with plans to expand to London. The company does not own the Waymo vehicles it operates, though its CEO has said it intends to purchase them in the future.

Other fleet management companies, including Avomo and New Horizon, have partnered with Uber in the robotaxi market, and traditional rental car giants like Avis and Hertz are also involved. Tesla’s willingness to accept third-party fleet operators could encourage more small players to enter the field, potentially helping the company reach more customers in more markets more quickly. The form’s existence suggests Tesla is preparing for a future where its robotaxi network depends on outside businesses as well as its own operations.

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