Tesla's Robotaxis to Rival Bus Fares—Does Musk's Math Add Up?

Elon Musk asserts that Tesla's unsupervised self-driving robotaxis will offer rides at the cost of a bus ticket, potentially rendering buses obsolete. We delve into the numbers to see if his claim stands up to scrutiny.

The bus "won't be needed" once Tesla Robotaxi "rolls out unsupervised full self-driving," according to Elon Musk, who claims the vehicle would be just as inexpensive.

Electric Buses Can Function in Cold Weather

According to Electrek, Musk addressed a false allegation that electric buses were ineffective in colder locations over the weekend.

Electric buses can function in cold regions when properly designed, as he correctly points out in the first part of his reply. However, if they are experiencing problems in the winter, it's because they weren't intended for it.

Tesla Robotaxi as a Cheaper Alternative

The second half of his statement, though, raises some eyebrows:

• Then the battery packs of the buses are too small.
• Teslas can operate well even above the Arctic Circle.
• Also, buses will not be needed when Tesla rolls out unsupervised full self-driving, as they will take people to point to point for a similar cost to a bus ticket.

Cost of a Tesla Robotaxi Ride vs. Bus Ticket

The price of a Tesla driverless taxi, according to Musk, will be around the same as that of a bus ticket.

The monthly cost of a New York City Metrocard, which is valid for usage on both the bus and subway systems, is $132.

The city's average daily commute by public transportation is thirteen miles. The total comes to $0.34/mile.

Research Backs Autonomous Vehicle Cost Estimates

Interestingly, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia and the University of Texas at Austin attempted to estimate the cost of an autonomous driving service after Musk initially disclosed Tesla's plan to start one using its current electric vehicles.

According to the research, the cost of an autonomous Tesla Model 3 ride would be around $0.663 per mile.

If you're looking for a cheap ride in New York City, that's your best chance; public transportation costs around twice as much, but Uber is usually under $1 or $2 per mile (unless surge pricing applies).