6 Reasons Tesla Owners Won’t Use the Robotaxi Network - Daily Drive Podcast 2007
I believe a lot of Tesla owners bought their cars with the dream of one day putting them on the Robotaxi network to earn extra income. And on paper, it sounds brilliant: you’re at work or relaxing at home while your car is out making money for you.
But as a Tesla owner, Uber driver, accountant, and economist, I’m here to tell you, it’s not going to work the way you think. In fact, I believe most Tesla owners won’t use the Robotaxi network at all. Here’s why.
1. You’ll Lose Access to Your Car
The biggest problem? Your car won’t be available for personal use. You might imagine sending it off in the morning and having it return clean, charged, and ready at 5 p.m., but the reality will be very different. The car could be across town when you need it for lunch, an errand, or an emergency. When it finally does get back, it may be dirty, low on charge, or even slightly damaged.
2. No More Personalization
Look in your glove box, center console, or trunk - is there anything personal in there? Forget about it. If strangers are constantly in your car, you can’t keep personal items inside. Even with cameras, people will rummage, take things, and damage small touches that make the car yours. Your beautifully customized Tesla will become a bland, generic rideshare vehicle.
3. Wear and Tear from Micro-Damage
After 13,000 trips in multiple cars, I’ve learned this: small damages add up. Scratches from keys when passengers open the door, scuffs on seats, and wear on floor mats happen constantly. You’ll never know who caused it, so you can’t bill anyone. Over time, your car will show the toll.
4. Cleaning and Maintenance Costs
Robotaxi use means more miles, more dirt, and more smells, inside and out. That means more frequent cleaning and higher maintenance costs. Those costs cut into already thin margins, and if you care about your car’s appearance, you’ll be spending both money and time keeping it presentable.
5. Insurance and Liability
Insurance will be a major hurdle.
If your car is between trips, just roaming while looking for passengers, Robotaxi won’t cover it. That liability will fall on you, which means higher personal insurance premiums. And if something happens—anything from a flat tire to a major accident—you’re on the hook, even if you’re sitting at work.
6. The Numbers Don’t Add Up
Even if you overlook all the above, the financial reality will stop you. Rideshare demand is low during typical work hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m.), and the higher-demand late-night hours come with more risk and more mess. Without a driver, you lose out on tips; last week, I made $207 in tips, which accounted for most of my profit.
When I crunched the numbers:
Passenger fare: $22
Driver pay: $11
Costs (insurance, depreciation, electricity): $1.35/mile
Car’s profit after all expenses: ~$3.23 per trip
At the end of one week, 937 miles and 43 hours online, my Tesla made $26 profit without tips. That’s 2% of the total fare revenue. And that’s before factoring in cleaning, downtime, and hassle.
Also, if Robotaxi goes mainstream, large fleet operators will likely purchase hundreds or thousands of vehicles, which will drive fares down. Their scale will enable them to obtain cheaper insurance, lower cleaning costs, and more efficient operations. Competing with your one car in that environment will be nearly impossible.
Uber driving is already hard work with slim margins. Add autonomy into the mix, and those margins get even skinnier. Unless something changes dramatically, most Tesla owners will find it’s just not worth putting their car on the Robotaxi network.
If you’re a driver, I’m cheering for you. Stay safe, healthy, and happy out there.
