Tesla Announces New EV Variants, Robotaxi Wars, and Lucid News in Latest Podcast Episode

Tesla announces new EV variants, Model 3 and Model Y, and expands robotaxi service. Lucid Motor news and more discussed in the Electrek Podcast. The podcast is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on YouTube.

Tesla Inc. (TSLA) has made significant strides in its autonomous ride-hailing market by expanding its robotaxi service area in Austin, Texas, and announcing new variants of its popular Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles (EVs). The company's rapid expansion in Austin comes just days after Waymo, Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOG) self-driving division, announced a similar move [1]. Meanwhile, Lucid Motors (LCID) continues to lead the luxury EV sedan market, with its Lucid Air maintaining its position as the best-selling luxury EV sedan in the US [2].

Tesla's Robotaxi Expansion

Tesla's robotaxi service in Austin has seen a substantial increase in its service area, from approximately 19.7 square miles to 42.07 square miles in just 22 days. This expansion is part of Tesla's strategy to leverage its generalized autonomy approach, which relies on vision-only technology to quickly validate and expand service areas. The company's ability to rapidly scale its robotaxi service is a testament to its technological advancements and operational efficiency [3].

New EV Variants

In addition to its robotaxi expansion, Tesla has announced new variants of its Model 3 and Model Y EVs. These new models are expected to offer improved performance, range, and features, catering to a broader range of customer preferences. The announcement comes as Tesla continues to dominate the EV market, with its vehicles consistently ranking among the best-selling models in various segments [3].

Lucid Motors' Market Leadership

Lucid Motors has maintained its lead in the luxury EV sedan market, with its Lucid Air model continuing to outperform competitors. The Lucid Air's impressive range and advanced technology have contributed to its success, making it the best-selling luxury EV sedan in the US. Lucid's first electric SUV, the Gravity, is also rolling out, with the company aiming to produce 20,000 vehicles this year, more than double the number produced in 2024 [2].

Conclusion

Tesla's rapid expansion of its robotaxi service and announcement of new EV variants demonstrate its commitment to innovation and market leadership. Meanwhile, Lucid Motors' continued success in the luxury EV market highlights the growing demand for advanced and efficient electric vehicles. As the autonomous ride-hailing market and EV industry continue to evolve, these developments indicate a promising future for both companies.

References:

[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/waymo-expands-robotaxi-service-area-austin-outpacing-tesla-autonomous-ride-hailing-market-2507/
[2] https://electrek.co/2025/07/14/lucid-air-tops-tesla-for-best-selling-luxury-ev-sedan-in-the-us/
[3] https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/2911/tesla-doubles-robotaxi-service-area-now-larger-than-waymo