We’re ending this week’s Green Deals with savings on various power stations and e-bikes, headlined by the exclusive $1,700 in savings we secured on the monstrous OUKITEL ABEARL P5000 Portable Power Station with a 5,120Wh LiFePO4 capacity at $1,299. There’s also ENGWE’s 11th Anniversary Sale that is offering up to $850 off single and dual e-bike offers, like the L20 2.0 Utility e-bike that is down at $749. We also have some favorites bringing up the rear, like Jackery’s Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station back at its $89 low, as well as the $300 discounts we’re seeing on Rad Power’s Folding and Cargo e-bikes from $1,299 – and don’t forget about the continued low prices on the brand’s RadRunner series, which are getting last calls as supplies are near gone. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s price cuts on the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus offers (which end tonight), Lectric’s latest XP 3.0 e-bike bundles, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

OUKITEL’s ABEARL P5000 5,120Wh LiFePO4 power station with 15 ports gets exclusive savings to $1,299

We’ve secured a new exclusive deal for our readers from Wellbots on the OUKITEL ABEARL P5000 Portable Power Station for $1,299 shipped, after using the promo code 9TO5OUK at checkout for an additional $300 off. It’s already been brought down from its usual $2,999 price tag, with the extra $300 in savings only sweetening the pot further, especially when comparing its capabilities to competitor models that don’t offer as high a capacity or output for the same price. While this deal lasts, you’ll be getting a 57% combined markdown off the going rate, saving you $1,700 at the best price we can find anywhere.

The OUKITEL P5000 power station provides some substantial backup power support for the cost, starting with a monstrous 5,120Wh LiFePO4 capacity that already stands high above other models in this price range. Through its 15 port options – five ACs, four USB-As, two USB-Cs, two DCs, one cigarette lighter, and one airline socket – this station can deliver a steady stream of power up to 2,200W, with that number surging to 4,000W when needed, allowing it to “power 99% of home appliances.” It comes rated by OUKITEL for up to 5,000 life cycles, so discharging and recharging it daily would supply you with power for up to 13.7 years, with things lasting even longer with more conservative use.

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Plugging OUKITEL’s P5000 power station into a 1,800W wall outlet can refill the battery as quickly as 2.8 hours, while it also has a 1,000W solar input maximum that can refill the battery in up to 5 hours with ideal conditions, as well as the option to connect to your car for charging on the go. There are a few things about it that may be a turnoff for some buyers, like the lack of companion app support (though there is an onboard display) or its lack of expansion options, which may not be all that bad, seeing as it already comes with a sizeable capacity to begin with. There’s also its 115-pound weight, which is rather heavy but more manageable thanks to the wheels and suitcase-style handle, giving it much better portability when taking it out of the house with you.

Gain affordable mobility and utility on ENGWE’s L20 2.0 e-bike at $749 with free $130 gift box ($1,429 value)

ENGWE is currently celebrating its 11th anniversary with a sale taking up to $550 off e-bikes and up to $850 off dual e-bike bundles, alongside giving away gift boxes valued at $130 with select purchases. One of the notable standouts during this sale is the brand’s L20 2.0 Utility e-bike that is down at $749 shipped and comes with a gift box. Normally priced these days at $1,299 outside of sales ($1,429 with the gift box), we’ve seen a few discounts over the last year since its March 2024 release take costs a little lower to $699 and $659, though it’s been seen more regularly around $799 since October. Today’s deal gives you a $550 markdown from its going rate, dropping it to the third-lowest price we have tracked. The included gift box gives you a 25-in-1 EDC tool for on-the-go bike adjustments, a flashlight, and a cute pin.

ENGWE is well known for providing some quality commuting solutions for riders on a budget, with the L20 2.0 e-bike being a solid choice for utility that won’t weigh as heavily on your wallet as other brands. It comes bearing a 750W geared hub motor (peaking at 1,125W) paired with a 676Wh battery in order to provide up to 20 MPH speeds when using the throttle for pure electric riding, and a maximum 28 MPH speed when its five PAS levels are activated. The price is all the more enticing when you see its travel range on a single charge, with throttle-only riding carrying you up to 28 miles while the pedal assistance increases travel times between 68 to 80 miles, depending on conditions.

As is common with many utility models, the L20 2.0 e-bike sports a folding frame that makes it a more space-friendly option on top of the 68-pound weight. It’s also been stocked with some solid features, like mechanical disc brakes on 180 mm rotors, a rear cargo rack, integrated head/tail/brake LED lights, front fork and post suspension, a SHIMANO 7-speed derailleur, puncture-resistant fat tires, and a color LED display.

ENGWE’s notable Anniversary e-bike deals:

ENGWE’s notable Anniversary e-bike bundle deals:

Grab Jackery’s two-pound Explorer 100 Plus 99Wh/31,000mAh power station while it’s back at a $89 low

Coming through the official Jackery Amazon storefront, and also undercutting its direct Earth Day Sale pricing, we spotted the brand’s popular Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station back at $89 shipped. Coming down from its full $149 price tag, we’re seeing another opportunity to score this compact backup power solution at its lowest price. Grabbing it while these savings last will cut $60 off the going rate, beating out the direct sale pricing we mentioned by $1. Head below to check out its capabilities and its two discounted bundle options.

Designed with airline approval, Jackery’s two-pound Explorer 100 Plus comes in a compact form factor that can fit in your hand, providing you with a 99Wh/31,000mAh LiFePO4 capacity to keep your personal devices juiced up. It delivers up to 128W output through its four port options, with two Type-C ports and two Type-A ports. It’s also rated for 2,000 charge cycles, giving you 5.5 years’ worth of discharging and recharging, were you to do so every single day.

Speaking of its recharging capabilities, you’ll reach a 70% battery in just an hour when plugging it directly into a wall outlet, while a full battery takes a little longer, at up to two hours. Of course, as a power station, you’ll also have solar charging functionality available, with the unit having a maximum 100W input that can refill the entire battery in two hours time, as well as a third option to connect to your car’s auxiliary port that can recharge it in three hours as you drive. If you want to grab it with bundled gear, you’ll currently find the station with a fast charger down at $140 or you can grab it with a portable 40W solar panel for $169.

We also spotted a recent bundle that gives you the Explorer 100 Plus alongside Jackery’s newer Explorer 1000 v2 1,070Wh power station for $499, which allows you to cover essential devices and appliances while on road or camping trips, as well as during emergency power outages. If you are looking for a larger unit for your backup power needs, Jackery’s Earth Day Sale is continuing through April 25 with up to 50% discounts across the lineup – which has had some recent price cuts and bonus savings added in, especially on the latest expandable Explorer 5000 Plus offers.

Rad Power’s space-saving RadExpand 5 and cargo-hauling RadWagon 4 e-bikes now $300 off from $1,299

Running alongside the continued low prices on Rad Power’s RadRunner series of e-bikes, the brand has also switched around its other sale offers, with $300 taken off two of its other e-bike models alongside a $100 discount on a 14Ah semi-integrated battery through May 7. Starting with the lowest price, folks are getting another opportunity to score the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike at $1,299 shipped. Usually going for $1,599 outside of sales, we saw it drop to its lowest price of $1,099 for a short time last month in the brand’s Spring Sale, with the second-lowest $1,199 rate last seen in October. It’s otherwise been keeping at $1,299 and higher, with today’s deal bringing a $300 markdown on this space-saving model at the third-lowest price we have tracked.

An ideal model for those with limited space, the RadExpand 5 e-bike comes with a folding design that makes it a much more manageable model when you’re not riding, able to fit in closets, car trunks, RVs, and more. It has a 750W brushless geared hub motor paired with a 672Wh battery that provides up to 45+ miles of travel when its four PAS levels are activated, as well as top speeds of 20 MPH. Obviously, there’s also the throttle that lets you cruise around on electric power alone, which is handy for shorter commutes as it does shorten its travel range on a single charge.

The stock features only add to its functionality, especially if you plan to take this on the road with you for camping or other purposes, like the integrated rear cargo rack that has a 55-pound payload for grocery hauling or the paired LED headlight and integrated taillight with brake lighting – as both lights also automatically activate when sunlight drops low enough. Alongside those you’ll also find a 7-speed MicroShift derailleur, fenders over both fat tires, a water-resistant wiring harness, and an LED display.

If you plan to haul around groceries and other cargo, including kids, then you’ll definitely want to consider the RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike for $1,499 shipped which has become quite popular around NYC. The integrated rear cargo rack offers up a 120-pound payload, lending plenty of room for packages or getting kids around to their appointments. Equipped with the same motor and battery combination as the above model, it also provides you with a 20 MPH top speed for up to 45+ miles of travel, though it has one additional level of pedal assistance. Its lineup of features include an auto-on headlight and integrated taillight with brake lighting, custom 22-inch by 3-inch tires with fenders over each, a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, a water-resistant wiring harness, and a backlit LCD display that has a USB port to charge your phone with.

Be sure to also check out the continued low prices on the brand’s RadRunner series of Utility e-bikes while they last – especially now that they company has announced a last call for these deals on its website.

Best Spring EV deals!

• Aventon Ramblas Electric Mountain Bike: $2,599 (Reg. $2,899)
• Lectric ONE Long-Range e-bike with $220 bundle: $2,399 (Reg. $2,507)
• Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ up to $654 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,741)
• Tenways AGO X All-Terrain e-bike with $307 bundle (new low): $1,899 (Reg. $2,499)
• Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $505 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,204)
• Rad Power RadRunner 3 Plus Utility e-bike (new low): $1,699 (Reg. $2,199)
• Aventon Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
• Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $1,915)
• Tenways CGO800S Step-Thru Commuter e-bike with $315 in free gear: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
• Aventon Level 2 Commuter e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,899)
• Tenways CGO600 Pro belt-drive e-bike with $118 bundle: $1,599 (Reg. $1,899)
• Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
• Tenways CGO600 Pro chain-drive e-bike with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
• Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
• Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $227 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
• Lectric XP Trike with $420 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,918)
• Aventon Sinch 2 Folding e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,699)
• Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $296 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,725)
• Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $316 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,615)
• Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,599)
• Lectric XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes with up to $365 bundle: $1,199 (Reg. $1,564)
• G-Force ZM 20Ah All-Terrain Fat Tire e-bike with $49 in free gear: $1,199 (Reg. $1,999)
• Lectric XP Lite 2.0 JW Black LR e-bike with $365 bundle: $1,099 (Reg. $1,464)
• Heybike Ranger S Folding Fat-Tire e-bike: $1,099 (Reg. $1,499)
• Heybike Hauler Cargo e-bike with free rear basket (new low): $1,099 (Reg. $1,499)
• Rad Power RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike (new low): $999 (Reg. $1,499)
• Aventon Soltera.2 Urban Commuter e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,199)
• Lectric XP 3.0 Standard e-bikes with $310 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,309)
• Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with up to $316 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,315)
• Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
• Hiboy U2 Pro Electric Scooter (new model): $900 (Reg. $1,500)
• Segway Ninebot F3 eKickScooter: $700 (Reg. $850)

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

• Jackery increases savings on its modular Explorer 5000 Plus offers at new lows starting from $2,483 (Reg. $3,499)
• Lectric Lightning Deals hit XP 3.0 e-bikes with up to $365 in free gear for outdoor ventures starting from $999
• Score Anker’s SOLIX C1000 1,056Wh LiFePO4 power station for your next trip with $550 in savings at $449 + bundle options
• EcoFlow launches multi-day flash offers on DELTA and RIVER power stations + EcoCredits purchase from $1
• Start or expand your EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra setup with $2,000 in exclusive savings to a new $3,799 low
• Heybike’s latest Hauler cargo e-bike with a 440-pound payload for up to 85 miles starts from new $1,099 low, more
• Keep floating debris out of your pool with Aiper’s Surfer S2 solar skimmer back at its $320 low (Reg. $540)
• Save $430 on this Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 and 100 Plus power station bundle for your on-the-go backup needs at $499
• Expand your arsenal with this 2nd-gen Greenworks 40V 12-inch cordless chainsaw at $128 (Reg. $170), more
• Shape up lawn edges and clear out debris with this 56V EGO POWERLOAD trimmer and 670 CFM blower combo at $320
• Keep food and drinks cooled and crisp in Goal Zero’s Alta 50 and 80 portable electric coolers from $640 (Reg. $800+)
• Celebrate Mother Nature with these ongoing eco-friendly deals for EVs, power stations, tools, and more starting from $30
• Electrified Weekly – EcoFlow Mega Sale takes up to 65% off, G-Force e-bikes from $799, Jackery markdowns from $90, more

As we’ve been briefly mentioning the past month or so, we got an opportunity to attend the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show in… you guessed it, Shanghai. Aside from taking place in an event center larger than many cities in the US, this annual event featured some of the most advanced tech we’ve ever seen and a glimpse into the future of electric mobility as, a glimpse into the future of electric mobility, and well as some of the strangest yet entertaining design and presentation.

Reporting live from China (yes, right now)

It’s after midnight here local time, and after five days overseas, endless cups of coffee (and some Westlake tea), I can’t keep track of what day or time it is back in the States. So bear with me if my thoughts are a bit scattered. Just look at the pretty pictures, okay?

I’m sorry for the number of bystanders who photobombed most of these shots. A clean image of any BEV at the Shanghai Auto Show was impossible, given the number of people (primarily influencers and content creators) clamoring for the right angle and always managing to walk into Every. Single. Shot.

The recap is simple. Seth Weintraub and I walked the entire show, scoping everything out for you. Below, I have compiled images of some of the more noteworthy vehicles and adjacent technologies, sorted into four easy-to-follow groups: the interesting, the cool, the downright badass, and the weird. Let’s dig in.

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The Interesting

Buick and Nissan showcased some pretty sleek EVs for China

From a US perspective, Nissan is only beginning chapter two of its BEV journey. Chapter one was, of course, the long CHAdeMO-powered saga of the LEAF. The Ariya is quite adequate, but as we strolled around the floors of the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, the N7 caught our eye.

Its design is nothing groundbreaking but pretty sharp, and its front pixel illuminations below the headlamps are a lovely touch. Nissan also has several variants on display in some beautiful colors. I would love to see this one in the States.

Speaking of the US, Buick turned our heads with its Electra BEV lineup. The GM sub-brand has been selling BEVs in China for a bit now. Still, if some of the Electra models on display at the Shanghai Auto Show (like the SUV, Sedan, and GS Concept seen above) were to ever come to the US, they could perhaps help Buick become relevant again (Yes, Buick is irrelevant in the US, I said it, bring in the BEVs).

ZEEKR’s booth was packed with visitors and lineup of EV models

ZEEKR was one of the first Chinese automakers to hold a live event during day one of the Shanghai Auto Show, where it unveiled its new 9X MPV – it’s first ever PHEV. Like its BEV 009 counterpart, the 9X is an ultra-luxe multi-purpose vehicle with a giant rear screen and a mini fridge, not to mention new wheels.

But it’s a PHEV, so we found two more interesting things around ZEEKR’s floor. First was the number of models on display to auto show visitors. In addition to the 009 and 9X, ZEEKR showcased the MIX (which shares a lot of DNA with the Waymo BEV being developed for the US), the 001, 001FR, 007, 7X, X, and the recently unveiled 7GT.

Now remember that this Geely sub-brand was only founded four years ago. Wow.

The second thing we noticed was how grounded the ZEEKR area was all day in Shanghai. Many guests of the auto show explored each and every BEV inside and out, and there were plenty to peruse. Not to mention ZEEKR’s recently announced EV fast charger (more on that in a bit).

We’ve been following the progress of NIO’s ultra-affordable Firefly sub-brand for three years now, so it was exciting to see the initial models in person during the Shanghai Auto Show. Honestly, there’s not much to say here except that they’re neat. Small, simple, unique—exactly what NIO set out to deliver.

The youngins’ of the show were all over these things, capturing tons of content. Given its size and affordability, Firefly could do well in Europe in addition to China if it can siphon some of NIO’s brand recognition.

Let’s move onto some stuff that we found to be slightly cooler.

The Cool

eVTOLs and flying cars aplenty

While this was the Shanghai Auto Show, there were no shortage of electric vertical, takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft prototypes, both scaled down and actual size. There were too many eVTOLs to count, but CATL’s (seen above) stood out because its CATL and it can actually innovate into reality.

Chery’s flying car/eVTOL combo was quite strange-looking but a cool idea nonetheless. The showstopper of the bunch, however, was the eVTOL/vehicle combo called the “Land Aircraft Carrier” from XPeng and AeroHT. I’ve been covering this thing for years, but this was my first time seeing it all in person.

I found the vehicle itself to be massive, but a tad underwhelming. It didn’t seem like a finished production-ready design to me yet, but I could totally be wrong. The eVTOL which can be stored onboard the vehicle was on display and completely unfolded. It looked awesome.

According to previous promises from XPeng, the Land Aircraft Carrier is supposed to reach production in 2026 and actually be delivered to Chinese customers. If and when that happens, I will be returning to China ASAP.

I didn’t know I wanted an iCAR V23 until this past week

I was at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show when I learned about iCAR for the first time. This is an all-electric subsidiary of Chery Automotive founded in 2023. These are fun, compact SUVs that look modular and hella customizable.

They’re almost like a more compact Chinese version of what Ford could have done with an all-electric Bronco, but I’m not salty about that at all. Instead, the V23 from iCAR has caught my gaze. They look so fun, I would love to own one of them in the US (except for one specific variant you’ll see below). What do you think?

That new model is supposed to officially launch this summer.

On to the most exciting stuff we saw at the Shanghai Auto Show 2025.

The Downright Badass

ZEEKR’s 1,300 kW charger was on display (sorry no demos)

While it wasn’t doing any actual charging, ZEEKR’s presence at the Shanghai Auto Show also included its new 1,300 kW (1.2 MW) DC fast charger, announced less than a month ago.

“Sure, it’s just a picture of a non-functioning EV charger on a wall in Shanghai, so what?” What gets this EV tech onto our most badass list of Shanghai 2025 is its potential and what it represents. Most BEVs in the US can’t handle more than 250 kW of charging power, 350-400 kW tops.

Now we’re looking at 1,300 kW from ZEEKR?!? They don’t even make a BEV that can handle that much power. Even at a lower rate, ZEEKR and BYD have recently introduced charging technology that can finally deliver visits that resemble a gas station stop.

I also prefer that the charging technology is ahead of the BEV architecture and not vice versa. This is exciting stuff… at least for EV owners in China *begins to cry in a Rivian R1S Standard that tops out charging at 200 kW.

The Yangwang U9 stole the show as the most breathtaking BEV

This! This was the BEV that truly stole my heart at the Shanghai Auto Show. It’s sleek, sporty, sharp, and unique. It’s the U9 from BYD luxury sub-brand Yangwang. Like many of these Chinese vehicles that I have been covering for months or even years, this was the first time I got to see the U9 in person, and just wow.

Walking around, I saw a lot of copycat BEV designs around the halls, but not the Yangwang models. In my opinion, the U8 SUV is ugly, but at least it’s different. The U7 is super luxe and perfect for a long ride to the airport, but the U9 looks like a monster

The Weird

Last but not least, here is some of the weirder stuff we saw walking around the Shanghai Auto Show. Some of it was cultural, some was experimental, but all of it was entertaining.

Fuzzy cars were aplenty at the Shanghai Auto Show

I’m not sure if this is a China thing, or perhaps adds to the appeal for content creators, but we spotted several fuzzy, furry, or diamond-studded models. Seth and I’s favorite was the hamster (or guinea pig?) themed MiniEV. At first we thought it was the shaggin’ waggin’ from Dumb and Dumber. “Chicks dig it!”

The new Firefly already modded out in the most obnoxious way

Remember everything I said about Firefly being simple and minimalist? They threw all that out the window with this body kit that is so over the top that I’d imagine Hot Wheels would even say to reel it back in a little. Universal, PLEASE put this in the final (maybe?) Fast & The Furious Film. PLEASE!

BYD did something similar with this… thing

I have no words. A clear nod to Chinese history and culture in design. Cool idea for an auto show floor I suppose, but you’d never catch me in this vehicle.

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Equal opportunity objectification at Shanghai Auto Show 2025

Something prevalent at the Shanghai Auto Show we don’t see at US shows anymore was females modeling in front of the cars. Aside from being a bit strange and awkward (The 12-foot teddy bear didn’t help), it was the fact that the models would find your lens and stare directly at it and for a second there you’re just lost.

Say what you will about using beautiful women to promote cars. Still, Chinese brand Baojin also had a handsome, muscular man up there, staring daggers into my soul as I tried to take a simple pic of the vehicle he was guarding over. See above.

Signing off from the Shanghai Auto Show

I have more thoughts, I’m sure, and perhaps I’ll add them later, but I am out of bad jokes and need to sleep. For now, at least. Stay tuned for more footage and impressions captured this past week during the Shanghai Auto Show

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John Krafcik, Waymo founder and former CEO, clapped back at Tesla CEO Elon Musk after his comments on Waymo at Tesla’s earnings earlier this week.

He brought a little dose of reality to Musk’s delusions.

During Tesla’s earnings call, CEO Elon Musk made a bunch of new claims about updated timelines for Tesla to deliver on long-promised self-driving milestones.

Musk even stated that he doesn’t see anyone competing with Tesla on autonomous driving and that he believes Tesla will take “90-something percent market share.”

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When explicitly asked about Waymo, which is already seen as the market leader by most experts, Musk again claimed that it won’t be competitive because of cost:

Well, okay. The issue with Waymo’s cars is it costs way more money, but that is the issue. The car is very expensive, made in low volume. Teslas are probably cost 25% or 20% of what a Waymo costs and made in very high volume. So, ironically, like, we’re the ones to make the bet that a pure AI solution with cameras and what do you have? The car actually will listen for sirens and that kind of thing. It’s the right move. And Waymo decided that an expensive sensor suite is the way to go, even though Google is very good at AI. So I’m wondering. And it is worth noting that Tesla has both an incredible AI software team and AI hardware chip design team.

While it’s true that Waymo’s vehicles are more expensive, this has little to do with an “expensive sensor suite”, as Musk claimed.

Tesla’s sensor suite, which consists only of cameras, is certainly less expensive than Waymo’s, which includes cameras, radar, and lidar sensors. Still, most of the cost difference is due to Tesla building vehicles in high volumes for consumers while Waymo buys existing vehicles and retrofits them with its sensor suite in much lower volumes.

Talking to Business Insider this week, John Krafcik, who helped launch Google’s self-driving vehicle program and was Waymo’s first CEO until 2021, doesn’t see it as a problem:

In the long run, the cost of sensors has a “trivial cost-per-mile impact over the useful life of a robotaxi,” he told BI,” while also providing massive quantifiable safety benefits.”

Krafcik has been skeptical of Tesla’s efforts for a while and even suggested that what Tesla plans to launch in Austin in June could amount to “faking” self-driving.

Now, the former Waymo CEO highlights how it’s not the first time Musk claimed that Tesla would compete with Waymo, but it is yet to happen:

“Tesla has never competed with Waymo — they’ve never sold a robotaxi ride to a public rider, but they’ve sold a lot of cars. And although Tesla hopes to compete with Waymo someday, they’ve failed utterly and completely at this for each of the 10 years they’ve been talking about it.”

This week, Waymo announced that it is now completing 250,000 self-driving rides per week.

In June, Tesla plans to launch a limited “10 to 20-car” fleet to provide geo-fenced and teleoperation-assisted rides in Austin.

At this rate, it would take a while for Tesla to catch up to Waymo’s volume and that’s if it can.

Krafcik added:

Well, after 10 years of undelivered promises, it seems pretty rational for those watching to be data- and evidence-driven. There’s still a lot of promises, still no Tesla liability for FSD driving performance, and still no universal robotaxi service.”

After Tesla’s earnings, the automaker announced that its “FSD Supervised ride-hailing service” operating for employees in Austin and San Francisco completed “over 1,500 trips and 15,000 miles of driving.”

However, these were completed with drivers ready to take control, and even if they had no interventions in those 15,000 miles, it wouldn’t be enough to prove a higher safety than human drivers, who crash on average every 700,000 miles.

Electrek’s Take

He has a point. No matter how much Tesla shareholders want to believe Musk when he says that Tesla is ahead, the truth is that when it launches its limited 10-20-car fleet in Austin, it will only now start to compete with Waymo.

By that time, Waymo might be doing over 300,000 rides per week, and there’s no evidence that Tesla will be able to scale faster yet.

Just like Waymo, Tesla’s fleet will be geo-fenced and teleoperation-assisted as there’s no evidence that Tesla’s generalized solution is anywhere close to working.

In short, Tesla has the same scaling limitation as Waymo, other than potentially mapping, but even that’s a question mark.