Tesla has finally released its ‘Master Plan Part 4’ and it’s nothing more than a smorgasbord of AI promises about its humanoid robot, which can’t even serve popcorn.
For more than a year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been teasing the release of his ‘Master Plan Part 4’ for the company.
Since 2006, Musk has been releasing “secret master plans” for Tesla to explain the company’s broader mission and product roadmap.
Musk himself recently admitted that Master Plan Part 2, released in 2016, is not even completed yet. He believes that will happen “next year”, but we heard that one before.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
Master Plan Part 3 was released in 2023, and it was about scaling when, in fact, Tesla’s electric vehicle sales have been in decline since then. They peaked in 2023.
Now, ‘Master Plan Part 4’ was released on X, and it’s all about “sustainable abundance” through AI and robotics.
Here it is:
Introduction
Since Tesla’s founding, each iteration of our master plan has focused on our north star: to deliver unconstrained sustainability without compromise.
Humans are toolmakers. At Tesla, we make physical products at scale and at a low cost with the goal of making life better for everyone. As the influence and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technology increases, the mission set forth in Master Plan Part IV should come as no surprise.
This next chapter in Tesla’s story will help create a world we’ve only just begun to imagine and will do so at a scale that we have yet to see. We are building the products and services that bring AI into the physical world.
We have been working tirelessly for nearly two decades to create the foundation for this technological renaissance through the development of electric vehicles, energy products and humanoid robots.
Now, we are combining our manufacturing capabilities with our autonomous prowess to deliver new products and services that will accelerate global prosperity and human thriving driven by economic growth shared by all. We are unifying our hardware and software at scale, and in doing so, we are creating a safer, cleaner and more enjoyable world.
This is sustainable abundance.
Guiding principles
Growth is infinite.
Growth in one area does not require decline in another. Shortages in resources can be remedied by improved technology, greater innovation and new ideas.
The technologies that gave us the ability to power machines led to industrial revolutions that have widened our economic landscape, creating more opportunities for all. Groundbreaking inventions like the semiconductor and the internet have expanded—not diminished—social and economic opportunities across all aspects of the human experience, from creating more jobs to providing greater access to information to enabling deeper interpersonal connections.
Our desire to push beyond what is considered achievable will foster the growth needed for truly sustainable abundance.
Innovation removes constraints.
For centuries, humanity’s primary mode of transportation was the horse. Then, over the last fifty-plus years, cars with internal combustion engines powered by fossil fuels became the standard and expected transportation method. The idea that batteries could be produced affordably and at a scale large enough to pivot the transportation industry away from fossil fuels seemed a fool’s errand—until Tesla led the way forward.
Through continued innovation, we have overcome the technological constraints of battery development and built an industry powered by renewable resources.
Technology solves tangible problems.
The products and services born out of the acceleration toward sustainable abundance will advance humanity by solving real-world problems. To further accelerate our innovation, we build each product more efficiently and more sustainably than the last.
Solar energy generation and large-scale battery storage are increasing the availability and reliability of clean electricity in our communities—and are doing so more affordably and more sustainably.
Autonomous vehicles have the capacity to dramatically improve the affordability, availability and safety of transportation while reducing pollution, particularly in our increasingly dense global cities.
Optimus—our autonomous humanoid robot—is changing not only the perception of labor itself but its availability and capability. Jobs and tasks that are particularly monotonous or dangerous can now be accomplished by other means. In this way, Optimus’s mission is to give people back more time to do what they love.
Autonomy must benefit all of humanity.
The tools we make at Tesla help us build the products that advance human prosperity.
How we develop and use autonomy—and the new capabilities it makes available to us—should be informed by its ability to enhance the human condition. Making daily life better—and safer—for all people through our autonomous technology has always been, and continues to be, our focus.
Greater access drives greater growth.
Making technologically advanced products that are affordable and available at scale is required to build a flourishing and unconstrained society. It serves to further democratize society while raising everyone’s quality of life in the process. The hallmark of meritocracy is creating opportunities that enable each person to use their skills to accomplish whatever they imagine.
Everyone deserves access to these opportunities, and technological growth can help ensure that each of us is able to maximize our most limited resource: time.
We’re accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable abundance.
We must make one thing clear: this challenge will be extremely difficult to overcome. The elimination of scarcity will require tireless and exquisite execution. Some will perceive it as impossible. And plenty of others will laud every obstacle and setback we inevitably encounter along the way. But once we overcome this challenge, our critics will come to see that what they once thought was impossible is indeed possible. And that will be fine with us, because what matters most is that, together, we create a sustainable and truly abundant future for generations to come.
All worthwhile journeys are long. And they all begin with a first step.
Our first step was to make an exciting sports car—Roadster. Then we leveraged those profits to fund the development and production of more affordable, yet still exciting products—Model S and Model X. Then we repeated the process, bringing us to Model 3 and Model Y and onward.
This process required us to take many steps, some of them small and others large. But ultimately each win led to another win, and even with our failures, we were able to keep building momentum. Our momentum allowed us to build out a fully integrated ecosystem of sustainable products, from transport to energy generation, battery storage and robotics.
Today we are on the cusp of a revolutionary period primed for unprecedented growth. And this time it will not be a single step but a leap forward for Tesla and humanity as a whole. The tools we are going to develop will help us build the kind of world that we’ve always dreamed of—a world of sustainable abundance—by redefining the fundamental building blocks of labor, mobility and energy at scale and for all.
Electrek’s Take
Tesla is lost as a company. This is a bunch of utopic nonsense, complete with AI “abundance” buzzwords that Grok could have easily written.
Elon’s first two master plans were straightforward, featuring clear, actionable steps and a well-defined product roadmap.
In comparison, this is opium meant for Tesla shareholders to get their fix of potential “infinite growth” as an AI stock. It’s not real.
Everyone can see the value in an affordable humanoid robot capable of autonomously performing useful tasks. You don’t need to sell people on a weird utopic future around it. Start by demonstrating that you can create such a robot.
We have seen no evidence of that yet.
All of Tesla’s Optimus robot demonstrations have been supported by humans remotely controlling them. Most recently, Tesla had Optimus serving popcorn to guests at its diner in Los Angeles. It worked for a few hours on the first day, and the robot has reportedly been offline for a month since the restaurant’s launch.
I know I might sound like a hater, but I don’t care. Tesla is not a company that is about to deliver a future of “sustainable abundance”.
Tesla is a company that did the impossible and significantly accelerated the world’s transition to electric transportation. Then, its CEO went nuts. Sales started to go down, earnings began to drop, and to maintain a nonsensical stock price, the CEO decided to ride the AI bubble. That’s about it.
We’re now two months out from the end of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit on September 30, and there are still solid deals to be had on some pretty spiffy EVs. In fact, three of our top five November specials are cheaper than what was offered in September, and two come with home EV chargers and free installation. Here are November’s top 5 EV lease deals, as spotted by our friends at CarsDirect.
Photo: Hyundai
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 lease from $189/month
The updated 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range is still a standout EV lease deal, holding steady even after the end of the federal EV tax credit and new import tariffs. Through December 1, you can lease one for $189 a month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year) with $3,999 due at signing. That works out to an effective monthly cost of about $300.
The price bump is far smaller than many expected, especially considering Hyundai’s $17,000 in lease cash. And if you’re tempted by an upgrade, the SEL RWD trim is just $50 more per month under the same terms. You’ll get a model that’s roughly $7,000 more in value and $18,750 in savings. The IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range offers an EPA-estimated 245 miles of range, and this particular offer is available in the Los Angeles and greater California metro areas.
The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 6 SE RWD Standard Range is tied with the IONIQ 5 for the most affordable EV lease deal this month, offering standout value even after the federal EV tax credit era. In the California metro area, you can lease it for $189 per month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year) with $3,999 due at signing, and Hyundai is sweetening the deal with $13,000 in lease cash.
That brings the effective monthly cost to around $300. With an EPA-estimated 240 miles of range, 149 horsepower, fast-charging capabilities, and a sleek, distinctive design, the IONIQ 6 remains a fan favorite. This offer is valid through December 1.
The 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select RWD with Package 100A is offering bigger savings this month, making it an even stronger pick for EV shoppers. Known for its premium design and an EPA-estimated 300 miles of range, the Mach-E remains a favorite among drivers who want style and substance.
You can now lease it for $219 per month for 24 months (10,500 miles per year), with a down payment of $4,499 due at signing. That’s $20 less per month than the September advertised deal, although the term is shorter. With an effective monthly cost of around $406, it’s only $45 more than before the tax credit ended.
The offer includes $6,750 in lease cash for qualified lessees, plus a free Ford Charging Station Pro with complimentary home installation – a rare perk. If you already have a home charger, you can opt for an additional $2,000 in bonus cash instead. This deal is currently available in California through January 5, 2026.
Until January 5, the 2025 Honda Prologue, with a 308-mile range, can be leased for $239 a month for 36 months (10,000 miles) and $1,199 due at signing in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maryland. That means the Prologue has an effective monthly cost of $272, making it a great value.
For those in California and other CARB-emission states, you can lease for $279 for 36 months (10,000 miles) and $1,299 due at signing, resulting in an effective monthly cost of $315. This was the best-priced lease deal before the new East Coast three-state offer.
The price includes a $3,300 loyalty discount or conquest cash, available only to those currently leasing a Honda or planning to switch from another manufacturer in select states. If you aren’t living in California, Florida, New York, or other select states, you’re still eligible for a bonus of $2,000.
These bonuses are stackable with the $5,000 dealer cash, $8,250 Honda lease cash, and a $1,500 additional lease bonus, which replaces the $7,500 tax credit.
You can now lease a 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4×4 Super Crew XLT w/ Pkg 311A for a low monthly payment of $279 for 36 months (10,500 miles) and $6,729 due at signing. With an MSRP of $65,190, that makes the effective monthly cost of $466. It has an EPA-estimated range of 240 miles and 452 hp.
That’s $23 less a month than the advertised September lease deal with the federal tax credit. The offer includes $9,500 in lease cash and, like the Mach-e, a complimentary home EV charger and installation or an additional $2,000 in savings. This offer is available in California through January 5, 2026.
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
The new Nexo is a significant upgrade over the first model, but will Hyundai’s fuel cell EV make an impression in the US?
Meet the new Hyundai Nexo fuel cell EV
Hyundai is launching a slate of new vehicles, ranging from EVs to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and even fuel-cell electric vehicles.
First launched in 2018, the Nexo marked a milestone as Hyundai’s first dedicated hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Although it wasn’t exactly a hit due to the lack of hydrogen fueling stations, especially in the US, Hyundai is taking another crack at the market with its new and improved fuel cell EV.
Hyundai introduced the new Nexo earlier this year, claiming it’s “poised to set a new standard for zero-emission transportation.”
Advertisement – scroll for more content
With significant upgrades to its fuel cell and power electronics systems, the new Nexo features up to 190 kW total output and a WLTP driving range of up to 513 miles (826 km) from a five-minute hydrogen refill.
The new Hyundai Nexo fuel cell EV (Source: Hyundai)
It also boasts features such as Active Noise Control, road-noise-canceling tech, sound-absorbing tires, e-Handling, and a Smart Regenerative System (SRS), which delivers a smooth, quiet ride.
Inside, Hyundai’s new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) sits at the center, featuring dual 12.3″ driver cluster and infotainment screens. The setup includes OTA updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The interior of the new Hyundai Nexo fuel cell EV (Source: Hyundai)
Like its battery electric vehicles, the new Nexo offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities, enabling you to power electronics on the go.
A digital center mirror and digital side mirrors are available in select markets (not the US), replacing the traditional mirrors. In addition, the European-spec version can tow up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs), the first fuel cell EV to offer that level of capability.
The Nexo is 4,750 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, and 1,640 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 4,750 mm, or about the size of a Honda CR-V.
The new Hyundai Nexo fuel cell EV (Source: Hyundai)
Although Hyundai is committed to expanding FCEV infrastructure, it might not be enough to lure buyers in the US.
Hyundai said the new Nexo fuel cell EV is already a hit in South Korea, where hydrogen fueling stations far outnumber those in the US. The company sold nearly 7,000 new Nexo models globally through August, more than four times the previous generation’s sales in the same period last year.
Will the new and improved Nexo make a bigger impact? According to Car and Driver, which test drove the updated FCEV, “the compact Nexo will need far more than clever engineering to make it big in the US.” In Hyundai’s home market, it’s already proving more popular.
Hyundai will launch the new fuel cell EV in other global markets starting in early 2026.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Solar EV startupAptera Motors continues to inch closer to scaled manufacturing of its flagship vehicle, with a new validation assembly line being installed at its headquarters.
The last thirty days or so have been busy for Aptera Motors – “little engine that still might” in the nascent (and lonely) segment of solar EV startups. Last month, the startup finally went public, opting for a direct listing on the Nasdaq instead of an IPO or SPAC merger.
As reported by Electrek’s Fred Lambert, this move was somewhat concerning for Aptera, as it will not directly benefit the company financially from the stock listing. Furthermore, Aptera consistently seems to be paving the financial runway directly in front of it, enabling it to keep pushing forward. Per the startup’s recent SEC filing:
This prospectus relates to the registration of the resale of up to 31,741,948 shares of our non-voting Class B common stock… We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Class B common stock by the registered stockholders.
Aptera Motors Corp. (“Aptera”), the solar mobility company focused on developing highly efficient vehicles, today announced it has entered into share purchase agreement providing for up to $75 million of committed equity financing (the “ELOC”) with New Circle Principal Investments LLC, an affiliate of leading growth-focused investor New Circle Capital.
Less than a month later, Aptera’s team is pushing forward with another development milestone – building out its validation vehicle assembly line, which lays the groundwork for future scaled solar EV production.
Source: Aptera Motors
Aptera is laying the foundation for scaled SEV assembly
According to a press release posted by Aptera this morning, the building of its validation assembly line is now underway in Carlsbad, California. In addition to assembling full-fledged validation vehicles, Aptera can now transcend from unsystematic prototype builds to a more structured assembly process that is scalable and repeatable. Apter co-founder and co-CEO, Steve Fambro, shared a similar sentiment:
Seeing this line come to life signals the next phase for Aptera,” added Steve Fambro, Co-CEO. “It’s the bridge between our prototype builds and the preproduction and series production systems that we aim to one day use to deliver solar mobility at scale.
Seeing this line come to life signals the next phase for Aptera. It’s the bridge between our prototype builds and the preproduction and series production systems that we aim to one day use to deliver solar mobility at scale.
As you can see in the images above, Aptera is stockpiling key components for validation assembly processes, including body-in-carbon (BinC) parts. Per the SEV startup a large-scale precision assembly fixture is the heart of its new validation line, enabling the vehicle’s BinC)to be built with “exceptional dimensional accuracy.”
The fixture will also serve as the baseline for future low-volume production vehicle assembly. This pending process will not only give Aptera techs the first opportunity to establish defined steps in assembly. Still, it will also offer a proving ground to optimize those processes, from component handling to final fit and finish. Aptera’s other CEO, Chris Anthony, also spoke about the latest development milestone:
This marks an important moment in Aptera’s journey. For the first time, our technicians will be assembling vehicles along a defined sequence of stations, using processes developed hand-in-hand with the engineers who designed them.
With vehicle materials now in stock, Aptera has officially begun assembling validation vehicles through its repeatable process en route to pre-production. Then, God willing, bona fide customer vehicle builds will follow. Hold your horses, though, because Aptera still needs more money to get there.
We often celebrate Aptera for its transparency, which is evident in its latest press release, in which the startup announced that it will require an additional $65 million in funding to continue through this new validation assembly stage and into low-volume production.
As always, the deck is stacked against this solar EV startup, but it continues on, and we love to see it. Remember, you can still reserve an Aptera solar EV for only $70 down if you use this link.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.