Part 4/8:
Cost Equations in the Robo-Taxi Marketplace
As the debate continues, White argues for the significant difference in operational costs between Tesla and its competitors like Whimo. His analysis hinges on several factors:
Efficiency: Tesla aims for a lower cost per mile, potentially around 25 cents, while competitors may struggle to operate at 50 cents—a figure he deems unsustainable.
Maintenance and Repair: White underscores that Tesla’s unified service model likely means cheaper maintenance fees, whereas Whimo and Uber will incur higher costs through external service centers.
Operational Reliability: Tesla vehicles are designed with fewer parts, thereby reducing the potential for breakdowns and facilitating predictability in maintenance needs.