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Elon Musk previously indicated that reaching around 2,000 robo taxis would constitute a pivotal milestone. This number isn't arbitrary but acts as a "forcing function"—a key threshold where the deployment begins to generate meaningful margins and cash flow. Specifically, Musk suggested that hitting this mark could impact Tesla's free cash flow by over 5% in 2024, marking a transformative step in the company's journey to full autonomy and profitability.
Current Deployment Status: Geographies and Regulations
Tesla is currently expanding its robo taxi pilots across various regions, with notable activity in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area. These two markets illustrate contrasting regulatory environments: