Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced a nationwide expansion of fully autonomous vehicles on May 18, 2026. The company expects to operate these vehicles without human safety monitors across the United States later this year. Musk delivered the announcement via video link at the Smart Mobility Summit in Tel Aviv.
Tesla currently operates autonomous vehicles in Austin, Dallas, and Houston. This expansion advances the company's goal of launching a nationwide robotaxi service. Musk cited the technology's readiness as the primary driver for the broader rollout.
In separate news, Tesla increased prices for several Model Y variants in the United States. The premium all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive models rose by $1,000. The performance all-wheel-drive model saw a $500 price increase. This marks the first price hike for the electric SUV since 2024.