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The Boring Company skeptics’ ‘tunnels for the rich’ argument is missing the point
The Boring Company’s Las Vegas Convention Center Loop is nearing its completion, and with it comes the emergence of Elon Musk critics arguing that the tunneling startup’s efforts are practically useless. Over the past months, the LVCC Loop has received varying degrees of skepticism and mockery that are very reminiscent of the criticisms that have been thrown at Tesla and SpaceX on a consistent basis.
A look at the comments of a video showcasing the theoretical capacity of the LVCC Loop would show this. While a good number of responses expressed some open-mindedness about the tunneling startup’s public transportation project, comments mocking the company for just building a subway or a train system are abounding. Criticism about the Loop system being “tunnels for the rich” have also been expressed.
Inasmuch as these arguments may be compelling to some, the arguments, especially those about the Loop system being a way for Elon Musk to get more money to line his pockets, do not really hold water. This argument is debunked by a simple look into Elon Musk’s other businesses, SpaceX and Tesla, and the strategy that he has employed so far.
Musk’s Strategies
Simply put, if Musk were only focused on gaining as much money as he can, SpaceX launches would not be among the cheapest in the industry. Crew Dragon flights would definitely not be as affordable as they are now. The Dragon capsule is far more modern than Russia’s Soyuz capsule but it’s less expensive in price. What does this mean? Perhaps for Musk, it’s not just about making as much money as possible.
This point is highlighted by Tesla in its Q3 earnings call, with Musk and CFO Zachary Kirkhorn emphasizing that the company’s production savings are usually passed on to customers. The prices of the Model S over the years prove this. The Model S Long Range Plus variant now costs $69,420 to start. That’s a great value for a fairly large vehicle with over 400 miles of range, tons of storage, and impressive performance, somewhat dated design notwithstanding.
The same thing is true with Teslas as a whole. Teslas are still expensive, but comparable vehicles are more expensive for what they offer. The Plaid Model S may cost about $140K, but the Taycan Turbo S, arguably the best that legacy auto has to offer, starts at about $180K. Cheaper EVs like the Hongguang MINI EV in China may be far more affordable, but they offer very little tech. GM’s MINI EV has outsold the Model 3 in China, but that’s a bare-bones electric car that doesn’t even have airbags. Ultimately, when it comes to rival vehicles with comparable specs like the Xpeng P7, Tesla’s cars like the Model 3 are still bang-for-your-buck.
Long-term Affordability
If there’s anything about products and services that Musk develops with his team, it is the fact that they are relatively cheap to maintain. SpaceX’s rockets can get refurbished at a pretty good cost, allowing the company to be even more aggressive with its launch pricing. Tesla’s cars are cheaper to maintain than comparable gas or diesel-powered vehicles. The Boring Company’s Loop systems will likely be the same way—simple and affordable to maintain.
Pair this with the fact that Musk does not seem to be focused solely on squeezing as much profit from every customer and it seems that the Loop system is bound to be quite affordable when it does get released. The Boring Company notes that rides in the Loop would be less than half of the price of a regular taxi ride. That’s a great start, and it would likely be improved even further as the tunneling startup optimizes its operations over time.
The Boring Company’s tunnels, thanks to the company’s use of smaller tunnel boring machines and all-electric people-movers, are dirt-cheap compared to traditional tunnels such as those used in subway systems. Ultimately, these tunneling innovations are where the true disruption of the Boring Company lies. The Boring Company can build tunnels faster and cheaper—and that, ultimately, is why in the case of the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, it wouldn’t really be as smart or innovative to “just build a train.”
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Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Tesla Diner, the all-in-one Supercharging and dining experience located in Los Angeles, will transition to a full-service restaurant in January, staff said, as Chef Eric Greenspan said he would take on a new project.
A report from the Los Angeles Times says Greenspan confirmed through a text that he would leave the Diner and focus on the opening of his new Jewish deli, Mish.
Greenspan confirmed to the paper:
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Greenspan took on the job at the Tesla Diner and curated the menu back in March, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and items that would play on various company products, like Cybertruck-shaped boxes that hold burgers.
Tesla Cybertruck leftovers are the main course at the Supercharger Diner
The Tesla Diner has operated as somewhat of a self-serve establishment, where Tesla owners can order directly from their vehicles through the center touchscreen. It was not exclusive to Tesla owners. Guests could also enter and order at a counter, and pick up their food, before sitting at a booth or table.
However, the report indicates Tesla is planning to push it toward a sit-down restaurant, full of waiters, waitresses, and servers, all of which will come to a table after you are seated, take your order, and serve your food.
It will be more of a full-featured restaurant experience moving forward, which is an interesting move from the company, but it also sounds as if it could be testing for an expansion.
We know that Tesla is already considering expanding locations, as it will be heading to new areas of the country. CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla will be considering locations in Palo Alto near the company’s Engineering HQ, and in Austin, where its HQ and Gigafactory Texas are located.
Musk said that the Diner has been very successful in its first few months of operation.
News
Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
Tesla has added a new and somewhat surprising fee to the Robotaxi program. It’s only surprising because it was never there before.
Tesla shocked everyone when it launched its Robotaxi platform and offered riders the opportunity to tip, only to tell them they do not accept tips. It was one of the company’s attempts at being humorous as it rolled out its driverless platform to people in Austin.
As it has expanded to new cities and been opened to more people, as it was yesterday to iOS users, Tesla has had to tweak some of the minor details of the Robotaxi and ride-hailing platforms it operates.
First Look at Tesla’s Robotaxi App: features, design, and more
With more riders, more vehicles, and more operational jurisdictions, the company has to adjust as things become busier.
Now, it is adjusting the platform by adding “Cleaning Fees” to the Robotaxi platform, but it seems it is only charged if the vehicle requires some additional attention after your ride.
The app will communicate with the rider with the following message (via Not a Tesla App):
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
The cost of the cleaning will likely depend on how severe the mess is. If you spill a soda, it will likely cost less than if you lose your lunch in the back of the car because you had a few too many drinks.
This is an expected change, and it seems to be one that is needed, especially considering Tesla is operating a small-scale ride-hailing service at the current time. As it expands to more states and cities and eventually is available everywhere, there will be more situations that will arise.
The messes in vehicles are not a new situation, especially in a rideshare setting. It will be interesting to see if Tesla will enable other fees, like ones for riders who request a ride and do not show up for it.
News
Tesla Model Y sold out in China for 2025
Customers who wish to get their cars by the end of the year would likely need to get an inventory unit.
It appears that the Model Y has been sold out for 2025 in China. This seems to be true for the four variants of the vehicle that are currently offered in the country.
Tesla China’s order page update
A look at Tesla China’s order page for the Model Y shows a message informing customers that those who wish to guarantee delivery by the end of the year should purchase an inventory unit. This was despite the Model Y RWD and Model Y L showing an estimated delivery timeline of 4-8 weeks, and the Model Y Long Range RWD and Model Y Long Range AWD showing 4-13 weeks.
As per industry watchers, these updates on the Model Y’s order page suggest that Tesla China’s sales capacity for the remainder of 2025 has been sold out. The fact that estimated delivery timeframes for the Model Y Long Range RWD and AWD extend up to 13 weeks also bodes well for demand for the vehicle, especially given strong rivals like the Xiaomi YU7, which undercuts the Model Y in price.
Tesla China’s upcoming big updates
What is quite interesting is that Tesla China is still competing in the country with one hand partly tied behind its back. So far, Tesla has only been able to secure partial approval for its flagship self-driving software, FSD, in China. This has resulted in V14 not being rolled out to the country yet. Despite this, Tesla China’s “Autopilot automatic assisted driving on urban roads,” as the system is called locally, has earned positive reviews from users.
As per Elon Musk during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, however, Tesla is expecting to secure full approval for FSD in China in early 2026. “We have partial approval in China, and we hopefully will have full approval in China around February or March or so. That’s what they’ve told us,” Musk said.
Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
