News
Ohio legislation about autonomous driving misreported – Read the bill, please.
A recent article published on WCPO online, Ohio, states that, “If you already own a Tesla car with self-driving features in Ohio, a bill introduced last week could prohibit you from driving on most roads in the state.”
This is an example of inaccurate journalism as well as the rush at every proverbial turn to condemn the future and vision of Tesla Motors, Inc.
Let’s do our own review, shall we, and determine the bill’s actual intent? The Ohio bill, with short title, “Regulate autonomous vehicles” actually has two components:
- to authorize a manufacturer of autonomous vehicles or autonomous technology to operate autonomous vehicles on public roads and highways in accordance with specified requirements; and,
- to require the Director of Transportation to produce a report discussing whether additional legislative or regulatory actions are necessary for purposes of ensuring the safe testing of autonomous vehicles.
Here are the particulars within the bill’s language, paraphrased to eliminate the legalese.
- Sec. 4501.50. (B)(1) (2) Individuals aren’t allowed to operate autonomous vehicle on the Ohio public roads and highways right now; only manufacturers of autonomous vehicles can do so, and that’s only for testing the vehicles.
But this makes sense, doesn’t it? Before we let the Average Joe and Jane drive at a Level 5 full autonomy, we need to test the systems to make sure they’re fully functional. And Ohio is going to allow this testing to take place on their roads, with certain restrictions, so they’re confident that, when autonomous driving becomes the norm, it will be safe.
- Sec. 4511.204. Don’t you dare use a handheld electronic wireless communications device while you drive except in emergencies and other specific situations. Additionally, “(11) A person using a handheld electronic wireless communications device for purposes of testing, monitoring, or controlling an autonomous vehicle.”
Isn’t the problem here the “handheld” device? Most Tesla drivers would be in favor of that stipulation, not only for autonomous vehicles, but for the safety of all drivers on the road.
- Section 3. The Director of Transportation will consult with automobile manufacturing and automated technology manufacturing industries and study whether additional legislative steps need to be taken to ensure safe testing of autonomous vehicles, with a report due out in two years.
Hey, good for Ohio. The DOT isn’t pretending to know everything it needs about autonomous driving and technologies, and it’s planning to meet with experts in those fields to learn more before making decisions. Wise and efficient.
The bill also defines terms like “autonomous vehicle” and “autonomous technology,” which makes sense as any innovations become mainstream. Governances need a common and accepted vocabulary in order to discuss, regulate, and implement legal changes. Plus, the bill builds in certain fines for individuals who breach outlined stipulations. That’s standard and how laws work.
WCPO’s article quotes Rep. Cheryl Grossman, one of two state Republicans who introduced the bill:
“Many bills have a starting place, and will have 8 or 9 drafts before you come up with the final one. I thought it was important to have conversations on what we need here in Ohio. So just because it starts that way, doesn’t mean that’s how it’ll end up.”
Because Ohio House Bill 608 will have changes, there is no direct correlation that those changes will foster, as the title to the article states, “Tesla owners wouldn’t be able to drive on most roads if this bill passes.” Maybe a wild title-creating editor superimposed hyperbole over the author’s intentions? It happens. But let’s not incite Ohio and other states to levels of fear that they’ll be prohibited from using the revolutionary software on their $100,00 luxury Tesla vehicles, shall we?
Many other states have their own autonomous/ self-driving vehicles legislation. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a Federal Automated Vehicles Policy. Essentially, NHTSA is broadly in favor of self-driving technology, given the potential to reduce the death toll on the nation’s roads, which was above 35,000 in 2015 and up almost 8 percent versus 2014.
SpaceX announced today that it would expand its launch capabilities into a new U.S. state: Louisiana.
Today, SpaceX, in conjunction with the Louisiana Economic Development Office, said that it will establish a new launch facility, which it will call Starbase, Louisiana. It will be located near Vermilion Parish, supporting thousands of launches each year, at least eventually.
CEO Elon Musk commented by stating, “Starbase Louisiana will ultimately have over a dozen launch towers, enabling more than 30 Starship flights per day and making it the biggest launch site on Earth!”
Starbase Louisiana will ultimately have over a dozen launch towers, enabling more than 30 Starship flights per day and making it the biggest launch site on Earth!
SpaceX makes sci-fi real. https://t.co/C7Ht0U12ba
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 25, 2026
The expansion is SpaceX’s latest move to push its launch cadence to be more frequent than ever. SpaceX said that Starbase, Louisiana, will be built to “support thousands of Starship flights a year,” with the first coming in 2029.
SpaceX announced the new facility in partnership with the Louisiana Economic Development Office as it will bring a major influx of jobs and investments into the area. Currently, it will produce more than 3,000 new jobs in Louisiana, and SpaceX plans to invest at least $100 billion into the entire facility, ensuring that many jobs are created as a result.
Environmental Responsibility
SpaceX acknowledges the impact launches could have on marshlands, local wildlife, and water sources. Here’s how the company plans to help with the issues in Vermilion Parish:
- Restoring the Shoreline: “In Vermilion Parish, the shoreline is eroding between 3.3 and 23 feet per year. We’re partnering with state and federal agencies to expand Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan and Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act projects, including Gulf shoreline protection breakwaters designed to reduce wave energy and slow loss along the Gulf edge.”
- Rebuilding the Marshlands: “In working with the state, we’re planning thousands of acres of marsh creation using beneficial-use placement of dredged material and offshore sediment sources. Restoration will also include interior marsh bank stabilization and rebuilding marsh in remnant canals. These projects can reconnect fragmented wetlands, restore natural buffers against storms, and return habitat that has been lost to erosion and historic canalization.”
- Preserving Coastal Wildlife: “Pecan Island and nearby wetlands are high-value habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and other coastal wildlife. SpaceX is not developing the full footprint of the land and will preserve wetlands and wildlife habitat. At existing launch sites, waterfowl and other birds continue to use nearby habitat during operations. Working with wildlife agencies, landowners, and conservation groups, SpaceX will support monitoring and management so this habitat stays productive and hunting, fishing, birding, and other recreational activities that are part of this coast’s culture can continue.”
SpaceX shares rose about 2.5 percent on the news.
Tesla Cybertruck trims saw a big price change, at least on two of the three available to consumers, as demand for the all-electric pickup appears to be increasing.
Tesla bumped up its Base All-Wheel-Drive trim level up to $74,990 from $69,990 and the Premium All-Wheel-Drive configuration from $79,990 to $84,990. The Cyberbeast price remains unchanged at $99,990.
🚨 Cybertruck prices went up as Tesla bumped them 7%
– Tesla Cybertruck AWD is now $74,990
– Tesla Cybertruck Premium AWD now $84,990
– Tesla Cyberbeast now $99,990 https://t.co/MYJbaw56GL— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) August 25, 2026
Despite questions of demand for the truck, Tesla is bumping its two least expensive trims up $5,000 to signal that there are plenty of buyers. Although SpaceX has been buying Tesla Cybertruck units to utilize as company vehicles, it is no secret that the Cybertruck is among the most sought-after Tesla models out there.
The issue has always been pricing, at least for the most part. When Tesla initially launched the Cybertruck AWD at $59,990 a few months back, the company stated that price would remain intact for just ten days due to the influx of orders it received.
Cybertruck Sales: Is It the Product or Pricing?
Depending on who you ask, you will likely hear one of two explanations for relatively low Cybertruck sales: either the product itself or the pricing.
Yes, this is the best-selling all-electric pickup on the market. However, there are people who simply hate the look of it, which I understand, but do not agree with. Look is totally subjective, and I love the look of the Cybertruck.
Some people will not buy the Cybertruck because of the look, but I am under the impression that sales would be much better if this truck were priced lower; something that might not be possible considering Tesla’s need to make money on its products. When it was unveiled in 2019, its most expensive trim level was $69,990. Now, the cheapest trim level is more expensive than that.
I would be in a Cybertruck if it were more affordable. I LOVE my Model Y, but Cybertruck is the best vehicle Tesla makes, and it’s not particularly close. Even in the base model, the steer-by-wire, the space, storage, and performance make it more desirable than the Model Y to me. I cannot be the only Tesla owner without a Cybertruck who feels this way.
If you’re interested in buying a Tesla vehicle, use my referral link.
Energy
Tesla Semi factory is getting a celebration nobody expected
Tesla will inaugurate its Nevada Semi factory September 24, five months after production quietly began ramping.
Tesla says it will officially inaugurate its new Semi factory in Nevada next month. The Tesla Semi account posted the announcement on X, sharing a graphic titled “Semi Rollout” with a date of September 24. No further details were given about the format of the event or who would attend.
While Tesla’s dedicated Semi plant in Sparks, adjacent to Gigafactory Nevada, opened back in April, with the first trucks rolling off the high volume line on April 29, the timing for the factory inauguration comes at a surprise. The ribbon cutting event five months into production is a break from how Tesla has usually handled its other factories, where the first truck or car off the line typically served as the milestone moment.
Inauguration of new Semi factory in Nevada next month pic.twitter.com/a8kAlxrOOn
— Tesla Semi (@tesla_semi) August 24, 2026
The 1.7 million square foot factory was built as part of a $3.6 billion expansion Tesla announced in early 2023, and it shares a site with the battery cell lines that feed the Semi’s structural pack, a decision meant to remove the supply bottleneck that delayed the truck for years. The plant is designed for 50,000 trucks a year at full ramp. Semi program director Dan Priestley has said production “is now ramping” rather than claiming it has reached scale.
Nine years passed between the Semi’s 2017 unveiling and this stage of production, with the truck slipping from an original 2019 target through hand built pilot units for PepsiCo and a slow build out of the Nevada plant. An inauguration event now gives Tesla a stage to talk up that ramp and reset expectations for how many trucks it can begin delivering at scale.
The September date also lines up with the Semi’s next milestone. Tesla confirmed the truck is heading to Europe with a full unveiling at the IAA Transportation trade show in Hannover, Germany, running September 15 through 20. Between the Nevada event and the Hannover reveal, Tesla has roughly a week and a half in September to make the case that the Semi is now a truck being built and sold on two continents rather than tested in a handful of fleets.
SpaceX announces new Starbase for ‘thousands of Starship launches annually’
Tesla just made Cybertruck more expensive
