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Elon Musk gets Governor’s welcome to build Tesla Cybertruck in Alaska
The Tesla Cybertruck may be polarizing, but it is a vehicle that has captured the interest of the motoring world and beyond. And while neither Tesla nor Elon Musk has announced any details about where the upcoming all-electric pickup truck would be produced, this has not deterred a government official from extending an offer to the CEO.
In a recent tweet, Alaska governor Governor Mike Dunleavy invited Tesla CEO Elon Musk to consider utilizing the state’s resources to build the electric car maker’s premium vehicles. The governor specifically mentioned the company’s recently-unveiled Cybertruck in his offer, stating that AK stands above other areas when it comes to balancing resource development.
“Hey @elonmusk & @Tesla: Let’s talk about utilizing #Alaska’s vast resources to help build #Tesla cars and the new Cybertruck. Nobody in the world balances resource development and environmental stewardship better than us,” he wrote.
Hey @elonmusk & @Tesla: Let’s talk about utilizing #Alaska’s vast resources to help build #Tesla cars and the new Cybertruck. Nobody in the world balances resource development and environmental stewardship better than us.— Governor Mike Dunleavy (@GovDunleavy) December 4, 2019
Dunleavy’s invitation is quite notable considering that the governor has reportedly maintained a controversial stance on climate action, a topic that Tesla CEO Elon Musk is very particular about. Over his tenure as Alaska’s governor, critics have argued that Dunleavy’s administration has done very little to combat climate change, as shown when he disbanded the state’s climate response task force just months after assuming office.
Neither Tesla nor Elon Musk has posted a response to the governor’s open invitation so far.
Yet, behind Dunleavy’s controversies with his administration, it is difficult to deny that Tesla and Elon Musk are now being perceived as a potential economic booster for areas where its facilities are located at. Reno, NV, for example, is seeing businesses come to the area due to the presence of Gigafactory 1. A facility that produces electric cars in Alaska will likely have the same effect.
What nobody saw was all the other businesses that moved to Reno just because Tesla was here. Tesla put Reno on the map, but now we're playing catchup. The paper reports apartment complexes waiting to be built for lack of skilled carpenters. Reno is a boomtown.— Carsonight (@carsonight) November 30, 2019
The Tesla Cybertruck is Tesla’s most radical creation to date. Built with a rigid ultra-strong stainless steel exoskeleton, the all-electric pickup truck is tough and capable of being put through serious punishment. This is something that was highlighted by auto veteran Jack Rickard in a discussion on YouTube’s EVTV channel. Rickard noted that the Cybertruck’s polarizing design was not just put in place to make the vehicle unique; it is also functional.
Thanks to its polarizing XY design, the Cybertruck will not require a stamping press or a paint shop. This makes the vehicle easy to make, and this opens up the potential of a production line that is more compact and efficient than those adopted by the company for its previous cars like the Model 3. With this in mind, Tesla may be able to produce the Cybertruck in facilities that are not as expansive as the Fremont factory of Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai. This, of course, could accelerate the rollout of Elon Musk’s boldest, most futuristic vehicle to date.
Tesla has updated its Robotaxi app so riders can pick which vehicle they want before they book. The latest in-app screens now show two options side by side: the two-seat Cybercab and the four-seat Model Y.
A screenshot circulating Thursday shows the change in practice. In Austin, a rider could choose a gold Cybercab for two people or a Model Y for four. Tesla’s updated description calls Cybercab “our first purpose-built autonomous vehicle,” designed for safety, accessibility, and comfort, and says the lineup is available only through the Robotaxi app.
Tesla has updated their Robotaxi page in the App Store. You’ll be able to select if you want a Cybercab or Model Y Robotaxi.
“Our Robotaxi vehicle lineup now includes Cybercab, our first purpose-built autonomous vehicle. Designed for safety, accessibility and comfort, Cybercab… pic.twitter.com/Jff4klilDr
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) September 3, 2026
The distinction is more than cosmetic, and it’s important to note that Robotaxi refers to the platform, while Cybercab refers to a vehicle.
Model Y Robotaxis have carried the service since it opened in Austin in mid-2025 and later expanded to Dallas, Houston, and parts of Florida. Those vehicles are converted production SUVs that still have steering wheels and pedals.
Cybercab is different. It has no driver controls, butterfly doors, a low seat height meant to work with wheelchairs, extra trunk space for assistive devices, and braille on the handles. Tesla has registered dozens of the two-seaters with Texas regulators in the days leading up to its September 3 Austin event.
Giving riders a choice lets Tesla match the vehicle to the trip. Most rides involve one or two people, which is where Cybercab is meant to be cheaper and more efficient to operate. Groups of three or four, or anyone who needs more space, can still request a Model Y.
The same app handles booking, payment, cabin settings, and, on Cybercab, features such as phone-based door opening and in-cabin voice controls.
The update does not mean every city suddenly has both cars available. Cybercab support is listed for Austin first, and the purpose-built fleet is still small compared with the existing Model Y roster. Even so, the app change marks a shift from a single-vehicle pilot to a mixed fleet.
Riders can now choose between the compact, purpose-built robotaxi and the familiar SUV that launched the service.
Tesla Cybercab sightings are broadening far and wide, well outside of downtown Austin, Texas, with autonomy in focus as the company plans to launch the all-electric, two-seater this evening in the Lone Star State.
Tesla is set to launch Cybercab to a small group of people this evening in a dedicated event in Austin, Texas. Public details on the event are relatively slim.
However, Tesla’s focus on Cybercab falls well outside of the downtown Austin area and is expanding well across the United States as things continue to move quickly with the company’s autonomous efforts in 2026. Today, various images of Cybercab fleets in interesting locations have started to circulate.
The most notable is a fleet of at least 20 Cybercabs at Miami International Airport in Florida. Spotted last night, the fleet is expansive and is indicative of a looming release of Cybercabs once regulatory boxes are checked off.
Tesla has already been operating the Robotaxi platform in Miami for several months, but this Cybercab fleet at the airport could be joining the ride-hailing platform as approvals arrive:
20+ Cybercabs spotted near Miami international airport. pic.twitter.com/ORLsw8yFhf
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) September 3, 2026
Another fleet of Cybercabs was spotted at the Devon, PA showroom just outside of Philadelphia. We have seen several Cybercab units testing around the Philadelphia Metro Area, which is interesting considering Tesla does not have any active Robotaxi geofence in Pennsylvania.
Cybercab at the Devon location in PA has multiplied over the weekend. Seeing a few more test vehicles in the lot 👀 pic.twitter.com/DhJT4P1EkU
— Billy (@billykyle) August 22, 2026
Philadelphia would be an ideal location to test ride-hailing due to its dense tourist population, large, sprawling city layout, and to compete with other ride-hailing companies that operate in the city.
Expansive fleets of Cybercabs will be popping up in and around major cities throughout the rest of the year, if we were betting on it. Tesla has made it obvious that the Cybercab rollout will be aggressive and fast-paced, but within reason. Tesla is still prioritizing safety, so these testing phases will likely go on for some period of time before more members of the public are able to snag a Cybercab for a personal chariot.
The Tesla Model Y L is arguably the most hyped trim of the all-electric crossover, other than the Performance configuration that comes with white-knuckle speed and sports car-level handling.
However, it is not all perfect. Tesla owners in China who took delivery of the Model Y L, denoted with an L to highlight its longer wheelbase, are experiencing what they are referring to as “collapsing” of the rear wheels, as suspension issues appear to be an issue with some of the builds.
🚨 Model Y L owners in China report rear suspension sag
• Six-seat long-wheelbase Y. Shanghai. On sale since August 2025
• Owners say the rear tire-to-arch gap shrinks after mileage or a full load. Some cases after about 9,000 km loaded. Others near 30,000 km
• Tesla service… pic.twitter.com/Lr6i5Tbi07— Joe Hansen (@joehansen) September 1, 2026
The gap between the wheel arch and tire has narrowed to the point that “not even a single finger” could fit, according to a report from Car News China. The failures are not tied to a specific mileage, as one owner said that after just 9,000 kilometers (5,600 miles), they noticed the suspension issue when their car was fully loaded.
Another one had the issue at 30,000 kilometers (18,640 miles) and noticed that the wheel gap shrank to two fingers, so not as drastic as the person who reported a similar issue at 9,000 km.
Tesla Model Y L is gaining momentum in China’s premium segment
Along with the visual recognition of the issue, others are saying the sagging is causing abnormal wear on the inside of the tires. Extra weight and instant torque already provide additional stress on the tires in electric vehicles during normal operation, so it is no surprise that this is another complaint.
There has been no recall issued by Tesla, and the company has not yet publicly acknowledged the issue.
Some are suggesting that owners use a “finger test” to self-diagnose whether there is an issue with the suspension. There should be four fingers between the tire and the wheel well; anything less than that starts to get dicey.
Tesla Robotaxi riders will face the best dilemma when booking a ride
Tesla Cybercab sightings broaden well outside of Austin with autonomy in focus
