News
EV fans are using Tesla memes to win over skeptics during recent gas crisis
With memes being the preferred language of the internet and with the United States East Coast recently experiencing a gas crisis, it was almost inevitable to see EV fans using Tesla memes and jokes to make a point and perhaps even win over some fossil fuel supporters. Over the past few days, and as the lines of cars in gas stations got longer, memes about “Tesla owners during a gas crisis” became more widespread and creative.
The thesis of the Tesla memes was straightforward. Gas cars need fossil fuels to run, so when the supply of gas is compromised, said vehicles could not run. This results in panic buying for some car owners. Over the past days, images of people siphoning gas off one car into another, as well as people storing fuel in plastic bags, inspired lots of raised eyebrows and laughs among netizens.
@tesla owners gloat over the pipeline gas crisis @StephenAtHome pic.twitter.com/alTxRS3RKa
— Talking Tesla (@talkingtesla) May 14, 2021
Tesla owners simply do not have such problems. Thanks to their vehicles being powered by electricity, Tesla owners could simply charge their cars from their homes, just like their smartphones. Owners who have solar panels installed in their houses are even better off since not only can they run their cars, they can do so using literal sunlight. Needless to say, these EV advantages became an excellent source for memes online.
https://twitter.com/ThisIsMemeboi/status/1392944109040590856?s=20
Apart from memes, short, funny videos highlighting Tesla owners during the ongoing crisis also made the rounds online. A couple of friends in a Model S who visited a gas station convenience store during the gas shortage proved immensely popular with over 115,000 likes on Twitter. Even the hosts of the Holderness Family Vlogs channel on YouTube got involved (albeit inadvertently) by sharing a skit of how Tesla owners are, particularly at a time when gas is scarce.
I just KNOW Tesla owners feeling like this right now pic.twitter.com/TRX8R0l9UU
— JamariJonesATL (@JamariJones_ATL) May 12, 2021
In the case of the YouTuber, the intended jokes about Tesla owners became all too real and ironic, as the host of the channel revealed that his personal vehicle, a gas car, was actually in need of some fuel. But with the fuel crisis ongoing, it was tough to get some gas. With that in mind, the host noted that he should probably just keep borrowing a friend’s Tesla, which could operate without any issues despite the fuel shortage.
Everyone with a @Tesla during the current gas crisis. 😄 pic.twitter.com/Pux066H4uV
— Emory Serviss, PhD (@eserviss) May 12, 2021
Memes and funny videos may be used mostly for harmless fun, but there is no denying that they do work. Tesla CEO Elon Musk knows this, and this is one of the reasons why he himself dabbles in a lot of memes and humor. A look at the comments and threads of posts on Twitter about EVs operating fine in the fuel crisis also shows conversations and debates about the benefits of electric cars, hinting that a growing population is becoming more aware of EVs and their advantages. Ultimately, within the brought photos and the loud videos of the past few days, a notable narrative was being pushed—Tesla owners feel great during a gas shortage, and if you get an EV, you can feel the same way too.
Watch the Holderness Family’s video about Tesla owners in a gas shortage in the video below.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for news tips. Just send a message to tips@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
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
