Amidst the multiple fires that have forced an estimated 150,000 people to evacuate, caused fatalities and burned down a significant amount of property, Elon Musk, Tesla and others have shared a few of the relief efforts the company has undertaken.
Musk noted that the companies are utilizing the Cybertruck and Starlink to aid both authorities and evacuees, while others have shared their experiences using the company’s products to keep the lights on, evacuate and more.
Here are a few of the relief efforts Tesla and Musk have put in place, as well as experiences from some of the company’s customers.
Some Tesla Cybertruck deliveries paused to prioritize relief efforts, Starlink offers free service
On Sunday, Musk said on X that some Cybertruck orders would be delayed due to the company using them for relief efforts, in addition to a few other measures the company has announced in the past few days in efforts to help those affected by the fires. The CEO wrote the following message in the afternoon:
Apologies to those expecting Cybertruck deliveries in California over the next few days.
We need to use those trucks as mobile base stations to provide power to Starlink Internet terminals in areas of LA without connectivity.
A new truck will be delivered end of week.
In a follow-up post, Musk added:
We are going to position Cybertrucks with Starlinks and free WiFi in a grid pattern in the areas that most need it in the greater LA/Malibu area
After the posts, multiple users reached out to Teslarati requesting some of these support Cybertrucks in Pasadena. We asked Musk if it would be possible for victims to request help in certain areas, in addition to those he mentioned previously, though he hasn’t yet responded to whether this area will be covered at the time of writing.
Hey @elonmusk, we’ve gotten a few folks in Pasadena who are in need as well.
Is there a way you or @Tesla could set up a way for victims to request help in certain areas of LA? 🙏 https://t.co/2WkaChSfmW
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 12, 2025
In an email that was sent to Starlink customers last week that was seen by Teslarati, SpaceX announced that it was temporarily providing one month of free Starlink service to customers, writing that it was being proactively added to accounts without requiring anything from the consumer. Musk followed up and echoed the sentiment on Wednesday.
“SpaceX will provide free Starlink terminals to affected areas in LA tomorrow morning,” he he wrote.
Tesla donates Cybertrucks to be used as battery banks in Altadena
Along with deploying Cybertrucks equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet over the weekend and SpaceX making the service free, Tesla also donated some of the electric trucks to be used to power buildings for authorities involved in fighting the fire, as was highlighted on Saturday. In a post on Instagram, the Altadena Mountain Rescue account shared photos of a few Cybertrucks in a parking lot, saying that they were being used as battery banks amid outages.
The account writes:
A donation of Cyber Trucks from Tesla Motors to be utilized as battery banks at the station until power is restored to the station.
This will greatly help the team to power radios, computers and lights as we work into the dark.
Credit: Altadena Mountain Rescue | Instagram
Tesla also outlined the Altadena Cybertrucks and a wide range of other things it’s doing in a post on X on Sunday, including mobile Megapack charging stations and Powerwalls for Starlink:
Summary of efforts Tesla has done to support employees & communities impacted by the LA fires
Impacted employees (home lost or destroyed by fires) We’re covering housing accommodations & supporting employees with transportation & meals.
Superchargers
All our Supercharger sites are back online, except Pasadena Supercharger, which was in the middle of the fire.
Megapack Chargers (MPCs)
2 units deployed Friday 1/10 to relieve congestion in Thousand Oaks for evacuation & families losing power due to Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).
1 unit deployed Saturday 1/11 in Altadena at the Sheriff’s Station for first responder support, providing power & Starlink connectivity. It’s located within their closed perimeter with utility power currently down.
2 mobile switchgear units with step down transformers that enable an MPC to support powering up 208V buildings (vs only 480V) & more utility than charging up EVs.
2 units in San Bernadino
We’re also working on deploying units in the Palisades directly
Mobile Powerwall Units (MPUs)
Deployed with support from 3rd party non-profits in Altadena & Topenga Canyon with Starlink & power for devices & fridges.
Cybertrucks (all with Starlinks installed)
3 Cybertrucks are now located at Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department in Altadena (+ bed filled with water & snacks) 2 in Pasadena 3 in Zuma Beach & Malibu
Mobile Superchargers powered by Megapacks deployed at Thousand Oaks, CA – West Hillcrest Drive Supercharger.
- Up to 16 stalls at 250kW
- Free Wi-Fi for anyone through Starlink
- Charging available for all EVs
- We’re monitoring where else they’re safe to deploy and helpful.
Credit: Tesla | X
MegapackCharger deployed at Altadena Sheriff’s Station for power & connectivity
Credit: Tesla | X
MPUs in Topenga Canyon + team installing them
Credit: Tesla | X
Credit: Tesla | X
Cybertrucks at Altadena Sheriff’s Station
Credit: Tesla | X
READ MORE ON TESLA CYBERTRUCK CLIMATE DISASTER RELIEF: Tesla Cybertruck owners share insights after Hurricane Helene encounter
Tesla forgives Autopilot and FSD Supervised strikes in California for those evacuating
On Thursday, Tesla’s North America account on X also posted about one of the company’s relief initiatives, officially announcing that it would forgive all Autopilot and Supervised Full-Self Driving (FSD) strikes in the state of California to help aid those evacuating.
“To support people evacuating from the fires in the LA area, all Autopilot & FSD Supervised strikes are being forgiven in the state of California,” Tesla wrote in the post.
One Tesla owner shares Cybertruck Powershare experience
Along with Tesla’s fire relief efforts, one Cybertruck owner has shared an experience using the electric vehicle (EV) to keep a household powered during outages using Powershare—not unlike how it was used by the Altadena Mountain Rescue team.
In the post on the Cybertruck Owner’s Club forum on Wednesday, the user located in Orange County described using the Cybertruck’s Powershare to keep his household with electricity, saying that he had used about 25 miles of range from the EV about six hours into using it. As can be seen in the user’s screenshot of the Tesla app, the vehicle shows 202 miles of range remaining, saying that it still has over a day’s worth of energy.
Credit: MilliM | Cybertruck Owner’s Club
What are your thoughts? Were you or someone you know affected by the fires and used one or more of Tesla’s products to help with evacuation or power outages? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.
FEMA deploys Starlink in North Carolina for disaster relief operations
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Elon Musk
Tesla Optimus dance video showcases the company’s quick progress
Elon Musk shares a new video of Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, dancing with improved flexibility and control.
Elon Musk recently shared a Tesla Optimus dance video, showcasing the humanoid robot’s light feet and the company’s quick progress.
In 2021, Tesla announced it would develop a humanoid robot during AI Day. At the time, the company didn’t even have a prototype. To celebrate the announcement, a human dressed as a humanoid robot came out and danced for the crowd at the event. Fast forward a few years, and Tesla’s Optimus bot finally has some moves to show off.
The first time anyone got a real preview of Optimus was in 2022, when Tesla debuted semi-functional prototypes at AI Day. One Tesla Optimus bot walked on stage while another performed some arm movements. At the time, critics noted the Tesla Optimus bot’s reliance on teleoperation for some tasks.
By 2023, Tesla unveiled Optiumus Gen 2, demonstrating advanced tasks like sorting colored blocks, maintaining yoga poses, and some dancing. Tesla also noted that the robot’s hands improved to 11 degrees of freedom (DoF). Tesla Optimus hands in production units have 22 degrees of freedom.
Late last year, Tesla Optimus robots attended the company’s “We, Robot” event, performing tasks like serving drinks and interacting with people in the crowds. Teslarati played rock, paper, scissors with Optimus at “We, Robot.” The Tesla bots danced in synchronicity at the event with their arms and torsos.
Tesla’s progress with Optimus has been quite a ride over the past few years. Now Optimus can add to its dance moves with more flexibility and control over its legs. The recent Tesla Optimus dance video marks the beginning of the next phase for the humanoid robot: production.
According to Tesla’s Q1 2025 updated letter, the company has already started limited production of the Optimus bot at Tesla’s Fremont Factory. Elon Musk announced plans to produce over 1,000 units of Tesla Optimus for internal use in 2025 and external sales by 2026.
Elon Musk claims Tesla Optimus could be “more significant than Tesla’s vehicle business,” with a potential market value of $25 trillion. By automating low-skill, repetitive jobs, the Tesla bot could reshape economies, which Musk believes could lead to an “age of abundance” where goods and services are cheaper.
Investor's Corner
Rivian stock rises as analysts boost price targets post Q1 earnings
Rivian impressed with smaller-than-expected losses & strong revenue, pushing analysts to raise price targets.
Rivian stock is gaining traction as Wall Street analysts raise price targets following the electric vehicle (EV) maker’s first-quarter earnings report. Despite a dip after the announcement, optimism surrounds Rivian’s cost control and upcoming lower-priced cars.
Last week, Rivian reported a better-than-expected Q1 gross profit, surpassing Wall Street’s forecasts with adjusted losses of $0.48 per share against expectations of $0.92 per share. The company also reported a revenue of $1.24 billion compared to the $1.01 billion anticipated.
However, the EV automaker cut its 2025 delivery forecast and capital spending due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. It explained that it is “not immune to the impacts of the global trade and economic environment.” RIVN stock dropped nearly 6% post-earnings, closing at $12.72 per share.
Wall Street remains upbeat about Rivian, citing progress toward launching lower-priced vehicles in 2026 and effective cost management. On Monday, Stifel analyst Stephen Gengaro raised his RIVN price target to $18 from $16, maintaining a “Buy” rating. He highlighted Rivian’s “solid progress” toward key milestones.
Conversely, Bernstein’s Daniel Roeska gave RIVN a “Sell” rating. However, Roeska also lifted his Rivian price target to $7.05 from $6.10, acknowledging “better” Q1 results. He warned that profitability remains distant and hinges on multiple product launches by the decade’s end.
Overall, Wall Street’s average price target for RIVN climbed from $14.18 to $14.31, a modest 13-cent increase reflecting positive sentiment. About one-third of analysts covering Rivian rate it a Buy, compared to the S&P 500’s average Buy-rating ratio of 55%.
On Monday, Rivian stock rose 2.7% to $14.64, slightly trailing the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average, which gained 3.3% and 2.8%, respectively. The uptick may also stem from broader market gains tied to news of a temporary U.S.-China tariff suspension.
As Rivian navigates trade challenges and scales production at its Illinois factory, its Q1 performance and analyst support signal resilience. With lower-priced EVs on the horizon, Rivian’s strategic moves could bolster its position in the competitive EV market, offering investors cautious optimism for long-term growth.
News
EU weighs Starlink’s market impact during SES-Intelsat deal
As SES tries to buy Intelsat, the EU is checking if Starlink has an unfair edge. The review could shape Europe’s space future.
EU antitrust regulators are scrutinizing SES’s $3.1 billion bid to acquire Intelsat, probing whether SpaceX’s Starlink poses a credible rival in the satellite communications market. The European Commission’s review could shape the future of Europe’s space industry.
The Commission has sought feedback from customers of SES and Intelsat to assess Starlink’s competitive impact. According to Reuters, the questionnaire asks if low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite providers like Starlink and Eutelsat’s OneWeb are viable competitors for two-way satellite capacity. It also explores whether LEO suppliers are winning tenders and contracts and their potential to influence competition over the next five years. Additionally, regulators are evaluating customers’ bargaining power and ability to switch to rival suppliers.
SES operates a fleet of about 70 multi-orbit satellites for video broadcasting, government communications, and broadband internet. It aims to scale up through the acquisition of Intelsat. The move is part of a broader push in Europe to bolster home-grown satellite solutions, countering U.S. giants like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
SES is in talks with the EU Commission and a few European governments to complement Starlink services, addressing concerns over reliance on foreign providers.
“Now the discussions are much more strategic in nature. They’re much more mid-term, long-term. And what we’re seeing is that all of the European governments are serious about increasing their defense spending. There are alternatives, not to completely replace Starlink, that’s not possible, but to augment and complement Starlink,” said SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh.
The EU Commission’s preliminary review of the SES-Intelsat deal is expected to conclude by June 10. The preliminary review will determine whether the SES-Intelsat deal is cleared outright, requires concessions, or faces a full-scale investigation if significant concerns arise. As Europe seeks to strengthen its space-based communication resilience, the outcome could redefine competitive dynamics in the satellite sector.
With Starlink’s LEO technology disrupting traditional satellite services, the Commission’s findings will signal how Europe balances innovation with strategic autonomy. SES’s efforts to scale and collaborate with governments underscore the region’s ambition to remain competitive, potentially reshaping the global satellite landscape as demand for reliable connectivity grows.
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