Tesla’s world is hitting another turning point today. A political pushback threatens its robotaxi launch, new hardware could supercharge Autopilot, and rivals are stepping up. Welcome to today’s biggest Tesla stories, brace yourself.
Tesla Daily Briefing – June 20, 2025
1. Austin Lawmakers Urge Tesla to Delay Robotaxi Start
A group of Democratic lawmakers from Austin, Texas, are actively urging Tesla to postpone the start of its robotaxi service until September. Their concern? Safety and public trust. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had hinted that the service could start as early as this weekend with 10–20 Model Y vehicles in “safe zones” around Austin.
But lawmakers point out that a new state law requiring permits hasn’t yet taken effect, and public oversight procedures aren’t in place. Tesla hasn’t commented. (reuters.com)
2. Tesla’s Next-Gen Autopilot Hardware (HW5) Could Arrive in 2026
Insiders say that Tesla’s next-generation Autopilot hardware—called HW5 or AI5—is slated for a January 2026 launch. This upgrade promises nearly ten times the processing power of current systems.
Why it matters: This hardware will support Tesla’s most advanced self-driving features and is critical for robotaxi and Optimus ambitions. (reuters.com)
3. Chinese E.V. Makers Threaten Tesla’s Self-Driving Edge
Chinese automakers—led by BYD—are racing to roll out advanced driver-assist tech like Tesla’s, launching features similar to “Autopilot” in region-specific models. Some even show them for free.
What this means: Tesla’s software lead is shrinking, forcing it to respond quickly to maintain its autonomy advantage. (reuters.com)
4. Tesla Vandalism Climbs — FBI Labels It Domestic Terrorism
A wave of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles, Superchargers, and showrooms has hit the U.S. and parts of Europe since early 2025. Police and federal agencies—reportedly including the FBI—are viewing some of the acts as domestic terrorism due to their political dimension.
Insurance rates are rising as a result, with Tesla owners paying significantly more for coverage.
5. Zoox Opens First Robotaxi Factory — Tesla Rival Inches Ahead
Amazon-backed Zoox has opened its first production facility for robotaxis, seen as a direct competitor to Tesla’s plans. The new factory could give Zoox a head start in scaling autonomous ride services — a challenge Tesla has yet to overcome. (reuters.com)
6. Tesla Argues to Keep Crash Data Hidden from Public
Tesla has filed a motion asking a U.S. court to prevent the release of crash data related to Autopilot incidents after a federal safety group requested it. They argue such material is proprietary and could be used by competitors (thecooldown.com).
Why it matters: This move makes waves in debates over transparency in self-driving safety—balancing trade secrets versus public trust.
7. Security Researchers Hack Tesla Wall Connector in Under 20 Minutes
At the Pwn2Own security challenge, experts demonstrated a full firmware hack of Tesla’s Wall Connector in just 18 minutes through the charging port (gbhackers.com).
Why it matters: This vulnerability exposes risks in charging infrastructure. Tesla may need to issue patches quickly to ward off hacking threats.
8. Austin Robotaxi Protesters Stage Dramatic Demo
During a protest in Austin, activists used a Tesla with Full Self-Driving in auto mode to repeatedly drive over child-size dummies, an essential show of Tesla tech concerns (austinchronicle.com).
Why it matters: This stark visual underscores fears about Tesla’s Autopilot and may add fuel to legislative pushback.