Tesla to Buy About 90% of Output From Arizona Solar-Plus-Storage Project Now Under Construction

Germany's transport ministry agreed with Tesla that its driver-assistance system may exceed speed limits by up to 10%, and supports EU approval. Tesla offered to rename the system 'Tesla Assisted Driving' to address concerns about misleading branding. The ministry emphasizes the driver's full responsibility for safety. Approval discussions are ongoing at the European level.

Elon Musk stated his companies could eventually manufacture semiconductors more efficiently than rivals, though it may take several years. The Terrafab chip factory, a joint venture involving Tesla, SpaceX, and Intel, will require a $15 billion investment. Tesla reported stronger-than-expected Q3 vehicle deliveries of 486,532 units and plans to spend $25 billion on expansion.

ContourGlobal's 509-MW solar plant in Arizona, operational by 2028, will supply 90% of its output to Tesla under a long-term PPA. The facility, with 760,000 solar panels and 300 battery containers, will generate 1.1 TWh annually, powering 100,000-120,000 homes. Tesla secures 1 TWh of clean electricity yearly.

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature may soon be approved in the EU, but German regulators require a name change to 'Tesla Assisted Driving,' citing the current name as misleading. While technical and liability issues remain, Minister Steffen Bilger aims for swift approval. FSD is already approved in eight European countries, with an EU-wide vote expected by December. Tesla has faced similar criticism in the US over the feature's name.

Waymo raised $5 billion in debt, its first loan, from diverse lenders, adding to $16 billion in equity raised earlier. This signals growth plans and investor confidence. Comparisons in Las Vegas show Waymo's robotaxi service is cheaper and more efficient than Amazon-backed Zoox's. Uber faces challenges with multiple autonomous partners, while Tesla's robotaxi operations are limited by safety concerns. Autonomous trucking gained regulatory approval, advancing the industry.

Tesla has voluntarily renamed its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system to Tesla Assisted Driving in Europe following consultations with the German government. The change comes after regulatory concerns that the original name was misleading, as the system still requires driver attention. Tesla has also obtained German support for FSD's market access, despite earlier criticisms of EU regulations.