Tesla Stock Soars Up to 5% as Elon Musk Confirms Unsupervised Robotaxi Testing in Austin

December 16, 2025 – Tesla shares surged as much as 4.9% in trading on Monday, climbing to an intraday high of $481.37 and approaching the company’s all-time record high, fueled by CEO Elon Musk’s confirmation of major progress in driverless robotaxi testing.

The stock rally was triggered by Musk’s weekend announcement that Tesla has begun fully unsupervised robotaxi testing in Austin, Texas—with vehicles operating completely empty and no human occupants inside. This milestone represents a critical advancement in Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, moving beyond earlier tests that required safety drivers or monitors.

Tesla initially rolled out its robotaxi service in Austin earlier in 2025 using modified Model Y vehicles within a limited geo-fenced area. The transition to truly driverless operations without any human oversight demonstrates growing system reliability and brings the company closer to widespread commercial deployment.

Market analysts reacted positively to the news. The update aligns with timelines shared during Tesla’s recent earnings calls, boosting investor confidence in the company’s autonomous driving roadmap. Much of Tesla’s premium valuation—now exceeding $1.5 trillion—is tied to expectations that robotaxis and FSD will generate massive future revenue through ride-hailing services.

Looking ahead, Tesla is preparing to launch the dedicated Cybercab robotaxi vehicle in 2026, designed specifically for autonomous operation without traditional controls like steering wheels or pedals. Monday’s stock surge reflects Wall Street’s optimism that these developments could accelerate Tesla’s transformation from an electric vehicle manufacturer into a leader in autonomous mobility.

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