Estimating Per Car Robotaxi Revenue and Expenses

Based upon 2024 pricing, Tesla could start a robotaxi service that offered $5 base fare and $1.00 for booking and $0.7-1.5 per mile ($1.10 average). If this generated 10,000 trips with an average of 6 miles per trip, then this would be :

60,000 miles for $60,000 base fares and bookings and $66,000 for the mileage charge for a total of $126,000.

The costs would be about $20,000 for cleaning, depreciation and vehicle maintenance.

This would be over $100,000 in profit.

Waymo 2024 Pricing

In San Francisco, Waymo’s pricing model is: Price = $9.52 + $1.66 per mile + $0.30 per minute
In Los Angeles, the model is: Price = $5.37 + $2.50 per mile + $0.32 per minute

These rates suggest that Waymo’s per-mile charges range from $1.66 to $2.50, depending on the city.

Uber Pricing
Uber’s pricing is more variable and complex, but we can provide some estimates:

The average cost of an Uber ride ranges between $1 and $2 per mile

In specific markets, the rates can vary:
Los Angeles: $0.87 per mile
Dallas: $0.70 per mile
Phoenix: $0.71 per mile
New York: $1.10 per mile

It’s important to note that these rates are subject to various factors:

Base fare and booking fees
Time of day and demand (surge pricing)
Type of service (UberX, Uber Black, etc.)
Local regulations and fees

For example, an UberX ride might have a base fare of $5, a cost per mile of $1.90, a cost per minute of $0.60, and a booking fee of $2.55.

The costs for cleaning and maintaining Teslas used for ride services like Turo and Uber in 2024 can vary, but here’s a breakdown of the key expenses:

Cleaning Costs

– Turo hosts often spend around $15-20 per cleaning for a basic wash and interior cleaning.
– Some Turo hosts use car covers between rentals to keep vehicles clean and reduce washing frequency.
– Uber drivers report spending about $50-100 per month on car washes and interior cleaning.
– Turo can charge guests a $150 cleaning violation fee for leaving a car excessively dirty.

Maintenance Costs

Regular Maintenance
– Tesla maintenance is generally low compared to gas vehicles, with some owners reporting minimal costs over several years.
– Annual maintenance costs for Teslas are estimated at $300-500 for basic services.
– Tire rotations cost around $50 and are needed every 6,250 miles.

Major Repairs
– While rare, major repairs can be expensive. One Turo host reported a $6,000 out-of-warranty suspension repair.
– Brake pad and rotor replacements may cost around $400 every 2-3 years.

Tires
– Tires are a significant expense, costing $800-1,000 per set and needing replacement every 30,000-40,000 miles for high-mileage drivers
– Some Uber drivers report spending up to $4,000 annually on tires for their Teslas

Total Annual Costs

– One Uber driver estimated their annual Tesla maintenance and cleaning costs at around $25,600 for 80,000 miles driven
– Another estimate suggests Tesla maintenance costs could range from $500 to $1,000 per year for ride-share drivers

Additional Considerations

– Depreciation is a significant hidden cost, estimated at $13,158 over 5 years for a Tesla Model 3
– Some drivers factor in potential battery replacement costs, though this is typically not needed within the first 5-8 years.

It’s important to note that costs can vary widely depending on factors such as driving style, local conditions, and individual vehicle condition. While Teslas generally have lower maintenance costs than traditional vehicles, the initial purchase price and potential for expensive repairs should be considered when using them for ride-share services.

Analysis of Market Sizes at Different Per Mile Price Points