Tesla loses Cybercab assembly lead to Rivian R2 weeks after launch

This is an auto industry story, not a home energy upgrade one, so there's not much here that touches your own house directly. The short version: Tesla's Cybercab assembly lead, Jody Kerns, is leaving to run general assembly for Rivian's R2 electric SUV. He's the second Cybercab launch leader to leave this year, following Michael So, who departed in May for a nuclear reactor startup. Both had led the robotaxi's production ramp at Tesla's Austin factory.

The timing is awkward for Tesla, since commercial Cybercab rides only started in Austin on September 3, and federal regulators have since demanded proof the steering-wheel-free vehicle meets safety standards. Rivian, meanwhile, is mid-ramp on the R2, which began deliveries in June, with production numbers it needs to hit to meet its 2026 delivery targets.

None of this changes any rebate, incentive, or home upgrade program. If you're weighing an EV purchase alongside home electrification, the bigger factor for your wallet is probably still your electricity rate, which has risen significantly over the past year. Pairing an EV with home solar, if you're considering it, is a separate decision from any of this corporate reshuffling, and it's worth checking what incentives your own state currently offers before deciding whether it makes sense for your house.