Local news and fun, every day 6am.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is Texas' latest California transplant.
Musk confirmed his relocation in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, speaking from South Texas.
"For myself, I have moved to Texas," he told the newspaper.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he has moved to Texas, becoming one of the highest-profile executives yet to leave Silicon… https://t.co/GDYOnV9S5y— The Wall Street Journal (@The Wall Street Journal) 1607459877.0
Musk cited his two biggest projects—the forthcoming $1.1 billion Tesla Gigafactory in Southeast Travis County and the Starship prototype that SpaceX is developing in South Texas—as reasons for the move.
"California is great," he told the Journal, adding that Tesla and SpaceX continue to manufacture in the state despite the exodus of most other car and aerospace companies.
So what pushed him out?
"I do think that there is something that happens … if a team has been winning for too long," he said during the interview. "They do tend to get a little complacent, a little entitled, and then they don't win the championship anymore. So California's been winning for a long time."
Musk's announcement arrives after months of speculation.
Earlier this year, Musk chafed against COVID-19 regulations in the state of California, where Tesla operates a factory, and threatened to move the company's headquarters.
@GerberKawasaki @thirdrowtesla Frankly, this is the final straw. Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to… https://t.co/IDLjEvXyDW— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1589042677.0
There is also the issue of taxes.
California has the highest income tax rate of any state in the country. Texas, on the other hand, has none. If Musk does move, he could potentially save billions of dollars in taxes on his Tesla compensation package.
In moving to Texas, the billionaire follows many of his companies—including Neuralink and the Boring Company, in addition to Tesla and SpaceX—in planting roots in the Lone Star State.
Now that Musk has confirmed his move, many are wondering: where in Texas has he settled?
Austin, with its forthcoming Tesla Gigafactory and bevy of celebrity residents, could make him feel right at home.
- Tesla and Space X CEO Elon Musk is moving to Austin, Texas - austonia ›
- California tech employees move to austin for business and way of living - austonia ›
- Musk labels Austin as next US 'boomtown' on Joe Rogan podcast - austonia ›
- The ever-mysterious Grimes makes millions from crypto-art - austonia ›
- Elon Musk's Grimes makes millions from crypto-art - austonia ›
- Why Austinites pay a higher income tax rate than Elon Musk - austonia ›
- Tesla follows Musk to "Silicon Hills," announces Austin as new HQ - austonia ›
Popular
(Uvalde ISD)
Fourteen students and one teacher are dead after a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas—a small town an hour and a half west of San Antonio—on Tuesday afternoon.
Abbott said the suspect, an 18-year-old male, is believed to have been killed by the police. The Uvalde Police Department said the shooting began at 11:43 a.m. Tuesday.
“What happened in Uvalde is a horrific tragedy that cannot be tolerated in the state of Texas,” Abbott said. “He shot and killed—horrifically, incomprehensibly—14 students, and killed a teacher.”
Texans are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime & for the community of Uvalde.
Cecilia & I mourn this horrific loss & urge all Texans to come together.
I've instructed @TxDPS & Texas Rangers to work with local law enforcement to fully investigate this crime. pic.twitter.com/Yjwi8tDT1v
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 24, 2022
According to University Health Hospital officials, a 66-year-old woman and 10-year-old girl arrived in critical condition. Uvalde Memorial Hospital reportedly received 13 children for treatment and two individuals who were already deceased.
The shooter prompted a lockdown at the elementary school of just under 600 students, with San Antonio Police sending SWAT, and Eagle chopper and Crime Scene Investigators.
According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, President Joe Biden has been briefed on the tragedy and “His prayers are with the families impacted by this awful event, and he will speak this evening when he arrives back at the White House.”
This is the U.S.'s 213th mass shooting of 2022.
(Austonia/Tesla/Ford)
“Especially here in Austin, there's a really, really high interest in electric vehicles and keeping that zero-emissions goal in mind,” said Rachel Reid, a spokesperson for General Motors. "And then just like anywhere in Texas, trucks are something that people use in their daily lives for things from carrying different furniture or anything from a job site or even just having the family in the backseat and being able to carry something along with them.”
Pickups play a major role in Texas culture, so much that the Texas Standard notes auto companies sometimes approach their marketing strategy by the regions of North, East, West and Texas. So, here’s a look at the pickup options in the coming years if you’re looking to go electric.
Production site and release schedule
The Silverado is being made at the company’s first fully dedicated EV assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan. Known as Factory ZERO, it’s named as such to reflect the company’s vision of a world with zero crashes, emissions or congestion.
The Cybertruck, meanwhile, will be produced at Giga Texas. At the recent opening of the factory in southeast Travis County, CEO Elon Musk addressed delays on the truck and said it would be out in 2023.
Orders are closed for the 2022 F-150 Lightning, but 2023 versions are just around the corner. They are being produced at Ford's EV center within their Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan
Cost
The Silverado has an estimated MSRP starting at $39,900 with a reservation cost of $100. Depending on which feature options are added, the truck could end up costing around $80,000.
The Cybertruck also requires a reservation cost of $100 and a final price varies by the number of electric motors. So the price ranges from $39,900 for a single motor and $69,900 for a tri motor.
This year’s F-150s ranged in price from $39,974 to $90,874.
Autonomous features
You’ll have to be at the wheel and alert no matter which car you choose since no vehicle is fully autonomous.
Chevrolet has compatible roads that drivers can use their driver-assisted technology, known as Super Cruise which includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering and hands-free operation with an attentive driver.
The Cybertruck order site doesn’t appear to have many details on what its tech will include, but Tesla has previously made plans to launch a new self-driving computer with the pickup.
The more expensive Lightning models have Blue Cruise available, which is Ford’s hands-free driving system that can be used on prequalified sections of divided highways. It includes a driver-facing camera to ensure the driver has their eyes on the road and Ford has said there’s potential for future enhancements.
Charging time and range
If you’re looking to take some road trips outside of Austin, then this is one of the critical factors you’ll consider while EV shopping.
The Chevy is estimated to reach 400 miles of range. With a 10 minute charge on a fast charger, it’ll be able to get about 100 miles of range.
It will vary by battery pack, but the Environmental Protection Agency shows the Lightning as capable of traveling between 230 and 320 mile range.
It’s yet to be realized, but Tesla is currently boasting the highest of the three with up to 500 miles of range on its Cybertruck.
Screens and storage
Of course, there are things you can do to keep busy while charging.
Generally, Tesla screens can display navigation, apps and a media player where you can access the radio and streaming services.
When it comes to loading up the vehicle, the Cybertruck flexes enough storage in the back for a motorcycle that you can transport up with a ramp.
The Silverado has a screen above the wheel that functions as a traditional dashboard and another larger screen. Chevy also replaced the space up front where an internal combustion engine would be with a “frunk.”
The Lightning also has a frunk, with Insider listing it as one of the reasons it’s perfect for road trips.
- Tesla smashes into pole in Jared Padalecki's car wreck - austonia ›
- Austin environmental groups call on city to hold off on approving ... ›
- Ford's F-150 Lightning vs. Tesla's Cybertruck: The race to become ... ›
- Austin man who fell asleep in stolen truck bed reported missing ... ›
- Tesla truck is getting redesign before work starts in Austin - austonia ›
- New state rule lets bars, taprooms reopen with food trucks - austonia ›
- Rivian secures spot as latest Tesla challenger - austonia ›