From Joe Tegtmeyer.
Gigafactory Texas! This is where Model Y’s, and Cyber Truck production happens and in 2025, the Next Generation Car(s), Cybercab & the Optimus Robot!
Today starts the last week of the first month of the 4th quarter already, and things continue to develop that will shape how both Tesla and Giga Texas will operate in 2026!
We discuss several more news items and new updates from Tesla, and we see signs of that progress with equipment deliveries, new production line assembly, testing & infrastructure development, all geared up for what should be a transformational year for the company in 2026.
Timestamps:
Drone flight overview with discussion & illustration: 0:06 to 3:24
Drone flight footage & infographics: 3:47 to 35:08
In the video introduction, we discuss recent updates from Tesla about the operational status of the Lithium Refinery near Corpus Christi which is now operational and beginning production of Lithium Hydroxide from the raw Spodumene Concentrate-6.
This is great news and also impacts the operational status of the Cathode Plant at Giga Texas. Not only does this include the arrival of Lithium Hydroxide from the Lithium Plant, but also may be related to the setup of a new Advanced Technology Development (ADT) section, a specialized lab within Tesla’s Cathode facility dedicated to R&D and testing for next-gen battery technologies (e.g., lithium-ion cell chemistries, performance optimization using AI and/or Machine Learning (ML))!
As Tesla begins to shift from initial standup to scaling of the Robotaxi service, we discuss some of the recently announced termination of the original Robotaxi Beta Program, which began on 22 June for a select group of people, to planned scaling beyond Texas and California (with up to 10 new metro areas), and the end of the on-board safety monitors in most of Austin, all by the end of 2025.
These developments are intricately related to the rollout of the new FSD V14.X autonomous driving software, which underpins most of the major product and service plans Tesla has for 2026 and beyond.
I also discuss two new permits recently filed with the Travis County Permits office for the Cortex 2.0 Chiller plant & its related fire sprinkler systems. This is a major infrastructure project necessary to support and cool the new datacenter and is something many viewers have been asking about since the start of construction of the main Cortex 2 facility itself.
Finally, with the upcoming 6 November Tesla Shareholders meeting, the importance of voting your shares has never been more important, and I discuss 4 different ways you can ensure your vote counts and the Tesla website you can go to for mor information.
Highlights from today’s drone flight include:
Cortex 2 facility really moving fast with multiple projects, including three huge banks of conduit connecting to the switchyard, a large “field” of screw-type piers on the southwest corner being installed, interior wall and ground slab construction, west hall grade & pipe work, concrete drainage pipe installation & roof vents.
The switchyard is also making fast progress, with more vertical steel erection, two V-type circuit breakers installed, more auger work for footings & more materials deliveries and the perimeter fence nearly completed.
Finally, the huge new triangular-shaped clearing on the south east side continues to grow larger with more tree removal and basic grade preparation for both the extension of River Road (and the intersection with Robotic Avenue), but also for what will likely be a new construction project.
Thank you for watching and I hope this has been informative, educational, and entertaining for you. If you would like, please consider supporting me via Patreon (link is in the description of this video and in the video itself) so I can continue to make and share these incredible videos.
Sources used in this video:
Link to Travis County Permits
https://www.Tcfmopermits.com
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Be sure to check out additional Texas Gigafactory footage on these channels:
@Jeff Roberts
Video, photos, illustrations, and commentary on this video is by me, Joe Tegtmeyer unless otherwise annotated.
Music in this video is obtained from the YouTube free and unrestricted and royalty-free use library. Ending song is Mr. Sunny Face – Wayne Jones
Drones used are DJI Mini 2, Mavic Air 2 & Air 3.
Drone flight over Giga Texas is with permission of Tesla and CEO Elon Musk
