Elon Musk’s Cybertrucks, equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi, support LA wildfire recovery

In a show of support for communities impacted by the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company has donated several Cybertrucks to assist with power and connectivity in the Los Angeles County area.

The donation, shared by Musk on X, formerly Twitter, was directed to the Altadena station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, located just north of Pasadena, to help with widespread power outages caused by the blazes.

Cybertrucks serve as battery banks at LA Sheriff’s Department

The Cybertrucks, equipped with Tesla’s energy storage capabilities, will serve as battery banks at the sheriff’s station, supplying backup power to critical equipment until normal power is restored. In addition, these vehicles will provide free Wi-Fi, leveraging Starlink, Tesla’s satellite internet service, to offer connectivity in areas struggling with outages.

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, which is working alongside the sheriff’s department, shared on social media that the donation would help keep radios, computers, and lights operational as the team continues their work during the dark hours.

As the Eaton Fire continues to rage across the region, burning thousands of acres and threatening homes, Tesla plans to send additional Cybertrucks outfitted with Starlink terminals to other affected areas, including parts of Los Angeles and Malibu.

Musk explained that this would delay some planned deliveries of Cybertrucks in California. “We need to use those trucks as mobile base stations to provide power to Starlink Internet terminals in areas of LA without connectivity,” Musk wrote.

Cybertrucks, which can provide backup power for up to three days, are expected to play a crucial role in aiding both first responders and residents. Tesla’s website highlights that a single truck could supply enough energy to power a coffee shop for several days, a useful resource in a region where many areas remain without power.

Though the vehicles themselves are not mobile hotspots, Musk confirmed that each Cybertruck will be equipped with a Starlink terminal, allowing them to create a Wi-Fi network that will aid communications.

Cybertrucks and Starlinks en route to hardest-hit LA neighborhoods

In a follow-up post, Musk mentioned that more aid would be dispatched in the coming days, with efforts to establish a grid of Cybertrucks and Starlinks to maximize coverage in the hardest-hit neighborhoods.

Tesla & SpaceX personnel are driving around areas in greater LA/Malibu that are in tough shape with free WiFi, drinks & snacks https://t.co/304vjlXSoc

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 13, 2025

The donation comes amid a state of emergency declared by California authorities as the wildfires continue to spread, fueled by high winds. Mandatory evacuations are in place for parts of Los Angeles County, where at least 24 people have been killed and 16 are still missing.

With conditions expected to worsen, California Governor Gavin Newsom has described the fires as possibly the worst natural disaster in the state’s history, in terms of cost and scope.

Musk’s response to the fires has also sparked conversation on social media, with some expressing gratitude for the Wi-Fi and power the Cybertrucks provide. Others, including Musk himself, have addressed criticism about the controversial role of regulation in wildfire prevention, suggesting that more proactive measures could have avoided some of the destruction.