Tesla Inc. is planning to double its robotaxi fleet in Austin, Texas, by December. This move comes less than six months after the company launched its autonomous ride-hailing service in the city.
Expansion and Deployment
CEO Elon Musk has announced that the fleet should roughly double next month as the company accelerates its deployment. Currently, Tesla operates robotaxis in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, with safety drivers still required in both markets.
Future Plans
However, Musk has stated that Tesla intends to remove safety drivers in parts of Austin by year-end, emphasizing the need for extreme caution as the service scales. The company expects to operate robotaxis in 8 to 10 metro areas by year-end.
Regulatory Breakthroughs
Tesla has recently won approval to operate a ride-hailing service in Arizona, signaling a broader expansion in the robotaxi industry. The company has also cleared a major hurdle in Nevada, paving the way for expansion into the state. Tesla has passed the self-certification process for its robotaxis, enabling the deployment of autonomous vehicles on Nevada roads.
Next Steps
Although Tesla has made significant progress, the company must still secure regulatory approval from the Nevada Transportation Authority before launching commercial robotaxi services. The company has not yet applied for the necessary permit.
Market Impact
Tesla shares were up 0.21% at $420.29 at the time of publication, indicating a positive response to the company’s expansion plans and regulatory breakthroughs.
Industry Outlook
The robotaxi industry is experiencing a rebound, with companies like Waymo and Zoox ramping up their operations after years of delays and regulatory scrutiny. Tesla’s expansion plans and regulatory breakthroughs are expected to contribute to the growth of the industry.