Texas lawmakers have recently made a formal request to Tesla, urging them to delay their planned Robotaxi launch in Austin by a few months. This request comes as a new law is set to be implemented, and the lawmakers believe that delaying the launch until the new law takes effect on September 1, 2025, is in the best interest of public safety and building trust in Tesla’s operations.
This delay request is seen as a potential opportunity for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been under pressure to deliver on the company’s autonomous driving roadmap. Musk has previously described Tesla’s planned Robotaxi launch as “not really self-driving,” but has been using the new strategy as a way to claim a win in autonomous driving after years of missed deadlines and failed promises.
The planned launch in Austin was initially set for June 22, with Musk aiming to stick to this deadline to showcase Tesla’s progress in autonomous driving technology. However, the request from Texas lawmakers to delay the launch until September provides Tesla with an opportunity to ensure compliance with the new law and potentially address any concerns raised by regulators.
The new law in Texas introduces requirements for following federal guidelines and references SAE autonomous driving levels. While the lawmakers are not forcing Tesla to delay the launch, they are politely asking for the delay until the new framework is in place.
This request from Texas lawmakers comes as NHTSA also set a deadline for Tesla to answer questions about its planned Robotaxi launch in Austin. The combination of regulatory scrutiny and the request for a delay provides Tesla with an opportunity to address any concerns and ensure a successful launch of their autonomous driving service.
Overall, the delay request from Texas lawmakers could be seen as a positive development for Tesla and Musk, allowing them to address any regulatory requirements and potentially enhance the safety and compliance of their Robotaxi service. It remains to be seen whether Tesla will proceed with the planned June 22 launch or opt to delay the launch until September to ensure compliance with the new law.
