Tesla has recently obtained a permit in California to operate a ride-hailing service using an internal fleet of vehicles. This news sparked speculation about the company’s potential robotaxi service, but it’s important to note that Tesla has not yet applied for an autonomous driving permit.
A few weeks ago, Tesla applied for a ride-hailing permit in California, which was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). This permit allows Tesla to operate a transportation charter-party carrier service, similar to chauffeur-operated services, to transport employees on pre-arranged trips.
While Tesla has been offering this service to its employees in the Bay Area, the company has not applied for a permit that would enable a robotaxi service. Despite the stock market’s initial reaction to the news, Tesla’s stock rose in aftermarket trading.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, previously announced plans to launch “unsupervised self-driving” in Texas and California in Q2 2025. However, it is likely that this will involve an internal fleet with teleoperation support in a geo-fenced area for ride-hailing services, rather than customer vehicles with full self-driving capabilities.
As Tesla focuses on expanding its ride-hailing test program in California, it continues to work on its self-driving technology. While there is speculation about the possibility of Tesla launching a robotaxi service in California this year, it is unlikely to be the fully autonomous service that has been promised for years.
Overall, Tesla’s permit for a ride-hailing service in California marks a step towards the company’s goal of offering autonomous transportation services, but there are still challenges to overcome before a fully autonomous robotaxi service becomes a reality.
