Tesla utilized for a allow with the California Public Utilities Fee (CPUC) to function a transportation service within the state — a required first step if the automaker needs to finally function a robotaxi service there.
Tesla’s utility for a transportation charter-party service allow was first reported by Bloomberg. TechCrunch has independently confirmed with the CPUC that Tesla utilized for the TCP allow in November 2024. The allow is pending and has not but been accepted.
These TCP permits are completely different from these held by ride-hailing app corporations Lyft and Uber. A TCP allow means the corporate — on this case Tesla — owns the automobiles and makes use of staff as drivers, in response to the CPUC, which regulates human-driven and driverless ride-hailing companies within the state.
Uber and Lyft maintain transportation community firm (TNC) permits. TNCs use an online-enabled utility like a smartphone app to attach drivers utilizing their private automobiles with paying passengers.
A CPUC spokesperson instructed TechCrunch that Tesla has not utilized for a TNC allow. The automaker additionally has not utilized to take part within the CPUC’s Autonomous Car Passenger Service program, the spokesperson mentioned.
This doesn’t imply Tesla isn’t gearing up for a driverless ride-hailing service, although. In line with the company, corporations should maintain a TCP allow to take part within the autonomous automobile passenger service program.
Tesla’s utility to function in California runs counter to the automaker’s shift away from the state for greener regulatory pastures like Texas.
CEO Elon Musk mentioned final month throughout an earnings name that his firm would launch a paid ride-hailing robotaxi service in Austin this coming June. The service will use Tesla-owned automobiles — not these owned by people — and can use the yet-to-be-released “unsupervised” model of its Full Self-Driving software program.
Musk additionally revealed final October a purpose-built Cybercab prototype designed with out a steering wheel or pedals.
