California Regulators Halt Tesla’s Robotaxi Plans in San Francisco
News has emerged suggesting Tesla harbored intentions to implement a robotaxi service in the city of San Francisco, though this was reportedly supposed to occur as soon as the upcoming weekend. However, regional authorities have communicated that such actions are not permissible. They further added that Tesla has not even initiated the steps required to apply for such a permit.
On the preceding Thursday, Tesla made a formal communication to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). In their communication, the electric vehicle giant announced plans to broaden the scope of their Transportation Charter Permit (TCP). This would allow them to extend their offerings to selected public members, alongside friends and family of their employees.
Top executives from Tesla also had a rendezvous with members from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. While discussions have been held, Tesla has not yet formalized their interest by applying for the necessary permits. Their current status does not permit the testing of driverless vehicles, nor the launch of self-governing automobiles.
The oversight and implementation of regulations concerning the testing and operation of autonomous vehicles fall under the purview of the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). State Senator Scott Wiener seconded this by agreeing to the assertions made by the DMV.
In a public statement on Friday, Wiener clearly expressed his stance. He stated, ‘Tesla lacks the permits required for releasing autonomous vehicles in California. Surprisingly, they haven’t even commenced their application for these permits.’
Wiener went on to warn, ‘If Tesla gets on the road with their Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) in San Francisco without the necessary permits, it should lead to the immediate impounding of these vehicles. The permit and safety regulations that we have in place exist for a certain reason. Tesla is not exempt from adhering to these norms.’
The CPUC elucidated that, although Tesla does hold a TCP via the commission, this permit only allows a human driver operating a conventional vehicle. This permit does not cover autonomous vehicles. These comments were made responding to reports that hinted at Tesla emailing its staff about the impending launch of the robotaxi service in the city by the upcoming Saturday.
The communication from the CPUC clarified, ‘Tesla has not acquired the requisite permission from the CPUC to provide autonomous passenger service to customers. This holds true, whether it is a paying customer or not and irrespective of the presence of a driver.’
A summarized version of CPUC’s stance reads, ‘Tesla is not sanctioned to test or ferry the public (charging fee or not) in an AV, whether with a driver or without. However, Tesla has obtained permission to transport the public (charging fee or not) in a non-autonomous vehicle, which would necessitate the presence of a driver.’
Furthermore, the commission divulged that Tesla, on the previous Thursday, had shown interest in expanding its geofence. This expansion would encompass the entire Bay Area, spanning from Sausalito and Berkeley down to Los Gatos.
Despite the regulatory hurdles and restrictions they face in California, Tesla has enjoyed success elsewhere. Elon Musk, the tech visionary leading Tesla, has already made a successful deployment of an AI robotaxi fleet in the city of Austin, Texas.