Tesla will reportedly roll out its Robotaxi service for public use within the next month, according to Elon Musk's recent announcement.
Tesla's Robotaxi Service Set to Expand Across the US
Tesla's driverless ride-hailing service, currently undergoing a trial in Austin, Texas, is set to open its doors to the general public next month. The announcement was made by Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, during a recent earnings call, where he shared an internal goal of the Robotaxi service being available to half of the US's population by the end of 2025.
The service, which initially offered rides to select influencers and Tesla content creators with a safety driver present, is expected to provide open access to the public as early as September 2025. This follows Tesla securing a state permit in mid-August 2025, allowing it to operate ride-hailing services throughout Texas.
However, the service is not yet fully authorized as autonomous by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Despite this, Tesla can currently offer rides via an invite-only Robotaxi app, with full open access pending further regulatory approvals and app availability to the general public.
Tesla's Robotaxi service differs from other driverless services as it requires a Tesla account and use of Tesla's proprietary app, without integration with platforms like Uber or Lyft. The cost of each trip in Tesla's Austin driverless ride-hailing service is currently $US4.20.
Beyond Austin, Tesla has already launched limited Robotaxi services in the San Francisco Bay Area and plans to expand to other U.S. cities. Job listings indicate active hiring for Autopilot/Robotaxi vehicle operators in states including New York, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida, supporting upcoming service rollouts.
The expansion of Tesla's Robotaxi service is anticipated for 2026, with international markets on the horizon. The state's Department of Transportation in Arizona has confirmed that Tesla's Robotaxi approvals are in the works. Riz Akhtar, founder of carloop, an Australian EV data specialist and mechanical engineer, is also working towards reducing transport emissions through his company's provision of EV data, insight reports, and trends.
The Robotaxi service rollout is expected to increase competition in the US market, with existing operators like Waymo expanding their services in response. Waymo currently operates a 24/7 self-driving ride-hailing service in Phoenix, Arizona, with a service area of around 800 square kilometres.
As Tesla's Robotaxi service expands, it promises to revolutionize the transportation industry, making driverless ride-hailing a viable option for the general public. With its rapid pace of expansion and ambitious goals, Tesla is set to lead the way in the development and implementation of autonomous vehicles.
| Timeline/Status | Details | |-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | June 12, 2025 | Limited Robotaxi testing and rides began in Austin with invited users and safety drivers[2][4] | | August 2025 | Tesla obtains state-wide Texas permit for ride-hailing; open access announced for September[1][3] | | September 2025 (projected) | Publicly open access in Austin expected via dedicated Tesla Robotaxi app[1][3] | | Current and Near Future | Expansion in geofenced areas in Austin; continued limited operation in San Francisco Bay Area[4] | | Expansion plans | Hiring vehicle operators in NY, NV, AZ, FL to prepare for new city launches[5] |
- The Robotaxi service, a driverless ride-hailing service by Tesla that is set to expands across the US, will soon be available to the general public, as announced by Elon Musk.
- Beyond Austin, where the service is already operational, Tesla plans to expand its Robotaxi service to other US cities, as indicated by job listings for Autopilot/Robotaxi vehicle operators in states such as New York, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida.
