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2mo ago

Tesla Applies for California Permit to Launch Ride-Hailing Service

The company plans to initially use human drivers with a long-term goal of deploying autonomous robotaxis.

Tesla Cybercab, or robotaxi, two-passenger battery-electric self-driving car on display at the AutoSalon on Jan. 10 in Brussels, Belgium. Late last year, the company applied for a permit from the California Public Utilities Commission to operate its own fleet of vehicles.
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Elon Musk speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on Feb. 20. The Tesla CEO is pushing forward with plans to rival Uber and Waymo with a ride-hailing service in California, according to an application filed with state regulators.
Tesla applied in late 2024 for what’s known as a transportation charter-party carrier permit from the California Public Utilities Commission, according to documents viewed by Bloomberg. That classification means Tesla would own and control the fleet of vehicles. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Overview

  • Tesla has applied for a Transportation Charter Permit from the California Public Utilities Commission to operate a ride-hailing service in the state.
  • The service will initially use human drivers, with plans to transition to fully autonomous robotaxis in the future, pending regulatory approval.
  • Tesla's move positions it to compete with established players like Uber, Lyft, and Waymo in the ride-hailing market.
  • The company is also preparing to launch a similar service in Texas, where regulatory requirements are less stringent than in California.
  • Tesla's application comes as the company seeks new revenue streams following its first annual sales decline in over a decade.