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 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.