Tesla on Tuesday received the first in a series of approvals from California required for the electric car maker to eventually launch a promised robotaxi service in the state, according to a state regulator.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) said it approved Tesla’s application for a transportation charter-party carrier permit (TCP), a license typically associated with chauffeur-operated services, allowing the company to own and control a fleet of vehicles and transport employees on pre-arranged trips.
The permit is a prerequisite for applying to operate an autonomous ride-hailing service in California, but a CPUC spokesperson said the current permit “does not authorize them to provide rides” in autonomous vehicles, and does not allow the automaker to operate a ride-hailing service to the public.
With sales growth slowing, CEO Elon Musk pivoted his focus last year to rolling out robotaxis and has promised driverless ride-hailing services to the public in California and Texas this year.
In October, the company revealed the Cybercab, a robotaxi concept that had no steering wheel or control pedals.
Tesla had applied for the TCP permit in November 2024, the regulator said in an email, adding that the company had not applied for the other permits yet.
The auomaker would also need permits from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and CPUC in order to operate a fully autonomous robotaxi service that charges customers.
Tesla currently only has a DMV permit to test autonomous vehicles with a safety driver.
A DMV spokesperson said on Tuesday that Tesla has not applied for any additional permits from the agency, which would be required to move forward with a CPUC application for driverless taxis.
The company did not respond to requests for comments on the permit and details on the other applications.
Read more:
-
eMobility key: What is the “sweet spot” for success in the Portuguese market?
According to Ecoinside, one in every four vehicles registered in Portugal is already electric, highlighting the need to expand the charging infrastructure and presenting a significant opportunity for CPOs. However, this growth also brings a number of challenges for the eMobility sector. What are they?
-
New opportunities for CPOs: What does Spain offer to expand its charging network?
With a 33.2% increase compared to 2023, the network of operational public charging points reached a total of 40,438 chargers in 2024, of which 10,088 were activated last year. What opportunities lie ahead to sustain this momentum in 2025?
-
ACEA backs CO2 target delay until 2027 but more measures needed: What does it suggest?
While welcoming the European Commission’s proposal to ease annual compliance deadlines, ACEA stresses the urgent need for stronger EV incentives and widespread charging infrastructure.
