Tesla sets new Robotaxi cleaning fees of up to $150

Tesla has brought in new cleaning fees for passengers using its Robotaxi service in an effort to keep vehicles clean for the next rider.

How the fee structure works

Tesla now applies a 50‑dollar charge when staff find food spills, noticeable dirt, or minor stains left behind after a ride. In more serious cases, including any biowaste incident or evidence that a rider smoked inside the car, the fee rises to 150 dollars.

Tesla states,

“We prioritize maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for all riders and promoting responsible rider behavior. To address incidents where vehicles require additional cleaning after a trip, we will assess the type and severity of the mess and apply the appropriate fee.”

Tesla links this policy to the long‑term economics of its fully autonomous Robotaxi network, since extra cleaning can take vehicles off the road and hurt fleet efficiency.

Notification and dispute process

When Tesla applies a cleaning charge, the rider receives an email saying that extra cleaning was required after the trip. At the same time, the updated ride receipt appears in the Ride History section of the Robotaxi app so riders can review the line item in their account.
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If someone believes the charge is unfair, they can contact support and use the phone menu path that Tesla has set up for this case. The company says,

“Once a fee is assessed, you’ll receive an email notifying you that additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. An updated ride receipt will also be available under the Ride History section of the Robotaxi app. If you believe a charge was made in error, call the Customer Support team and follow the prompts for option 7.”

Traditional ride‑hailing platforms such as Uber and Lyft already apply cleaning fees in similar dollar ranges, often from about 20 dollars up to around 150 dollars depending on the severity of the damage reported by the driver. Those services usually require drivers to submit photos and sometimes receipts to support a claim, while Tesla is building a process around fleet management staff and in‑vehicle systems instead of human drivers.
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This fee update comes as Tesla adds more features to its Robotaxi app, including ride ratings and extra accessibility options that support a wider range of passengers. The company has also been expanding ride‑hailing operations in new markets after securing permits.

Industry analysts say policies like this are a basic requirement for a large autonomous fleet, since there is no driver on board to check the cabin after each ride. For Tesla, the new cleaning structure is one more step toward running Robotaxi service as a stable commercial product rather than a limited pilot.

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