Tesla just got its first permit from the California Public Utilities Commission. It’s a Transportation Charter-Party Carrier permit. This lets Tesla run a fleet of cars to move people around, starting with its own workers.
The permit doesn’t allow fully self-driving taxis yet. Tesla still has a long way to go for that. But it’s a clear sign they want to do more than just build cars. They’re pushing into transport services.
What the Permit Means
This permit is for human-driven cars, like limos or company shuttles. Tesla can use it now with drivers. To go driverless and charge passengers, they need more approvals. That includes extra permits from the California Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Tesla hasn’t applied for those yet. Right now, they have a Department of Motor Vehicles permit to test self-driving cars with safety drivers. That’s it so far.
Next Steps and Current Plans
Tesla will probably start with cars like the Model 3 or Model Y. The Cybercab, a prototype with no steering wheel, was shown off in October 2024. But it’s not ready yet.
Full robotaxis on California roads are still off in the future. Rules and tech challenges are holding things back.
Elon Musk’s Big Vision
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, keeps talking about robotaxis. He says they’ll be running in California and Texas by 2025.
The Cybercab event got people excited. Some thought Tesla might beat Waymo, which already has self-driving taxis in the state.
Why Tesla’s Doing This
Tesla wants new ways to make money. Electric vehicle sales aren’t growing as fast anymore, and competition is heating up. Musk calls robotaxis a huge chance to cash in using Tesla’s AI and Full Self-Driving software.
California’s Role
California matters a lot to Tesla. It’s home to their engineering base and is also a key spot for self-driving tech. However, the state’s tough rules have slowed others down. Tesla’s local ties and Musk’s goals might help them pull ahead. They just need to overcome the remaining hurdles.
What’s Happening Now
For now, Tesla workers might get rides in company cars with drivers. The driverless Cybercab idea is still coming.
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