Democrats Advocate for Postponing Tesla's Robotaxi Due to Public Safety Concerns | Carscoops

      The service is anticipated to commence with fewer than 20 Tesla vehicles operating autonomously.

      Elon Musk has indicated a tentative public launch date of June 22 for the service.

      Currently, autonomous vehicle companies can operate in Texas with minimal restrictions. However, this is set to change; companies will need to seek authorization to run robotaxis.

      This weekend, Tesla and Elon Musk may finally realize their long-promised robotaxi service after what has felt like an endless series of unmet deadlines and promises. Nonetheless, several Texas lawmakers are advocating for a delay in launching the robotaxi service in Austin until September.

      The Democratic representatives argue that a delay would be “in the best interest of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla’s operations.” Presently, autonomous vehicle companies are permitted to operate throughout Texas, given they satisfy the state’s registration and insurance requirements.

      However, new legislation that passed through the Texas legislature last month will soon impose stricter regulations. Companies will now need to apply for authorization to operate their vehicles within the state. This legislation requires the governor's final approval before taking effect, which is expected to happen in September.

      Earlier this month, footage showed a driverless Tesla Model Y robotaxi navigating public streets in Austin without anyone in the driver's seat, leading to speculation about an early start for Tesla's service. It was quickly clarified that the vehicle was a prototype. Musk later confirmed on X that the first public rides are scheduled for June 22, but he cautioned that this date is tentative and “could shift.”

      As reported by Reuters, it remains uncertain how much influence the Democratic lawmakers will have since Republicans hold majorities in both legislative chambers. The lawmakers emphasized that if the launch proceeds this month, Tesla must provide comprehensive information on its compliance with the upcoming laws.

      Tesla’s robotaxi service is vitally important for the company. With Tesla sales stagnating or declining in key markets, it needs to demonstrate the effectiveness of its autonomous-driving technology to validate its high market valuation.