Tesla received a permit Tuesday from the California Public Utilities Commission to operate a transportation service in the state, the beginning of a long regulatory road that could eventually lead to the company getting the OK to operate a robotaxi service there. The permit, which Tesla applied for in November 2024, doesn’t cover autonomous vehicle […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Tesla received a transportation charter permit (TCP) from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), allowing it to operate a prearranged transportation service with employee drivers and company-owned vehicles. This differs from the permits held by Uber and Lyft, and doesn't cover autonomous vehicle testing or deployment. Tesla initially plans to transport employees, but will notify the CPUC if it transitions to serving the public. The permit doesn't involve participation in autonomous vehicle passenger service programs, and Tesla lacks DMV authorization for driverless rides in California. Tesla plans to launch a robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, independently.
