Texas Lawmakers Request Tesla Delay Robotaxi Launch Until 2025

Local Texas lawmakers have taken a significant step by formally requesting Tesla to postpone the launch of its robotaxi service in Austin until September 2025. This request is in response to a new state law that is set to take effect on that date, which imposes stricter regulations on autonomous vehicles. The lawmakers, in a letter sent to Tesla, emphasized that delaying the launch is crucial for ensuring public safety and building public trust in Tesla's operations.

The new legislation mandates that autonomous-vehicle companies must apply for authorization to operate in the state. It also grants state authorities the power to revoke permits if they deem a driverless vehicle to endanger the public. Additionally, firms are required to provide the state with information on how police and first responders can handle the vehicles in emergency situations.

Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, had previously announced that the company would be offering autonomous ride-hailing services in Austin in June. However, the specifics of the Austin robotaxi launch, such as the number of vehicles, passenger details, charging methods, operational areas, and remote monitoring, remain unclear. Musk had indicated that the initial rollout would involve 10 or 20 Model Y vehicles, focusing on the safest parts of Austin.

The lawmakers' request highlights the tension between technological innovation and regulatory compliance. While Tesla's autonomous-driving technology represents a significant advancement, ensuring that it operates safely and in accordance with new regulations is paramount. The delay, if implemented, would allow Tesla to align its operations with the new legal framework, potentially mitigating risks and enhancing public confidence.

In accordance with the regulations, companies operating autonomous vehicles would also be required to provide a First Responder Interaction Plan to the Department of Public Safety detailing how emergency personnel should interact with driverless vehicles. The lawmakers wrote that Tesla can still go ahead with the robotaxi launch which is slated for June 22 if it responds to the letter with “detailed information demonstrating that Tesla will be compliant with the new law upon the launch of driverless operations in Austin.”

However, there is at least one person among the writers of the letter who is skeptical about Tesla’s readiness to launch. “I don’t know that it is ready to be launched,” said one of the lawmakers. “There is more work that needs to be done before they let them loose on the streets.”

Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has said his company has been testing its full self-driving cars on the streets of Austin over the last month, with one driverless Tesla Model Y spotted on public roads in Austin. Musk announced plans to launch thousands of Tesla robotaxis in Austin in May, with future plans to expand to cities like San Francisco.

However, in a safety test conducted by a known critic of Tesla’s self-driving tech, a Tesla Model Y with Full Self-Driving engaged was unable to stop in the presence of a school bus stop sign and child-sized dummy, raising concerns about how ready it is to be deployed.

Texas has minimal regulations for autonomous vehicles, allowing operation with basic registration and insurance, which has made it an attractive hub for companies like Tesla. If Tesla decides to push forward with the launch, it will be competing on Austin’s streets with other autonomous vehicle companies.

Unfortunately, the lack of oversight has raised concerns among public safety officials, especially since Tesla has a history of unfulfilled self-driving promises and recent safety test failures. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also sent Tesla a letter in May 2025, requesting to know about how its robotaxis plan to handle collisions, poor visibility, and emergency situations.

Tesla has not publicly responded to either the lawmakers’ or NHTSA’s letters, though a response to the NHTSA’s letter was expected on June 19. How Tesla will respond is unclear, but the request of the Democratic lawmakers is not expected to do much to stop Tesla’s progress, especially in a Republican-dominated state, where the governor and legislative majorities favor a hands-off regulatory approach to promote the autonomous vehicle industry.

To his credit, Musk is also very big on safety, noting that the company is “being super paranoid” and could shift the launch date if needed. “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift,” Musk wrote on X on June 10.