Elon Musk faces pushback as Texas lawmakers urge delay of Tesla robotaxi launch
Elon Musk
's ambitious plans to launch
Tesla
's robotaxi service in
Austin
this month have hit political resistance. A group of Democratic lawmakers from the Austin area has formally requested the company to delay the rollout until September, when new
autonomous vehicle regulations
are set to take effect in Texas. The lawmakers argue that waiting for the legislation to kick in would better serve public safety and help build trust in Tesla's
self-driving technology
. While Musk hinted at a tentative launch this Sunday, the lack of details has raised concerns about oversight and preparedness.
Lawmakers cite safety and public trust concerns
In a letter sent to Tesla on Wednesday, the group of Austin-based Democratic lawmakers urged the company to hold off until the new autonomous vehicle law comes into effect. They warned that an early launch could undermine public trust and compromise safety, especially without clear protocols in place. They asked Tesla to provide a detailed explanation of how it intends to comply with the upcoming legislation if it proceeds with the rollout as planned.
What the new Texas law entails
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Currently, Texas allows autonomous vehicles to operate statewide, provided they meet basic registration and insurance requirements. The new law passed by the legislature which is expected to take effect in September, will require companies like Tesla to seek formal authorisation before launching
driverless services
. The law also grants state authorities the power to revoke permits if the vehicles are deemed a public danger, and mandates companies to provide emergency guidance for police and first responders.
Tesla's quiet approach about the launch
Tesla and Musk have so far offered limited details about the Austin robotaxi launch. Musk said it would begin with 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles operating in 'the safest' parts of the city, but has not revealed who the initial riders would be, how the service would be priced, or how remote monitoring would be handled. This opacity has added to the lawmakers' concerns and fuelled debate over whether the rollout is premature.
High stakes for Tesla's future
Musk has placed the future of Tesla heavily on its autonomous driving technologies, shifting focus from traditional EV sales to robotaxis and humanoid robots. Investors and analysts view the upcoming robotaxi rollout in Austin as a crucial step. The pushback from lawmakers, however, highlights the regulatory hurdles that could slow Tesla's momentum in a space already fraught with scrutiny.
Will Tesla comply or proceed?
It remains uncertain how Tesla will respond. While the lawmakers' letter carries political weight in Austin, Texas is a Republican-led state, and the new law has yet to be signed by the governor. Whether Tesla proceeds with the launch or chooses to delay voluntarily could shape both its public image and regulatory relationships moving forward.
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