Tesla Expands Robotaxi Fleet to Over 1,000 Registered Vehicles

Tesla has rapidly expanded its Robotaxi program in California, amassing over 1,600 registered vehicles. As of now, the total number of vehicles registered stands at 1,655. According to a spokesperson from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the company has also registered 798 drivers for its ride-hailing service.

Tesla’s Rapid Growth in the Robotaxi Fleet

This growth is striking, considering Tesla launched the service in August with only 28 vehicles and 128 drivers. The current figures reflect approved vehicles, not the ones actively operating in the fleet. Tesla is not mandated to update the state with new driver registrations, which could indicate an even higher number currently.

Comparison with Competitors

For context, Waymo, another key player in autonomous vehicles, has registered 1,955 cars in California, with over 1,000 operational in its fleet. Meanwhile, Zoox registers 229 vehicles and operates 50 between San Francisco and Las Vegas. Both companies operate fully autonomously, in contrast to Tesla’s current licensing.

• Tesla: 1,655 registered vehicles, 798 drivers.
• Waymo: 1,955 registered vehicles, over 1,000 operational.
• Zoox: 229 registered vehicles, 50 operational.

Regulatory Challenges and Permit Status

Despite its growth, Tesla’s Robotaxi is not classified as an autonomous vehicle service under California regulations, which are among the strictest in the nation. The company has yet to apply for a driverless testing permit, as confirmed by a DMV representative. However, its CPUC permit allows Tesla to provide limited transportation services to employees and selected members of the public.

User feedback reveals challenges with long wait times since the public launch of the Robotaxi app in September. Many users have reported wait times exceeding 40 minutes in busy periods, while off-peak hours see wait times around 10 minutes. This increase in wait times correlates with the recent expansion of access to more users.

Addressing the Shortage of Drivers

Tesla is actively working to mitigate driver shortages. The company is incentivizing hourly employees at its California factories with extra pay to assist in operating its ride-hailing network. Meanwhile, details about the number of vehicles operating in Austin remain unclear, as Tesla is not required to report these figures to local authorities.

Elon Musk indicated plans to have around 500 vehicles deployed in Austin by the end of this year, expressing optimism for the program’s continued growth.