• Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
Stock

Red light for Tesla robotaxis? Texas Democrats urge launch halt

by June 19, 2025
by June 19, 2025

A cohort of Democratic lawmakers from Texas has formally requested that Tesla postpone the highly anticipated launch of its robotaxi service in Austin.

The legislators are urging the electric vehicle giant to delay the rollout until September, when a new state law governing autonomous driving is scheduled to come into effect, citing concerns over public safety and the need to build public trust.

In a letter sent on Wednesday, the group of Austin-area lawmakers argued that delaying the launch, which Tesla CEO Elon Musk had “tentatively” suggested could happen as early as this Sunday, “is in the best interest of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla’s operations.”

They emphasized the importance of aligning the robotaxi service with the forthcoming state regulations.

Should Tesla decide to proceed with its launch this month, thereby predating the new law, the lawmakers have asked the company to provide “detailed information” demonstrating precisely how Tesla intends to comply with the new state legislation once it is operational.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawmakers’ letter.

This request comes at a pivotal moment for Tesla.

Last year, Elon Musk publicly staked the company’s future heavily on the success of its autonomous-driving technology, signaling a strategic pivot away from solely chasing rapid growth in electric-vehicle sales.

The impending Austin robotaxi rollout has been under intense scrutiny from investors and analysts, many of whom attribute a significant portion of Tesla’s stock market valuation to the high hopes pinned on its yet-to-be-delivered robotaxi services and humanoid robots.

Navigating a shifting legal landscape in Texas

The political and legal context for this request is noteworthy.

It remains unclear how much influence a letter from Democratic lawmakers will exert in Texas, a state where Republicans control the governorship and hold majorities in both legislative chambers.

Under current Texas law, autonomous-vehicle companies are permitted to operate their vehicles anywhere in the state, provided the vehicles meet basic registration and insurance requirements.

However, new legislation, which successfully passed the Texas legislature last month but has not yet been signed by the governor, is set to change this landscape.

This new law would, for the first time, require autonomous-vehicle companies to apply for specific authorization to operate within the state.

Crucially, the new legislation would grant state authorities the power to revoke permits if they deem a driverless vehicle to be one that “endangers the public.”

Furthermore, companies like Tesla would be required to provide the state with comprehensive information on how police and first responders can effectively interact with and manage these autonomous vehicles in emergency situations.

Scant details on Tesla’s Robotaxi blueprint

Elon Musk first announced in January that Tesla would be offering “autonomous ride-hailing for money in Austin, in June.” Since that pronouncement, details about the planned Austin robotaxi launch have been sparse.

Musk has indicated that the initial rollout would begin with a small fleet of 10 or 20 Model Y vehicles and that the company would initially operate in “only the parts of Austin that we consider to be the safest.”

However, key operational details—such as who the initial passengers will be, how Tesla will charge for rides, the specific areas of Austin where the service will operate, and the extent of remote monitoring and operation of the vehicles—have not yet been disclosed by Musk or Tesla.

This lack of transparency likely contributes to the lawmakers’ call for a more cautious and legally aligned approach.

The post Red light for Tesla robotaxis? Texas Democrats urge launch halt appeared first on Invezz

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
BYD stock price forecast as its European market share gains steam
next post
Top FTSE 100 Index shares forecasts: IAG, BT Group, Rolls-Royce

Related Posts

Why Friday’s sell-off in S&P 500 was not...

August 3, 2025

Retail investors shift focus to Europe as US...

August 3, 2025

Berkshire Hathaway posts 4% dip in Q2 operating...

August 3, 2025

Bank of America picks 5 stocks with post...

August 3, 2025

Here’s what will affect the Nikkei 225 Index...

August 3, 2025

BYD’s July sales stall, casting doubt on 2025...

August 2, 2025

US stock plunge as jobs data disappoints and...

August 2, 2025

Moderna cuts 2025 revenue to $2.2B after UK...

August 2, 2025

Brazil antitrust watchdog probes Microsoft after Opera complaint...

August 2, 2025

Reddit shares surge 20% on record profit and...

August 2, 2025

Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.

By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

Recent Posts

  • Why Friday’s sell-off in S&P 500 was not surprising and what comes next

    August 3, 2025
  • Retail investors shift focus to Europe as US valuations stretch

    August 3, 2025
  • Berkshire Hathaway posts 4% dip in Q2 operating profit, writes down Kraft Heinz stake

    August 3, 2025
  • Bank of America picks 5 stocks with post earnings rally potential

    August 3, 2025
  • Here’s what will affect the Nikkei 225 Index this week

    August 3, 2025
  • Inside the Biden cover-up probe: 8 aides questioned, more on the way

    August 3, 2025

Editors’ Picks

  • 1

    Meta executives eligible for 200% salary bonus under new pay structure

    February 21, 2025
  • 2

    Walmart earnings preview: What to expect before Thursday’s opening bell

    February 20, 2025
  • 3

    New FBI leader Kash Patel tapped to run ATF as acting director

    February 23, 2025
  • 4

    Anthropic’s newly released Claude 3.7 Sonnet can ‘think’ as long as the user wants before giving an answer

    February 25, 2025
  • 5

    Nvidia’s investment in SoundHound wasn’t all that significant after all

    March 1, 2025
  • 6

    Cramer reveals a sub-sector of technology that can withstand Trump tariffs

    March 1, 2025
  • 7

    Elon Musk says federal employees must fill out productivity reports or resign

    February 23, 2025

Categories

  • Economy (2,065)
  • Editor's Pick (203)
  • Investing (185)
  • Stock (1,376)
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Read alsox

Is the Iran-Israel ceasefire real or Trump’s...

June 24, 2025

Trump to sign executive order slashing drug...

May 12, 2025

Nvidia warns of formidable Chinese AI rivals...

May 30, 2025