theverge.com·Feb 27, 2026
Tesla has not applied for the necessary permits to operate a robotaxi service in California, despite Elon Musk's claims of being close to obtaining regulatory approval, and has reported no autonomous test miles on California roads.
The most valuable insight for someone tracking autonomous vehicles and robotaxis is that despite Elon Musk's claims, Tesla has not taken any concrete steps to acquire the necessary permits for launching a robotaxi service in California, nor has it logged any autonomous driving test miles in the state. This indicates a potential gap between Tesla's public statements and its regulatory actions, which could impact the company's progress and credibility in the robotaxi market.