Tesla has achieved significant growth in its California "Robotaxi" initiative, registering a total of 1,655 vehicles for its ride-hailing service, as confirmed by a representative from the California Public Utilities Commission. The number of drivers registered has also increased to 798, a notable rise from the 28 vehicles and 128 drivers recorded at the launch in August. This figure represents vehicles approved for use, but does not necessarily reflect the actual number of cars in operation.
In contrast, Waymo operates over 1,000 vehicles in its autonomous fleet within the same region, with 1,955 vehicles registered in California. Zoox, another player in the autonomous space, has 229 vehicles registered and operates 50 vehicles in its fleet between San Francisco and Las Vegas. All three companies, including Tesla, face stringent regulations regarding autonomous vehicle operations in the state.
Despite the rapid expansion, users have reported long wait times since the public launch of the Robotaxi app in September. Tesla has not sought a driverless testing permit, and its current operations are subject to specific regulatory permits allowing transportation services for select users.