Tesla has initiated contact with transportation officials in Arizona to certify its autonomous Robotaxi service, signaling a potential expansion of its driverless ride-hailing operations beyond Texas and California, Bloomberg News reported.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, the electric vehicle maker has formally reached out to begin the certification process required for operating a Robotaxi fleet in the state. While specifics of the regulatory discussions were not disclosed, the move highlights Tesla’s ambition to scale its autonomous mobility service across multiple U.S. regions.
Tesla launched its Robotaxi pilot program on June 22 in Austin, Texas, using a fleet of Model Y vehicles. These test rides currently include a Tesla employee in the passenger seat for safety monitoring. CEO Elon Musk has said the pilot will grow to include up to 1,000 vehicles in the coming months, eventually transitioning to its upcoming Cybercab — a two-seat vehicle designed without a steering wheel.
In a recent social media post, Musk said Tesla would expand its Austin service area this weekend and is targeting the San Francisco Bay Area as the next major market. He indicated that service there could begin “in a month or two,” contingent upon regulatory approval.
Tesla has also applied for a transportation charter-party carrier permit from California’s Public Utilities Commission. In the state, the company is expected to take a phased approach by starting with pre-arranged employee rides in vehicles accompanied by safety drivers.
Production of the Cybercab, Tesla’s dedicated Robotaxi vehicle, is reportedly in early trial stages near the company’s Giga Texas factory, with volume production anticipated next year.