Tesla plans to begin offering public rides in its self-driving robotaxis on June 22, according to CEO Elon Musk, who made the announcement Tuesday on social media platform X. The long-awaited launch will mark a pivotal step in Tesla’s autonomous vehicle ambitions, with initial operations set to begin in Austin, Texas.
“We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift,” Musk cautioned in a reply to a user asking about the timeline. He added that Tesla aims to expand the service to other U.S. states later this year, including California, where autonomous vehicle (AV) regulations remain among the most stringent.
Tentatively, June 22.
We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.
First Tesla that drives itself from factory end of line all the way to a customer house is June 28.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 11, 2025
Musk said the pilot program will start with 10 to 20 Model Y SUVs, which will operate within a geofenced area under remote human supervision. Tesla has been actively testing its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in Austin, and Musk shared a video Tuesday showing a driverless Model Y navigating an intersection with the word “Robotaxi” displayed on the vehicle.
The rollout comes at a crucial time for Tesla. With EV sales softening amid intensifying competition and political backlash in some markets, a successful robotaxi service could help validate the company’s pivot away from a lower-cost EV strategy. “Austin >> LA for robotaxi launch lol,” Musk posted, referencing Los Angeles and hinting at a preference for Texas’s regulatory environment.
In a related post, Musk said Tesla vehicles will also begin self-driving directly from the factory floor to customer homes starting June 28, highlighting ongoing efforts to scale FSD capabilities.
While Tesla’s robotaxi plans have long been publicized, the company has released few concrete details about the service’s geographic scope, pricing, safety protocols, or user interface. Commercializing autonomous ride-hailing remains a formidable challenge globally due to safety concerns, regulatory scrutiny, and the need for sustained capital investment.
Despite industry skepticism, Tesla is pressing ahead. As Musk reiterated, “We’re closer than ever before to a fully autonomous future.” Still, he acknowledged the road ahead may require adjustments.