Tesla (TSLA, Financial) was pressed by a group of Democratic lawmakers to defer its planned Austin robotaxi launch until September, when Texas's new autonomous-vehicle law takes effect.
In a Wednesday letter, Austin-area legislators said delaying the debut would bolster public safety and foster community trust, urging Tesla CEO Elon Musk—who had “tentatively” eyed a launch this Sunday—to submit detailed compliance plans for the incoming rules.
The legislation, pending the governor's signature, will mandate operational permits for autonomous fleets, grant state authorities power to revoke them over safety breaches and require emergency-response protocols. Tesla's initial robotaxi fleet may include 10–20 Model Y vehicles operating only in zones deemed safest, according to Musk's January announcement.
Investors and analysts are closely watching the rollout, as much of Tesla's market valuation hinges on autonomous ride-hailing and humanoid robotics—technologies yet to hit the road.
With TSLA shares flat over the past week, any regulatory hiccup could heighten skepticism around the timeline for mass adoption. Competing firms and legacy automakers are monitoring Texas's framework as a potential blueprint for future deployments.
Why It Matters: A delay could push back revenue projections tied to ride-hailing services and shape investor expectations for Tesla's autonomy roadmap.
