Tesla's Robotaxis are set to hit the streets of San Francisco this weekend
Published on Jul 25, 2025 at 7:58 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jul 25, 2025 at 7:58 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Henry Kelsall
Tesla’s Robotaxis are set to hit San Francisco for the first time, with the Tesla Robotaxi EV service hitting the roads over the weekend of July 26th-27th.
Rumors as to when the new Robotaxi would roll out on the road have circulated for some time, and it finally looks like they are about to be unleashed.
As the name suggests, these are robotic taxis that should be able to take people around various cities in America, without the need for a driver up front.
What remains to be seen is how successful they will be and where else they might be rolled out.
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San Francisco marks the debut of Tesla’s Robotaxis
Initially, the service will operate with safety drivers before it becomes a completely autonomous affair.
This planned rollout has followed the first test in Austin, Texas.
Tesla used a small fleet of Model Y EVs with full self-driving onboard to trial out the software.
With it still possible that the self-driving system can make mistakes, the company will use safety drivers initially.
The rollout will take place with select EV owners, who will recieve invitations to access the new service.
If the limited rollout goes well, the system will be refined to allow for a broader use of the service.
Some, however, still have their doubts as to the viability of Tesla’s Robotaxis.
Robotaxis, in general, are something many people are wary of.
Not everyone is a fan of the Robotaxis
For Tesla to get the system out in wider areas, regulatory hurdles remain a problem.
California, in particular, has very strict requirements for autonomous vehicles and their operation.
So far, the company has a transportation charter-party carrier permit.
This means Tesla can ferry employees with safe drivers.
But the company has yet to apply for the permits that allow the operation of fully autonomous vehicles or charge passengers.
California’s DMV and CPUC require a lot of approvals when it comes to driverless testing.
The company is aiming to get regulatory approvals not just in California, but also in Nevada, Arizona, and Florida.
The EV manufacturer hopes to reach half the U.S. population by the end of 2025.
Whether they are successful in this or not all depends on how the planned roll-out in San Francisco goes.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
