Austin Lawmakers Call for Tesla Robotaxi Delay Until New Regulations Take Effect

Mike Seuss
1 day ago
2 min read

Austin, TX – A coalition of Democratic lawmakers in Austin has formally requested that Tesla postpone its planned robotaxi rollout in the city. The lawmakers are urging a delay until September 1, 2025, when new state legislation governing autonomous vehicles is set to take effect, citing public safety and trust as primary concerns.

Lawmakers Urge Delay for Public Safety

Democratic lawmakers sent a letter on Wednesday, June 19, 2025, to Tesla, advocating for a delay in the initial robotaxi launch. They argue that postponing the service until new regulations are in place would foster greater public trust in Tesla's autonomous vehicle operations.

The letter explicitly states, "We are formally requesting that Tesla delay autonomous robotaxi operations until the new law takes effect on September 1, 2025. We believe this is in the best interest of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla’s operations.
Should Tesla decide to proceed with its scheduled June 22 launch, the lawmakers have demanded detailed information regarding the initial operation of the robotaxi service.

New Regulations on the Horizon

The new Texas law, passed last month, introduces more stringent requirements for companies deploying fully self-driving cars. Currently, state law permits autonomous vehicle testing without a human driver, provided basic registration and insurance standards are met. The updated framework will grant state agencies increased oversight, including the authority to revoke permits if autonomous vehicles pose safety risks.

Tesla's Initial Robotaxi Plans

Elon Musk has confirmed that Tesla's initial robotaxi launch in Austin this June will commence with a small fleet of Model Y vehicles. The service is intended to operate only in areas of the city deemed safest by the company. As of the time of this report, Tesla has not issued a public comment regarding the Democratic lawmakers' letter.