Tesla is progressing towards launching a ride-sharing service that could rival established platforms like Uber, Lyft, and Waymo. The company has submitted a request for a transportation charter-party carrier permit to the California Public Utilities Commission, a move reported by Bloomberg.
This permit would allow Tesla to own and manage its fleet of vehicles. Initial plans indicate the use of human drivers, with discussions around driver’s license verification and drug-testing protocols already in place.
Tesla’s application mirrors the permit utilized by Waymo for its robotaxi operations. Concurrently, Uber plans to introduce autonomous vehicle services in collaboration with Waymo in cities like Austin and Atlanta later this year.
While CEO Elon Musk expressed confidence in releasing an unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in California this year, Tesla has yet to apply for a permit for driverless operations. This initiative appears to be a preliminary step for the company to explore ride-hailing services ahead of fully autonomous technology.
In October, Tesla unveiled the Cybercab, a concept for a robotaxi that lacks traditional controls like a steering wheel or pedals. Production for the Cybercab is set for 2026, with a target price under $30,000 for consumers.
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