Tesla Robotaxi Expansion to Arizona

Tesla Seeks Arizona Approval for Robotaxi Service

Tesla has submitted an application to the Arizona Department of Transportation to test and operate its autonomous vehicles within the Metro Phoenix region, as confirmed by the department to TechCrunch.

On June 26th, Tesla initiated the certification process by contacting the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), a division of the Arizona Department of Transportation. A departmental spokesperson communicated this information via email.

Testing and Operation Applications

The company, having recently launched a limited robotaxi service in South Austin, Texas, has indicated its desire to extend operations to the Phoenix Metro area. Tesla is seeking approval for both autonomous vehicle testing – with and without a driver present – according to the DOT MVD spokesperson.

A decision regarding Tesla’s application is anticipated by the end of the current month. This initial contact from Tesla was first brought to light by Tesla enthusiast Sawyer Merritt on Thursday.

Casey Blaine, Tesla’s senior regulatory counsel, spearheaded the outreach. She has already participated in a virtual meeting with representatives from the state’s DOT and the Arizona Commerce Authority, as revealed by emails obtained by TechCrunch through a public records request.

These discussions are currently in preliminary phases. Blaine requested a DOT representative to facilitate introductions to Maricopa County government officials and local law enforcement agencies prior to any potential launch. A request for comment directed to Blaine has not yet received a response.

Expansion Plans and Regulatory Hurdles

Tesla initiated a limited robotaxi service in South Austin in June, currently accessible only to invited individuals. However, CEO Elon Musk announced on his social media platform, X, that the company intends to broaden the service’s reach within the city shortly.

Musk also stated that Tesla is awaiting regulatory clearances to introduce robotaxis in the Bay Area, projecting a launch timeframe of “a month or two.”

Regulatory differences between Arizona, California, and Texas may present challenges to Musk’s ambitions for widespread robotaxi deployment.

California’s Permitting Process

In California, companies aiming to test and ultimately deploy autonomous vehicles must secure a series of permits from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). These permits cover all stages of testing, both with and without a human safety operator.

Furthermore, operating a robotaxi service necessitates additional permits from the California Public Utilities Commission.

A California DMV spokesperson confirmed that Tesla has held an autonomous vehicle testing permit for public road testing with a safety driver since 2014.

“Should Tesla intend to conduct driverless testing or deploy autonomous technology, an application for the appropriate permit is required,” the DMV statement clarified. “Currently, Tesla has not submitted applications for either a driverless testing or deployment permit.”

Arizona’s Self-Certification and TNC Permits

Arizona’s process is less complex, involving a self-certification process for testing, with or without a driver, as detailed on the ADOT website.

However, completing this self-certification does not automatically authorize the operation of a for-profit robotaxi service. Companies intending to operate a ride-hailing service – whether human-driven or autonomous – must obtain a Transportation Network Company (TNC) permit.

Waymo’s Existing Operations

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, currently operates a driverless robotaxi service covering approximately 315 square miles of the Metro Phoenix area.

This service area encompasses downtown Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, portions of Mesa, and transportation to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Waymo recently introduced a program allowing supervised teenagers to utilize its Phoenix robotaxi service.

Waymo possesses both the necessary AV and TNC permits in Arizona. The company also holds all required permits for robotaxi deployment and operation in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and various Silicon Valley cities in California. Additionally, Waymo collaborates with Uber to provide robotaxi services in Austin and Atlanta.