Tesla moves a step closer toward its goal of operating a fleet of autonomous robotaxis in California

• Tesla has secured its first regulatory approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for a transportation charter-party carrier permit (TCP), allowing it to operate a fleet of vehicles for pre-arranged employee transportation. However, this does not yet permit public rides or fully autonomous operations.
• The company must obtain further permits from the CPUC and the California DMV to launch a fully autonomous, revenue-generating robotaxi service. As of now, Tesla has only applied for the TCP and has not sought additional permits for driverless operations.
• Tesla’s stock has declined nearly 60 percent since its December 2023 peak, partly due to Elon Musk’s polarizing political stance, including his vocal support for President Donald Trump and far-right ideologies. This has alienated some customers and led to vandalism and arson attacks targeting Tesla vehicles and dealerships.
• Musk’s political alignment and controversial statements have sparked backlash, raising concerns about their impact on Tesla’s brand and customer base, particularly in progressive markets.

Tesla has secured the first of several required approvals from California regulators to launch its long-promised robotaxi service in the state.

According to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Tesla applied for the transportation charter-party carrier permit (TCP), a license that allows the electric vehicle (EV) maker to own and operate a fleet of vehicles for pre-arranged employee transportation in November 2024 and they granted it on March 18.

The TCP permit, typically associated with chauffeur-operated services, is a prerequisite for Tesla to eventually apply for permission to operate an autonomous ride-hailing service in the state. However, the CPUC emphasized that the current permit does not authorize Tesla to offer rides to the public or operate autonomous vehicles without human oversight.

Tesla has yet to seek additional permits required to operate a fully autonomous, revenue-generating robotaxi service. The EV company must obtain permits from both the CPUC and the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to move forward. The DMV permit is a critical step before Tesla can apply for CPUC approval to operate driverless taxis.

However, a DMV spokesperson confirmed that same day that Tesla has not yet applied for any additional permits beyond its current authorization to test autonomous vehicles with a safety driver.

CPUC approval comes after Tesla’s stocks bounce back from recent slump

The initial approval of CPUC comes after Tesla’s stock bounced back from recent slump.

The company’s shares reached an all-time high of nearly $480 in mid-December, buoyed by a post-election “Trump bump” as investors anticipated favorable policies under a potential second Trump administration. However, the vocal support of Elon Musk for President Donald Trump, his calls to slash federal bureaucracy and his alignment with far-right political parties in Europe have drawn both praise and criticism. While these moves may have endeared him to certain segments of the population, they have also alienated a significant portion of Tesla’s customer base, particularly in progressive-leaning markets.

Additionally, Musk’s embrace of MAGA politics has sparked a wave of vandalism and arson attacks targeting Tesla vehicles and dealerships across the country. In recent weeks, several incidents have been reported, with some attributing the attacks to backlash against Musk’s perceived alignment with far-right ideologies.

These incidents have not only caused financial damage but have also raised questions about the impact of Musk’s personal brand on Tesla’s public image. (Related: Tesla owners targeted in alleged doxxing campaign as anti-Musk sentiment escalates.)

Since its December peak, Tesla’s stock has plummeted nearly 60 percent, trading at around $235 per share as of March 19. The decline reflects broader concerns about the company’s growth trajectory, increasing competition in the EV market and the fallout from Musk’s political stance.

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Watch the March 19 episode of “Brighteon Broadcast News” as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about left-wing terrorists target Tesla.

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Sources include:

NYPost.com

CNBC.com

Brighteon.com