Tesla Expands Robotaxi Coverage in Austin
Tesla has expanded its Robotaxi service area in Austin for the third time in just two months, marking another step in the company’s aggressive push into autonomous mobility.
The service, which first launched in June with a 22-square-mile pilot zone in southern Austin, now covers 173 square miles, offering significantly wider access to autonomous rides. Alongside the expansion, Tesla also boosted its self-driving fleet by 50%.
Gigafactory Texas Now Within Service Zone
A notable addition is Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas, which is now inside the Robotaxi coverage area. According to Teslarati, this integration highlights Tesla’s strategy of connecting its production hub with its mobility network, creating a full-cycle ecosystem for electric and autonomous transportation.
Competition with Waymo
With its latest expansion, Tesla has surpassed Alphabet’s Waymo, which currently operates across 90 square miles in Austin. The two companies remain fierce competitors in the robotaxi market, racing to dominate the future of driverless ride-hailing services.
Limited Access for Users
Despite the broader reach and larger fleet, Tesla’s autonomous ride-sharing service remains invite-only, limiting access to a small group of early users. Meanwhile, Waymo is also expanding, with a pilot permit recently acquired for potential robotaxi operations in New York City.
Tesla’s Larger Vision
CEO Elon Musk has previously set an ambitious target of deploying Robotaxis to cover half of the U.S. population by the end of 2025. While industry analysts say this goal is unlikely, Tesla’s rapid growth in Austin underscores the company’s determination to lead the driverless vehicle service sector.
Bigger and Better: Tesla Expands Austin Robotaxi Coverage
- Tesla expands Robotaxi service area in Austin to 173 square miles.
- Fleet size increased by 50% to meet growing demand.
- Gigafactory Texas now included in the coverage zone.
- Tesla surpasses Waymo’s 90-square-mile coverage in Austin.
- Service remains invite-only for limited users.
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