Tesla Invites Select Few To Texas Robotaxi Trial With Front Seat Safety Monitors

The long-anticipated Tesla robotaxi project is set to begin a limited rollout in Austin, Texas on 22 June.

The pilot will deploy 10 vehicles equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, marking the first time Tesla will offer autonomous rides to select users in a controlled urban environment.

The move aligns with Elon Musk’s earlier confirmation in May about launching the Robotaxi program this month, ahead of broader deployments in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The first driverless journey is expected to occur on 28 June—Musk’s birthday—with initial operations constrained to a geofenced zone within Austin.

Tesla has opted to use modified Model Y vehicles rather than the CyberCab, which was unveiled in October but has not yet been integrated into this launch phase.

Access to the service will be limited and by invitation only, with a small group of influencers and stakeholders invited to experience early rides.

Tesla targets $2 trillion valuation from autonomous push

Elon Musk has been vocal about his vision for a driverless future since at least 2019 when he projected robotaxi launches by 2020.

That prediction fell short, but Tesla now appears closer than ever to delivering a commercial autonomous service.

Analysts, including Wedbush Securities’ Dan Ives, view the robotaxi debut as pivotal to Tesla’s long-term valuation, suggesting the company could surpass a $2 trillion market cap by the end of 2026.

According to Ives, Tesla’s scale gives it a global advantage in the autonomous sector, with the potential to not only lead in self-driving transport but also license its FSD technology to other automakers.

The company has not yet confirmed if licensing deals are on the horizon, but the Austin launch may serve as a test case for evaluating the reliability and scalability of Tesla’s system.

Safety concerns rise after demonstration test fails

Despite the excitement, public safety concerns are mounting.

Earlier this month, a group known as The Dawn Project, which campaigns for safer tech implementation, conducted a demonstration involving a Tesla Model Y using FSD software.

In the test, the car reportedly failed to stop for a stationary school bus and struck a child-sized mannequin, highlighting concerns over the real-world performance of autonomous features.

The Dawn Project is led by Dan O’Dowd, founder of Green Hills Software, a company that supplies safety technology to Tesla’s competitors.

While some have questioned the motivations behind the campaign, the incident has nonetheless intensified calls for stricter scrutiny.

Tesla’s FSD and FSD Supervised systems have been linked by NHTSA to numerous accidents and fatalities, but debate remains over how much fault lies with the software versus human drivers.

Investigations have found that driver inattention, combined with system limitations, contributed to these incidents.

Texas lawmakers urge Tesla to delay launch to 1 September

The regulatory environment in Texas presents additional complications.

A group of Democratic lawmakers recently sent a letter to Tesla requesting that the robotaxi launch be postponed until 1 September.

That date coincides with the introduction of a new state law governing autonomous vehicles.

In the letter addressed to Tesla’s field quality director, the lawmakers cited public safety and regulatory compliance as their primary concerns.

They asked the company to provide detailed documentation demonstrating how it plans to adhere to the new legal requirements, should it proceed with the planned launch.

Tesla has not formally responded to the letter, but the company’s track record of pushing forward despite resistance suggests the launch will likely go ahead as planned.

Public protests have already taken place in Austin, and further demonstrations could coincide with the debut of the service on 22 June.

Tesla is set to start opening its showrooms in India in July as its first batch of vehicles has arrived in the country, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing certain documents and people familiar with the discussions.

The electric vehicle maker plans to open its first showroom in Mumbai around mid-July, followed by another showroom in New Delhi, sources told Bloomberg.

The Model Y vehicles shipped to India were produced in China, and the company also imported components, merchandise and spare parts from the US, China and the Netherlands, according to the report.

Tesla did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

• Tesla will be the exclusive partner at Electrify Expo LA for the Electrify Weekender program with additional automakers to be announced for future cities
• Electrify Weekender is an extended test drive program exclusive to Electrify Expo attendees where they can take their EV of choice home and experience how it fits in their everyday life

LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Electrify Expo, North America’s largest electric vehicle (EV) and technology festival, today announced Electrify Weekender, an extended test drive program exclusively available to Electrify Expo attendees giving them the opportunity to extend their EV experiences beyond the gates of the festival and further familiarize themselves with EV technology building buyer confidence before making a purchase. The program kicks off with Tesla as the exclusive partner at Electrify Expo Los Angeles on June 21-22.

“Electrify Weekender gives people the freedom to experience EVs on their own terms,” said BJ Birtwell, founder and CEO of Electrify Expo. “At our festivals, thousands of attendees get their first taste of EVs through hands-on demos, and that’s often the spark that starts their journey. With Weekender, we’re extending that experience into real life. Giving people more time behind the wheel builds confidence, and confidence drives adoption. This program is about breaking outdated myths, reaching new audiences and showing how EVs seamlessly fit into everyday life. My first EV experience was in a Tesla, so launching this with them feels like a full-circle moment. Now it’s time for others to have that same ‘light bulb’ moment.”

Tesla has been the industry leader delivering high-performance vehicles and innovative models. With Tesla’s large role in shaping the industry, the collaboration with Electrify Weekender marks another milestone in the company’s investment in EV accessibility and adoption.

Attendees may sign up for the extended test drive program ahead of time or on-site at the festival. After selecting their preferred model, information is passed to the automaker who coordinates with local stores to schedule a two day driving experience.

Participate in Electrify Weekender

Interested in a longer experience with an EV of your choice following your demos at Electrify Expo? Find more information about the test drive program and participating automakers near you at https://www.electrifyexpo.com/weekender.

Electrify Expo’s Remaining 2025 Tour Stops:

• June 21-22: Los Angeles, CA
• July 12-13: Seattle, WA
• August 23-24: San Francisco, CA
• September 13-14: Chicago, IL **new city
• October 17-19: New York, NY
• November 15-16: Dallas, TX **new city

For the full 2025 schedule and to secure tickets, visit www.electrifyexpo.com. Media interested in attending may request credentials by emailing ee@skyya.com.

Companies interested in exhibiting at the 2025 Electrify Expo locations can visit https://www.electrifyexpo.com/partner-registration.

About Electrify Expo

Electrify Expo is North America’s largest electric vehicle (EV) and technology festival, where consumers come to shop and experience all things electric. The festival showcases the industry's leading brands and exciting startups through hands-on activations, demos and experiences spanning EVs, micromobility, solar energy, charging solutions, powersports, automotive aftermarket, and connected home technology, providing attendees with immersive learning opportunities and memorable interactions. From high-powered demo courses to engaging education zones, Electrify Expo offers a unique festival vibe for consumers to reshape what they think they know about EVs. In 2025, Electrify Expo’s nationwide tour will visit Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago and New York. To stay up to date on the latest news and announcements from Electrify Expo, visit www.electrifyexpo.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Media Contact

Skyya PR

ee@skyya.com

An image accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/91a0c36e-408a-4ca7-b30c-913c691080a0

Electrify Weekender Launch with Tesla in Los Angeles

Electrify Weekender is an extended test drive program exclusive to Electrify Expo attendees where they can take their EV of choice home and experience how it fits in their everyday life

Tesla and its chief executive Elon Musk are building a foundation for autonomous growth "for years to come" with the launch of its Model Y Robotaxi service in Austin on Sunday, Wedbush Securities said in a note Friday.

"The AI future at Tesla is worth $1 trillion to the valuation alone over the next few years," Wedbush analysts said.

Wedbush said it sees Tesla rolling out and scaling its robotaxi service to about 25 US cities over the next year after debuting a "geofence" service around Austin with about 20 robotaxis. The firm said that in a bull case scenario, it believes the company could reach a market cap of $2 trillion by the end of 2026.

Wedbush maintained an outperform rating on the stock with a $500 price target.

Shares were 1.8% higher in recent premarket activity.