Tesla’s (TSLA) eagerly awaited robotaxi launch in Austin may hit the brakes—at least for now. A group of Texas lawmakers is urging the EV giant to postpone the rollout, citing safety concerns and calling for more preparation. In a letter addressed to Tesla, seven Austin-based legislators said delaying the launch until September would be in the “best interest of public safety,” potentially giving the company a strategic pause amid mounting scrutiny.
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For investors, the new Texas law introduces a layer of regulatory clarity that could benefit Tesla in the long run by aligning its robotaxi plans with federal standards. However, the request by lawmakers to delay the June 22 launch adds short-term uncertainty, which may weigh on sentiment. If Tesla proceeds without addressing safety concerns, it could face reputational or legal risks.
What are the Lawmakers Demanding?
Right now, lawmakers aren’t demanding that Tesla delay the robotaxi launch. Instead, they’re making a polite request for the company to wait until the new rules officially take effect in September.
In their letter, they added, that if Tesla chooses to move forward with the June 22, 2025 launch, the company should provide a detailed response outlining how it will ensure full compliance with the new legislation when driverless operations begin in Austin.
Texas has historically placed minimal restrictions on autonomous driving, and the new law mostly keeps things that way. However, it does add some structure, like requiring companies to follow federal safety guidelines and referencing recognized self-driving levels defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
Is Tesla Stock a Buy Right Now?
According to TipRanks, TSLA stock has received a Hold consensus rating, with 14 Buys, 12 Holds, and nine Sells assigned in the last three months. The average Tesla stock price target is $286.14, suggesting a potential downside of over 12% from the current level.
