Tesla’s autonomous vehicle fleet in Texas is significantly smaller than Waymo’s, with only 42 registered vehicles compared to Waymo’s 577. This disparity comes to light following new state filings and a law increasing oversight of driverless cars.
While Tesla aims for growth in autonomous driving, it trails behind Waymo, which has a much larger existing fleet and broader service reach. Recent incident reports for Tesla’s Austin fleet also highlight safety considerations.
Tesla's Texas Robotaxi Fleet Trails Waymo by a Wide Margin, Filings Show
Key Points:
- Tesla has registered 42 autonomous vehicles for its driverless Robotaxi service in Texas, significantly fewer than Waymo.
- These figures were revealed in recent filings with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, coinciding with a new law enhancing state oversight of autonomous vehicles.
Tesla's presence in the autonomous ridehailing market in Texas is considerably smaller than that of its rival Waymo. Recent filings with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles reveal that Tesla has registered 42 vehicles for its driverless Robotaxi service in the state. This number stands in stark contrast to Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving subsidiary, which has an authorized fleet of 577 robotaxis in Texas.
The updated figures, available on the Texas DMV's online database since May 28, come into effect as a new state law grants Texas greater authority over commercial driverless vehicle operators. Previously, AV testing and operations were permitted as long as they met existing safety and insurance requirements for all vehicles. The new legislation mandates that operators of driverless vehicles, including Tesla and Waymo, must self-certify that their autonomous vehicles meet SAE's Level 4 standard. This standard generally indicates that a vehicle can operate autonomously under typical road and weather conditions without a human driver.
While Waymo has consistently classified its robotaxis as Level 4, Tesla has indicated to regulators that most of its vehicles are equipped with Level 2 driver assistance systems. Tesla launched its Robotaxi-branded service in Texas in June 2025 but has not publicly detailed how it obtained self-certification for its vehicles as Level 4 autonomous. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The push into driverless technology is a critical component of Tesla's future growth strategy, especially as it faces intensifying competition in the electric vehicle sector and as CEO Elon Musk aims to position the company at the forefront of artificial intelligence and robotics. However, Tesla is currently trailing Waymo, which boasts a U.S. commercial fleet of nearly 4,000 vehicles and is actively expanding its paid services to new locations.
In Texas, Tesla also lags behind other autonomous vehicle companies. AV Ride has 317 authorized automated vehicles in the state, and Amazon's Zoox has 35. Data filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that Tesla's Austin fleet was involved in 17 known incidents between July 2025 and April 2026. Two of these incidents resulted in minor injuries, with one requiring hospitalization, all occurring while human safety supervisors were present.
Tesla has submitted applications for driverless testing permits in Arizona, Nevada, and Florida, but has not yet commenced paid driverless rides in those states.
