Tesla Robotaxi Trial Faces Scrutiny from U.S. Regulators Over Safety in Poor Weather

U.S. highway safety regulators are reviewing Tesla’s response to concerns about the safety of its upcoming self-driving robotaxi service in adverse weather conditions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is evaluating Tesla’s answers to detailed questions submitted in May, focusing on how its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system performs under reduced visibility from fog, rain, sun glare, dust, and snow.

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) reportedly plans to begin limited testing of its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, as soon as this weekend. Invitations have been sent to a select group of users, with social media posts showing that a Tesla employee will accompany passengers in the front seat during the rides. The NHTSA has asked Tesla whether these rides will be supervised or monitored in real time, particularly given the company’s plan to eventually operate these vehicles without human drivers.

The agency’s ongoing investigation, which began in October 2023, covers 2.4 million Tesla vehicles after multiple incidents involving FSD in low-visibility conditions, including a fatal crash last year. The regulator is especially concerned about how Tesla's system handles unexpected poor weather during a ride and the safety protocols in place.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said safety will be a top priority for the Austin trial, with human oversight through remote monitoring. However, NHTSA is also seeking information on how many vehicles Tesla plans to deploy, its overall robotaxi rollout timeline, and the underlying technology used in autonomous operations.

Tesla has yet to publicly comment on the NHTSA’s latest review. The agency stated that once its analysis is complete, it will update the public record accordingly.