Tesla currently has 42 autonomous vehicles authorized for driverless ridehailing in Texas, which is less than one-tenth of Waymo's fleet of 577 robotaxis in the state.
This disparity is underscored by new Texas regulations that require commercial driverless vehicle operators to self-certify their vehicles as level 4 autonomous, a standard that Tesla has not fully met according to its own disclosures. While Waymo has established its fleet as level 4, Tesla has indicated that most of its vehicles operate with level 2 driver assistance systems.
Tesla's Robotaxi service has been operational in Texas since June 2025, but the company has not clarified how it self-certified any of its vehicles as level 4. As Tesla faces increasing competition in the electric vehicle market, the success of its driverless technology is crucial for its future growth.
The company is also trailing behind smaller competitors like AV Ride, which has 317 authorized vehicles, and Amazon's Zoox with 35. Additionally, Tesla's fleet has reported 17 incidents involving its vehicles, raising concerns about safety as it seeks to expand its driverless services in other states like Arizona, Nevada, and Florida