In California's Bay Area, Tesla initiates Robotaxi operations over a vast expanse
Tesla's Robotaxi Service Expands to San Francisco Bay Area
Tesla's driverless ride-hailing service, known as Robotaxi, has made a significant leap by expanding into the San Francisco Bay Area, California. The service, which is currently an invite-only Early Access program, is available within a geo-fenced zone that covers a large portion of the Bay Area.
The service area extends from South San Francisco through Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont, and much of San Jose, including areas in Marin, the East Bay, and San Francisco itself. This region, spanning approximately 75 miles, represents a significant expansion from the initial trial in Austin, Texas.
While exact population within the geofenced area is not precisely stated, the included cities collectively house several million residents. With major population centers such as San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose included, the potential user base for the service is substantial.
However, Tesla has not yet obtained full regulatory approval to operate fully driverless Robotaxi vehicles in California. The California Public Utilities Commission and Department of Motor Vehicles have indicated that Tesla lacks the necessary permits for fully autonomous commercial operation in the state as of late July 2025. As a result, the service requires a safety driver to be present in the vehicle.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, announced the expansion of the Robotaxi service into the San Francisco Bay Area on X. The company aims to make the service available to half of the US's population by the end of 2025. With the general public having access to the service looking highly likely due to Tesla's pace of expansion of its trial service, this ambition seems within reach.
The rollout of the Robotaxi service in the US provides a good roadmap for the future of road transportation, moving towards electric and autonomous vehicles. Tesla is also making progress in Arizona, with the state's Department of Transportation confirming that Robotaxi approvals are in the works there.
As we keep a lookout for this expansion, we will be watching how this rollout pushes competition in the US as well as the expected international expansion of the service in 2026. Riz Akhtar, the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, drives a red Tesla Model 3 and specializes in Australian EV data, insight reports, and trends. His passion for cars, particularly EVs, and his aim to reduce transport emissions in Australia make him an interesting figure to follow in the EV industry.
Some locals suggest that the geo-fenced area for the Robotaxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area covers a population of around 7 million people. With such a large potential user base and the service's rapid expansion, it is an exciting time for the future of autonomous transportation.
The expansion of Tesla's Robotaxi service to San Francisco Bay Area encompasses various sectors, including transportation and technology. This move signifies a significant financial investment in the growth of autonomous vehicles within the industry.
Despite the service area being geo-fenced, the potential user base in the region, with its major population centers such as San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose, is substantial, demonstrating the financial and technological potential of autonomous transportation in the future.
