Tesla Grilled by U.S. Safety Agency Over Robotaxi Launch in Austin

Tesla's ambitious plan to roll out a paid robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, has caught the attention of federal regulators, who are now demanding details on how the autonomous system will operate in adverse weather conditions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has sent Tesla a formal request for more information, focusing specifically on how its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology will perform in situations with reduced roadway visibility — such as heavy rain, fog, or nighttime conditions. The letter, made public on Monday, comes as Tesla prepares for a June launch of the service.

The inquiry is tied to an ongoing NHTSA investigation into multiple collisions involving Tesla vehicles that were reportedly operating in FSD mode during poor visibility. The agency wants to evaluate whether Tesla's autonomous system can reliably detect and respond to hazards when road conditions are less than ideal.

“NHTSA is seeking clarity on Tesla’s robotaxi development to assess the system’s capacity to appropriately respond to reduced visibility on the road,” the agency said in the statement.

Tesla has not yet responded publicly to the request.

CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly touted Tesla’s FSD technology as a cornerstone of its future, with robotaxis positioned as a major revenue stream. However, critics argue that the system — despite its name — still requires human supervision and has faced scrutiny for inconsistent performance under complex driving scenarios.

The pressure from regulators comes at a critical time, as Tesla faces increased competition in the autonomous vehicle space and intensifying calls for tighter federal oversight of self-driving technologies.

The NHTSA has not indicated whether the Austin deployment will be delayed, but the agency’s request could add pressure on Tesla to demonstrate its technology’s safety in real-world conditions before any public rollout.

With June fast approaching, how Tesla responds could influence not only its robotaxi timeline but also broader public and regulatory confidence in self-driving cars.

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