Tesla Seeks Permit for 5,000 Robotaxis in Las Vegas

Tesla is expanding its autonomous vehicle network by applying for a permit to deploy up to 5,000 robotaxis in Clark County, Nevada. The request includes operations in Las Vegas and surrounding areas, specifically targeting Harry Reid International Airport and Henderson Executive Airport. The Government of Nevada is currently reviewing the company's safety and operational plans before the fleet can transport paying passengers.

This effort coincides with a broader global scaling of unsupervised services. The company recently expanded its driverless robotaxi operations to cover the entire Austrian metropolitan area, completing a six-month phase-out of human safety monitors. In the United States, unsupervised services are already active in Austin, Texas, with current expansions moving into Dallas and Houston.

CEO Elon Musk has moderated the pace of this rollout. While he previously predicted a hyper-exponential expansion, he has since adopted a more cautious, safety-oriented strategy. Musk now targets operations in approximately a dozen states by the end of 2026.