Tesla Stalls on New California Robotaxi Permits, Loses French Eco Bonus

Tesla has not submitted any additional applications for operating permits in California since obtaining its first authorization in March, a spokesperson for the California Public Utilities Commission said. The filing gap suggests the carmaker has made little regulatory headway toward expanding its robotaxi or driver-assist pilot programs in the state, where competitors such as Waymo and Cruise have moved ahead with larger fleets. The delay could slow Tesla’s plans to commercialize autonomous ride-hailing services, one of the revenue streams Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has highlighted for future growth. CPUC rules require companies to secure successive permits before offering paid driverless rides or widening service areas. Separately, French technology site Numerama reported that Tesla models are once again ineligible for the country’s ecological bonus, a subsidy that can cut purchase prices by up to €7,000. Losing the incentive could weigh on Tesla’s sales in one of its key European markets.