After completing more than 7,000 miles of testing in Austin, Tesla’s preparing to expand its robotaxi service area from 42 square miles to 450 square miles. This ten-fold increase will cover 10% of Austin’s 4,500 square mile metro area. The company’s also confirmed plans to launch in San Francisco. Tesla Robotaxi app access users have already received updates indicating imminent service launch in the Bay Area.
Tesla’s validation vehicles have logged over 30,000 miles testing complex routes near Austin’s airport and suburban areas. The company achieved its Phase 3 milestone in August 2025 when it doubled its operational geofence. During initial testing, Tesla’s fleet accumulated 500 vehicle days, which grew to 3,000 during expanded trials.
Tesla’s validation fleet surpassed 30,000 miles testing complex Austin routes, achieving Phase 3 expansion in August 2025.
The company’s safety record shows one incident per 500 to 3,500 Tesla vehicle days. In comparison, Waymo reported 14 incidents in May, 11 in June, and 6 in July 2025 per 600 to 1,000 vehicle days. Tesla’s 7,000-mile test run resulted in one minor safety incident, while Waymo’s July operations included several collisions.
Tesla’s approach relies on continuous software improvements to its Full Self-Driving system rather than major hardware changes. The company’s evolving from validation vehicles to production cars between 2024 and 2025, with full implementation expected in 2026. The system leverages machine learning capabilities to navigate increasingly complex urban environments autonomously.
The expansion strategy targets dense urban areas first. After Austin and San Francisco, Tesla’s eyeing high-density metros like Los Angeles and New York City. The company plans to increase its fleet size tenfold to service these expanded regions.
In a provocative move, Tesla’s shaped some geofences to resemble middle fingers, signaling its aggressive expansion plans to competitors. This contrasts with Waymo’s more conservative “rock-on-waymo” messaging approach.
Tesla’s robotaxi service seeks to complement its existing electric vehicle ecosystem. The company’s betting that autonomous efficiency will reduce ride costs considerably. Its rapid scaling strategy differs from competitors who’ve expanded more slowly under regulatory constraints.
The overarching goal remains ambitious: nationwide coverage across all major U.S. cities. With Phase 1 exploratory tests complete and Phase 2 expanding Austin’s coverage area, Tesla’s positioning itself to revolutionize the ride-hailing market through its integrated approach to electric and autonomous vehicles.