Nevada’s Transportation Authority approved permits for Tesla, Uber, and Waymo to operate commercial robotaxi services in Clark County, home to Las Vegas. The permits authorize up to 8,000 autonomous vehicles over the next 12 months: Tesla can deploy up to 5,000, while Waymo and Uber each received approval for 1,000. Uber’s fleet will operate through partnerships with Motional and Zoox, which already holds a permit for 100 robotaxis.
Tesla’s chief engineer for Cybercab indicated the company won’t hit the 5,000-vehicle ceiling next year, estimating a realistic deployment closer to 2,500. Even at reduced numbers, the approvals position Las Vegas as a key battleground for autonomous ride-hailing, with all three companies competing for riders in the same market.
Opponents, including local taxi and gig driver representatives, raised concerns about market oversaturation and roadway congestion. Uber advocated for a hybrid approach, suggesting robotaxis share networks with human drivers to ease integration. The decision accelerates a shift that could reshape the city’s workforce, either creating new jobs in vehicle maintenance or displacing traditional drivers.
