This summer, Tesla’s Robotaxis quietly rolled onto the streets of Austin. While they might not be fully autonomous yet—still requiring human attendants—there’s been enough commotion around these rides to raise a couple of eyebrows, especially when it comes to cleanliness policies. Ever wondered what happens if you spill your coffee or, worse, get sick inside one of these vehicles? Spoiler alert: you might face a fine!
Reports reveal that Tesla can charge riders hefty fees for what they call “severe messes.” According to InsideEVs and @sawyermerrit on X, a $150 fee can be slapped on if you leave behind any biowaste or if smoking is detected in the vehicle. For less egregious offenses like food spills and minor stains, the cost cuts back to $50. Fair enough, right? But hold on; Tesla’s actual policies remain somewhat vague, with wording like “additional fee at Tesla’s discretion” making it difficult to pinpoint costs in advance.
After a ride, if there’s a need for extra cleaning, Tesla assesses charges through the app, leaving the rider at the mercy of a post-ride surprise. Feel like you’ve been unfairly charged? Good news! You can contest those fees by reaching out to customer support.
What are Tesla’s cleaning fees compared to other companies?
It’s interesting to look at how Tesla stacks up against others in the autonomous taxi realm. For instance, Waymo, which operates a more extensive network of self-driving vehicles, charges a $50 fee if you own up to your mess during the ride. However, if you forget to report it, unreported messes can result in a fine of up to $100 for a first offense, and you might end up paying for cleaning on subsequent violations as well.
How does Waymo’s cleaning policy differ from Tesla’s?
Waymo seems a bit more lenient; they don’t differentiate between types of messes as finely as Tesla does. Their smoking policy is more stringent, with a $100 fine for the first offense, similar to Tesla’s model. Yet, they can also impose additional cleaning charges if smoking occurs more than once. Compared to Tesla’s tiered penalties, Waymo keeps things simpler, targeting just the most significant infractions.
What about Uber and Zoox?
Uber has launched a limited, human-assisted self-driving taxi service in Dallas, with plans for full autonomy by 2026. While their code of conduct doesn’t explicitly outline damage fines, their riders are responsible for any issues caused during a trip, such as food or drink spills. All fees go straight to the driver.
As for Zoox, this newcomer operates in Las Vegas and is already taking reservations in San Francisco. They’ve yet to publish detailed fee schedules but reserve the right to charge users for any reported messes, even if they weren’t the culprits. They emphasize discretion in deciding what constitutes customer damage.
How do rental car companies compare?
If you’re wondering how these fees compare to simply renting a car, think again. Rental companies often impose much stricter penalties. For instance, Hertz slaps on a $400 fine just for smoking in their vehicles. Turo, a car-sharing service, has a slightly less harsh $150 fee for dealing with spills or pet hair, which puts Tesla’s penalties into perspective.
Looking ahead, the world of Robotaxis will only expand by 2026, claiming they are fully autonomous. Yet, the need for human oversight remains. Despite Tesla’s ambitious vision of self-cleaning car interiors, which is still largely theoretical, riders will continue to bear the burden of keeping these cars clean, literally and figuratively.
So, next time you hop into a Tesla Robotaxi, be mindful of what you bring along. Whether it’s snacks or a quick drink, think twice—because no one wants to be on the hook for a service fee after a fun night out!
What are your thoughts on the cleaning fees for Robotaxi rides? Do you think they are fair? Let us know in the comments below!