The Showdown in Austin Tesla’s plan to roll out its self-driving robotaxi service in Austin just hit a political speed bump. A group of seven Democratic lawmakers from Texas sent a formal letter to Tesla’s Director of Field Quality, Eddie Gates, urging the company to delay its June 22 launch. Why? A new autonomous vehicle law is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and the lawmakers want Tesla to wait until then. The letter emphasizes public safety and transparency, asking Tesla to either postpone the launch or clearly explain how it plans to comply with the upcoming regulations. The lawmakers wrote, “We believe this is in the best interest of public safety and building public trust in Tesla’s operations.” What’s the Law All About? The new legislation introduces stricter safety requirements for autonomous vehicles operating in Texas. While the exact details haven’t been made public yet, the tone suggests a push for more oversight and accountability—especially for companies like Tesla that are pushing the envelope on full self-driving tech. Elon Musk, never one to back down from a challenge, has said the service will launch as planned with around 10 vehicles operating in designated areas of Austin. Whether that’s a bold move or a risky one depends on who you ask. Tesla Highest Stock Price Before Split Before we dive deeper, let’s take a quick detour into Tesla’s stock history—because, let’s be honest, it’s part of the drama. Tesla’s all-time high before its 2022 stock split was a jaw-dropping $1,229.91 on November 4, 2021. That price reflected investor excitement over everything from record deliveries to Gigafactory expansions and, yes, the promise of autonomous vehicles. After the 3-for-1 split in August 2022, the price was adjusted accordingly, but that pre-split high remains a milestone in Tesla’s meteoric rise. What Happens Next? If Tesla proceeds with the June 22 launch, it could face political backlash—or worse, regulatory hurdles down the line. On the flip side, delaying the rollout might slow down its momentum in the robotaxi race, especially as competitors like Waymo and Cruise continue to expand. This isn’t just a local issue—it’s a test case for how cities, states, and tech giants will navigate the future of autonomous transportation. And in true Texas fashion, it’s shaping up to be a showdown worth watching.
