TLDR

Tesla stock closed at its highest level in 2025 after robotaxi testing news
Company is testing fully driverless robotaxis without safety monitors in Austin, Texas
Elon Musk confirmed the tests are currently underway
Shares reached an all-time high following the announcement
Robotaxi vehicles are operating on public roads without human backup drivers

Tesla stock surged to its highest closing price of 2025 after CEO Elon Musk confirmed the company is testing robotaxis without safety monitors. The announcement sent shares rallying to record territory.

Tesla, Inc., TSLA

Musk revealed that Tesla is currently running driverless robotaxi tests in Austin, Texas. The tests represent a major step forward for the company’s autonomous vehicle program.

The robotaxis are operating completely without human safety drivers in the vehicle. This marks a departure from earlier testing phases that required backup drivers behind the wheel.

Investors responded enthusiastically to the news. Tesla shares climbed throughout the trading session before closing at a 2025 high.

The stock also hit an all-time high during the trading day. This beats previous records set in earlier years.

Austin serves as the testing ground for Tesla’s latest autonomous vehicle efforts. The city is home to Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas, which opened in 2021.

The robotaxi program represents Tesla’s entry into autonomous ride-hailing services. The company has been working toward this goal for several years.

Testing Without Safety Monitors

The removal of safety monitors represents a critical milestone. Most autonomous vehicle companies still use backup drivers during testing phases.

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology powers the robotaxi fleet. The system uses cameras and computer vision instead of lidar sensors that competitors employ.

Musk has long promised that Tesla vehicles would operate as robotaxis. He first announced plans for a Tesla ride-hailing network years ago.

The current tests appear to be moving that vision closer to reality. However, the scale and scope of the testing program remain unclear.

Tesla has not disclosed how many robotaxis are operating in Austin. The company also has not revealed when it plans to expand testing to other cities.

Market Response to Robotaxi News

Traders and investors have been watching Tesla’s autonomous vehicle progress closely. The robotaxi business model could open up new revenue streams for the company.

Shares have been volatile in recent months. This latest rally comes after periods of both gains and losses.

The stock’s performance reflects investor optimism about Tesla’s technology. Wall Street analysts have debated the timeline and feasibility of fully autonomous vehicles.

Tesla faces competition from companies like Waymo and Cruise in the robotaxi space. Both competitors already operate driverless ride-hailing services in select cities.

Regulatory approval remains a key factor for robotaxi deployment. Different states and cities have varying rules about autonomous vehicle testing and operation.

Musk confirmed the Austin tests through social media posts. He provided limited details about the program’s specifics or expansion plans.

The post Tesla (TSLA) Stock Reaches 2025 High on Robotaxi Testing News appeared first on CoinCentral.

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Filed under: News - @ December 16, 2025 9:27 am