Poll: 42% of Consumers Reject Safe Robotaxis, 58% Open to Them

# Consumer Poll Reveals Low Interest in Robotaxis Despite Safety Assumptions A poll conducted by EV Intelligence Report found that 42 percent of consumers say they would never consider using a robotaxi even if it is 100 percent safe. Additionally, 22 percent of consumers say they are not currently considering using a robotaxi even if it is 100 percent safe.

Only 12 percent of consumers choose a 100 percent safe robotaxi over a human-driven taxi.

The same poll showed that 56 percent of consumers choose a human-driven taxi over a 100 percent safe robotaxi. In a scenario involving cost, 19 percent of consumers would choose a cheaper robotaxi with a $5 discount over a human-driven taxi. However, 48 percent of consumers would choose a more expensive human-driven taxi over a cheaper robotaxi with a $5 discount.

One third of consumers opt out of choosing between a cheaper robotaxi and a human-driven taxi, according to the EV Intelligence Report poll. One in three respondents say no amount of money would cause them to take a robotaxi ride. Furthermore, 32 percent of respondents say they would prefer a human behind the wheel even if robotaxis were safe and cheaper.

Only 5 percent of respondents say they would use a robotaxi right now. A consistent third or more of consumers say they don’t use rideshare, taxis, or robotaxis and have no plans to, per the EV Intelligence Report poll.

Tesla Faces Consumer Skepticism on Autonomy and Safety The EV Intelligence Report poll indicated that 81 percent of respondents agree with a recent judge’s ruling that Tesla’s use of “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” in its marketing was misleading and violated state law.

Additionally, 63 percent of consumers don’t think Tesla owners using FSD are paying attention while using the technology. 32 percent of consumers say FSD actively lulls drivers into a state of inattentiveness. Tesla’s robotaxi service is available only in Austin.

Tesla launched its robotaxi service last year. The Verge reported on these developments alongside the poll findings. 87 percent of consumers say they are concerned about the safety of Tesla’s robotaxis based on crash record data compared to Waymo’s, according to the EV Intelligence Report poll.

72 percent of consumers say Tesla’s robotaxi crash record makes them less confident in Tesla as a company. 69 percent of consumers say Tesla’s robotaxi crash record makes them less likely to consider riding in a Tesla robotaxi. 84 percent of consumers say they are uncomfortable with Tesla’s decision to remove human safety monitors from its robotaxis.

81 percent of consumers believe Tesla should not be allowed to offer fully autonomous robotaxi rides without a safety monitor on board.

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Availability in Multiple U.S.

Cities Waymo opens robotaxi service to everyone in Orlando and Miami, as reported by Andrew J. Hawkins. Waymo launches robotaxi service in Los Angeles, according to Andrew J. Hawkins. Waymo also launches robotaxi service in Nashville, per Andrew J.

Hawkins.

Tesla Gains Approval for Supervised Self-Driving in Europe The Netherlands approves Tesla’s supervised Full Self-Driving as the first European country, according to Terrence O'Brien.

This approval comes amid ongoing consumer concerns about Tesla's autonomous technology highlighted in the EV Intelligence Report poll.