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Forbes
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Do People Even Want Robotaxis? Polls Suggest Not — And Tesla Isn't Helping
A vehicle Tesla is using for robotaxi testing purposes on Oltorf Street in Austin, Texas, US, on ... More Sunday, June 22, 2025. The launch of Tesla Inc.'s driverless taxi service began modestly, with a handful of vehicles in limited areas of the city. Photographer: Tim Goessman/Bloomberg Nearly half of Americans say they would never ride in a robotaxi — and we can't even blame Tesla's messy robotaxi launch in Austin, as most of them hadn't even heard about it. That's according to a survey focused on Tesla by the Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report (EVIR), which found that 65% of 8,000 people polled had heard nothing at all about the Tesla robotaxi launch, despite reports of cars driving down the wrong side of the road and speeding. After reading one such story, half of those surveyed by EVIR said they would now be less interested in using a Tesla robotaxi. Tesla aside, 46% of those surveyed said they would never consider riding in any robotaxi, with a further 31% saying they're not currently up for it, but never say never. A further 1% said they had been for a robotaxi ride, and wouldn't do it again. People over 65 were more likely to say no to driverless taxis (58%) versus younger cohorts (47% for the 45-64 crowd and 35% for 18-44 year olds) and people living in rural regions (53%) were more likely to refuse a robotaxi ride than suburban or urban counterparts (46% and 37% respectively). Forget taking a ride: more than half (53%) said robotaxis they strongly or somewhat believe they should be outright illegal. "Public skepticism is understandable," Elad Hofstetter, chief business officer for Innoviz Technologies, told me over email. 'The early promises around autonomous vehicles in the late 2010s set sky-high expectations, but the industry hasn't always delivered consistent, real-world performance to match."Previous riders are more positive about robotaxis Those EVIR poll results fit with previous studies: a survey of Brits in July by Startline suggests just 11% would hop in a driverless car now, with only 4% saying the vehicles are currently safe enough for public roads. For what it's worth, Kathy Winter, the COO of driverless firm May Mobility, told Wired that she thinks such survey results are "simply an artifact of low exposure to a new technology". And that may be correct: other studies have shown that people do feel more positive about driverless cars once they've gone for a ride. Belgian academics revealed that people developed more positive feelings about driverless technologies after going for a ride in one, saying that their study "indicates that large scale survey studies that do not require prior experience with automated driving capture an underestimation of the acceptance of autonomous vehicles." That said, the study also found a "decrease in perceived usefulness" after going for a ride, too. Passengers ride in an electric Jaguar I-Pace car outfitted with Waymo full self-driving technology ... More in Santa Monica in 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Additionally, a report last year by JD Power suggested that consumer confidence is 56 percentage points higher among those who have ridden in a robotaxi, at a whopping 76% versus 20% for those who have never been in a Waymo or other car. "We believe that public opinion will shift when people experience the benefits for themselves," said Hofstetter. "Once people experience that firsthand, the feeling of handing over control and seeing the car respond safely and intelligently, they will begin to understand the value." Of course, you're going to have to convince them to get in the car first. And given those polled by JD Power rated safety, reliability and trust as key attributes to their ideal robotaxi service, the negative headlines sparked by Tesla's bumpy Austin rollout may not be helping the industry's image, sources told Reuters. "Unfortunately, there's been a lot of confusion in the market," added Hofstetter. "Features like Tesla's 'Full Self Driving' have promised far more than they deliver, leading to public misunderstanding and misplaced expectations. That erodes confidence and some places have already banned the activation of this function on vehicles." Robotaxi rollout ramps up These polls come as Waymo, Tesla and other driverless companies continue to slowly expand to more and more cities, with Tesla adding San Francisco to its list — though with safety drivers in the front seat — and Waymo testing its cars in a wider range of cities, most recently announcing Dallas." Beyond the US, robotaxi services are expected to start being allowed on British roads in 2027, a year delayed from previous plans. But that Startline survey suggested that 49% of UK respondents agreed with government plans to push back driverless car trials by a year until 2027, with 29% of those polled said that timeline might even be too soon. The UK government is currently running a public consultation to help inform that rollout — however, most of the questions are clearly directed at industry rather than individuals. Perhaps instead of asking about application processes and data sharing systems, the government would be better to also ask if individuals felt safe sharing a road with robotaxis or hailing a ride in one — because right now, surveys such as the one from EVIR suggest that might not be the case. A Waymo robotaxi Jaguar I-PACEs driverless car drives in downtown Los Angeles in 2024. (Allen J. ... More Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Indeed, a study published in May by Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE) suggests that driverless cars "need the help of the public", but that industry "often misunderstand what matters to the public". What matters to the public? According to the report, individuals want to know how it will benefit them and how they will use the technology — but they also want to trust the technology. "What's it good for," and "will it hurt me" are fair questions, after all. And if the driverless industry can't answer them sufficiently, would-be customers may balk at taking a robotaxi ride.
Economic Times
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Economic Times
Tesla's reputation tanks: Survey ranks it the least-trusted car brand in US - this Japanese brand scores big
Tesla, once hailed as the face of the electric vehicle revolution, is now facing a steep decline in public trust and popularity among American consumers, as per a report. According to the latest Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report (EVIR), the company now holds the lowest net trust and brand perception scores of all major automakers in the US, as reported by Ars Technica. Meanwhile, Toyota, a relatively late entrant in the EV race, has emerged as the most positively viewed brand in the survey, according to the numbers paint a concerning picture for Tesla as just 26% of respondents said they have a somewhat or very positive view of Tesla, as per the Ars Technica report. In contrast, 39% reported a somewhat or very negative view, according to the report. That gives Tesla a net-positive score of -13, as reported by Ars Technica. The deeper worry for the EV maker is that Tesla's "view intensity score", which measures those with strong opinions has dropped to -16, indicating far more people strongly dislike the brand than those who strongly support it, as per the Ars Technica report. ALSO READ: Tyrann Mathieu retires from NFL: A look back at his career and legacyToyota, on the other hand, topped the charts despite having only one EV model, the bZ4X, in the market, the Japanese automaker scored the highest in both net-positive perception and intensity, according to the fall from grace appears to be accelerating, as per the survey. In April, the company still had a net score of -7, now it's nearly double that in the negative, and the downward trend spans every major demographic, according to the report. Whether urban or suburban, wealthy or working class, and especially among Americans over the age of 65, Tesla is viewed unfavorably, as per the Ars Technica report. ALSO READ: Ozzy Osbourne's memoir 'Last Rites' to reveal his untold story that he penned before his death Only one other brand apart from Tesla, the Vietnamese automaker VinFast, scored a negative net-positive rating, as per the report. But unlike Tesla, 92% of people said they had never heard of it or had no opinion at all, as per the Ars Technica report. When it comes to trust, the results are no better as Tesla received the lowest net trust score in the EVIR, and a trust integrity score of -19, meaning significantly more people say they 'distrust Tesla a lot' than those who trust it 'a lot,' according to the Ars Technica report. Despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk frequently touting Tesla's safety credentials, public opinion is no longer buying it, as per the report. After numerous fatal accidents, many linked to Tesla's semi-autonomous driving features, only 52% of survey participants believe Teslas are safe, as per the Ars Technica report. That's the second-worst safety score in the survey, behind only VinFast, according to the report. ALSO READ: Ozzy Osbourne Family: What we know about the Black Sabbath lead vocalist's wife Sharon and children Aimee, Kelly, Jack, Jessica, Louis, Elliot Musk's ambitious robotaxi dream also appears to be faltering in the court of public opinion, because out of over 8,000 people surveyed, only 1% had ridden in a robotaxi and said they would do it again, as per the Ars Technica report. Meanwhile, the survey found that 46% said they would never consider riding in a robotaxi and more than half believe the technology should not be legal, reported Ars does Tesla rank in public trust now?Tesla has the lowest trust and brand perception score among all EV makers surveyed in the US. Is Tesla seen as a safe car brand? Only 52% of survey respondents believe Tesla cars are safe, which is the second worst in the survey.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla's reputation tanks: Survey ranks it the least-trusted car brand in US - this Japanese brand scores big
Tesla , once hailed as the face of the electric vehicle revolution, is now facing a steep decline in public trust and popularity among American consumers, as per a report. According to the latest Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report (EVIR), the company now holds the lowest net trust and brand perception scores of all major automakers in the US, as reported by Ars Technica. Meanwhile, Toyota , a relatively late entrant in the EV race, has emerged as the most positively viewed brand in the survey, according to the report. Americans Turning Away from Tesla The numbers paint a concerning picture for Tesla as just 26% of respondents said they have a somewhat or very positive view of Tesla, as per the Ars Technica report. In contrast, 39% reported a somewhat or very negative view, according to the report. That gives Tesla a net-positive score of -13, as reported by Ars Technica. The deeper worry for the EV maker is that Tesla's "view intensity score", which measures those with strong opinions has dropped to -16, indicating far more people strongly dislike the brand than those who strongly support it, as per the Ars Technica report. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category PGDM Cybersecurity others healthcare Finance Leadership Project Management Degree MBA Data Science Operations Management Management Data Science Technology CXO Artificial Intelligence Others Design Thinking Healthcare Data Analytics Digital Marketing MCA Product Management Public Policy Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis & Decision Making Quantitative & Analytical Skills Organizational Management & Leadership Innovation & Entrepreneurship Duration: 24 Months IMI Delhi Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Online) Starts on Sep 1, 2024 Get Details ALSO READ: Tyrann Mathieu retires from NFL: A look back at his career and legacy Is Toyota Winning the EV Popularity Race? Toyota, on the other hand, topped the charts despite having only one EV model, the bZ4X, in the market, the Japanese automaker scored the highest in both net-positive perception and intensity, according to the report. Tesla's Worsening Decline Across All Demographics Tesla's fall from grace appears to be accelerating, as per the survey. In April, the company still had a net score of -7, now it's nearly double that in the negative, and the downward trend spans every major demographic, according to the report. Whether urban or suburban, wealthy or working class, and especially among Americans over the age of 65, Tesla is viewed unfavorably, as per the Ars Technica report. Live Events ALSO READ: Ozzy Osbourne's memoir 'Last Rites' to reveal his untold story that he penned before his death VinFast Also Struggles, but Is Largely Unknown Only one other brand apart from Tesla, the Vietnamese automaker VinFast, scored a negative net-positive rating, as per the report. But unlike Tesla, 92% of people said they had never heard of it or had no opinion at all, as per the Ars Technica report. Trust Issues Plague Tesla's Image When it comes to trust, the results are no better as Tesla received the lowest net trust score in the EVIR, and a trust integrity score of -19, meaning significantly more people say they 'distrust Tesla a lot' than those who trust it 'a lot,' according to the Ars Technica report. Despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk frequently touting Tesla's safety credentials, public opinion is no longer buying it, as per the report. After numerous fatal accidents, many linked to Tesla's semi-autonomous driving features, only 52% of survey participants believe Teslas are safe, as per the Ars Technica report. That's the second-worst safety score in the survey, behind only VinFast, according to the report. ALSO READ: Ozzy Osbourne Family: What we know about the Black Sabbath lead vocalist's wife Sharon and children Aimee, Kelly, Jack, Jessica, Louis, Elliot Is Elon Musk's Robotaxi Dream Falling Apart? Musk's ambitious robotaxi dream also appears to be faltering in the court of public opinion, because out of over 8,000 people surveyed, only 1% had ridden in a robotaxi and said they would do it again, as per the Ars Technica report. Meanwhile, the survey found that 46% said they would never consider riding in a robotaxi and more than half believe the technology should not be legal, reported Ars Technica. FAQs How does Tesla rank in public trust now? Tesla has the lowest trust and brand perception score among all EV makers surveyed in the US. Is Tesla seen as a safe car brand? Only 52% of survey respondents believe Tesla cars are safe, which is the second worst in the survey.
Miami Herald
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Chinese carmaker close to clearing big obstacle to autonomous driving
Autonomous driving is apparently the wave of the future, even if U.S. drivers do not really trust the technology. Assisted driving tech has been around for at least two decades, and Americans seem fine with that. But autonomous driving is in a different lane, and Americans are skeptical. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter "Consumers are skeptical of the full self-driving (FSD) technology that undergirds the robotaxi proposition, with 60% considering Tesla's full self-driving 'unsafe,' 77% unwilling to utilize full self-driving technology, and a substantial share (48%) believing full self-driving should be illegal," said the May 2025 edition of the Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report (EVIR). California, frequently at the forefront of many technological innovations, has become a hub for AV testing, but citizens there have demanded heavy guardrails. Nearly 80% of California voters support requiring a human safety operator in self-driving trucks and delivery vehicles, and just 33% of voters express a favorable general impression of autonomous vehicles. Related: Tesla faces its most serious court battle in years But there are levels to autonomous vehicles ranging from 0-5, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers. Level 0 represents no automation, while Level 5 represents full automation with no human intervention at all. The assisted driving systems Americans have been using for 20 years represent Level 1, where the vehicle can assist with steering or acceleration/deceleration but not both at the same time. Level 2 vehicles can control both steering and velocity at the same time. Americans are also pretty familiar with this level. Tesla Full Self Driving is L2 autonomous. But Level 3 is where things get tricky, especially for legal reasons. One Chinese carmaker seems willing to invest in AV tech. Image source: Zhang Congyu/VCG via Getty Images Level 3 is where the true autonomous driving magic occurs. "The transition from SAE level 2+ to level 3 is a significant one. While many level 2+ systems have proven popular and, for the most part, effective, level 3 vehicles mean that, in some situations, eyes can be taken off the road," a new research report from IDTechEx says. The "eyes taken off the road" part is crucial because at that point, the driver is officially no longer in control of the vehicle; the vehicle's software is. So if an accident happens while the "driver" of an L3 or above vehicle is operating, who really is at fault? "Generally, this would result in the accountability of any accident occurring while level 3 is operational falling onto the manufacturer, not the driver. As a result, the overall reliability, defined by both the hardware and software, has to be much greater," the report states. Tesla has been sued multiple times over fatal mistakes that drivers say FSD has made. Each time, Tesla has argued it was the driver's fault. Related: Unprecedented BYD assisted driving offer puts competition on notice If Tesla ever wants to reach L3 autonomous driving, that excuse won't fly anymore. Chinese rival BYD seems more than ready to take on the responsibility. Earlier this month, BYD debuted a smart parking feature that allows the vehicle to achieve Level 4 autonomy. Level 4 autonomy, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, is the second highest available level of autonomy. In layman's terms, BYD vehicles equipped with the highest assisted driving packages will be able to park themselves. But most interestingly, regarding the latest upgrade, BYD promises to pay for any accidents caused by autonomous parking. Rather than going through their insurance companies, BYD drivers using the tech can file a claim with BYD's after-sales team if something goes wrong. Earlier in July, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida heard opening arguments in a lawsuit filed against Tesla by the family of Naibel Benavides, who was killed in 2019 by a runaway Tesla that had FSD engaged. The vehicle, driven by George Brian McGee, sped through a T intersection at 62 miles per hour and T-boned an empty parked car. The parked car's owners were standing outside the vehicle when they were struck. Benavides, 22, was killed in the crash, and her body was found flung about 75 feet from the crash site. Dillon Angulo, her boyfriend, survived the crash but was left with a severe concussion and multiple broken bones. Like other cases involving FSD in the past, Tesla blames the crash on driver error. "The evidence clearly shows that this crash had nothing to do with Tesla's Autopilot technology,'' Tesla said in a statement to Bloomberg. L3+ driving would allow the person who crashed, who reportedly dropped his cellphone and was searching for it on the ground when the crash occurred, to blame Tesla. But Tesla has not reached the level of automation that would make it responsible for a driver who took his eyes off the road. Related: Alphabet's Waymo flexes on Tesla Robotaxi with latest update The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla Robotaxi riders raise red flags after experiencing concerning safety issues: 'The car didn't behave correctly'
Tesla launched its much-anticipated Robotaxi in Austin, Texas, last month, but early footage of the autonomous vehicle suggests it has a long way to go to catch up to a competitor, Waymo. Videos revealing operational glitches are also putting some residents on edge, prompting a new investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. What's happening? Two days after Tesla's Robotaxi began offering rides on a limited basis in Austin, The Register was quick to compile and publish footage shared by influencers invited to try the service. While enthusiasm for the Robotaxi has been high among consumers and investors, it was dampened by a series of mishaps. YouTuber Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesla) saw his ride pull over in the middle of the street with its hazard lights on — not exactly a safe location for a drop-off. "Should I actually get out?" Dirty Tesla asks the safety monitor in the front passenger seat. Traffic continues to flow while the Robotaxi is at a standstill, before a remote operator intervenes to resume the ride (the incident begins at around the 9:30 mark). YouTuber Farzad (@FarzadMediaINC) also had his Robotaxi stop at an unfortunate spot: the tail end of an intersection and partially in a crosswalk (roughly the 38-minute mark). The footage prompted a flurry of criticism from worried viewers, to which Farzad responded: "Fully agree with everyone that the car didn't behave correctly." Rob Mauer, who hosts the "Tesla Podcast," witnessed his Robotaxi abort a left turn and drive on the wrong side of the street for several moments before getting back on course. He posted footage of his journey (around the 7:20 mark) on the social platform X. Why is this important? Tesla experienced a record decline in global sales over the first two quarters of 2025, per CNN, while its stocks have been on a roller coaster. A successful Robotaxi launch was supposed to help turn the tide. Consumers across political lines report viewing the brand through a less favorable lens, per an Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report poll, with CEO Elon Musk's political activities and public feuds negatively impacting public perception and worrying investors. While this may sound dire for consumers interested in EVs, given that Tesla is one of the most recognizable EV brands worldwide, it isn't all bad news. That's because increased market competition is one of the factors impacting Tesla's EV delivery numbers. Would you trust a self-driving car on a busy city street? Definitely No way Depends on the brand Depends on the situation Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. With consumers having more options to choose from, the upfront cost of EVs has dropped, making the vehicles — coveted for their lower maintenance and energy costs, along with their contribution to healthier air quality with zero tailpipe pollution — accessible to more people. What is being done about robotaxi mistakes? Safety data from Waymo reveals that autonomous EV services can boost public safety, with the Tesla competitor revealing a 93% crash reduction involving pedestrians compared to the average human driver, as aligned with NHTSA's Standing General Order reporting timelines. While Waymo isn't immune to complaints from riders and isn't perfect, as The Register noted, it has seen an 88% reduction in crashes with serious injuries or worse (compared to human drivers). Previously, Musk delayed the Robotaxi launch, stating on X that Tesla was "being super paranoid about safety." The early Robotaxi returns suggest the company has more to do to live up to those promises. Meanwhile, the NHTSA is investigating Tesla's Robotaxi after opening a separate inquiry into its Smart Summon software. "Following an assessment of those reports and other relevant information, NHTSA will take any necessary actions to protect road safety," the organization said in a statement to The Register. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
