Tesla Shares Hit 2025 High After Musk Confirms Driverless Robotaxi Tests in Austin

Tesla Inc. (TSLA) closed at a 2025 peak after Elon Musk announced in a public post that the company is conducting driverless tests of its robotaxi prototypes in Austin, Texas, without human safety operators behind the wheel. This milestone represents a significant advancement in Tesla’s autonomous driving ambitions, signaling the company's confidence in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software capabilities. The tests, reportedly involving a small fleet of modified Tesla Model 3 vehicles, are being conducted in controlled urban environments within designated zones of the city. Tesla has not disclosed the exact number of vehicles involved or the duration of the test period, but internal sources indicate that the vehicles are operating with no backup drivers as part of a closed-loop validation process. This phase of testing is critical for gathering real-world data under unstructured conditions. Tesla’s stock rose 7.2% on the day, closing at $248.30, its highest level since January 2025. The rally followed a broader market uptick in tech and EV-related equities, driven by renewed investor confidence in autonomous vehicle progress. Market analysts note that successful deployment of a driverless ride-hailing service could unlock a multi-billion-dollar revenue stream for Tesla, potentially transforming the company from a vehicle manufacturer into a mobility platform provider. The Austin tests are expected to influence regulatory discussions in other U.S. states and may prompt federal agencies to accelerate policy frameworks for autonomous vehicles. Stakeholders including fleet operators, insurance providers, and city planners are closely monitoring the outcomes, as the results could set a precedent for future urban mobility models.