The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s decision provides relief from eight federal motor vehicle safety standards, including requirements for manual braking systems and windshield defrosting. While Zoox has previously operated passenger shuttle programs in San Francisco and Las Vegas, those trips remained free of charge. Under the new terms, the company is limited to a fleet of 2,500 vehicles annually for the next two years and will operate under an enhanced oversight structure designed to evolve alongside its technology.
Amazon-backed Zoox wins federal green light for paid robotaxi service
Federal safety regulators have cleared the final regulatory barrier for Zoox, granting the Amazon-owned company a temporary exemption to charge passengers for rides in its custom-built robotaxis. This ruling allows the startup to operate its steering-wheel-free vehicles commercially, marking a pivot from free demonstrations to a revenue-generating model.
Zoox CEO Aicha Evans hailed the approval as a milestone for autonomous mobility. The company plans to initiate its paid service in Las Vegas, though expanding into its home market of California remains contingent on securing additional driverless deployment permits from state regulators. Beyond the Zoox ruling, federal officials announced a broader initiative to standardize autonomous vehicle safety, including a new $5 million partnership aimed at accelerating the development of national performance benchmarks for the industry.
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