Trump administration grants Zoox commercial robotaxi exemption, making it first US AV firm to receive such approval

Published Jul 31, 04:00 PM UTC

The Trump administration's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has granted autonomous vehicle company Zoox a two-year temporary exemption to commercially deploy up to 2,500 robotaxis annually in Las Vegas and San Francisco. This move, part of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's innovation agenda, makes Zoox the first American AV company to receive such a commercial exemption. NHTSA also announced a partnership with SAE Industry Technologies Consortia to develop a national safety standard for autonomous vehicles, aiming to replace the current patchwork of state regulations. The agency plans to remove federal mandates for features unnecessary in driverless cars, such as brake pedals and steering wheels, and allow self-certification. While the decision has drawn support from various groups including cyclists and disability rights advocates, it has also raised concerns about potential regulatory capture, as Zoox's incumbency could shape future standards to its advantage, potentially locking out competitors.