Leave A Mess In A Tesla Robotaxi? It Could Cost You

Tesla’s robotaxi service sounds kind of great. Sit in a clean, driverless EV and cruise the streets with zero effort. But if you have a little more “fun” in a Tesla robotaxi, you might see some cash taken out of your account.

Tesla will charge riders cleaning fees for mishandling its robotaxis, a new report says. The system has two tiers. Smaller messes, like food spills, dirt, and light stains, cost about $50. Bigger accidents, like vomiting and smoking in the car, carry up to a $150 charge, even if you don’t leave obvious evidence behind.

Tesla says the objective is simple: keeping the vehicles clean and tidy for other riders. If additional cleaning is required after your trip, you’ll be notified of the fee, and you’ll have the option to dispute it through customer support.

It’s not exactly new either. Ride-share companies have long assessed cleaning fees, and Tesla’s competitors have them as well. Waymo’s, for instance, can cost up to $50 if you “admit fault” for the mess or $100 if you don’t. Repeat offenders may be charged more and even risk having their accounts suspended.

So, the rules are pretty old-school: don’t eat like a raccoon, don’t smoke, and definitely don’t turn the back seat into a crime scene. Otherwise, that smooth, driverless ride could end with a not-so-smooth charge on your card.