Tesla has abandoned plans to build an autonomous charging station for its future driverless taxis in downtown San Francisco, ahead of a public hearing on the matter. The project was met with pushback from the Teamsters union, but it's unclear if this influenced Tesla's decision.
The company had been working towards supporting infrastructure for its autonomous vehicle ideas, including a garage that would have served as an autonomous charging station. However, the plan was abruptly dropped due to 'significant building constraints unrelated to the appeal,' according to Tesla.
This development comes at an interesting time, given that Tesla recently claimed it already has operational robotaxis in the San Francisco area. The company's plans for autonomous vehicle operation have been repeatedly delayed, and it's unclear when they will finally materialize.
With the lack of progress on its robot snake charger and no way to charge Teslas autonomously currently, an attendant would likely be needed to plug and unplug the robo-cars for the time being. The Teamsters union had expressed interest in having unionized employees at the station, but it seems that won't happen now.
As Tesla continues to work on its autonomous vehicle technology, it's clear that supporting infrastructure will be crucial to its success.
This decision highlights the challenges of implementing autonomous charging infrastructure and the need for careful planning and coordination between companies and labor unions. It also underscores the complexity of building out a comprehensive network of charging stations that can support Tesla's ambitious plans for autonomous vehicle operation.
