Mobility
Robotaxis face hurdles in replacing private cars: costs, wait times and empty runs
Robotaxis could reshape taxi and ride-hailing markets but are unlikely to replace private cars in the United States, an analysis said. Even if autonomous driving removes drivers, robotaxis may not become much cheaper once operating costs, wait times and empty runs are factored in. Commenters cited estimates of private-car costs at about $0.75 to $1 per mile and said robotaxis would need to fall further to change consumer behavior.
