Imagine that after a night of heavy drinking at a bar, you order a robotaxi because you’re inebriated—only to end up making a mess on the passenger seat and getting charged an extra fee for it.
That scenario may soon become reality for Tesla robotaxi passengers in Austin. According to a post by Tesla influencer Sawyer Merritt on X, the EV maker is reportedly introducing a cleaning fee for its robotaxi service.
How The Cleaning Fee Will Work
In a statement provided to Merritt, Tesla explained the rationale for the new charge, saying: “We prioritise maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for all riders and promoting responsible rider behaviour.”
The fee would be divided into two tiers: a $50 fee for “moderate messes,” such as food spills, significant dirt or minor stains, and a $150 fee for “severe messes,” including bio-waste or smoking in the vehicle.
Tesla initially marketed its robotaxis as fully autonomous vehicles. However, they still require human intervention for tasks such as cleaning and charging, which may be another reason for this additional fee.
Tesla further stated: “To address incidents where vehicles require additional cleaning after a trip, we will assess the type and severity of the mess and apply the appropriate fee. Once a fee is assessed, you’ll receive an email notifying you that additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. An updated ride receipt will also be available under the Ride History section of the Robotaxi app. If you believe a charge was made in error, call the Customer Support team and follow the prompts for option 7.”
NEWS: Tesla has introduced cleaning fees for their Robotaxis.
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) December 23, 2025
• $50: Charged for moderate messes, such as food spills, significant dirt and minor stains.
• $150: Charged for severe messes, such as biowaste or smoking in the vehicle.
Tesla: "We prioritize maintaining a clean… pic.twitter.com/t8BFCcNrrr
Tesla Isn’t Alone In Charging Cleanup Fees
Tesla is not the first robotaxi operator to introduce this type of charge. Waymo already applies a similar cleaning fee. The difference is that Waymo charges a $50 fee if a passenger self-reports the mess, but a $100 first-time fee if they do not, with higher charges if the incident reoccurs. These violations can also affect a user’s Waymo account.
Beyond California, Waymo is planning to expand its services to other U.S. cities such as San Diego, Dallas, Denver, Detroit and Houston.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
Fees like this could make passengers think twice before littering or leaving a mess behind. In the long run, that deterrence may be exactly what Tesla wants, helping it manage its robotaxi fleet more efficiently.
