NHTSA Lets Zoox Charge for Rides in Steering-Wheel-Free Robotaxis

NHTSA granted Zoox a temporary exemption from eight Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, allowing the Amazon subsidiary to charge for rides in purpose-built robotaxis with no steering wheel or pedals. CEO Aicha Evans called it the first such commercial exemption. The fleet is capped at 2,500 vehicles annually for two years. Las Vegas launches first; California still requires state permits.