Tesla is committing to autonomous vehicles in a big way. Just months after CEO Elon Musk unveiled the driverless Robotaxi and dashed the hopes of an affordable model, President-Elect Donald Trump and his team announced big plans for autonomous EVs. The transition team recommended dropping “excessive” crash reporting data for self-driving vehicles. And Tesla stands to benefit more than anyone.  

President-Elect Donald Trump wants to nix the car crash reporting that Tesla resists

We’re less than six weeks from inauguration day and the president-elect is making moves. Most recently, Donald Trump’s transition team recommended changing car crash reporting. Specifically, the potential move targets crash data from automated vehicles, like the incipient Tesla Robotaxi. 

According to an exclusive Reuters report, the proposed axing “could cripple the government’s ability to investigate and regulate the safety of vehicles with automated-driving systems.” However, it would benefit the electric car market force Tesla and its eccentric CEO, Elon Musk. Tesla currently reports Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) vehicle crash data to agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

However, that could change if the incoming Trump administration changes or removes the requirements altogether. Elon Musk’s EV marque has reported over 1,500 crashes involving automated driving. As a result, Tesla stands to benefit from the move more than any other automaker. Additionally, the recommendations include modifying automated vehicle restrictions. Also, with Musk doubling down on fully driverless EVs like the upcoming Robotaxi and Robovan, fewer restrictions and reporting requirements could open doors for the EV manufacturer. 

Now, President-Elect Donald Trump and Musk have a close relationship. The Tesla CEO endorsed the former President and contributed hundreds of millions of dollars during his most recent campaign. President-Elect Trump recently announced that Musk would join former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to head the new “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). 

The two DOGE heads will weigh in on government matters of cost-cutting and efficiency in their advisory capacity. Incidentally, Musk already declared an intent to use his upcoming posting to push for fewer regulations and restrictions on autonomous EVs.