Tesla was granted a permit to operate a taxi service in what is seen as a first step toward driverless taxis for the electric vehicle brand.

The limited regulatory approval is an early step toward Elon Musk’s goal of offering a Tesla self-driving taxi service.

Tesla on Tuesday received the first in a series of approvals from California required for the electric car maker to eventually launch a promised robotaxi service in the state, according to a state regulator.

The analysts also explained that “Tesla appears to have the most to lose” among car companies in the U.S. from the “shifting regulatory backdrop,” referring to Trump’s potential rollback of electric vehicle tax credits.

Protests in the UK against Tesla and Elon Musk have intensified, with groups like 'Tesla Takedown UK' and 'Everybody Hates Elon' campaigning against Musk's political influence. Despite Musk's dismissive response and Tesla’s continued market dominance,