Elon Musk wants his self-driving taxis to stay spotless. If you decide to eat (and stain) or smoke inside, be prepared to see an extra charge on your bill
The dream of robotaxis Tesla is already a reality, but as is often the case with everything that surrounds Elon Musk’s company, the fine print is important. And in this case, the fine print has to do with your manners.
And if you thought that since there was no human driver to look at you badly in the rearview mirror, you could treat the car as if it were a chiquipark, you were wrong. Tesla just introduced a new cleaning fee policy for their autonomous vehicles, and fines for being a dirty passenger can be very expensive.
If you get dirty, you pay (and not a little)
The news has broken thanks to the brand’s regular leaker, Sawyer Merritt, who has revealed the new penalty system that Tesla will automatically apply to less civic users. The goal is clear: “maintain a clean and comfortable environment for all passengers.”
NEWS: Tesla has introduced cleaning fees for their Robotaxis.
• $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
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) December 23, 2025
Rates are divided into two levels, depending on the severity of the disaster you leave behind:
- $50 for “moderate soil”: This includes food or drink spills, minor stains, or leaving a significant amount of trash or dirt in the car.
- $150 for “severe dirt“: This is the category for severe cases. Tesla includes here smoking inside the vehicle (which is totally prohibited) and what they call “biological waste” (vomitus, fluids, etc.).
How does Tesla know it was you?
The interior of a Tesla Cybercab / Photography by Christian Collado
The system appears to be automated. After finishing the trip, the company will evaluate the condition of the vehicle (presumably through the interior cameras and sensors) and, if they detect that extra cleaning is necessary, you will receive the “fine.”
You will receive a email notifying you of the incident and you will see the receipt for your trip updated in the app with the corresponding extra charge.
And what happens if they charge you by mistake? Tesla has enabled a claim procedure. If you think you have been unfairly charged for a stain that was already there, you will need to call customer service and flag the option 7. Although, honestly, with the amount of cameras these cars have, it will be difficult to win that argument.
So now you know: the next time you have the opportunity to get into a robotaxi like the future Tesla Cybercab, better save the coffee for when you arrive at your destination. Your wallet will thank you.
