Tesla a Step Closer to Ride-Hailing With California Permit

Tesla Inc. was granted approval in California to begin carrying passengers in its vehicles as Elon Musk’s company takes steps toward offering ride-hailing services.

The California Public Utilities Commission said in an emailed statement Tuesday that it approved the electric-vehicle maker’s bid for what’s known as a transportation charter-party carrier permit. That will allow Tesla initially to drive its employees on a prearranged basis in company-owned vehicles, before later transporting members of the public.