Tesla has started inviting select customers to order its Cybercab, a steering wheel-free two-seater that could be the first Level 4 autonomous vehicle people can own. The Cybercab will cost $29,990, making it Tesla’s cheapest vehicle ever.
Customers will also need to purchase an autonomous driving subscription for the Cybercab to work, which will cost $299 per month, with the first month included for no charge. Deliveries are expected to begin as soon as next month.
Availability and Limitations
The Cybercab won’t operate anywhere in the country, but rather in “supported service areas.” Initial availability is limited, and it’s not clear when or if sales will expand to the general public.
Tesla says owners will be able to monitor their vehicles and manage rides via the Tesla app. The announcement raises questions, such as whether customers could add their cabs to the Robotaxi fleet and earn passive income, or where the Cybercab will operate.
Regulatory Issues
The Cybercab’s unconventional design has caught the attention of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which questions how Tesla determined that the vehicle complies with motor vehicle safety standards. The Cybercab lacks a steering wheel, pedals, and side-view mirrors, all things that are typically required for a car to be street-legal.
The federal government allows companies to apply for exemptions to deploy noncompliant vehicles, with a cap of 2,500 vehicles per year. NHTSA is working to streamline autonomous-vehicle rules, which could benefit Tesla.
Competition and Context
Tesla is not the only company exploring autonomous vehicles for public sale. Rivian plans to introduce lidar and a new in-house chip to the R2 for potential self-driving capability, while General Motors aims to bring an eyes-off version of Super Cruise to the Cadillac Escalade IQ in 2028.
Tesla’s biggest boosters online cheered the news. The announcement may also disappoint some Tesla owners who have paid for Full Self-Driving, as they await autonomous capabilities for their Model 3s and Model Ys. Elon Musk has previously stated these vehicles will achieve autonomy in the second quarter of next year in Robotaxi service areas.
Tesla advertises the Cybercab as fully autonomous. The sale of a personally owned, unsupervised autonomous vehicle would mark a major milestone for the industry and Tesla, though the company has faced delays in past self-driving promises.
