Tesla has begun selling its Cybercab to private buyers in the United States. The company’s Robotaxi account on X announced that “select customers are now being invited to purchase Cybercab for personal use,” and the order page lists the two-seater at $29,990 before taxes. This price point breaks a record for Tesla, as no previous model has cost less.
Subscription Required For Operation
The Cybercab lacks a steering wheel or pedals, meaning the owner cannot drive it themselves. To operate the vehicle, it requires Tesla’s Autonomy Subscription, which costs $299 a month. The first month is included with the purchase, after which the fee is billed until cancelled. Over the course of a year, this subscription totals $3,588.
Placing an order requires a $1,000 non-refundable deposit. The order page shows an estimated delivery date of December 2026 in Austin, Texas. Tesla previously aimed to deliver the first Cybercabs to customers by the end of 2026 during its third-quarter earnings call.
Initial availability is limited, and the car can only be used in supported service areas. Owners monitor the vehicle and manage their rides through an app. Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s vice president of AI software, confirmed on X that owners’ Cybercabs will drive unsupervised in all of the same areas as the Robotaxi service.
The subscription agreement states the Cybercab “will not operate without an active Autonomy Subscription,” and Tesla retains the right to change terms. The fee covers autonomous driving, connectivity, remote support, and roadside assistance, including towing up to about 50 miles to a service centre or the owner’s home. Scheduled servicing is also covered, with the car driving itself to the centre or being transported if needed.
Owner Responsibilities And Restrictions
Owners are responsible for registration, insurance, parking, charging, and general cleaning. Unplanned repairs are not included, though the vehicle warranty may cover them. The car is for personal use only, so third-party ride-hailing, delivery, and rental work are prohibited without Tesla’s approval. Wraps, window tint, and wheel changes must be performed by Tesla or an authorised provider.
This arrangement suggests a future where personal ownership is tightly controlled by the manufacturer. If Tesla decides to open the fleet to commercial use, the monthly subscription model could become a dominant revenue stream for the company.
The vehicle is only allowed to operate in areas Tesla enables, which may differ from the Robotaxi service’s areas and can be expanded or reduced. Tesla can also restrict the car by road type or weather. The company retains the ability to remotely locate, restrict, or take control of the car, or put it in a safe state. Three or more “strikeouts” for improper or unsafe use lead to a one-week suspension, during which the car may not operate and the monthly payment is not prorated.
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There are manual controls for moving the car at up to 2 mph, but these are not meant for public roads and require a valid US driving licence. The subscription renews monthly and can be cancelled at any time with no refund for a partial month. Tesla says it will give a month’s notice before changing the price.
The Cybercab’s filing with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveals a battery capacity of about 47.6 kWh and a single 163 kW motor driving the front wheels. The vehicle weighs 1,412 kg and has an unadjusted combined range of 418.2 miles in EPA testing, which translates to an official figure of around 470 km.
Technical specifications and regulatory review
Inside the cabin, the vehicle features two fully adjustable seats, wraparound ambient lighting, and a 21-inch centre touchscreen. Tesla reports 20.1 cubic feet of storage space, which accommodates luggage, golf clubs, and scooters.
The body panels achieve their gold colour through reaction injection moulding rather than paint. The butterfly doors operate automatically, and the design includes no side mirrors or rear window.
Self-Certified Safety Standards
Tesla self-certified the Cybercab as meeting US federal motor vehicle safety standards. The vehicle holds no exemption from these standards, despite lacking a steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated an audit query in early September. A week later, the agency issued a special order requiring Tesla to answer 21 questions regarding compliance. Tesla filed its response on October 30 and requested that the entire file remain confidential. NHTSA has not yet announced any findings from this review.
Current status and global display
Each car undergoes road testing before delivery, arriving with approximately 250 miles on the odometer. These miles count toward the warranty’s mileage limits. The Cybercab can only be charged at NACS DC fast chargers, including Tesla Superchargers.
Cybercab Tour In Malaysia
The Cybercab is currently touring Malaysian malls, with its final stop at Gurney Plaza in Penang until November 22. The display serves as a public showcase, as Malaysia has not yet established regulations for autonomous vehicles.