Tesla aims to deliver its fully autonomous Cybercab, which lacks a steering wheel and traditional driving controls, to customers by the end of 2026. The company's plan is based on the vehicle first being used in Tesla's own robotaxi fleet, followed by the start of sales to a limited number of external customers.
Speaking at the meeting evaluating Tesla's third-quarter financial results, Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy stated that current production is primarily allocated to the company's own fleet. According to Moravy, Tesla will gradually increase sales as it gains experience in delivery processes, vehicle ownership models, and autonomous fleet management.
This approach indicates that the Cybercab will hit the road through a controlled operation rather than being opened to widespread individual sales in the initial phase. Tesla had published an application form for those wishing to purchase a robotaxi at the Cybercab event held in Austin last month. However, it was not clear at that time when or under what conditions sales would begin.
ROBOTAXI SERVICE IS THE PRIORITY
Tesla CEO Elon Musk also emphasizes that the Cybercab is designed more as a vehicle to be used in transportation services than as a car that individual users would want to own in the classic sense. According to Musk, while vehicles like the Model 3, Model Y, and Roadster stand out for personal use, the Cybercab will primarily be part of the robotaxi service that Tesla will operate.
The most significant uncertainty in the company's schedule is the safety investigation being conducted in the US. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into the vehicle shortly after Cybercab vehicles began to be used on public roads in Austin.
Current safety regulations in the US include standards for manual control equipment such as brake pedals and equipment such as rearview and side mirrors. The fact that the Cybercab is designed without a steering wheel and traditional driving controls creates a critical question mark regarding how the vehicle will be evaluated under these regulations.
Whether Tesla can realize its sales target by the end of the year will depend on both the company's operational readiness and the course of the federal investigation.
News Source: 12punto
