Tesla Begins Cybercab Sales to Select Customers

Tesla recently announced that it is now inviting specific customers to purchase its Cybercab for personal use. This two-seat, gold-colored vehicle, which features butterfly doors and lacks a steering wheel or pedals, is priced at $29,990. Additionally, a mandatory monthly "Autonomy Subscription" costs $299. Previously, the Cybercab was exclusively part of Tesla's robotaxi operations in certain U.S. cities.

Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, indicated that the Cybercab would become available nationwide as regulatory approvals are secured. He also expressed that the current monthly fee is too high, suggesting it should align with the combined cost of Tesla's Full Self-Driving software and connectivity services for other models, which is approximately $115 per month. Tesla's vice president of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy, had previously stated intentions to begin selling Cybercabs by the end of this year.

Tesla's head of artificial intelligence confirmed that the Cybercab will eventually be accessible in the same areas as the company's robotaxi fleet, including cities like Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Orlando, San Antonio, and Tampa. This move follows years of pledges from Tesla and Musk to introduce fully autonomous vehicles to consumers. Earlier this month, Musk mentioned that Cybertruck production at the Gigafactory Texas would cease around mid-next year to prioritize Cybercab manufacturing. Federal auto safety regulators initiated an audit in September to review the Cybercab's compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards, a certification Tesla maintains it meets.