Tesla plans to begin selling its Cybercab autonomous vehicles to customers by the end of 2026, even as US federal regulators investigate whether the two-seat robotaxis comply with vehicle safety standards. The electric vehicle manufacturer confirmed the timeline during its third-quarter earnings call on October 21, although initial deliveries will be limited as the company evaluates customer ownership and fleet operations.
The Cybercab is designed for fully autonomous transportation and does not include a steering wheel, brake pedals, or traditional side mirrors. Tesla began operating the vehicles in its Austin, Texas, robotaxi service on September 3, with all units currently produced going into the company’s own fleet.
Tesla Plans Limited Cybercab Deliveries to Customers
Lars Moravy, Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering, said the company intends to gradually introduce Cybercab sales as production increases. The initial rollout will allow Tesla to assess vehicle deliveries, ownership arrangements, and fleet management before expanding availability.
Tesla previously invited potential customers to express interest in purchasing Cybercabs during a September event in Austin. However, the company has not disclosed pricing, purchase requirements, or the number of vehicles expected to reach customers this year.
CEO Elon Musk said Cybercab will primarily operate as a ride-hailing service rather than a conventional privately owned vehicle. He expects most units to remain under Tesla’s ownership, while models such as the Model 3 and Model Y will continue serving individual consumers.
Tesla Delays Unsupervised Driving Until 2027
Tesla also revised its timeline for releasing unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities to existing customers. Musk said the company expects to introduce the technology during the second quarter of 2027, following an earlier prediction that it could become available in late 2026.
The current FSD (Supervised) system can automate steering, acceleration, braking, and other driving tasks, but requires drivers to monitor the road and remain ready to intervene. Unsupervised FSD would allow vehicles to operate without continuous human oversight under supported conditions.
If Tesla meets both timelines, customers purchasing Cybercabs could receive vehicles designed for autonomous operation before existing Tesla owners gain access to unsupervised FSD. However, deployment remains dependent on technical readiness and regulatory requirements.
Federal Regulators Investigate Cybercab Safety Compliance
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into Cybercab on September 4, shortly after the vehicles began operating commercially in Austin. The agency is examining how Tesla certified that the vehicle meets applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Existing regulations generally require features such as brake pedals and rearview mirrors, which Cybercab lacks. Automakers are responsible for certifying compliance, while NHTSA can investigate whether those certifications meet federal requirements.
The US Department of Transportation has proposed changes to accommodate vehicles designed exclusively for autonomous operation, including removing certain manual-control requirements. However, those proposed rules have not yet taken effect.
NHTSA said its investigation will examine Tesla’s technical data and the reasoning behind its compliance certification. The findings could affect whether Tesla can continue operating or begin selling Cybercabs under existing federal safety rules.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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