Tesla's Cybercab, unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, boasts futuristic design and autonomous features, though regulatory hurdles remain.
Tesla Cybercab displayed at Paris Motor Show
The Tesla Cybercab was showcased at the Paris Motor Show in hall 7.1, attracting attention with its unconventional design and advanced features. The vehicle features a minimalist interior with no steering wheel, a bare dashboard, and a large central screen positioned in front of the left seat.Design and features of the Cybercab
The Cybercab resembles a shorter version of the Tesla Model 3 and includes a raised tailgate with a trunk volume of 572 liters, surpassing that of a Peugeot 3008. Despite having only two seats, the vehicle can carry up to 280 kg of luggage, including occupants.Production and operation of the Cybercab
The Cybercab was first introduced in October 2024 during the "We, Robot" event and has been produced in series since February 2026 at Tesla's Texas Gigafactory. Since September 4, it has been in operation in Austin through the Tesla Robotaxi app, covering 264 square miles with over 300 units in service, alongside modified Model Y vehicles.Technical details and pricing strategy
The Cybercab is equipped with a 48 kWh battery, a 219 horsepower motor, and weighs 1,412 kg. It is expected to charge via induction, eliminating the need for visible cables or sockets. Tesla plans to sell the vehicle to individuals before 2027 at a price under $30,000, but it lacks a steering wheel and is restricted to areas where Tesla is authorized to operate without a driver.Regulatory challenges and market success
In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is auditing Tesla's self-certification of around 1,000 Cybercabs without seeking an exemption. In France, the Cybercab has no authorization to circulate, and even supervised driving with Full Self-Driving (FSD) is not yet allowed. Despite these regulatory hurdles, the Cybercab has been one of the most successful vehicles at the Paris Motor Show, reflecting Tesla's strategy of selling trips rather than cars.