Tesla intends to begin deliveries of its autonomous electric vehicle, the Cybercab, by the end of 2026, according to Motor1. However, in the initial phase, most of these vehicles will remain part of the company’s robotaxi fleet.
Robotaxi service
Currently, Tesla is adding all Cybercabs to its corporate robotaxi fleet. Elon Musk has emphasized that the model is designed primarily for a transportation service rather than private ownership, noting that Tesla will retain ownership of most vehicles.
According to Lars Moravy, Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering, initial customer deliveries will be limited in scale. The company first aims to refine the process of handing over autonomous vehicles to buyers and address ownership and fleet management issues.
No steering wheel, no pedals
The Tesla Cybercab can carry two passengers. Unlike other Tesla models with the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, which still requires the driver to remain attentive and ready to take control, it is designed specifically for autonomous operation. It has no steering wheel or pedals. That said, to make the Cybercab operate fully without a human behind the wheel, the company must resolve not only technical challenges but also regulatory hurdles.
In September, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an inquiry into whether the Tesla Cybercab complies with federal vehicle safety standards.
Nevertheless, the company hopes to integrate the first customer-owned vehicles into its robotaxi network in the second quarter of 2027, according to Ashok Elluswamy, head of Tesla’s AI division. For now, however, this remains only a plan.
Focus on robotaxi
Tesla introduced paid rides in the Cybercab in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 3, 2026. In November, the company plans to expand the service to Dallas, focusing on building its own robotaxi fleet. Meanwhile, deliveries of the Cybercab to private owners will be limited.