Tesla Unveils First Steering Wheel-Free Cybercab, Built for Autonomous Ride-Hailing

Tesla's first Cybercab, specifically designed for its autonomous ride-hailing service, has officially rolled off the production line at the company’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas. The two-door, all-electric vehicle features no steering wheel or pedals and relies entirely on its autonomous driving system. CEO Elon Musk confirmed on X that this is the first production version of the vehicle, with a target price of approximately $25,000 (around RMB 173,000), and noted that it will eventually be available for consumer purchase. Currently, Tesla’s autonomous taxi service primarily uses the Model Y, which still includes safety drivers. Mass production of the Cybercab is expected to begin in April, though its legal road deployment remains uncertain. The vehicle must comply with U.S. federal safety standards that currently require human-operated controls, meaning Tesla may need to seek a special exemption. Amazon-owned Zoox has already received such an exemption and is operating in select cities.