Tesla expands Cybercab fleet in Austin amid mixed reviews and regulatory scrutiny
Tesla increased the number of Cybercabs authorized for commercial use in Texas to 169, while facing technical glitches, passenger complaints and a safety audit from NHTSA.
Tesla has nearly quadrupled the count of its driverless Cybercabs authorized for commercial service in Texas, raising the total from 45 at launch to 169, according to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles records. The bronze two-seat vehicles, which lack steering wheels, pedals and traditional doors, are currently operating only in Austin, where they join a fleet of 420 Model Y cars equipped with Tesla’s automated driving system.
Passenger feedback has been mixed. Some riders praised the spacious interior and large screen, while others reported long wait times, incorrect pick-up locations and problems with the butterfly doors and trunk. Austin resident Ethan McKanna, who has taken about 30 Cybercab rides, said the ride quality is "very smooth" but noted that the pick-up and drop-off experience "is not yet refined" and that wait times initially exceeded 45 minutes.
Regulatory scrutiny is increasing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an audit query after the September launch to verify compliance with federal safety standards, extending its response deadline beyond the original September 30 date. Austin Fire Captain Matt McElearney said first responders have been given detailed emergency guidelines but urged state or national rules that would allow emergency personnel to take control of driverless vehicles.
Waymo, a competitor, operates more than 4,000 autonomous vehicles across the United States, including 1,154 in Texas, and conducts over 500,000 paid rides weekly. Analysts note that Tesla’s growth in the robotaxi market is critical to reversing a year-over-year decline in vehicle deliveries and to boosting investor confidence.
"Management previously said that once production ramps, it expects Cybercab to ultimately be the largest volume vehicle in its lineup," analysts at Cantor wrote after Tesla’s third-quarter delivery report.
Surveys cited by Slingshot Strategies indicate that half of U.S. respondents are uncomfortable riding in a robotaxi without a steering wheel, and 70% would prefer a pause in service following the NHTSA investigation. Tesla has not responded to requests for comment.