Tesla has begun inviting selected customers to buy the Cybercab, its autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, for an estimated price of US$ 29,990. The offer, announced on Friday (13), includes an essential condition: the owner will need to pay US$ 299 per month for an autonomy subscription to use the car.
The model has capacity for two passengers and was developed to operate without a driver. Initially intended for the manufacturer's Robotaxi fleet, the Cybercab is now being offered for private use, although orders are restricted to invited buyers.
The order page released by Tesla requires a non-refundable deposit of US$ 1,000 and forecasts the first deliveries in December 2026. The first month of the subscription is included in the offer, but the announced price of the vehicle does not include taxes.
Autonomy subscription is a condition for operating the Cybercab
Tesla's official subscription contract expressly states that the Cybercab cannot operate without an active subscription. This means that buying the vehicle does not, by itself, guarantee its use: the owner must maintain the monthly service and comply with maintenance requirements.
The subscription covers autonomous driving, vehicle connectivity, remote support and certain maintenance and assistance services. Expenses such as insurance, registration, charging and parking remain the owner's responsibility.
The document also provides that the monthly fee may be adjusted, provided Tesla gives one month's notice of the change. The service can be canceled by the user, but cancellation prevents operation of the vehicle while the subscription remains inactive.
There is also a geographic restriction. The Cybercab may only drive in areas authorized by Tesla, linked to the Robotaxi service. The contract allows the manufacturer to expand, reduce or modify these regions, which do not have to correspond exactly to the areas served by the company's autonomous taxis.
The initial offer also has delivery limitations, concentrated in cities in Texas. Tesla operates its Robotaxi service in locations in Texas and Florida, but that does not mean the private Cybercab is authorized to drive on every street in those cities.
Another contractual condition prevents buyers from using the vehicle commercially on ride-hailing, delivery or rental platforms without the manufacturer's express authorization.
Elon Musk considers the monthly fee high
After the purchase conditions were disclosed, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, publicly acknowledged that the subscription price was higher than desirable.
“But the monthly fee is too high”, wrote the executive in response to a post about the Cybercab's restrictions. Musk added that the cost should be closer to US$ 115 per month, a value similar to the combination of the autonomous driving and connectivity services offered on other Tesla models.
The statement, made on November 14, does not represent an official reduction. The monthly fee presented to buyers remains US$ 299, with no confirmed timeline for a possible change.
Musk also said that the Cybercab could be made available nationally as Tesla obtains the necessary regulatory approvals. Until that happens, use of the vehicle remains subject to the authorized regions and operating rules.
