Feds probe Tesla's Cybercabs; Texas takes back seat
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Tesla Cybercabs lined up on a lot at Tesla's Giga Texas in Austin. Photo: Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images
Tesla's Cybercabs are carrying paying passengers in Austin, even as federal regulators investigate whether the vehicles comply with federal safety standards.
Why it matters: Texas authorizes companies to operate driverless vehicles without approving each vehicle model. Austin's regulatory role is largely limited to coordination and emergency preparedness.
- But whether the Cybercab's unconventional design meets federal safety standards is a question for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has opened an investigation into Tesla's self-certification that the vehicle complies with the agency's standards.
Catch up quick: Tesla held an invite-only event in downtown Austin on Thursday to announce it's offering rides in the gold-painted two-seater with gull-wing doors and no steering wheel, pedals or mirrors.
Zoom out: Texas' new AV regulatory system gives the state oversight of driverless vehicles, and Tesla Robotaxi LLC has held a state authorization since May 24, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson Adam Shaivitz tells Axios.
- Companies attest that their vehicles meet state requirements, including being titled and registered and complying with federal safety standards.
- TxDMV does not issue vehicle-specific AV authorizations, meaning Tesla wasn't required to get the department's approval — or notify it in advance — before adding Cybercabs to its fleet.
- Tesla has added 45 Cybercabs to the list of vehicles operating under its state authorization.
Meanwhile: Austin officials have been preparing for the Cybercab's arrival despite having little authority over its deployment.
- The city's AV Working Group has discussed the Cybercab with Tesla since the company debuted the concept in October 2024, city officials tell Axios.
- Tesla provided first-responder guides and held trainings with Austin first responders ahead of last week's launch, including guidance for responding to crashes and other emergencies.
Zoom in: The city has logged 10 incidents or complaints involving Tesla autonomous vehicles since the company began testing its Cybercab in June 2025, according to city data provided to Axios.
- Seven were categorized as safety concerns, including reports of vehicles failing to yield at a crosswalk, running a flashing red light and traveling the wrong way on a temporarily converted one-way street.
- Most recently, a pedestrian reported a near-miss with an unoccupied Tesla Robotaxi on South Congress Avenue on Sept. 2, saying it came close enough to them that they believed the vehicle was going to hit them.