Feds Probe Tesla Cybercabs

Tesla launched steering-wheel-free Cybercabs, drawing a federal probe and a stock slide.

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Updated Sep 4, 7:04pm ET

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an audit into about 1,000 Tesla Cybercabs, examining the process and technical data Tesla used to certify compliance with federal vehicle safety standards. The probe began after Tesla deployed a small number of the two-seat robotaxis in Austin, Texas, on Thursday and began offering rides. The Cybercab has no steering wheel, brake pedals or conventional manual controls, putting its certification at the center of the inquiry. Tesla shares fell 6% Friday after the launch and probe.

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Quiet Cybercab DebutLeft & Center

Tesla’s Cybercab reveal was notably quiet and low-key given how important the vehicle is supposed to be to the company’s future. The subdued rollout stood out because Elon Musk has long presented robotaxis and self-driving technology as central to Tesla’s ambitions.

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