Tesla Cybercab Faces NHTSA Investigation Over Missing Safety Features
The Tesla Cybercab, an autonomous vehicle unveiled by Elon Musk, is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for lacking required safety features such as sideview mirrors, pedals, and a steering wheel. These omissions violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). NHTSA has launched an audit query to examine Tesla's certification process for these vehicles. Tesla currently operates 45 Cybercabs registered in Texas and plans to expand its Robotaxi service while eventually selling the vehicle at a price of $30,000. The company self-certified compliance with FMVSS without seeking exemptions, prompting regulatory scrutiny similar to Amazon’s Zoox autonomous shuttle case from 2024. The investigation could impact Tesla's ability to charge for rides in Cybercabs until NHTSA resolves the issue. This follows broader concerns about Tesla vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving technology and highlights Musk's tendency to prioritize innovation over regulatory compliance.
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