by New details about Tesla Cybercab: light, efficient, and with a steering wheel
More and more Tesla Cybercab prototypes are being spotted in the US, and new intriguing details about this electric vehicle have now emerged. It is not only light but also very efficient, which, however, is not a big surprise.
Weight and payload capacity
Documents submitted by Tesla to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that the Cybercab weighs only 3,113 pounds (1,412 kg). This is quite light for a modern EV, but expected for a two-seat, two-door vehicle. It is approximately 700 pounds lighter than the lightest Tesla Model 3 currently on sale.
The EPA data also indicates a gross vehicle weight of 3,730 pounds (1,691 kg), which means a payload capacity of 617 pounds (280 kg)—quite sufficient for a two-seat car.
Power and efficiency
The Cybercab is equipped with a single front electric motor producing 219 hp. This is modest compared to the Tesla Model S Plaid, but the Cybercab is designed as a robotaxi, so it does not require high performance. The EPA documents do not reveal exact battery details, except that it has a capacity of 146 ampere-hours at a voltage of 326 volts, which equals 48 kWh.
The EPA figures also indicate an efficiency of 165 Wh/mile, making the Cybercab the most efficient Tesla presented to date and potentially one of the most efficient EVs on the market.
Range
The Cybercab’s range is undoubtedly of great importance. According to the EPA test cycle calculation, it is 418.2 miles (673 km). However, this is only under laboratory conditions, not real-world figures. The real-world range is expected to be around 280-290 miles (450-467 km).
Launch date and features
It is not yet known exactly when the Cybercab will hit the market. Tesla previously stated that it would happen by 2027, but we are now halfway through the year, and it is unclear whether this timeline will be met. It is worth noting that although the Cybercab was originally conceived exclusively as an autonomous vehicle, prototypes have been tested with a steering wheel and pedals. Therefore, it is logical to expect that it will first appear with manual controls, while Tesla continues to develop its autopilot systems.
Interestingly, the appearance of a steering wheel and pedals in the prototypes may indicate a shift in the company’s strategy. Perhaps Tesla has decided to initially release the Cybercab as a regular electric vehicle to start sales more quickly and gather data for improving autonomous systems. At the same time, its light weight and high efficiency make it appealing not only for taxi use but also for personal use, especially in urban conditions. If the real-world range is indeed around 280 miles, this is quite sufficient for daily trips, and low energy consumption will reduce charging costs.
