Tesla’s Cybercab is powered by a single 163 kW three-phase permanent-magnet AC motor, according to official certification documents filed with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The technical data have emerged as Tesla moves the purpose-built autonomous vehicle from production and certification into real-world Robotaxi operation in Austin, Texas.
Tesla Cybercab is a two-seat battery-electric vehicle designed from the ground up for fully autonomous Robotaxi operation, without conventional driver controls such as a steering wheel or pedals. The EPA Certification Summary Information Report for the 2026 Cybercab identifies one drive motor/generator, described as an “AC 3 phase permanent magnet” machine with a rated output of 163 kW, corresponding to approximately 219 hp. The vehicle uses a front-wheel-drive architecture, with a single-speed transmission. Electrical regenerative braking also acts through the front wheels and cannot be manually adjusted by a driver, consistent with a vehicle designed from the outset for autonomous operation.
The certification documentation also specifies a 326 V lithium-ion battery system with a single battery pack. The tested vehicle has a curb weight of 3,113 lb, around 1,412 kg. Tesla has not yet disclosed detailed information on the electric machine’s electromagnetic configuration, rotor construction, cooling arrangement or the semiconductor technology used in the traction inverter.
The relatively simple propulsion layout is significant for the Cybercab’s intended application. Using a single traction motor and front-wheel drive reduces drivetrain complexity compared with dual-motor architectures, an approach potentially suited to a vehicle expected to accumulate high mileage in commercial autonomous service. For such an application, energy efficiency, component durability and maintenance requirements may ultimately be more important than the high peak power figures associated with performance-oriented EVs.
Tesla confirmed in its Q2 2026 update that Cybercab production had started at Gigafactory Texas. The project reached another milestone in early September, when the first Cybercabs entered the company’s commercial Robotaxi fleet in Austin. Tesla says rides are currently available only in limited areas of the city, while one of its own September event pages stated that more than 40 two-seat Cybercabs had already entered service there.
Cybercab moves into real-world road testing
The deployment also means that independent observations of the production vehicle are beginning to emerge. The Verge tested a Cybercab for around an hour in Austin in early September, using the same Robotaxi service available to paying customers. According to the report, 45 Cybercabs were registered in Texas at the time of the test. The vehicles were operating within a geofenced area of roughly 288 square miles around Austin.
From a vehicle-dynamics perspective, the first impressions suggest that the propulsion hardware itself is not the principal limitation. The test described the Cybercab as responsive and smooth in normal driving, with good ride comfort. More uncertainty was observed in the autonomous driving behaviour: during the rides the vehicle occasionally braked hesitantly, appeared indecisive when changing lanes and in one instance selected an unsuitable lane before correcting its trajectory. There were also reported issues with drop-off positioning, including stops that did not always place the vehicle close to the kerb.
Those observations are relevant because the Cybercab has no steering wheel or pedals, meaning that propulsion, braking and steering must operate as part of a fully integrated drive-by-wire and autonomous-control architecture without a passenger being able to take over. Tesla says the Cybercab uses cameras and sensors to navigate roads, intersections, highways and parking areas autonomously.
The start of commercial operation has also drawn regulatory attention. On September 4, Reuters reported that the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had opened an audit concerning approximately 1,000 Cybercab vehicles, examining how Tesla determined that the vehicle complies with federal safety standards despite lacking conventional driver controls.
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