Tesla Cybercab: battery size, weight and performance confirmed

Light, extremely efficient and equipped with front-wheel drive: the Tesla Cybercab shows an unexpected side in new regulatory documents. The absence of a steering wheel and pedals keeps the weight down to an absolute minimum.

Lightweight with 219 hp

New documents from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show technical data for the Tesla Cybercab. The autonomous vehicle has a 48-kilowatt-hour battery and an electric motor on the front axle with 219 hp. With a curb weight of 3,113 pounds (around 1,412 kilograms), it would currently be the lightest electric car on the US market. The low weight is due, among other things, to the absence of classic controls. There is no steering wheel or pedals in the interior as the vehicle is designed for driverless operation. The documents list an uncorrected range of 418 miles. According to adjusted test values, it is around 293 miles. Efficiency is rated at 165 watt hours per mile.

Front-wheel drive for the robotaxi

The two-seater relies on front-wheel drive. As Electrek reported, this is intended to reduce weight and complexity. Tesla usually uses rear or all-wheel drive. The drivetrain is designed for city traffic and, above all, should be durable and efficient. The maximum payload is 617 pounds (almost 280 kilograms) and is therefore comparatively low. When traveling with a lot of luggage, the load limit can be reached quickly. In addition, there is still no official approval for fully autonomous driving without human supervision. The timing of widespread use therefore remains open.

New production method planned

Tesla plans to manufacture with the “Unboxed” system. Modules are assembled separately and only put together at the end. This is intended to reduce costs and speed up production. The first test vehicles are already being built in Texas. The EPA documents state the end of May 2026 as the date for the market launch. However, regular passenger operations have not yet begun. A robotaxi network requires further testing and software updates.