Tesla unveils Cybercab: a $30,000 electric robotaxi coming in the next 2 years
Tesla has unveiled a new vehicle called Cybercab; a $30,000 electric robotaxi coming in the next 2 years.
At an event at Warners Bros studios on Thursday night, Elon Musk took the stage to unveil the new vehicle.
Its name is still not clear. Prior to the event, Musk referred to it as both ‘Cybercab’ and ‘Robotaxi’.
Both terms were also used during the event.
Tesla only has a very short web page about the new vehicle (and Robovan) on its website and it refers to it as ‘Robotaxi’:
Despite having an actual launch event for the vehicle, the details are very limited. There are basically none on the previously mentioned webpage, so we have to go only for what was said and seen at the event.
As expected, the vehicle is a 2-seater with butterfly wing doors and no steering wheel or pedals.
Most, if not all prototypes shown appeared to have a gold finish. It doesn’t have a rear window.
Musk said that Tesla had 20 Cybercabs at the event. He also mentioned having “50 autonomous vehicles” at the event, but that number seemed to include Model Y vehicles.
Here are a few images of the exterior of the Cybercab that Tesla has released:
When it was driving around at the event, it seemed to have matrix headlights embedded into a front light bar similar to what is found on the Tesla Cybertruck.
It’s only a two-seater, but at least, it looks like it has a very large hatchback trunk:
The Cybercab will be the first Tesla vehicle to feature wireless induction charging as standard. As we previously reported, the Cybertruck appears ready to receive a wireless charger, but it will likely be a retrofittable option in the future.
Wireless charging has been around in consumer electric vehicles for a long time, but it never really took off. However, it is believed to become a more prominent feature with self-driving vehicles as it enables the vehicle to go charge itself without anyone having to plug it in.
Tesla also briefly showed a video of an automated system being able to clean the vehicle.
Here are a few images of the interior of the Tesla Cybercab:
Tesla didn’t release much in terms of specs for the new vehicle. There was no word on the electric vehicle’s range.
Musk mentioned an estimated cost of operation of $0.20 a mile, which appears ambitious.
He also mentioned that consumers will be able to buy it. It won’t be only for an autonomous ridesharing fleet, Tesla Network, which Musk has been hyping for years.
The CEO said that Tesla is aiming to sell the Robotaxi for less than $30,000. As for when it will enter production, Musk said it will come in 2026, but he did acknowledge that he is often wrong with his timelines, and it could come in 2027 instead.
How does the Tesla Cybercar drive itself?
That was the biggest question of the night. Tesla has been selling cars that it claims will become self-driving since 2016, and they have yet to become self-driving.
It doesn’t give much credibility to launching a vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals.
Some Tesla owners who bought Tesla’s up-to-$-15,000 Full Self-Driving package on current vehicles feared that Tesla would shift its strategy with Cybercab, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Musk said that Cybercab is equipped with Tesla’s AI5 onboard computer and based on a visual check, it appears to only use cameras, like Tesla’s existing vehicles.
The CEO reiterated that the plan was still to make Full Self-Driving work unsupervised on the current vehicle, which he now thinks will happen next year in Texas and California.
To be fair, he said that it was going to happen next year virtually every year for the past 5 years and the only data available shows that Tesla needs a roughly 500-100x improvement in miles between disengagement before it can make this a reality, and it only was able to do a ~2x improvement so far this year.
The Cybercab would then rely on the FSD system improvements to deliver its autonomous rides.
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Electric vehicles’ share of the market continues to climb in America’s second city, with BEV registrations up more than 50% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year. Great news, but charging hasn’t up – but a new plan from Chicago Department of Transportation aims to build up enough infrastructure for the city to keep up.
In a bid to keep up with the rapid growth of EVs, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT is currently seeking public feedback on a plan called “Chicago Moves Electric Framework.” The city’s first such plan, it outlines initiatives that include a curbside charging pilot through the city’s utility, ComEd, and expanded charging access in key areas throughout the city.
Unlike other such plans, however, the new plan aims to focus on bringing electric vehicle charging to EIEC and low income communities, too.
“Through this framework, we are setting clear goals and identifying solutions that reflect the voices of our residents, communities, and regional partners,” said CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney. “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago.”
Neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago experience a disproportionate amount of air pollution and diesel emissions, largely due to vehicle emissions according to CDOT. Despite that, most of Chicago’s public charging stations are clustered in higher-income areas while just 7.8% are in environmental justice neighborhoods that face higher environmental burdens.
“Too often, communities facing the greatest economic and transportation barriers also experience the most air pollution,” explains Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By prioritizing investments in historically underserved areas and making clean transportation options more affordable and accessible, we can improve both mobility and public health.”
The Framework identifies other near-term policy objectives, as well – such as streamlining the EV charger installation process for businesses and residents and implementing “Low-Emission Zones” in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution by limiting, or even restricting, access to conventional medium- and heavy-duty vehicles during peak hours.
The Chicago Moves Electric Framework includes the installation of Level 2 and DC fast charging stations in public locations such as libraries and Chicago’s Midway Airport, “supporting not only personal EVs but also electric taxis, ride-hail and commercial fleets.”
Chicago has a goal of installing 2,500 public passenger EV charging stations and electrifying the city’s entire municipal vehicle fleet by 2035.
Electrek’s Take
I hate to sound like a bed-wetting liberal here, guys, but Chicago is getting EVs absolutely right with big utility incentives on both vehicles and infrastructure, a governor willing to stand behind smart environmental policy, and a solid push for more and better infrastructure in the areas where they’ll do the most good. They’re even thinking of the children.
Here’s hoping more cities follow suit.
SOURCE: ComEd, via Smart Cities Dive; featured image by EVgo.
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With a fully-enclosed, G-Wagen-inspired body and an 80 mile electric range, the Bodo G-Wagon golf cart is the NEV you need when you decide it’s time to get serous one-upping the rest of the Palm Beach country clubbers.
If you love the look of the $230,000 Mercedes-Benz G580 off-roader, but think the 579 hp, 6,800 lb. electric 4×4 is probably overkill for occasional trips to the golf course and country club, this G-Wagen-inspired golf cart might be just what you’re looking for.
The shiny black 2024 Bodo G-Wagon sold at Mecum Auctions last month for $31,900, which seems like it might not be a lot of money to the sort of person who decides to take a flyer on a goofy, limited-use EV that ships with real, metal doors, power windows, heating and air conditioning, fully digital instrument cluster and infotainment, and a “posh,” caramel leather interior.
It even has windshield wipers, power steering, and a rear-seat entertainment system that’s built into the front headrests!
It’s really nice in there
Under the hood, the Bodo packs a 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor drawing power from a 10 kWh li-ion battery that won’t deliver a scorching 0-60 mph time (it only goes 35), but will deliver you and your buddies from one end of any golf course in North America and back several times over, thanks to the G-Wagon’s 80 mile range.
The official Mecum Auctions listing goes into a bit more detail, and I’ve included it here, in case it gets deleted after a while and you’re just finding this for the first time in 2027:
Be the envy of any country club or golf community showing up with this 2024 Bodo G-Wagon Golf Cart. Perhaps more appropriately known as an E-Wagon, this baby G-Wagon is powered by a 15kW motor with a 10kWh lithium battery. Boasting an 80-mile range and a 35 MPH top speed, the Bodo is an enclosed, luxury golf cart that pampers occupants with heating and air conditioning, rear-seat entertainment, power windows, power locks and a posh, caramel-colored interior. With the Bodo fitted with power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes with brake boost, drivers will think they’re in a full-size G-Wagon, thanks to the multiscreen entertainment cluster, the rearview camera, windshield wipers, turn signals, running lights and so much more.
Finished in black with the right amount of brightwork, the overall vibe is one of jaw-dropping, smile-inducing fun. While the Bodo would be an excellent choice for any golf community, it should also prove to be hugely popular around a race track or car condo community as well, or maybe even a neighborhood with its own airplane runways. Over the past decade in particular, the demand for unique, luxury golf carts has been on the rise, and understandably so. The number of luxury communities with specific interests in sports, aero and auto has also been on the rise, with people buying homes in these exclusive locations to better engage with like-minded people. All too often a golf cart is the perfect way to get around these gated neighborhoods, and this one is enclosed, comes with the amenities of a full-size car and is infinitely more stylish.
You can check out a few more photos of the 2024 Bodo G-Wagon golf cart that sold at Mecum, below – and if you want one for yourself, you’re in luck! I found this brand-new 2025 “G600 E-Wagon” (in white) for $23,900 at Gulf Carts in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Head on down to the comments and let us know if you buy it.
G-Wagon golf cart gallery
SOURCE | LOTS MORE PHOTOS: Mecum Auctions.
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