Tesla has increased its Cybercab fleet authorized for commercial operation in Austin from 45 vehicles at launch on Sept. 3 to 169 as of Friday, according to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles records. The expansion reflects the company's effort to scale its driverless ride-hail service, though adoption faces technical and regulatory obstacles.
Paying passengers have reported mixed experiences since the rollout. Complaints include wait times exceeding 45 minutes at peak demand, pickups and drop-offs in incorrect locations, and mechanical failures such as butterfly doors and trunks closing improperly. Ethan McKanna, a 20-year-old Austin resident who has taken approximately 30 Cybercab rides, said the "pick up, drop-off experience" remains unrefined and the butterfly doors are "less convenient" than sliding or traditional doors. McKanna noted that initial wait times have decreased as demand has leveled in recent weeks.
No significant safety incidents or collisions have been reported involving a Cybercab in Austin since launch. However, Austin Fire Captain Matt McElearney told CNBC that first responders require additional safeguards. McElearney said he wants state or national regulation requiring driverless vehicles without steering wheels or pedals to provide a mechanism for public safety personnel to take control, steer, or shut down the vehicle in emergencies. He also called for "dynamic certification" testing throughout the vehicle's product lifespan, given that performance can change with software updates.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated an audit query after the Cybercab launch to verify federal safety compliance. NHTSA originally required Tesla to respond by Sept. 30 but granted an extension.
Tesla's Cybercab expansion faces competitive pressure. Alphabet's Waymo operates 1,154 autonomous vehicles authorized for commercial use in Texas, including 359 new Ojai models, and conducts over 500,000 paid rides weekly. Waymo operates in 15 U.S. markets with 15 more planned, plus international launches in London, Tokyo and Munich.
For Tesla, the Cybercab is critical to restoring investor confidence. The company's automotive business posted a 2% year-over-year delivery decline in the third quarter, and shares are down 18% year-to-date. Pressure from Chinese EV makers like BYD and Xiaomi, which offer cheaper models, has pressured core sales. Robotaxi expansion is central to Tesla's strategy to reignite growth.