Tesla Cybercab's Full Specs Are Now Official: 293-Mile Range, 219 HP, and Front-Wheel Drive
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For months, Tesla's Cybercab had been described in efficiency terms: a purpose-built robotaxi rated at 165 Wh/mi, the most energy-efficient production EV on the market. Now, EPA certification documents published June 15 flesh out the full picture — and several details stand out from what Tesla has publicly confirmed before.
The filings show a 3,113-lb curb weight, a 219 HP (163 kW) front-mounted permanent magnet motor, and a 47.6 kWh battery operating at 326 volts. The unadjusted combined EPA range lands at 418.2 miles, which, under the standard 0.7 adjustment factor, translates to an estimated 293 miles of real-world range — aligning with Tesla VP Lars Moravy's earlier claim of “close to 300 miles.”
Front-Wheel Drive: A Rare Tesla Configuration
Perhaps the most architecturally surprising detail in the filing is the drive layout. The Cybercab uses front-wheel drive — a significant departure from Tesla's established practice of rear- or all-wheel configurations across the Model 3, Y, S, X, Semi, and Cybertruck lineup. The single-speed automatic transmission drives only the front axle, with regenerative braking limited to the front wheels.
The decision likely reflects a packaging trade-off. A robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals has a fundamentally different interior volume requirement than a consumer vehicle. Shifting the motor forward may free rear-cabin space for the two-passenger arrangement — or reflect the chassis constraints of building the lightest possible EV platform.
By the Numbers: How the Cybercab Compares
| Vehicle | Curb Weight | Battery | EPA Range (est.) | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Cybercab | 3,113 lbs | 47.6 kWh | ~293 miles | 165 Wh/mi |
| Tesla Model 3 RWD | 3,862 lbs | 60 kWh | 358 miles | ~24 kWh/100mi |
| Honda Civic Touring | ~3,050 lbs | N/A (gas) | N/A | N/A |
| Waymo Jaguar I-PACE | ~4,800 lbs | 90 kWh | ~234 miles | ~38 kWh/100mi |
At 3,113 lbs, the Cybercab is actually heavier than a Honda Civic — an observation several analysts noted given it seats only two and has no pedal-and-wheel controls. Tesla engineers attribute that weight to autonomous sensor hardware, structural reinforcement for robotaxi durability standards, and high-voltage battery protection systems.
EPA Certification Timeline
The EPA certificate was issued on May 26, 2026, with an “Introduction into Commerce” date of May 29. That timing aligns with Tesla's first Cybercab fleet deliveries and initial Giga Texas staging operations that have ramped through May and June. The filing covers both federal Tier 3 Bin 0 and California ZEV standards, confirming the vehicle is cleared for operation across all U.S. states.
“The 165 Wh/mi figure isn't marketing — it's what comes out when you build a purpose-optimized platform with no driver hardware, and it shows up in the EPA data.” — Lars Moravy, Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering
What the Range Number Means for Robotaxi Economics
For a commercial fleet operator, a 293-mile adjusted range on a 47.6 kWh battery translates directly to operating cost. At a commercial electricity rate of roughly $0.12/kWh, a full charge costs under $6 — yielding an energy cost per mile well below any internal-combustion competitor.
The Cybercab's lightweight construction also reduces brake and tire wear, which represents a significant cost in high-cycle commercial service. Tesla's decision to use regenerative braking exclusively on front wheels, rather than all four, is presumably tuned to the weight distribution — but fleet operators running 24/7 will be watching actual tire replacement intervals closely once the Austin and Phoenix robotaxi networks scale.
The Bottom Line for Tesla Investors and Fleet Watchers
The EPA filing converts what was previously a spec sheet of marketing claims into verified technical documentation. The Cybercab is officially the lightest production EV in the U.S. at 3,113 lbs, officially rated at 165 Wh/mi, and officially cleared for commercial use with an estimated 293-mile real-world range. For a robotaxi platform competing against Waymo's heavier, more expensive I-PACE-based fleet, those numbers represent a meaningful structural cost advantage — assuming Tesla can scale production at Giga Texas as planned through 2026.
Photo: Tesla Cybercab autonomous vehicle / Pexels