NHTSA orders Tesla to prove its Cybercab is legal to sell, under oath
5 hours ago
- NHTSA issued a Special Order on September 10 demanding Tesla prove its Cybercab, which lacks a steering wheel, pedals, and mirrors, complies with federal safety standards designed for human drivers.
- Tesla self-certified the Cybercab as compliant, but NHTSA challenges this, arguing standards like the foot-brake rule (FMVSS 135) require a foot control, which the Cybercab lacks, and that 'inapplicable' is not a valid self-certification option.
- Unlike competitor Zoox, which obtained a Part 555 exemption for its driverless pod, Tesla bypassed the exemption process, leading NHTSA to question the vehicle's legal basis for commercial service without formal approval.
- Tesla faces a September 30 deadline to respond under oath, with penalties up to $139 million for false or incomplete answers, and NHTSA's order includes 21 detailed requests covering standards related to controls, mirrors, and stability systems.