The Tesla Cybercab sounds like the ultimate subscription trap

Tesla has opened pre-orders for the autonomous, golden Cybercab, which customers can use personally. The order page revealed that buyers must accept delivery in a limited number of Texas cities, and the vehicle will operate within specific geofenced areas. The estimated delivery date is set for December 2026. Priced at $29,990, Cybercab owners will also have to pay $299 each month to operate their vehicle.

Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, mentioned that the Cybercab will eventually be available nationwide once regulatory approval is obtained, but he criticized the monthly fee, stating that it should be closer to $115 per month, similar to Tesla's Full Self-Driving and connectivity packages for other models. Ashok Elluswamy, a Tesla representative, provided further details on the geofencing, explaining that the Cybercab can operate unsupervised within the same geographic locations as the company's robotaxi service, catering specifically to the vehicle's owners.

Recently, Tesla had to suspend Cybertruck production due to falling sales and will utilize the freed-up factory capacity to manufacture more Cybercabs.