Tesla’s highly anticipated Cybercab, a self-driving vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, could be more affordable to produce than its rivals, according to a recent analysis by Ark Invest. Analyst Brett Winton predicts that the cost of manufacturing the Cybercab will be significantly lower than Waymo’s robotaxis, which rely on expensive lidar sensors for navigation.
Winton’s analysis suggests that the Cybercab’s manufacturing cost will be roughly half that of the Model 3 or Model Y. This is attributed to the Cybercab’s simpler design, which requires fewer parts and components compared to Tesla’s other vehicles. As a result, Winton estimates that a fully manufactured Cybercab will cost around $18,000, once production scales up.
In comparison, Waymo’s robotaxis require a substantial investment in lidar sensors alone. These sensors, which are crucial for autonomous navigation, are estimated to cost $13,500, with additional costs for installation and wiring bringing the total to around $15,000. While Waymo integrates its sensor suite onto electric vehicles manufactured by companies like Zeekr, the cost of the vehicle itself is an additional expense. This means that Waymo’s overall cost for each robotaxi is significantly higher than Tesla’s projected Cybercab price.
Winton isn’t the only one to anticipate a cost advantage for the Cybercab. Tasha Keeney, another analyst at Ark Invest, has also expressed confidence in Tesla’s ability to produce its autonomous vehicles at a lower cost than Waymo. Keeney notes that Tesla’s existing manufacturing infrastructure, charging network, and service capabilities will allow the company to efficiently scale production.
Tesla’s focus on affordability and its commitment to developing autonomous driving technology have put it in a prime position to challenge Waymo’s dominance in the robotaxi market. With the Cybercab set to enter production before 2027 and plans to launch its own ride-hailing service in Texas and California next year, Tesla is poised to be a major player in the future of mobility. The company’s ability to produce autonomous vehicles at a lower cost than its competitors could give it a significant competitive edge in this rapidly evolving industry.
