Tesla’s latest announcement has the effect of a bomb in the automobile industry. The Californian manufacturer intends to revolutionize the autonomous vehicle market in 2026 with its Cybercab.
Its particularity? A price of less than $30,000, or nearly 11,500 euros cheaper than the brand’s current entry-level. To achieve this ambitious goal, Tesla engineers completely rethought their approach to automobile design.
A drastic reduction in the number of parts
The head of engineering for the Cybercab project confirmed it during a presentation in San Jose: Tesla’s future autonomous taxi will feature about 50% fewer parts than a Model 3.
This dramatic reduction starts with the most obvious elements. Gone are the steering wheel, the pedals, the rear seats and their doors. The vehicle gets rid of everything that is not strictly necessary for its autonomous operation.
The changes don’t stop there. Tesla pushes minimalist logic down to the smallest details. The Cybercab retains only three physical switches: two on the center console and one on the ceiling for lighting. The traditional charging port is also disappearing in favor of an induction charging system, which is simpler and requires fewer components.
A bodywork redesigned from top to bottom
Yes. About 80 parts for the body structure compared to 200 for the Y. 🤯 is the right reaction
— TesAli (@alifarhat6_ali) December 5, 2024
The revolution is taking place particularly at the level of the structure of the vehicle. Tesla engineers achieved a feat by designing a body that requires only 80 parts, compared to 200 for the current Model Y. This technical feat is accompanied by other innovations, such as the adoption of a metal roof rather than glass.
This choice, which might seem regressive, actually offers several advantages: less expensive production, better sound insulation and simpler integration into Tesla’s new manufacturing process.
This quest for simplicity goes well beyond just cost reduction. Fewer parts means less risk of breakdowns, simplified maintenance and more affordable repairs.
This approach also makes it possible to optimize production processes and reduce assembly times. Tesla is thus capitalizing on its expertise in engineering and production to create a more efficient vehicle at all levels.
The aerodynamics of the vehicle also benefit from this slimming treatment. The two-seater configuration optimizes the air penetration coefficient, reducing energy consumption and increasing autonomy. This increased energy efficiency helps reduce vehicle operating costs.
However, Tesla still faces a major challenge: perfecting its autonomous driving technology. The latest version of the FSD (Full Self-Driving) system shows encouraging progress, but still requires significant improvements before it can ensure fully autonomous driving in complete safety. The manufacturer has less than two years to keep its promise of marketing in 2026.
- Tesla halves the number of Cybercab components compared to the Model 3
- The body only requires 80 parts compared to 200 for the Model Y
- The vehicle targets a price below $30,000 for marketing in 2026
