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LIVE BLOG: Tesla Cybertruck first delivery event

Credit: Ryan McCaffrey/X

Published

3 years ago

on

The Tesla Cybertruck is here. It took four years since the vehicle’s initial unveiling, but here we are. The first batch of owners are receiving their Tesla Cybertrucks today, and the world’s roads will never be the same. 

It took a lot to get to this point. When the Cybertruck was initially unveiled, Giga Texas has not even started its construction yet. The Cybertruck seemed like a pipe dream then, especially since the vehicle was designed so differently that critics were all but sure that the all-electric pickup truck would never be produced. 

But Tesla is Tesla, and it is a company that makes the impossible feel late. And so, one global pandemic and one new Gigafactory later, the Cybertruck is finally ready to be delivered to its first batch of customers.

Considering how important this day is, we at Teslarati will not miss the chance to cover it with a Live Blog. We’ll be updating this article over the course of the event, so please refresh the page for our latest updates. 

14:48 CT – Looks like that’s a wrap. Tesla delivered quite a number of Cybertrucks to consumers during this event. I gotta admit, while the event is short, it is quite enjoyable. Thank you so much for staying with us for this live blog. Until the next time!

Here’s the full livestream of the Tesla Cybertruck delivery event on X.

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14:42 CT – And with that, the vehicle’s first deliveries have begun. Musk comments that actual customers of the vehicle are receiving the vehicle. Musk could be heard chatting briefly with the new Cybertruck owners before they drove away in their new vehicle.

14:42 CT – Musk’s discussion now moves to the vehicle’s performance. He discusses the Cybertruck’s steer-by-wire system, which gives the Cybertruck great agility. Musk noted that the Cybertruck has a turning radius that’s smaller than a Model S.

Tesla now shows the Cybertruck racing against a Porsche 911 that’s fresh from the dealer. The pickup truck beat the 911 — while towing another Porsche 911. The Cybertruck’s 0-60 mph time of 2.6 seconds. Musk noted that the Cybertruck is “faster than a 911 while towing a 911.”

14:37 CT – The Tesla CEO’s discussion on the Cybertruck now moves to the vehicle’s utility. As noted by Musk, the Cybertruck features 2,500 payload capacity, an 11,000-pound towing capacity. The bed is also 6 feet long and 4 feet wide.

Tesla now demonstrates how the Cybertruck stacks up against other pickup trucks in a pulling demo. The vehicle beat the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and the Ford F-350 in the event.

“You have a truck that’s bullet tough, and can out-pull an F-350… It’s not just a grandstanding showpiece like me. It’s actually very useful,” Musk said.

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14:31 CT – Elon shows off some of the Cybertruck’s crash tests. As noted by the CEO, the Cybertruck does not roll over. Tesla also shows off how the Cybertrucks’ body panels survived being shot at by a gun.

14:28 CT – Elon Musk opens the Cybertruck’s discussion with the vehicle’s toughness. He notes that Tesla had to develop the stainless steel used for the Cybertruck. “It has more torsional stiffness than a McLaren P1,” Musk said. “It’s a big deal.”

He also joked that four years ago, Tesla tried a demo that didn’t really go as planned. Franz steps up and throws a ball at the Cybertruck’s window. And it didn’t break this time. “The glass is tough, is basically what we’re saying,” Musk joked.

14:28 CT – Elon notes that experts said that the Cybertruck was impossible, that it would never be made. “I think it’s our best product. Finally, the future will look like the future,” Musk said.

Kimbal also told Elon to keep himself on the light. The audience laughs.

14:26 CT – And the event is starting! Elon Musk is holding the event from the bed of the Cybertruck. The lighting could be better. Little X was a little overwhelmed, too, it seems.

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14:24 CT – Alright, something is definitely happening. A promotional video for the production Cybertruck! It’s pretty epic. The video shows the all-electric pickup truck driving and ripping through every terrain imaginable. Nuts.

Also, how do you show that the Cybertruck can do “real” work? Show it being used by workers at a literal rocket factory!

14:23 CT – Okay, I jumped the gun there. We’re up to 23 minutes and Elon hasn’t appeared yet. Really pushing the excitement for this event, Tesla.

14:18 CT – Looks like it’s about to start. The livestream is still the same, though.

14:12 CT – Elon Musk is now 12 minutes late. Elon time it is! That said, the graphics of the Cybertruck’s 4680 cells looks pretty darn sick.

14:05 CT – Looks like we’re really just waiting for other Tesla executives to make their entrance. Meanwhile, the livestream is serenading us with some futuristic music.

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14:05 CT – Footage posted on X shows that Tesla board member Kimbal Musk is now interacting with some of the event’s attendees. He looks hyped.

14:02 CT – Images from attendees show that the livestream has also started in Giga Texas. We’re all now waiting for Tesla executives to start the event.

14:00 CT – The livestream has started. We see a graphic of the Tesla Cybertruck’s interior and its parts floating. This totally gives sci-fi vibes, so it’s pretty nutty that this actual product will be delivered to customers later today.

13:59 CT – And we’re down to one minute before the event!

13:55 CT – Less than five minutes before the Cybertruck’s first delivery event starts its broadcast. Ah, this is very exciting. More exciting than the quarterly earnings calls, for sure.

13:50 CT – And we’re live! The countdown timer on Tesla’s official Cybertruck page is now down to its last 10 minutes. Will it start on time or is it Elon time again? We’ll find out soon. 

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Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads-up.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla Cybercab ownership will come with plenty of strings attached

Published

8 hours ago

on

November 14, 2026

By

Credit: Tesla

Tesla’s long-promised Cybercab is finally available for personal purchase, at least for a select few in the Austin area. But it’s far from a straightforward ownership experience.

The $29,990 price tag comes with a stack of restrictions that redefine what “owning” the vehicle actually means. The two-seat, steering-wheel-free Robotaxi, previously limited to Tesla’s own fleet, now carries contractual terms that limit where it can go, how it can be used, and whether it can even move without an active paid subscription.

Opening Night of Orders

Late on November 13, Tesla announced that select customers were being invited to order a Cybercab for personal use.

Tesla Cybercab goes on sale for $29,990, slated for December deliveries

The estimated purchase price is $29,990 before taxes, paired with a non-refundable $1,000 deposit and an estimated December 2026 delivery in Austin, Texas. The first month of the required :Autonomy Subscription,” priced at $299 per month is included.

After that, the vehicle needs an active subscription to operate at all. The announcement confirmed that customer sales had begun, albeit on an invite-only basis rather than a public order page.

The Fine Print for Buyers

For those invited to order, the agreements (Cybercab Order Agreement, Terms of Use, and Autonomy Subscription Agreement) impose significant constraints. Major points include:

  • A mandatory Autonomy Subscription (currently listed at $299 per month on the order screen, first month included) is required; without it, the Cybercab will not operate.
  • Personal, non-commercial use only; ride-hailing, Robotaxi network participation, delivery, or rental requires separate written authorization or product enablement from Tesla.
  • Operation restricted to Tesla-enabled Robotaxi geofences and supported service areas, which the company can expand, shrink, or alter; the vehicle may be technologically prevented from operating outside them.
  • No unauthorized modifications (including wraps, window tint, or wheel changes) without Tesla or an authorized provider.
  • Restricted resale and transfer: written permission required, with contractual damages of at least $50,000 (or full transaction value if higher) for unauthorized sales; Tesla also reserves repurchase rights at a company-determined fair market value, with the owner covering return costs.
  • Safety or improper-use “strikeouts” (three or more) can trigger a one-week suspension of autonomous features without prorated refund.
  • Owners remain responsible for insurance, registration, charging, parking, and general cleaning; the subscription covers certain maintenance items such as tires, windshields, filters, and camera cleaning, plus limited towing.
  • Manual controls on the touchscreen allow only short-distance movement up to about 2 mph and require a valid driver’s license; they are not for public-road driving.

Why These Terms Might Exist

Tesla’s approach prioritizes control over a vehicle designed without traditional human controls and intended primarily as transport-as-a-service, something that Musk has hinted toward for some time now. Restricting commercial use and modifications could be as much of a software integrity, safety, and data collection effort as it is a safety effort.

Fleet consistency could also be in regulatory scrutiny early on in the Cybercab’s days of public operation.

The subscription model generates ongoing revenue beyond the low vehicle price and ensures the car remains connected and updatable, something that will keep the Cybercab as safe as possible as new updates roll out.

Buyback and resale limits reduce the risk of vehicles circulating outside Tesla’s operational and service ecosystem.

It apperas that personal ownership is secondary to the broader Robotaxi network strategy, as Musk has previously stated that the vast majority of Cybercabs would remain Tesla-owned.

Pickup Locations and Musk’s Pricing View

Initial deliveries are estimated for Austin, but personal vehicles are able to operate in any of Tesla’s Robotaxi geofences:

Those who have been invited to order can also have their personal Cybercab delivered to numerous locations in Texas, including:

  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth

As far as the monthly “Autonomy Subscription,” it appears Musk already wants it to be low. He acknowledged last night on X that the subscription price is too high. Along with detailing that the Cybercab will be available nationwide as regulatory approval is received, Musk said the monthly fee should match the cost of FSD and Premium Connectivity, which is about $115 per month.

The launch marks a milestone for unsupervised personal autonomous vehicles, but the fine print makes clear that buyers are purchasing a highly constrained asset whose usefulness is tightly bound to Tesla’s software, service network, and geographic approvals.

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Tesla Cybercab goes on sale for $29,990, slated for December deliveries

Published

21 hours ago

on

November 13, 2026

By

Credit: Tesla

Tesla has officially put the Cybercab up for sale, revealing a bargain price and a $299 per month “Autonomy Subscription” that could hit customer hands as soon as December.

The offer requires a $299 monthly Autonomy Subscription, with the first month included in the purchase price, along with a $1,000 non-refundable order deposit. Tesla’s ordering interface shows deliveries targeted for Austin, Texas.

Tesla says that the Cybercab is making transportation more efficient, affordable and accessible than ever before, and that buyers can order their own Cybercab for personal use.

The Cybercab is Tesla’s dedicated robotaxi, a gold-finished, two-passenger vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, designed from the outset for unsupervised autonomous operation. It has been in limited Robotaxi service in Austin since September 2026, operating alongside Tesla’s larger fleet of Model Y vehicles.

Production takes place at Gigafactory Texas, which launched earlier this year. Tesla has stated for some time that it planned to put Cybercabs on sale by the end of the year, and it looks like they will come through on that promise if everything goes according to plan.

The Autonomy Subscription is mandatory for the vehicle to operate because it is void of a steering wheel and pedals. Tesla notes that the subscription and regular vehicle maintenance are required, indicating that personal owners will depend on the company’s software and service infrastructure rather than traditional ownership models.

One month of the subscription is included with purchase and subsequent months are billed separately until canceled.

This limited personal-sales opening marks a shift from Tesla’s earlier emphasis on fleet and transport-as-a-service operations. During the Q3 2026 Earnings Call, executives indicated that the vast majority of Cybercabs would remain Tesla-owned and used for rideshare service, while still aiming to place some vehicles with customers by year-end.

Elon Musk has previously targeted a price below $30,000, which was a huge point of emphasis for the Cybercab being the central point of Tesla’s “transportation-as-a-service” model.

Availability remains restricted to invited customers rather than a public order page, and the initial deliveries are expected only in the Austin area where unsupervised Robotaxi operations are already active. Buyers will need to accept the geographic and operational constraints of current autonomous deployment, as the vehicle cannot be driven manually outside supported zones.

The move gives a small number of early buyers the chance to own Tesla’s dedicated autonomous vehicle at the long-discussed sub-$30,000 price point, while the bulk of production continues to support the company’s expanding Robotaxi network.

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SpaceX Starship Flight 15: How to watch the double catch attempt

Published

1 day ago

on

November 13, 2026

By

Credit: SpaceX

UPDATE: The FAA has granted the license for Starship Flight 15.

SpaceX is set to attempt its 15th test flight of Starship this evening from Starbase, Texas.

SpaceX is targeting Starship Flight 15 for a launch as soon as today, Friday, November 13, pending an FAA Flight License, during a 75-minute window that opens at 4:45 p.m. CT (5:45 p.m. ET) from Orbital Launch Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas. The flight remains pending final regulatory approval.

The mission, using Booster 22 and Ship 42, aims to achieve the first full recovery of an orbital launch system. Primary objectives include a tower catch of the Super Heavy booster roughly six and a half minutes after liftoff and the first-ever tower catch of a Starship upper stage after more than 22 hours in space.

SpaceX will perform Starship double catch attempt with Flight 15

Between those catches, Ship 42 is planned to enter a low Earth orbit of about 275 km, complete roughly 14 orbits, and deploy 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites (Starlink Group 31-2). Three of those satellites carry cameras to inspect the ship’s heat shield in orbit and help controllers decide whether the vehicle is healthy enough for a return to the tower.

Contingency ocean splashdown options exist if either stage is not cleared for catch.

To watch the attempt, check the link to the broadcast in both X posts in this article. The live webcast is scheduled to begin about 30 minutes before liftoff and is planned to continue through the ship catch the next day, with the possibility of extended onboard views during the orbital coast via Starlink.

Because the schedule is dynamic, check back here or on our social media channels for the latest updates on window timing and regulatory status. A successful dual catch would mark a major milestone toward making Starship a rapidly reusable rocket capable of frequent flights.

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