The so-called ‘Cybercab’ may have displaced the rumored cheap Tesla EV with a starting price at the bottom of the lineup.
Elon Musk is no stranger to disruption. Consequently, the controversial Tesla CEO is a visionary to many and a wayward tycoon to others. And in typical Musk fashion, the billionaire tech mogul dashed the hopes of budget-minded EV buyers by suggesting that the cheap, sub-$25,000 Tesla EV may never happen.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk says a ‘non-robo’ cheap Tesla EV for car buyers is ‘pointless’ following the debut of the Robotaxi
In October, Tesla unveiled the Robotaxi, a two-seater taxi with room for cargo behind the seats. However, what you won’t find in the so-called “Cybercab” is a steering wheel. However, the Robotaxi wasn’t the only EV CEO Elon Musk debuted at the Warner Bros. Studios unveiling. The electric automaker also revealed its plans for the Robovan, an autonomous transport with room for 20 passengers.
However, Musk made no mention of the cheap Tesla EV fans have awaited for years. Still, recent comments by the CEO suggest that the rumored wallet-friendly Tesla may never happen. Reuters recently reported that an October earnings call may have the bad news that budget-minded EV shoppers have dreaded since earlier in the year.
“Basically, I think having a regular $25K model is pointless. It would be silly.” Elon Musk confirmed that a cheap Tesla EV at a price point below the rest of the brand’s lineup may never happen. Earlier in the call, Musk reportedly said that the marque is “not making a non-robo.” He was likely referring to a non-robotic, drivable EV with a price point beneath the current lineup.
As such, the cheapest current Tesla EV, the Model 3, will remain the cheapest option in the brand’s lineup. The base Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive starts at around $42,490 without a $7,500 federal incentive. However, all-wheel drive upper trims demand higher starting prices. The top-trim Performance model takes the baby Tesla beyond the $50,000 mark to a starting price of $54,990.
