Tesla wants its sworn Cybercab answers to NHTSA kept entirely secret

Tesla has responded to NHTSA’s Special Order requiring it to prove that the Cybercab meets federal safety standards, but the details of its certification process are kept confidential. The only public information is a 30-page guide for firefighters, which addresses a few of the questions posed by NHTSA. Tesla sought additional time to comply, but NHTSA denied it and set a deadline for October 30. The documents Tesla submitted are confidential, with the response letter and the first-responder plan being the only substantive ones. The public cannot access the details of how the Cybercab was certified, including whether it met FMVSS 135, 108, 111, or the Part 555 exemption.

• Tesla’s response letter states that the entirety of the file is confidential business information.
• The first-responder plan includes information about the Cybercab’s operation and design domain, but it does not address the certification process.
• NHTSA has not determined whether the Cybercab complies with any standard, and the agency has not released the certification details.

The certification process for the Cybercab involves complex engineering and safety considerations, but the details are sealed. The public is not allowed to see how the car meets the federal standards, including the requirement for a service brake. The lack of transparency raises questions about how Tesla justified its certification and whether the Cybercab meets the safety requirements. NHTSA’s decision on the confidentiality request will determine whether the certification details are made public. If they are, it could provide insight into how the Cybercab meets the safety standards, which is crucial for its regulatory approval. If not, the certification remains sealed, and the public remains unaware of how the car complies with the standards.

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