Tesla asks US regulator to keep Cybercab safety answers secret

Tesla has responded to a Special Order from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that asks it to prove, under oath, that its Cybercab meets federal safety standards. The response arrived on 30 October, the deadline set by the agency. Tesla has also asked NHTSA to keep the whole response confidential.

The NHTSA had 21 questions for Tesla about the vehicle. The filing that Tesla submitted answers them, but the public can see very little of it. The one section that is open to the public is a 30-page guide for firefighters on how to deal with the car in an emergency.

What is being kept private

The rest of the document is blacked out. That includes the material explaining how the Cybercab was certified as compliant with federal rules. The car has no steering wheel, no pedals and no mirrors, which makes it a different kind of vehicle from most cars on the road. Because the certification details are hidden, outsiders cannot check how the company reached its conclusion.

Background

The Cybercab is a driverless two-seat vehicle that Tesla has been developing. Regulators usually ask carmakers to show how their vehicles meet safety rules before they are sold or used on public roads. NHTSA's Special Order is a formal demand for information, and carmakers must answer it under oath.

The Cybercab is not on sale in India, and the filing does not mention any plans for the Indian market. Whether the confidentiality request is granted, and when the public might see more of the filing, is not yet clear. The agency has not said when it will decide on Tesla's request.