The US Federal Communications Commission has approved a waiver for Tesla to use Ultra-Wideband radio technology in its wireless charging system for the Cybercab electric vehicle. This exception allows fixed outdoor installation of the technology, which typically requires handheld devices. The decision hinges on the system's low power and limited operation.
On February 19, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially granted Tesla a waiver to deploy Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radio technology in its wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging system, specifically for the Cybercab. This technology enables precise positioning for efficient wireless charging.
Under standard regulations, UWB devices must be handheld and cannot be affixed to outdoor fixed equipment. Tesla's setup involves a UWB transceiver on the vehicle communicating with another on a ground-level pad, which may be outdoors. The waiver addresses this restriction, citing several mitigating factors: the signal operates at very low power, activates only briefly during parking, functions at short range, and poses no risk of interference with other systems.
According to details from Tesla's filing, the system begins with Bluetooth for the vehicle to locate the ground pad and exchange data. As the vehicle nears, UWB transceivers track its position to confirm optimal alignment over the pad before initiating wireless power transfer. The UWB signals are impulse-based, occurring momentarily at ground level between the vehicle and pad, and are significantly weakened by the vehicle's body once positioned.
Tesla emphasized in its request that these characteristics ensure safe and contained operation. The approval marks a step forward for Tesla's wireless charging ambitions, aligning with its development of autonomous EVs like the Cybercab.
