The Tesla Cybertruck is an all-electric, battery-powered, light-duty truck announced by Tesla, Inc. Three models have been announced, with EPA range estimates of 400–800 kilometres (250–500 mi) and an estimated 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of 2.9–6.5 seconds, depending on the model.[11]
The stated goal of Tesla in developing the Cybertruck is to provide a sustainable energy substitute for the roughly 6,500 fossil-fuel-powered trucks sold per day in the United States.[11][12][13]
The base price of the rear-wheel drive (RWD) model of the vehicle was announced to be US$39,900, with all-wheel drive (AWD) models starting at US$49,900.[14][15] Production of the dual-motor AWD and tri-motor AWD Cybertruck production was slated to begin in late 2021, with the RWD model release date in late 2022,[11] but then pushed back to 2022.[16]
History[edit]
In mid-2016, Musk outlined the intent for a new kind of consumer pickup truck,[21] and suggested using the same chassis for a van and a pickup truck.[22] In late 2017, the size was estimated to be at least that of a Ford F-150, in order to be large enough to enable a "game-changing" feature.[23] During the Tesla Semi and Tesla Roadster unveiling in November 2017, a picture of a "pickup truck that can carry a pickup truck" was displayed.[24] Background ideas had been in preparation for nearly five years.[25]In 2012[17] and 2013 Elon Musk discussed the desire to build a truck with load-compensating suspension, making comparisons with a Ford F-250.[18][19] In early 2014 Musk predicted 4–5 years before work could start on the product.[20]
In late 2018, Musk anticipated a prototype to be ready to show in 2019.[26]
In March 2019, following the Tesla Model Y launch, Elon Musk distributed a teaser image of a vehicle described as having a cyberpunk or Blade Runner style,[27] with the form resembling a futuristic armoured personnel carrier.[28][29][30] It was rumored to be named the Model B.[31][32][33] Tesla filed for a trademark on "Cybrtrk", which was granted under United States Patent and Trademark Office 88682748.[34]
In mid-2019, the towing capacity of the vehicle was stated to meet or exceed that of a Ford F-150.[35] In June 2019, Musk noted that an amphibious vehicle design concept—based partly on Wet Nellie, the submarine car from the film The Spy Who Loved Me—was possible.[36][37] Musk had bought a Wet Nellie used in the filming at a 2013 Sotheby's auction.[38]
In response to queries for an unveiling date,[39] Musk stated in late July, "We're close, but the magic is in the final details. Maybe 2 to 3 months", indicating late 2019.[40] The unveiling was then scheduled for 21 November 2019 at the Tesla Design Studio, next to SpaceX headquarters in Los Angeles—the same month, year and location that the movie Blade Runner was set in.[41][42][43][44][45] The truck was launched under a graffiti-themed logo of "Cybertruck", and a new trademark request was filed with the graffiti logo at the same time.[46]
Musk also talked about increasing the dynamic air suspension travel of the Cybertruck for better off-road performance.[47][48][49][50]
In late December 2019, both the Cybertruck and Tesla Cyberquad made an appearance in rapper Travis Scott's "Gang Gang" music video.[51]
Features[edit]
The truck uses self-leveling suspension which compensates for variable load and some models feature all-wheel drive. Other standard features include on-board power inverters for supplying both 120 and 240-volt electricity, allowing use of power tools without a portable generator. An air compressor for powering pneumatic tools is included. The exterior stainless steel sheet-metal is bullet-resistant. All vehicles will also come with Tesla Autopilot, and will have the hardware capabilities for fully autonomous operation.[52] As of 2019, Musk indicated that there would be a solar roof option which would add 15 miles of range per day.[53]
Beginning in November 2019, Tesla has accepted Cybertruck pre-orders with a US$100 deposit, and offered a US$10,000 'full self-driving' option.[54][needs update]
Tesla stated in 2019 that they expected the EPA range of the Cybertruck to range from 250–500 miles (400–800 km), depending on configuration selections.[55]
Interior[edit]
The interior of the prototype unveiled on 21 November 2019 included a 17-inch center display, seating for 6 using two bench seats with the front middle seat being a fold-down center arm rest, a digital rear-view camera based mirror, a race car style steering yoke, and a dashboard with a surface resembling marble.[56] The rear middle seat folds down to allow loading long cargo extending into the cab from the vault (enclosed lockable bed).[57] The "marble look" dashboard of the unveil prototype vehicle was a paper composite material made from "paper, wood-based fibers, natural wood pigments and non-petroleum based resins."[58]
Vault (bed)[edit]
The bed of the truck is 6.5 feet (2.0 m) long and similar to a conventional pickup truck bed with tailgate. It has sloped side walls and an integral motorized roller shutter style tonneau cover to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Because of the additional security this provides, Tesla terms this 100-cubic-foot (2.8 m3) enclosed space "the vault". It includes LED light strips along each side, an additional under-floor storage space behind the rear wheels, 120 and 240 V AC outlets,[27] and a compressed air outlet for pneumatic tools.[59] While one article claims that there is a pass-through to the cabin for long cargo,[59] the displayed prototype lacks any corresponding opening in the front of the bed.[60] Elon Musk indicated in a tweet that the cabin's climate control will also be available in the vault for uses such as camping.[61][62]
One feature demonstrated on the prototype, but not explicitly advertised, is a ramp that extends from the tail gate to the ground for loading cargo.[63]
Design[edit]
According to Musk, the design of the Cybertruck was inspired by Blade Runner and the Lotus Esprit driven by James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me, which doubled as a submarine.[38] The Cybertruck uses unibody construction (termed an "exoskeleton" by Tesla)[6][64] like most passenger cars, rather than the body-on-frame construction which is typical of trucks,[65] as a standard vehicle frame would conflict with the under-floor battery pack.[7] It uses unusually thick 3 mm (1⁄8 in) 30x-series cold-rolled stainless steel body panels, which cannot be stamped like conventional automobile parts.[66] The panels can only be bent along straight lines,[66] resulting in a very distinctive faceted design which has been called "low-poly" or likened to origami.[67] This material is the same material SpaceX (also owned by Musk) uses on their Starship Rocket, because it distributes stress more evenly and allows for more interior volume.[68] Earlier design concepts for Cybertruck had included using titanium for the outer panels, but this was later switched to stainless steel for additional strength,[69] using an alloy that was developed in-house by Tesla.[70]
Specifications[edit]
The powertrain for the dual motor AWD version is similar to the 2019 and newer "Raven" Tesla Model S and Model X, all of which have an inductive rear motor and the Model 3's permanent-magnet motor in front.[66] Other versions are single-motor rear-wheel drive, or tri-motor with one front and two rear motors.
Similar to other Tesla models, the Cybertruck can be pre-ordered with Full Self-Driving software upgrade, adding an additional US$10,000 to the price of the configuration.[11][71]
| Model | Range (EPA est.) | 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) | Top Speed | Payload | Towing capacity | Price (USD) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Motor RWD | 400 km (250 mi) | < 6.5 seconds | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) | 3.4 t (7,500 lb) | $39,900 | Late 2022 |
| Dual Motor AWD | 480 km (300 mi) | < 4.5 seconds | 195 km/h (120 mph) | 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) | 4.5 t (10,000 lb) | $49,900 | Late 2021 |
| Tri Motor AWD | 800 km (500 mi) | < 2.9 seconds | 210 km/h (130 mph) | 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) | 6.4 t (14,000 lb) | $69,900 | Late 2021 |
All models will have 100 cubic feet (2.8 m3) of storage space, and a 6.5-foot-long (2.0 m) cargo area. As on off-road vehicle, 16 inches (40 cm) of ground clearance is provided, with a 35 degree approach angle, and 28 degree departure angle.[11]
Unveiling[edit]
The Cybertruck was unveiled at the Tesla Design Studio in Los Angeles on 21 November 2019. During the unveiling, Tesla claimed that the Cybertruck's "Armor Glass" windows were virtually unbreakable, but two windows shattered when Franz von Holzhausen threw a metal ball at them.[72] Musk jokingly exclaimed that "the ball didn't make it through" and "we'll fix it in post".[73] He later explained that the windows were damaged because in an earlier demonstration, the door was hit by a sledgehammer and that cracked the base of the glass.[74] The fact that the rear windows shattered too was explained by microscopic cracks developed in both windows during previous ball throwing tests before the unveiling.
At the end of the presentation, the Tesla Cyberquad, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), was driven onto the bed of the Cybertruck using built-in ramps in the tailgate. The Cyberquad was plugged into the Cybertruck's onboard power outlet to charge the Cyberquad's batteries. The ATV will be available for sale as an optional package with the Cybertruck.[75]
Reactions[edit]
The Cybertruck unveiling event was covered heavily by traditional media and online blogs/social media. In social media, many commentators expressed dislike of the sharp contours and unusual exterior of the Cybertruck.[76]
Tesla, Inc. stock was down 6% following the Cybertruck announcement.[77]
On 23 November 2019, Elon Musk tweeted that Tesla had received 146,000 pre-orders in the first 1.5 days after the unveiling—each requiring a US$100 refundable deposit—with 42% choosing the dual-motor configuration, 41% choosing the tri-motor configuration, and 17% choosing the single-motor configuration.[78][79] The number reached 250,000 on 26 November.[80]
Additionally, a video of the Cybertruck pulling a rear-wheel-drive Ford F-150 uphill in a tug of war resulted in 14,000 comments and 619,000 likes on Twitter.[81] Various news outlets pointed out this was not a result of superior horsepower or torque, but simply due to the Cybertruck being heavier.[82][83]
In January 2020, Automobile Magazine named Cybertruck the "Concept Car of the Year" for 2019.[84]
Production[edit]
As of November 2019, Tesla Cybertruck production was scheduled to start in late 2021 and expand to offer more configurations in 2022.[85] The city of Joplin, Missouri offered land and incentives to attract production of the vehicle.[86] By 22 July 2020, Tesla had chosen Austin, Texas, (Gigafactory Texas) for the production of the Cybertruck, Model Y, and Semi.[87] The factory will reportedly be open to the public and will include a boardwalk near the Colorado River (Texas), hiking trails, and biking trails.[88]
By March 2021 a Giga Press die casting machine capable of 8,000-tonne-force (80,000 kN; 20,000,000 lbf) had been ordered for production of the Cybertruck rear chassis casting.[89][90]
Market potential[edit]
In the United States, the total addressable market for full-sized pickup trucks is over two million vehicles per year.[91] It has been argued that the Cybertruck will be able to take advantage of the Tesla Network of shared vehicles[21][92] to generate an income stream,[93] if the latter were to become available in United States[94] and worldwide.[21]
Safety[edit]
The Cybertruck's design has received criticism from automotive safety groups, including the Australasian New Car Assessment Program and the Euro NCAP, for not conforming to standards for pedestrian and cyclist safety; the truck, in its current form, would likely not be street-legal in either Australia or the European Union.[95] Particular concerns highlighted by these two bodies include the high stiffness of the "exoskeleton" exterior resulting in a lack of crumple zones, as well as the tall, flat front of the truck, which could increase the severity of leg injuries.[96]
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