Tesla Cybertruck

Between the years 2012[11] and 2013, Elon Musk discussed the desire to build a truck with self-levelling suspension, making comparisons with a Ford F-250.[12][13] In early 2014 Musk predicted 4–5 years before work could start on the product.[14]

In mid-2016, Musk outlined the intent for a new kind of consumer pickup truck,[15] and suggested using the same chassis for a van and a pickup truck.[16] In late 2017, the size was estimated to be at least that of a Ford F-150, to be large enough to enable a "game-changing" feature.[17] 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.[18] Background ideas had been in preparation for nearly five years.[19]

In late 2018, Musk anticipated a prototype to be ready to show in 2019.[20]

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,[21] with the form resembling a futuristic armored personnel carrier.[22][23][24] It was rumored to be named the Model B.[25][26][27] On November 6, 2019, Tesla filed for a trademark on "Cybrtrk", which was granted under United States Patent and Trademark Office 88682748; it was abandoned on August 10, 2020.[28]

In late December 2019, both the Cybertruck and Tesla Cyberquad made their first appearance, in rapper Travis Scott's "Gang Gang" music video.[29]

Musk also talked about increasing the dynamic air suspension travel of the Cybertruck for better off-road performance.[30][31][32][33]

In mid-2019, the towing capacity of the vehicle was stated to meet or exceed that of a Ford F-150.[34] 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.[35][36] Musk had bought a Wet Nellie used in the filming at a 2013 Sotheby's auction.[37]

In response to queries for an unveiling date,[38] Musk stated in late July 2019, "We're close, but the magic is in the final details. Maybe 2 to 3 months", indicating late 2019.[39] The unveiling was then scheduled for November 21, 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.[40][41][42][43][44] 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.[45]

Unveiling

Window damage caused by Franz von Holzhausen during unveiling event

The concept Tesla Cybertruck was unveiled at the Tesla Design Studio in Los Angeles on November 21, 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 each of them.[46] Musk jokingly exclaimed that "the ball didn't make it through" and "we'll fix it in post".[47] He later claimed that the windows were damaged because, in an earlier demonstration, the door was hit by a sledgehammer that cracked the base of the glass.[48]

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.[49][50][51]

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.[52]

Many social media commentators disliked the sharp contours and unusual exterior.[53] Tesla, Inc. stock declined 6% following the announcement.[54]

On November 23, 2019, 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.[55][56] The number was reported to be 250,000 on November 26.[57]

Tesla released a video of Cybertruck pulling a rear-wheel-drive Ford F-150 uphill in a tug of war.[58] Various news outlets pointed out this was simply due to the Cybertruck's heavier weight.[59][60]

In January 2020, Automobile Magazine named Cybertruck the "Concept Car of the Year" for 2019.[61]

Pilot production

Release Candidate testing in San Mateo, California during October 2023

In July 2023, the first Cybertruck was built on the production line at Gigafactory Texas;[62] and Tesla clarified in October that this was pilot production[7] with deliveries slated to begin in late November 2023.

Musk clarified on the July earnings call that it and other early production examples were "release candidates", borrowing a software testing term, which are used for testing and certification.[63] Some of the prototype units were marked with prominent "RC" lettering.[64]

The proposed truck is planned to have self-leveling suspension which can compensate for variable load and some models will be all-wheel drive. The company stated in 2019 that other features would 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 said to be bullet-resistant. All vehicles are also planned to come with Tesla Autopilot, and they are planned to have the hardware capabilities for fully autonomous operation.[65] As of 2019, Musk indicated that there would be a solar roof option which would add 15 miles (24 km) of range per day.[66]

Beginning in November 2019, Tesla has accepted Cybertruck pre-orders with a US$100 deposit, and used to offer a US$10,000 'full self-driving' option.[67]

Tesla stated in 2019 that they expected the EPA range of the Cybertruck to be from 250–500 miles (400–800 km), depending on configuration selections.[68]

In April 2022 Elon Musk drove the new prototype of the Cybertruck onstage at the Cyber Rodeo Event in Texas, where he revealed a new detail – no door handles. Musk said that the truck can sense your approach and "just knows that it needs to open the doors."[69] Additionally Tesla has reportedly decided to allow the rear glass of the truck to drop, which would optimize the Cybertruck’s capability to carry cargo.[70]

Interior

Interior view, 2019 prototype

The interior of the prototype unveiled on November 21, 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.[71] The rear middle seat folds down to allow loading long cargo extending into the cab from the vault (enclosed lockable bed).[72] 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."[73]

Vault (bed)

Rear view, 2019 prototype

The bed of the truck is planned to be a standard-bed size, 6.5 feet (2.0 m) long, similar to a conventional pickup truck bed. It has sloped side walls, similar to a first-generation Honda Ridgeline, and a planned 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,[21] and a compressed air outlet for pneumatic tools.[74] While one article claims that there is a pass-through to the cabin for long cargo,[74] the displayed prototype lacks any corresponding opening in the front of the bed.[75] The cabin's climate control was expected to be available in the vault for uses such as camping.[76][77]

A lineup of preproduction Tesla vehicles, including the Cybertruck, on display in September 2020

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.[37] The Cybertruck uses stressed skin[78] construction (termed an "exoskeleton" by Tesla)[79][80] like most modern aircraft, rather than the body-on-frame construction which is typical of trucks,[81] as a standard vehicle frame would conflict with the under-floor battery pack.[82] 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.[83] The panels can only be bent along straight lines,[83] resulting in a very distinctive faceted design which has been called "low-poly" or likened to origami.[84] 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.[85] Earlier design concepts for Cybertruck had included using titanium for the outer panels, but this was later switched to stainless steel for additional strength,[86] using an alloy that was developed in-house by Tesla.[87]

Cybertruck prototype currently on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum

As of November 2019, The Tesla Cybertruck production was scheduled to start in late 2021 and expand to offer more configurations in 2022.[90] By July 22, 2020, Tesla had chosen Austin, Texas, (Gigafactory Texas) for the production of the Cybertruck, Model Y, and Semi.[91] The factory will reportedly be open to the public and will include a boardwalk near the Colorado River, hiking trails, and biking trails.[92]

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.[93][94]

On August 9, 2021, the production of the Cybertruck was delayed to 2022 according to Tesla's website.[95] In January 2022, the production was further delayed into early 2023[10] and then again to end of 2023, two years after the initial production target date.[96][97]

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. In its December 2019 form, the truck would likely not be street-legal in either Australia or the European Union.[98] 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.[99]

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