Tesla is moving forward with the long-awaited launch of the Cybertruck electric pickup.
The boxy vehicle is Tesla’s first new model since 2020, when it began delivering the Model Y. However, the Cybertruck’s initial debut predates that moment. Tesla CEO Elon Musk showed off an early version of the pickup at a memorable 2019 event when he accidentally broke two windows while trying to demonstrate the Cybertruck’s durability.
Here we’ll answer some questions we thought an intrepid explorer like you might ask (err… type in a search bar) about Tesla’s Cybertruck, including details on the vehicle’s specs, availability and design ahead of the first vehicle shipments. Those missions will come alongside a live Tesla event broadcast on Thursday that will begin the vehicle’s journey to success or failure.
What is Cybertruck?
The Cybertruck is a steel-clad electric truck made by Tesla. According to Musk, the vehicle is less than 19 feet long and has a bed longer than six feet. It has four doors and room for six adults.
Tesla shared Cybertruck specs in 2019, promising three variants of the vehicle. This included a $39,900 rear-wheel-drive single-engine version with a 250-mile range. But that was ages ago, figuratively speaking. At least one variant is reported to weigh about as big as a Hummer.
At that point, unknowns about the final production vehicle (as of November 29, 2023) include price range, battery range options, weight, towing capacity options and long-term delivery schedule.
Why does Cybertruck look like this?
Also referred to as early stage Cybrtrk trademark, the Cybertruck’s name, neon logo, and exterior evoke a kind of cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic aesthetic. Why; Because Elon Musk wants it.
The electric pickup is made of steel, a tough material that resists rust but is difficult to shape. The stiffness of the material influenced the strongly geometric design of the EV. also led to startup delays and blank panels in Cybertruck test vehicles.
Musk has is described the tank-like vehicle as “an armored personnel carrier from the future – the one the Bladerunner would drive.” The important thing is that while Bladerunner is an amazing movie, it portrays a terrifying dystopia.
Is the Cybertruck still for sale?
Tesla expects it mass production Cybertrucks starting in 2024, but unless you’re a rich early adopter with special Tesla connections, securing a Cybertruck won’t be easy early on. You will need to get in line behind the people who booked the truck back in 2019.
That said, you may be able to move on to a price: Obvious Cybertruck bookings they appeared on eBay for $10,000. Proceed with caution. I’m not sure how easy it would be to verify if the offers are legit, and Musk has threatened to punish resellers in the past.
Can I resell my Cybertruck?
Tesla indeed threatened to punish early Cybertruck resellers, but appeared to depart from its previously published rules in a November 2023 update to its US order agreement page. The rules once stated that Cybertruck customers could not sell their vehicles in their first year of ownership without permission from Tesla. The rules also said the company would seek $50,000 in damages from early resellers. But that language is gone from that page, at least for now.
Can I fit a bike in the bed of a Cybertruck?
This depends on the size of the bike and how it is stored. From what we can tell, you will probably need a wheel hanging over the tailgate.
Elon Musk has promised that Cybertrucks will have beds longer than six feet. From the end of one wheel to the opposite end of the other, adult bicycles are usually longer than six feet. (On a related note, the City of Los Angeles recommends that there be at least bicycle parking spaces six feet longas well as South Carolina Palmetto Cycling Coalition. Regardless, it’s a close fit.)
A motorcycle would probably be more difficult. This is not a Silverado.
Is the Cybertruck good for the climate?
In general, electric vehicles is better for the climate than the corresponding gases because they have no exhaust emissions. However, all cars are polluting. This includes consumer electric vehicles, since they require lithiumrelease tire particles in the air and require more energy than more efficient means of transport such as public transport, cycling and walking. Mining battery materials is also is linked to the exploitation of workers.
What about the size of the Cybertruck? Experts raised red flags over the balloon size and weight of vehicles in the U.S. Extra large vehicles typically require more energy, and therefore more battery materials, which increases their environmental cost. When it comes to collisions, the largest and heaviest vehicles are less safe for everyone around themespecially pedestrians.
Among EVs, they are the vehicles with smaller batteries generally better for the environment.
Stay tuned
We have many more questions and expect Tesla to share more details at the delivery event on November 30th. How does the Cybertruck compare to other Teslas? What about electric pickups from the competition, including Ford or GMC? When will Tesla release the cheaper, single-engine Cybertruck variant it promised in 2019? Check back for updates as we learn more.
