First unveiled in November of 2019, the Tesla Cybertruck was advertised as a more sustainable truck than a typical pickup truck. The original price of the truck was $39,900, but today, you can find one for $70,000-$100,000.
While the public didn’t take too kindly to the truck’s angular appearance, it was a relatively cheap alternative to other trucks that were powered by fossil fuels. It seemed like a joke at the time, especially when the “armor glass windows” that were advertised to be unbreakable shattered.
But it’s been six years since the 2019 concept, and it begs the question, how are Cybertrucks today? Are they really as dangerous as some people might make them out to be?
The Cybertruck was recalled seven times in 2024 alone. In April, it was recalled due to the plate on top of the accelerator pedal sliding up and getting stuck, causing the pedal to be pressed down, which luckily could be overridden by the brake.
In June of 2024, it was recalled due to the adhesive keeping the trim on the trunk becoming loose. The trim falling off of these trucks caused hazards on the roads, coming off while driving and flying backwards.
But is this truck still a danger on the roads today, even to the driver? In 2022, Elon Musk claimed the truck could “cross rivers, lakes, and even seas that aren’t too choppy.” But going into a deep pool of water actually had a chance to break the truck.
The stiffness of the Cybertruck’s “exoskeleton” was advertised in a way suggesting the truck was indestructible. The stiff exterior of the truck could reduce crumple zones, which are parts of a car (usually in the front), that will absorb the impact of a crash, helping to protect the passenger cabin.
Crashes are especially dangerous due to the large reduction of crumple zones, and due to the sharp, stiff form of the truck. It poses a danger to pedestrians and cyclists, and has a greater chance to damage other cars.
Due to the electricity used for locking and unlocking the doors, malfunctions can lock the occupants inside the truck. This could usually be solved by breaking the windows to get out, but the windows were supposed to be shatterproof.
But these safety concerns could all be fixed in the future. Let’s talk design.
The Cybertruck was designed to have a more futuristic design, which wasn’t received very well. It has sharp edges and a stainless steel exterior that are prone to rust.
The interior uses a touch screen for the main interface, and along with one for those sitting in the back of the truck. The main interface camera can display what’s behind the truck, since the cover of the cargo bed can block the rear window.
If you’ve seen a Cybertruck on the road, there’s a chance that the exterior was wrapped. This is due to the stainless steel easily being stained and nearly impossible to clean.
There are a large number of strange restrictions for washing the truck. “Do not wash in direct sunlight,” is a warning from Tesla’s Cybertruck Owner’s Manual, along with “Do not use windshield treatment fluids,” and “Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths, such as washing mitts.”
But what does the school think of Cybertrucks?
“I don’t enjoy the aesthetics at all, me personally, I think they look like a model from a video game just not loaded in yet with a limit of polygons on it,” Abigail Scherder (9) said.
“It’s kind of a joke,” Jonathan Purvis, art teacher, said. “I don’t know much about them besides their appearance.”
“I think they’re a waste of money and they’re kind of dumb looking,” Ben Ferlisi (9) said.
A lot of people aren’t huge fans of the Tesla Cybertruck, mostly for its looks. But what do you think?
