Tesla Cybertruck: Everything We Should Know
Here's all we know about the Tesla Cybertruck, including its release date, specifications, and accessories.
Friday, November 12, 2021 | Chimniii Desk
Key Highlights
- The Tesla Cybertruck is the automaker's interpretation of an all-electric pickup truck, and it is a one-of-a-kind vehicle.
- "Tesla will eventually produce the Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, and Tesla Semi at Gigafactory Texas, when it inevitably opens.
- Tesla's Cybertruck has been postponed until 2022.
- Tesla intends to debut a Cybertruck equipped with a new Full-Self Driving (FSD) computer next year.
- To reserve a seat in this forthcoming Tesla truck, all you have to do is visit Tesla's website, select a powertrain, and pay a $100 deposit to confirm your reservation.
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Tesla Cybertruck is the company's second major vehicle that is not part of the S, 3, X, or Y range. The line's first outlier was actually the Roadster. However, this outsider is a whole different animal. The Tesla Cybertruck is the automaker's interpretation of an all-electric pickup truck, and it is a one-of-a-kind vehicle.
Here's all we know about the Tesla Cybertruck, including its release date, specifications, and accessories.
What will the Tesla Cybertruck look like?
Elon Musk cautioned during his presentation that the design would be too divisive due to its futuristic Blade Runner-esque aesthetic, and while no one knew exactly what he meant, it's now evident that he wasn't kidding.
Cybertruck is built with an exterior shell made for ultimate durability and passenger protection. Starting with a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton, every component is designed for superior strength and endurance, from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structural skin to Tesla armor glass.
Last year, we were able to get a better look at the Cybertruck in public; here's the link:
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Known as the Cybertruck Vault, the Tesla Cybertruck accommodates six people and has a 6.5-foot bed. The top is covered, but it can be unrolled if something taller than the "vault" has to be stowed there.
Even if you've never driven a concept car before, you can clearly see how futuristic it looks in the images below. If you pre-ordered a Tesla truck, you're likely to get a very accurate representation of what the vehicle will look like when it's released.
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Notably, the Cybertruck is equipped with Tesla Armor Glass, which is designed to shield the windows from even the most ferocious of heavy object adversaries.
The glass broke during the unveiling. However, Elon stated that it was because the glass was broken prior to the presentation and was not the fault of the glass.
We now know where a significant portion of the influence for the Cybertruck originated, owing to newly filed design patents.
Where is Cybertruck going to be built?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk initially tweeted in March 2020 that Tesla had begun researching areas for Cybertruck manufacturing and intended to produce the truck in "central USA."
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Texas Gigafactory
Tesla's next factory, announced in May 2020, would be built in Austin, Texas. Tesla formally won a tax credit for the new Gigafactory in Austin the following July.
Tesla initially referred to the factory as the Cybertruck Gigafactory, but we later learned that Tesla intends to begin production there with the Model Y. Later that year, the automaker called it "Gigafactory Texas."
Tesla will eventually produce the Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, and Tesla Semi at Gigafactory Texas, when it inevitably opens.
According to a recent drone flyover video, Giga Texas appears to be well on its way to operating soon.
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Pic: Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas as of July 2021
Other Cybertruck manufacturing locations
Consider a smaller Cybertruck that is more suited to non-US markets. Then you should know that Elon has also stated that a smaller Cybertruck for Europe is "very likely."
Obviously, that model would not be constructed in Texas alongside the full-sized model. If a smaller Cybertruck does appear, it will almost certainly be constructed in Tesla's second under-construction factory, Giga Berlin.
Tesla has already begun accepting reservations for the Cybertruck in China, and given the firm's broader push for localised manufacturing, it is possible that the business will manufacture future Cybertruck inventory there as well. However, it is unknown whether there will be demand.
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Cost: What will the Tesla Cybertruck cost?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said at the Los Angeles event that the new Cybertruck will start at $39,900 before incentives, but will also be available in two additional AWD configurations starting at $49,900 and $69,900, respectively.
Additionally, Tesla has began rolling out a beta version of its Full Self-Driving capabilities, dubbed v10. Customers of Cybertruck can now upgrade to the FSD capability for an extra $10,000.
According to sources, the twin motor and tri-motor models are the most popular pre-orders. Only about 17% of pre-orders are for the single-motor version, which is scheduled to be available initially.
Tesla has deleted all pricing and specifications for the Cybertruck from its website, so the costs indicated above are subject to change.
If you're interested in purchasing a Tesla prior to the Cybertruck's delivery date, have a look at our Tesla price guide.
Would you prefer to lease a Tesla? Additionally, we have a handbook covering all you need to know.
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When will the Tesla Cybertruck be available for purchase?
Cybertruck was originally scheduled to be released in late 2021 for the dual-motor AWD configuration. The single-motor version of the vehicle will be available in late 2022.
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, initially stated that the company had received 250,000 pre-orders within a week of the announcement.
Following that, it was estimated that 500,000 Cybertrucks were pre-ordered:
The company hasn’t updated the number in months, but Cybertruck reservation holders at Cybertruckownersclub.com have been keeping a tally of pre-orders, and based on their estimate, Cybertruck reservations have now reached over 500,000.
By May 2021, reservations had crossed one million and were continuing to climb as deliveries were less likely to begin before the end of the year.
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that the business would introduce an improved version of the Cybertruck in the second quarter of 2021 once production ramped up. Musk also stated that the truck will be manufactured at the Gigafactory Texas, which is currently under construction.
As is sometimes the case, the Cybertruck's original quoted dates did not materialise. Musk previously stated that Tesla must be 'fortuitous' in order for the electric pickup to remain on schedule.
After months of conjecture and widespread expectation that the Cybertruck will really be delayed, we now have confirmation from Tesla themselves. Tesla's Cybertruck has been postponed until 2022. While no firm timeframe has been established, all three EV variants have been delayed until next year.
Simultaneously, Tesla's priority remains on delivering the Cybertruck's dual and tri motor variants to consumers first.
Recently, Alpha prototypes of the Cybertruck have been discovered, and Tesla announced during its third-quarter results call that the Cybertruck will be delivered by late 2022.
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What is the range of Tesla Cybertruck?
Tesla Cybertruck will be offered in three configurations with varying battery packs and drivetrains:
The RWD version with a single motor will have a range of 250+ miles. A dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) version will reach a range of more than 300 miles, while a tri-motor AWD version will reach a range of more than 500 miles.
Tesla has filed a patent for its Cybertruck UI system, and all of the sample photographs depict an available range of 610 miles, implying that the EV's range might be significantly more. Although Tesla has not verified this, it is plausible to imagine it is possible with the trimotor option.
Additionally,
Along with "somewhat" shatterproof glass, Cybertruck features an outer exoskeleton made of stainless steel.
Cybertruck is built with an exterior shell made for ultimate durability and passenger protection. Starting with a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton, every component is designed for superior strength and endurance, from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structural skin to Tesla armor glass.
| Powertrain | Single Motor RWD | Dual Motor AWD | Tri Motor AWD |
| Est. Range | 250+ miles | 300+ miles | 500+ miles |
| Towing | 7500+ lbs | 10,000+ lbs | 14,000 lbs |
| 0-60 mph | <6.5 seconds | <4.5 seconds | <2.9 seconds |
Additionally, the Cybertruck will accommodate six passengers, contain additional storage beneath the second row seats, and include a 17-inch touchscreen.
Outside the truck, Cybertruck will feature 100 cubic feet of secure outside storage, as well as onboard power and compressed air for activities such as camping. The Tesla can be raised or lowered by four inches and will have a payload capability of 3,500 pounds.
We learnt how the Cybertruck's door handles (or lack thereof) will function in July 2021. When the EV was first announced, Elon Musk said that the exterior would be redesigned, including the elimination of the door handles, however how this would be accomplished was never made apparent.
We do not yet know whether the Cybertruck will sense your approach and automatically open the door for you.
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Will Cybertruck be fully self-driving?
That appears to be the case? We reported in August 2021 that Tesla intends to debut a Cybertruck equipped with a new Full-Self Driving (FSD) computer next year. This is believed to be an updated version of the present "Hardware 4" or "FSD Computer 2" system.
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Accessories for Tesla Cybertruck
While no attachments are officially available for purchase, there has been considerable conjecture regarding potential ways to expand the Cybertruck's utility.
Musk has stated that the Cyberquad, an electric all-terrain vehicle, will be available as an option when the truck is released. We discovered in November 2020 that a camper configuration will be available as well.
In May, a user interface patent revealed photographs of the camping unit similar to the one below, as well as how the Cybertruck interface will appear while towing. Additionally, a third-party illustration of a possible pop-up camper drew orders totaling $50 million... and it does not yet exist.
A special trailer for the Cybertruck has been rumoured for a long time but has never been revealed. According to the images in the patent filing, a towing trailer may also become an early accessory when the Tesla begins deliveries.
Musk has also proposed the possibility of adding solar panels to the roof, which would charge the vehicle at a rate of up to 15 miles per day. That would cover the cost of a commute to work for many commuters. This solar alternative resurfaced in May, when Tesla filed a patent for a retractable solar bed cover.
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How to Purchase a Tesla Cybertruck
If you've read this far and are still interested in purchasing a Cybertruck for yourself, the current method is straightforward! However, this may take some time.
To reserve a seat in this forthcoming Tesla truck, all you have to do is visit Tesla's website, select a powertrain, and pay a $100 deposit to confirm your reservation.
Bear in mind, though, that there are already more than 1 million individuals in queue ahead of you. Having said that, a fully refundable $100 deposit is not prohibitively expensive for the majority of individuals.
Thus, when their number is finally called, many of them will opt out of paying the additional $40,000-$70,000 required to finalise their purchase.
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