About 20 years ago, hybrids began to arrive on the automotive scene, bringing with them the promise of environmentally friendly gas-sipping designs. A segment of the US population embraced these vehicles immediately, but many were skeptical of their mechanically complicated designs and marginal benefits compared to high-efficiency combustion-only vehicles.
Was our collective stubbornness to blame for the lukewarm embrace of hybrid technology? Maybe partially, but this technology never offered enough incentive for many consumers to switch over. Perhaps people could sense that it was more of a stopgap before something better: fully electric cars with performance ability that competes with combustion models.
Tesla Motors now offers that competition, producing a collection of electric vehicles that are both practical and beautifully designed. With their radically styled Cybertruck, the manufacturer hopes to bring those same qualities to the truck market. The Cybertruck resembles a first-generation Honda Ridgeline crossed with a Pontiac Aztek, with some DMC Delorean thrown in for good measure.
For a clue as to its inspiration, go back and watch the 1982 film Blade Runner, which takes place in November 2019, the same month the Cybertruck was announced. You can debate the Cybertruck's beauty, but you can't deny its uniqueness.
Cybertruck Stats
Looks aside, this truck takes aim at the ubiquitous Ford F-150; one recently released video shows the Tesla towing a Ford— but more on that later. The Cybertruck comes in three styles:
- Single Motor RWD
- Dual Motor AWD
- Tri Motor AWD
All models include 100 cubic feet of lockable storage, a 6.5-foot bed, adaptive suspension, and standard autopilot. They also have seating for six via two bench seats. Where the models vary is in their power and range:
|
|
0-60mph |
Range |
Towing Capacity |
Drivetrain |
|
Single Motor |
<6.5 sec |
250+ mi |
7,500 lbs |
RWD |
|
Dual Motor |
<4.5 sec |
300+ mi |
10,000 lbs |
AWD dual motor |
|
Tri Motor |
<2.9 sec |
500+ mi |
14,000 lbs |
AWD tri motor |
The 250+ mile range on the Single Motor model can handle most commutes, but the 500+ mile range on the Tri Motor truck means you can take a nearly all-day trip without stopping off at a Supercharger. This impressive range practically eliminates one of combustion-based vehicles' primary advantages over electric vehicles: the ability to stop at any gas station to refill their tanks in minutes.
Tesla Range Anxiety
This range limitation—while largely eliminated for the Tri Motor version― could be an argument for hybrids or plug-in hybrids. And remembering to plug your car in every night can be a big adjustment for most truck drivers. Will Tesla will present an inductive wireless charging option at some point, a technology that others have already been exploring?
Cybertruck Features
The chart above adequately describes the Cybertruck's core features compared to a traditional truck, but this vehicle has so much more to offer:
1. Adjustable suspension. The suspension system automatically compensates for changing loads to keep the truck level and allows it to "kneel" for easy loading. There's also an extendable ramp to make loading and unloading even simpler.
2. More power. Since the adjustable suspension requires compressed air for this suspension system to work, Tesla allows users to tap into that feature to power pneumatic tools. Not only that, but the truck comes with the capability to power electric equipment, with ports for 110VAC and 240VAC output.
3. Superior protection. The sides of this beast are made from 3mm-thick stainless steel, which can be stamped like conventional auto body parts. Reportedly, this material can shield the driver from 9mm shells and take an impact from a sledgehammer with minimal damage. The windows supposedly tough, though it seems no window is completely unbreakable.
4. Cyberquad. Tesla also developed one very attractive optional add-on: the "Cyberquad." This electric four-wheeler can drive directly onto the bed and plugs into the "mothership" to charge.
5. Solar panels. Musk revealed that the Cybertruck will have a solar panel option to generate around 15 miles worth of charge per day. If you don't put many miles on your truck, you may rarely need to plug it in. And if you run out of "gas," just sit in the sun for a while—okay, a long while—to get it going again.
Tesla Cybertruck Specs
As new and innovative as the Cybertruck may be, it still builds on the technologies of other Tesla vehicles. You'll need advanced batteries, like the current packs based on the 21700 form-factor cells. You'll also need an array of advanced technologies to keep the motor or motors outputting enough power to the road. The truck uses RADAR, sonar, and visual sensors, along with a healthy amount of computing power, to sense data about its surroundings. This technology allows the Cybertruck to drive itself in limited circumstances today and could potentially be used for fully self-driving vehicles in the future.
Coming Soon – Cybertruck Release
The Cybertruck's capabilities look fantastic and could put a significant dent in the F-150's dominance. As for the truck's futuristic looks, they'll appeal to some and take a little getting used to for others. With more than a year to go before production begins, who knows what the competition will look like. If you're already sold on the Cybertruck, you can buy one today for a refundable down payment of $100, though you'll have to wait until late 2021 to get behind the wheel.