Tesla Cybertruck with 2m+ reservations is delayed to 2023 [Update]

Update: ‘Tesla Cybertruck design’ section, ‘Color options’ topic of ‘Changes expected on the Cybertruck production model’ sub-section of ‘Tesla Cybertruck design,’ ‘Air suspension’ topic of ‘Chassis systems’ sub-section of ‘Specifications,’ and ‘Tesla Cybertruck reservations’ and ‘Release date’ sections updated.

Introduced in November 2019, the Tesla Cybertruck has long been one of the most anticipated models among pickup trucks and EVs in the U.S. for over three years. The off-beat electric pickup truck has attracted potential customers in the millions, and after prolonged delays, is finally set to go on sale in the coming months.

Tesla Cybertruck design

The Tesla Cybertruck features a polarizing design that has remained one of its most debated aspects since day one. Though Tesla has suggested revising the wedge-shaped pickup’s design for production, we doubt it plans to make significant changes. In a Ride the Lightning podcast uploaded on YouTube on January 15, 2023, Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen suggested that the general design and styling of the Cybertruck has been concluded, for the most part.

Almost everyone in the Tesla design studio found the Cybertruck’s design too weird and even hated it, von Holzhausen told Walter Isaacson for his Elon Musk biography, Insider reported on September 11, 2023. Some went even so far as to start a covert alternative design project. However, undeterred by the widespread unpopularity, Musk insisted on the unique design for the final vehicle.

Setting a new benchmark for quirky pickup design, the Cybertruck is not as unique as most think. USPTO design patent application shows similarities to several classic and early 2000s models. Tesla has cited designs of classic sports cars, a funky off-roader, and even an aerodynamic pickup bed cover look in the Cybertruck’s design patent application, as per a report from Electrek.co.

Build Quality

The Cybertruck needs many improvements and fixes to become ready for launch, and these revisions will take some more time. There are many imperfections in the design at this stage. A significant amount of panel gaps, some misaligned panels, damaged parts, and glued-on parts on the prototype indicated that there’s a lot the work ahead for the quality department. The company wouldn’t want another one of its products to have inconsistencies or imperfections in customer delivery units.

DIY scratch removal

In the Ride the Lightning podcast, von Holzhausen was asked about the Cybertruck’s stainless steel body. Since the material is prone to scratches, the host asked Franz if the owners could do something about it. To this, Tesla’s Chief Designer told the host that the Cybertruck’s stainless steel exterior is really tough and is coated with a ‘self-curing’ finish. If there’s a scratch, Franz pointed out that owners should be able to work on it themselves and return that section to its original finish.

Tesla’s own stainless steel grade

Tesla has developed its own stainless-steel grade for the Cybertruck’s exterior, Lars Moravy, VP – Vehicle Engineering, revealed during the company’s Q3 2021 earnings conference call on September 30, 2021. The company has begun the first casting-ins of the custom special stainless-steel, and it’ll work with suppliers and vendors to ensure that it gets enough of it, and on time.

We developed our own stainless-steel grade for the exterior of Cybertruck to meet both the durability and corrosion requirements required for an automotive world.

Lars Moravy, VP – Vehicle Engineering, Tesla (Q3 2021 results conference call on September 30, 2021)

Critics have argued about the occupant safety of the Cybertruck because of its steel frame. On September 7, 2023, Cybertruck Owners Club forum user Old Spice shared a clip of a Cybertruck that seemed to have undergone a “ditch rollover” test. It didn’t appear to have major damage that could prove fatal for occupants. While the roof had crumbled, the windows had shattered, and body panels were misaligned, everything else looked alright. The interior looked almost entirely unaffected by the impact, though only a proper crash test can verify the results.

Changes expected on the Cybertruck production model

In an interview with Tesla Owners Silicon Valley and The Kilowatts (watch on YouTube) in June 2022, Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk revealed that Tesla has finally “locked” the Cybertruck’s design. Based on the units we have seen on various occasions, below are the changes we are expecting in the final version:

New and rearranged lights

Tesla has repositioned the headlights from the top to the bottom of the front-end. Moreover, the company has used separate headlights instead of a full-width light strip. Tesla appeared to have redesigned the nose section and the bumper to comply with pedestrian safety regulations. As a result, the new face looked slightly curvy. On the latest prototypes, the front bumper has integrated mud flaps.

The Cybertruck concept features separate marker lights in the lower front fascia. On May 16, 2023, Tesla brought a pre-production unit of the Cybertruck to its annual shareholder meeting, which it conducted in Gigafactory Texas. YouTube channel Farzad Mesbahi has shared a video of this unit, showing the model’s marker lights at the corners of the front fascia:

Video Source: YouTube/Farzad Mesbahi

The latest Cybertruck prototype has two horizontal LED light bars right above the front bumper, one on each side. The marker lights have been neatly integrated into both units and have been positioned on the outer ends.

New wheels

Tesla may offer the Cybertruck with 2-3 new wheels designs. On July 31, 2023, X (formerly Twitter) user DimaZeniuk revealed a test mule with new wheel covers featuring a black finish and a cut-out in the center forming a star shape.

Wiper

The original Cybertruck Tesla unveiled in 2019 didn’t have windshield wipers, but the production Cybertruck the company revealed on July 15, 2023 (via X) did have one. You read it right, the production Cybertruck has just one windshield wiper. Tesla has deployed a large windshield wiper, with a slight angle, that rests near the left A-pillar.

Video Source: YouTube/Brad Sloan

YouTuber Brad Sloan has shared a video to show how the large windshield wiper of the Cybertruck works. At 13:42 in the video, we can see the part kicking into action, sweeping the windshield from right to left. It cleans up the entire section of the glass on the driver’s side, and on the passenger side, it can cover almost the whole area. In total, more than 80% of the windshield seems to be within reach.

Conventional mirrors

Unlike the concept, the production Cybertruck will feature regular glass-based mirrors. On August 23, 2023, Musk shared a picture of a production candidate Cybertruck with triangular side mirrors, which, although consistent with the truck’s design, had a noticeably distinct look.

No door handles

Another big change in the Tesla truck’s profile as it evolves into a production vehicle is the removal of flush door handles. Tesla has probably integrated a touch-operated door open/close button on the small rectangular section in the B-pillars and C-pillars. Plus, there should be sensors that detect the user approaching the vehicle with its key and automatically unlock the doors.

You can see some of the changes we’ve made already. There are no handles. Who needs handles? The car can tell that you’re there and it just knows that (it) needs to open. So, I think we’re gonna have an incredible Cybertruck product for you next year. It’s gonna blow your mind.

Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO, Tesla (Tesla Cyber Rodeo on April 7, 2022)

Glass roof & tonneau cover

On February 25, 2023, YouTube channel What’s Inside? posted a clip of the Cybertruck being driven around what looked like a parking area, via X. This particular unit had two features never seen before – a glass roof and tonneau cover.

Pickup trucks are getting fancier in the EV era, adopting all the comfort features that one would associate with passenger cars. The Rivian R1T and Chevrolet Silverado EV come with a glass roof, and it looks like the Cybertruck, too, will be optionally available with this feature.

Relocated charging port

The charging port on the production Cybertruck will likely be accessible through the rear left fender flare, not from behind it like on the concept. The flap securing the port should softly open on pushing it, and once it’s fully open, a Cybertruck logo located above the port should light up.

The location of the charging port doesn’t look all that convenient, especially for tall people, as they may need to work their back to plug in the charger. Being very close to the wheel, keeping it clean could be difficult, especially during off-road adventures.

On September 6, 2023, YouTube channel Tesla Uber Guy shared a clip of a test mule labeled “RC_Build Engineering Prototype,” possibly a release candidate, in Las Vegas. This example also had a charging port in the same location. The video presents a look at how the lid cut out from the wheel arch cladding looks when open for plugging the charging cable into the port, and we can see a tow hitch fitted to the pickup truck as well.

Video Source: YouTube/Tesla Uber Guy

Minor changes around the bed

The production Cybertruck’s cargo bed features an additional cut-out near the cab, which suggests that it could serve as an access point for servicing the truck’s components. While there is no indication of a mid-gate, it is possible that this particular configuration is designed without it, while other configurations may offer it as an option. Unlike the concept version, it probably features a small latch on the tailgate to open it. Lastly, the button layout on the sidewall seems slightly different.

A patent publication (via X and InsideEVs.com) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published on June 22, 2023, suggests the Cybertruck shipped to customers will feature a remote tailgate open/close function. Customers will be able to open the tailgate conveniently using the EV’s key fob or the Tesla smartphone app.

Color options

On December 1, 2022, CNBC published an interview with von Holzhausen, revealing details about the Cybertruck’s exterior. von Holzhausen said Tesla wanted to offer toughness right from the outside, the very first layer of the vehicle. That is why it will use stainless steel instead of delicate paint. Admittedly, it is tough to form, especially when used in a thick application, so you can’t design a vehicle with curves and fluidic body lines. That’s the reason the Cybertruck has so many straight lines and looks simplistic.

Manufacturing a vehicle in one standard color, or even better, without any paint, can reduce production costs and complexity while helping the environment. Customers who still want color on their Cybertruck customers might need to apply a wrap before painting it because of the exposed stainless steel, it was thought.

New job postings (see on Tesla Careers) indicate that Tesla has altered its course and may launch the Cybertruck with color options. The company is hiring several engineers, a manager, and a supervisor related to the Cybertruck’s paintwork at its production.

Tesla may offer a scratch-protection option for the Cybertruck to help customers keep its body unblemished. The company might use tungsten carbide coating that makes the Cybertruck scratch-proof against car keys and everything else that’s not as strong as diamond, Musk said in a post on X on September 13, 2023.

Interior

The Tesla Cybertruck has a minimalist interior designed on the same lines as the Teslas that are currently on sale. It is a highly digital cabin with nearly every function operated through an exceptionally big touchscreen infotainment system. There’s space for five occupants, which is usually the case in most electric pickup trucks.

Tesla is changing the Cybertruck’s interior a little before bringing it to the market based on customer feedback and internal research. That’s because the model it unveiled in 2019 was just a concept, plus it may have learned about many new customer preferences based on that show model’s feedback since then.

Digital instrument cluster

The prototype brought to the Tesla Megapack project launch in Moss Landing, California, on June 6, 2022, featured a sleek and sharp instrument cluster, which was lacking in the concept version. Moreover, the finished Cybertruck delivered to customers may have two additional screens on the outer ends of the dashboard for streaming the live feed from the side cameras.

The prototype flown to the Tesla Megapack project launch in Moss Landing featured a large central display, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, chunky metal petals, and a utilitarian floor console as well. KSBW8 has carried pictures of the interior on its website. The prototype at the 2023 Investor Day (via X) had electrically adjustable front seats, foldable rear seats, and cabin floor ambient lighting.

Steering options

A highlight of the Cybertruck’s interior is the yoke or, as some say, the ‘open-topped’ steering wheel. The Model S became Tesla’s first production model available with this futuristic design element in 2021. While it has drawn flak, Musk has indicated that the company will go ahead and use it in the Cybertruck as well. Even the Model X received the feature in 2021.

In the Ride the Lightning podcast, von Holzhausen stated that a yoke made for a better user experience in the Cybertruck than a traditional steering wheel. It will also adapt to the brand’s ‘Auto Pilot’ driver-assistance system better, the Chief Designer pointed out.

In an X post on September 9, 2021, Musk said the traditional steering wheel is boring and blocks the instrument cluster. He said that full self-driving in panoramic mode looks much better with a yoke than a round steering wheel. On November 30, 2021, when X user ZainS180 asked Musk to confirm the yoke for the Cybertruck, he said (via X) the “Cybertruck is intentionally an insane technology bandwagon.” Musk also promoted the yoke as technology from “a post-apocalyptic future.”

Fast-forward to March 1, 2023, Tesla showcased a Cybertruck prototype with normal steering, well, almost a normal one, at the 2023 Investor Day (via X). The squircle gets two spokes and a flattened bottom and top. Clearer pictures surfaced online recently (view on Cybertruck Owners Club forum), revealing additional details. It has capacitive touch controls for operations like switching on/off turn signals, picking up phone calls, powering on/off high-beam headlights, starting/stopping wiper—there’ll only be one, giving voice commands, etc. One of these images also indicates the EV has metal pedal caps.

On May 17, 2023, Tesla teased yet another new steering for the Cybertruck. At the 57-second mark in a video titled Tesla Bot Update on YouTube, the company showed a Cybertruck with what looked like normal, round steering. Most customers may prefer a steering wheel over a squircle or yoke.

Swiveling screen

One of the drawbacks of the tablet-style large touchscreen infotainment systems found in the new Tesla models is that they’re not tilted towards the driver like the dashboard-integrated, conventional central displays in BMWs and Audis. Tesla has finally come up with a solution to fix that. The company has started offering a swivel function on the screens of the Model S (view on X) and reportedly even the Model X. It takes just a touch inside one of the menus to tilt the panel towards the driver. The Cybertruck may also feature a central display with a swiveling function that conveniently lets the driver tilt it toward them.

Ambient lighting

On August 23, 2023, Reddit user ThrowAwayBarista69 offered a sneak peek into the interior of the Cybertruck. It seemed to have a squircle steering and a large central display, both of which have been spotted on numerous occasions. However, it was missing the digital instrument cluster.

The interesting observation during this sighting was the use of an ambient lighting system. Thin light strips placed high up on the dashboard and door panels lit orange in this Cybertruck prototype. It’s safe to assume that customers will be able to change the color from multiple options using the large touchscreen infotainment system.

New audio player

According to a report Not a Tesla App published on December 31, 2022, Tesla has rebuilt some sections of its audio player using HTML, Javascript, and CSS, indicating it may allow streaming audio from Amazon Music, Pandora, and more audio streaming services that have web apps for the same. Tesla is reportedly moving to an HTML-based player, which could pave the way for quicker updates that include new features and bug fixes. The Cybertruck could be the first all-new Tesla to get the revised audio player.

New Full Self-Driving

The Tesla Cybertruck will be the company’s first model available with Full Self Driving Hardware 4, Musk confirmed during Tesla’s Q4 and full year 2022 earnings conference call. He indicated that FSD Hardware 4 will be significantly better than FSD Hardware 3, saying if the latter can be, for example, 200% or 300% safer than a human driver, the former might be 500% or 600% better.

On August 27, 2022, X user WholeMarsBlog posted a picture of a prototype snapped while being unloaded onto a street for testing. It carried several sensors that could be for Autopilot features. Like every other Tesla sold in the U.S., the Cybertruck may use the company’s camera-based Tesla Vision instead of radar.

Specifications

Size

In a post on X on March 10, 2023, Donegan-Ryan claimed the Cybertruck with 35 in. tires is 231 in. long and 84 in. wide and has a 145 in. wheelbase. Its cargo bed is 73 in. long and 49 in. (at wheelhouse)/57 in. (at opening) wide.

On March 13, 2023, Donegan-Ryan said in an X post that the Cybertruck’s hood opens up along with the front light bar and nose section, just like on the F-150 Lightning. On August 4, 2023, TikTok user randomness2646 shared an eight-second clip showing 4-5 units of the Cybertruck. At the start of this clip, we can clearly see the Cybertrunk frunk is noticeably smaller than the F-150 Lightning frunk. It seems to be about just as wide and tall, but it’s certainly not as long, meaning it doesn’t run as deep.

During the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Musk said that the company had made the production version around 3% smaller. The smaller size should make it more practical for real-world driving environments. During Tesla’s Q2 2023 earnings conference call on July 19, 2023, Musk said the Cybertruck is the first four-door truck that has a six-foot bed and can fit into a 20-foot garage. The same day, in its Q2 2023 Shareholder Deck (quarterly report), the company stated that the Cybertruck is a sub-19 ft. pickup truck.

On March 10, 2023, Donegan-Ryan, who attended Tesla’s Investor Day 2023 event, said on X that the beta version of the Cybertruck is 5% smaller than the prototype and also that the company had to exclude the front-row center seat because of that. He also said that all the variants of the Cybertruck will have a seating capacity of five people. Tesla may have removed the sixth seat owing to safety concerns. For example, the company may find fitting an airbag for the front-center passenger to be tricky.

In a follow-up post, Donegan-Ryan said that the Cybertruck will be available with 18-inch wheels (via X) wrapped in Goodyear 285/65 R18 all-terrain tires or 35 in. x 11.25 in. all-terrain tires (via X). 18-inch wheels will be available with all-season tires as well.

Dimension	Measurement
Length	231 in.
Width (w/o mirrors)	84 in.
Wheelbase	145 in.
Bed Length	73 in.
Bed Width (at wheel house/opening)	49 in./57 in.

Performance

Originally, the Cybertruck was confirmed to be launched in single-motor RWD, dual-motor AWD, and tri-motor AWD variants. During Tesla’s 2022 annual shareholder meeting on August 4, 2022, Musk revealed that the specs and pricing will be different from the 2019 announcement. By this time, it had already come to light informally that Tesla has planned a new, quad-motor variant.

Whole Mars Catalog said in a post on X in December 2021 that a new quad-motor variant will join the range, while the single-motor variant is under consideration for cancellation. Musk said in response to the speculation on X that Tesla will produce a quad-motor Cybertruck first, confirming the new top-end variant.

Musk said that the Tesla Cybertruck quad-motor will feature independent motors that provide “ultra-fast response” and allow controlling the torque that goes to each wheel. It could be quicker than the tri-motor Cybertruck, which Tesla claimed will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2.9 seconds. The towing capacity could also be better than the tri-motor variant’s 14,000+ lbs.

As for the single-motor variant, there’s again a rumor that Tesla has canceled its launch. After having discussions with Tesla staff, Donegan-Ryan said in a post on X on March 10, 2023, that “there will be no single-motor (Cybertruck).”

Range & 4680 cell

In 2019, Tesla had said that the Cybertruck will deliver a range of 250+ miles, 300+ miles, and 500+ miles in the single-motor RWD, dual-motor AWD, and tri-motor AWD variants, respectively. Though it has since decided to change the specifications, we are certain that at least one variant will deliver a range of more than 500 miles.

According to Tesla analyst Troy Teslike (via X), the Cybertruck should deliver a range of 259 miles with a 120 kWh battery pack in a Standard Range version and 345 miles with a 160 kWh battery pack in a Long Range version. Tesla has confirmed neither the final variants nor the final battery pack capacities, let alone the EPA-est. range figures.

On April 5, 2023, Tesla released its Master Plan Part 3 (pdf), detailing the battery pack details of its upcoming models, including the Cybertruck. The company confirmed the chemistry of the cells would be nickel-rich. Much to our surprise, it revealed an energy storage capacity of just 100 kWh, which might not be enough to deliver a range of 500+ miles, despite the truck’s highly aerodynamic design and all expected weight-reduction measures.

Perhaps Tesla plans to launch the Cybertruck in a standard-range variant, and one or more extended-range variants with a bigger battery at a later stage, as in the Semi‘s case. On July 15, 2023, citing three undisclosed sources, X user BeardedTesla said that Tesla will only offer a 350-mile variant of the Cybertruck initially.

The key to achieving 500+ miles will be batteries made of a new cell type. Called 4680 based on its dimensions – 80 mm length and ~46 mm diameter – this cell can deliver 5X energy, 6X power, and 16% more range, compared to the older cell. Andrew Baglino, Senior Vice President, Powertrain and Energy Engineering, Tesla, revealed these improvements at the Tesla Battery Day event in September 2020.

Tesla started using 4680 cells in the Model Y in 2022. During its Q2 2023 earnings conference call, it revealed that the 4680 cells used in the Cybertruck will offer 10% additional energy density improvement. The company was able to increase the energy density through process and mechanical design optimization.

Battery pack production

On October 19, 2022, Teslarati reported that Tesla will build battery packs for the Cybertruck on a new production line on the second floor of its factory at 45500 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont (California).

Tesla V4 Supercharging

The Cybertruck will be compatible with the Tesla V4 Supercharger (also referred to as Tesla Megacharger), the next generation of Tesla’s charging technology.

The cable of the Tesla V4 Supercharger will be maneuverable like that of the Tesla V3 Supercharger, Dan Priestley, Tesla Semi Program Manager, said during the Semi delivery event on December 1, 2022. The new charging cable will have high-voltage conductors immersed in coolant return tubes.

The only difference in the Tesla V4 Supercharger’s performance — and it’ll be a big one — will be a peak charging rate of 1 megawatt, which is four times the rate of the V3 (250 kilowatts).

Musk revealed during the Semi delivery event that the Cybertruck will be able to take benefit of the Tesla V4 Supercharger. However, the maximum capacity will be utilized by heavy-duty models like the Semi, not the Cybertruck. Still, the Cybertruck’s peak charging input could be much higher than that of the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X (250 kW), so it may charge much quicker.

800-volt system voltage

To support high-power charging at Tesla V4 Supercharging stations, the Cybertruck will need a much higher operating voltage than most Teslas. Tesla is usually quick to adopt new technologies, and the latest example is the structural battery pack in the Model Y. For the Cybertruck it is considering an 800V electrical system instead of the usual 400V. Baglino revealed this development during the Q1 2022 earnings conference call on April 20, 2022.

An 800-volt system voltage would make sense on a big vehicle like the Cybertruck, where there’s a requirement for higher charging power (to charge faster), or higher power from the battery to the power electronics, or more torque, Baglino explained. Plus, the higher system voltage allows reducing the weight and installation space of the cabling.

V2V charging

In a coloring book for kids (via X), Tesla has said that the “Cybertruck has enough battery power to charge a Tesla.” This indicates that Cybertruck will feature vehicle-to-vehicle charging, letting customers rescue EVs with low or fully-depleted charging in remote locations.

Chassis systems

Air suspension

The Cybertruck features an adjustable air suspension that allows lowering the truck when needed. For example, when customers want to load cargo on the bed, they can make it easier by reducing the height. Tesla calls this the ‘Load’ mode. The company demonstrated the Cybertruck’s Load mode by mounting a Cyberquad. Just to give you an idea of the Cybertruck’s cargo bed area, a picture on Driver Tesla Canada’s X account has suggested there’s enough space to accommodate eight big off-road tires stacked vertically.

On March 10, 2023, Donegan-Ryan said on X that the Cybertruck will ship with an air suspension system tested for off-road driving/racing as standard. Tesla is confident that the electric truck would face no trouble if jumped. The air suspension allows increasing ground clearance when needed. This feature would be useful when driving over large bumps, on a steep driveway or ramp, or in deep snow or water. Off-road adventurers particularly would find it very useful.

Video Source: YouTube/Jeff Roberts

The video above, courtesy of YouTube channel Jeff Roberts, shows (at the 10:33 mark) two Cybertrucks pulling up to a charging station. Once parked, we can clearly see how the difference in ride height.

Cybertruck Owners Club forum user Trucky has posted a walkaround video showing the Cybertruck with the suspension raised to the maximum level, and the increase in the ground clearance looks truly impressive. The same forum user earlier shared a video on Cybertruck Owners Club forum showing the Cybertruck being driven with the suspension raised at what looked like the highest level, too.

Rear-axle steering & prototypes

Moravy shared a few Cybertruck updates during the company’s Q2 2021 earnings conference call. He said that the company has completed developing the architecture of electric pickup. “With the Cybertruck, we’re redefining how a vehicle is being made,” he said.

The Cybertruck is gaining rear-axle steering as part of these revisions, Moravy suggested. Recent prototype sightings just months ahead of launch indicate this feature is indeed coming.

Video Source: YouTube/Cybertruck Owners Club

On March 28, 2023, The Kilowatts shared a video showing the Cybertruck’s rear-axle steering in action on X. Tesla shareholder Matthew Donegan-Ryan reposted the clip on X, to which Musk responded (via X) that the Cybertruck’s turning radius could be shorter than that of the Model Y. That’d ensure the Cybertruck offers good maneuverability and is easy to drive in urban areas despite its large dimensions.

Rear-axle steering is now emerging as a common feature among premium and luxury vehicles. We can see the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction as the front wheels while reversing to reduce the turning circle. At high speeds, they should turn in the same direction as the front wheels and provide added stability.

Tesla Cybertruck accessories

Tesla has put up a team to develop Cybertruck accessories, Donegan-Ryan said in a post on X on March 10, 2023. It has collaborated with aftermarket companies to create special accessories like off-road lights and winches that benefit from the Cybertruck’s 48-volt auxiliary battery for electronics. The company is designing accessories for multiple purposes, including camping, off-roading, Baja racing, etc., Donegan-Ryan said in a follow-up post on X the same day.

On May 9, 2023, at the groundbreaking ceremony of its in-house lithium refinery in the greater area Corpus Christi of Texas, Tesla showcased a Cybertruck prototype equipped with a black tool rack. This tool rack appeared to have been designed such that it can serve even as a roof rack. Tesla didn’t say whether it will offer this tool rack as an accessory, but if it does, customers will likely find it useful to hang their worksite tools on its sides and to mount a roof box, bike (on a bike rack), or a tent on it.

Video Source: YouTube/Tesla

Production

Tesla manufactures the Cybertruck at the Giga Texas plant in Austin (Texas), USA. X user MatthewDR has long been following developments and claims Tesla has built 100 units of the electric pickup truck.

The Giga Texas factory has an annual production capacity of 250,000+ vehicles, so it may need a capacity expansion upgrade to reach the expected volume. According to a report Electrek released on June 8, 2023, Tesla plans to manufacture 375,000 units of the Cybertruck, referred to as ‘Project Everest’ internally and among suppliers, annually. That’s a 50% higher volume than the official estimate.

On May 16, 2023, at Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting, Musk said there will be an S-curve of production, meaning the output will be slow initially and then ramp up. Speaking further, he said the company will probably manufacture 250,000 units annually, and maybe even 500,000 units, depending on the demand.

Giga castings

Like in the Model Y, the company may use single-piece front and rear castings in the Cybertruck. Giga castings can help automakers improve the NVH levels, reduce weight, increase driving range, and improve the safety of vehicles. In addition to making the vehicle better, they can also make manufacturing simpler and space-efficient.

In June 2023, new drone footage of Gigafactory Texas, courtesy of Joe Tegtmeyer (via X), suggested Tesla has begun stockpiling rear castings of the Cybertruck to prepare for low-volume production. At least 45 casted parts were seen, and if they’re indeed meant for the Cybertruck, it’d mean the upcoming electric pickup truck’s rear body consists of a big casting for the bottom portion of the bed and four additional parts for the sides, InsideEVs.com explained.

In a Munro Live episode on July 25, 2023, expert Cory Steuben said (via YouTube) that the Cybertruck may around 6,800 lbs., which would make it lighter than the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and Rivian R1T. Tesla’s electric pickup has a giga casting in the front and two giga castings in the rear, and it doesn’t have a frame like those rivals, Steuben explained.

During Tesla’s Q1 2022 earnings conference call, Musk said that vehicle bodies with single-piece castings are lighter and cheaper and provide superior NVH levels. The company plans to introduce another improvement and simplify manufacturing with the Cybertruck and future products, he added. The brand boss expects the Cybertruck to be Tesla’s “best product ever.”

Release date

According to X user spotted_model, Cybertruck deliveries will commence in September 2023. Tesla will conduct a delivery event in Austin and stream it online. At the same time or right after that event, Tesla service centers nationwide will simultaneously deliver 5-6 pickup trucks to local customers. The initial units will be in a high-end configuration. Tesla customers can get a plus-one invitation to the Cybertruck delivery event with 30,000 referral credits.

Multiple Cybertrucks have been spotted being transported on flatbed trucks from the Giga Texas plant recently. That, along with the other recent development that Tesla has rolled out 100 units, suggests that the aforementioned rumor of nationwide simultaneous deliveries at service centers is true.

Tesla engineers are still driving release candidates on public roads to fine-tune them. On September 17, 2023, X user showed a clip of a release candidate being charged through the 50,000th Tesla Supercharger, located in Roseville, California. On September 18, 2023, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited Tesla’s Fremont plant and Elon Musk treated him to a ride in the Cybertruck. Following the ride, Netanyahu appeared quite impressed, sporting a smile.

During Tesla’s Q2 2023 earnings conference call, Musk said the company will begin the Cybertruck’s deliveries this year but it will start making the electric pickup truck in high volume in 2024, meaning availability will be limited initially.

Price

Tesla removed the Cybertruck prices and the launch timelines from its website before the end of 2021. According to X user spotted_model, the Cybertruck’s prices at launch will start in the mid to high USD 70,000 region.

As we stated in the Specifications section, Musk revealed during the company’s 2022 annual shareholder meeting on August 4, 2022, that it won’t be able to launch the Cybertruck at the original prices (listed in the table below the quote). We think inflation and various issues have increased costs to an unanticipated level.

It was unveiled in 2019 and the reservation was USD 99. So, you know, the thing is a lot has changed since then. So, the specs and the pricing will be different. I, you know, hate to sort of give a little bit of bad news but I think there’s no way to sort of have anticipated quite the inflation that we’ve seen and the various issues.

Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO, Tesla (2022 annual shareholder meeting on August 4, 2022)

Variant	Original Price
Single-motor RWD	USD 39,900
Dual-motor AWD	USD 49,900
Tri-motor AWD	USD 69,900

Tesla Cybertruck reservations

The Tesla Cybertruck is available to reserve with a small deposit of USD 100, irrespective of the desired configuration. According to a crowd-sourced data tracker, Cybertruck reservations are estimated to have crossed two million units. Note that Tesla has not provided guidance on the actual numbers.

Many Cybertruck customers in the future could be Model 3 owners. Recently, Bloomberg conducted a survey of 5,000 Model owners and discovered nearly 75% of them plan to buy a new Tesla in 2024 or 2025. Digging deeper, Bloomberg learned that the Cybertruck was the top pick of the 51.8% of the respondents who said they plan to buy another Tesla in the next two years.

In an interview at the Future of the Car conference (watch on YouTube) on May 10, 2022, Musk said that Tesla “could possibly fulfill for three years after the start of production” given the current order book. While Musk indicated that the Cybertruck is sold-out from 2023 through 2025, he didn’t disclose the volume of reservations received.

TopElectricSUV says

The Cybertruck should be one of the most durable and capable pickup trucks on the market. Despite its polarizing design, it has drawn potential customers in the hundreds of thousands, which clearly shows people’s willingness to accept a radically new concept in the rather traditional vehicle category.

Tesla Cybertruck FAQs

Featured Image Source: X/elonmusk