Tesla Cybertruck: the Good, Bad and Ugly

While the Tesla Cybertruck has generated significant buzz and anticipation, it has also faced its share of challenges and criticisms. Here are the top 10 issues that have plagued the electric pickup truck:

1. Production Delays: The Cybertruck has experienced numerous production delays since its unveiling, frustrating potential customers and raising questions about Tesla’s ability to meet demand.
2. Design Polarization: The Cybertruck’s angular, futuristic design is polarizing. While some love its boldness, others find it impractical and aesthetically unappealing.
3. Visibility Concerns: The truck’s large size and unconventional shape have raised concerns about visibility, particularly the rear blind spot.
4. Ride Comfort: Early reports suggest that the Cybertruck’s ride might be stiffer than expected due to its focus on off-road capability, potentially impacting on-road comfort.
5. Interior Space: While the Cybertruck promises ample cargo space, some critics have questioned the practicality of the interior layout and passenger comfort.
6. Range Anxiety: Although Tesla has made significant strides in battery technology, range anxiety remains a concern for many potential electric vehicle buyers, including those considering the Cybertruck.
7. Charging Infrastructure: While Tesla’s Supercharger network is extensive, the overall charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, especially for large trucks, still needs improvement.
8. Price Point: The Cybertruck’s starting price is relatively high, which could limit its appeal to a broader market and face competition from other electric pickup trucks.
9. Competition: The electric pickup truck market is heating up with competitors like the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning, which could potentially impact the Cybertruck’s market share.
10. Unproven Technology: The Cybertruck incorporates several innovative features and technologies, but their real-world performance and reliability remain to be seen.

It’s important to note that Tesla has addressed some of these issues through updates and refinements. But, here we will dive more deeply into the most significant issues.

Production Challenges

The initial production timeline was ambitious, and the company has encountered various setbacks, including:

• Stainless Steel Challenges: Working with stainless steel, a material known for its durability but also difficulty in shaping, has presented manufacturing hurdles.
• Supply Chain Issues: Global supply chain disruptions, particularly related to semiconductor shortages, have impacted production schedules for the automotive industry, including Tesla.
• Internal Bottlenecks: Tesla’s rapid growth and ambitious production targets have put immense pressure on its manufacturing capabilities, leading to delays across its product line.

These factors combined have resulted in multiple pushbacks of the Cybertruck’s production and delivery timeline, frustrating potential customers and creating uncertainty about the vehicle’s availability. Additionally, Tesla introduced several new technologies with the introduction of their new pickup, some of which have been challenging.

Tesla has a history of pushing the boundaries of automotive technology, and the Cybertruck is no exception. While some elements of its design are conventional, others represent uncharted territory. Here are some of the key unproven technologies incorporated into the Cybertruck:

1. Exoskeleton Design

• The Cybertruck’s stainless steel exoskeleton is a radical departure from traditional automotive body structures.

2. Adaptive Air Suspension

• While adaptive air suspension is not entirely new, its implementation in a vehicle with the Cybertruck’s unique proportions and off-road capabilities is uncharted territory.

3. Tesla’s Next-Gen Powertrain and Battery Technology

• While Tesla has a strong track record in electric powertrains, the specific configuration and performance metrics of the Cybertruck’s powertrain are still largely unknown. The integration of battery technology into the vehicle’s structure, as hinted at by Elon Musk, is particularly intriguing but unproven.

4. Autonomous Driving Capabilities

• Tesla’s Autopilot system has made significant strides, but fully autonomous driving remains a complex challenge. The Cybertruck will likely incorporate the latest version of Autopilot, and its performance in a large, heavy vehicle with a unique shape will be closely watched.

It’s important to note that while these technologies hold immense promise, their real-world performance and reliability will be determined through extensive testing and real-world usage.

THE TAKEAWAY

Tesla continues to push the envelope with design and innovation. While this approach has helped it hone its reputation it comes at the risk of reliable and predictable real world outcomes. If you want a Cybertruck wade in slowly and carefully as Tesla irons out the many wrinkles.

Sources: EV Car Answers Editors, Gemini, Tesla