Everything you need to know about the highly anticipated, Tesla Cybertruck
Tesla has been at the forefront of electric vehicle innovation since 2008, beginning with the introduction of the Roadster sports car. In the year the Roadster was launched, Car Magazine aptly described it as "the most important car of the year," marking a significant moment when electric cars first offered a practical range and genuinely exciting performance as a commercial option. This underlines the premium status it held among electric cars at the time.
The company's success can be attributed to its robust brand recognition and its perception as a luxury automotive manufacturer. In 2022, the Tesla Model Y claimed the title of the world's most popular, fully electric car with UK sales reaching 35,551 units.
Tesla’s current lineup is composed of five vehicle models: Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y and the Tesla Semi. The Model X and S are available to purchase in the UK but only in left-hand drive and with a hefty price tag of £104,000 when new. Excitingly, Tesla’s portfolio is about to expand further with the keenly anticipated Tesla Cybertruck which will be available from November 2023!
The Cybertruck, though two years behind its initial schedule, has generated significant anticipation due to its futuristic design and groundbreaking features. This revolutionary electric vehicle boasts an unbreakable exoskeleton, bulletproof glass, a versatile bed, and self-driving capabilities redefining the conventional concept of a pickup truck.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Tesla Cybertruck.
When is the Cybertruck available to buy in the UK?
The Cybertruck is due to be released in the US on November 30th 2023, when the first deliveries are going to take place. There will also be a delivery event on this day, advertised via Tesla’s Twitter account. You can still reserve a Cybertruck for as little as $100. However, for those in the UK and Europe, there is no option to pre-order.
We don't know when the Cybertruck will come to the UK. It's uncertain because the UK and European markets have different rules, especially about safety and driving. There is also some added speculation because of how Tesla has stopped selling right-hand drive Tesla Models X and S in the UK. So this is to be confirmed!
How much will the Tesla Cybertruck cost in the UK?
There is still speculation about how much the Tesla Cybertruck will cost but it is thought to start from $39,000 depending on the configuration chosen. The data in the table is based on the announcement made in 2019, so these figures are likely to have changed since then. According to Matt Degen, Senior Editor for Kelley Blue Book, he currently estimates the price to “start at around $50,000”, putting it “in line with the mass market Ford F-150.”
Unfortunately, it is unclear how much the Cybertruck will cost once it lands in the UK.
How much will a Cybertruck cost to run?
Tesla has not disclosed the battery size for the Cybertruck, making it hard to guess how much it will cost to operate - although some are trying to predict this. We do know that every model will have a 250kW charging capacity and access to Tesla’s network of Superchargers.
As mentioned above, Tesla claims the single motor will have 250 miles of range, the dual motor 300 miles and the tri-motor 500+ miles on a single charge. This makes the Cybertruck one of the furthest-range electric cars on the market, joining the 2023 Lucid Air which has an estimated range of 516 miles.
Speed and specifications of the Cybertruck
Tesla claims the Cybertruck will be able to go from zero to 60mph in 6.5 seconds and will have a top speed of 120 miles per hour. This of course depends on the model you decide on, if you choose the Tri-Motor model, you will reach zero to 60mph in just 2.9 seconds.
Other specifications of the Cybertruck include:
| Motor type | Range (miles) | 0-60mph (seconds) | Top Speed | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Motor RWD | 250+ | 6.5s | 110mph | $39,000 |
| Dual Motor AWD | 300+ | 4.5s | 120mph | $49,000 |
| Tri Motor AWD | 500+ | 2.9s | 130mph | $69,000 |
All data has been taken from Electrek’s article - Tesla Cybertruck pricing is still murky: Here’s where it could end up.
Exoskeleton
Built for “ultimate durability and passenger protection.” The body is built from ultra-hard cold-rolled stainless steel, to eliminate dents, damage and long-term corrosion ultimately creating a shell for those in the car.
Adaptive Air Suspension
The ability to choose between the type of suspension is suitable for your journey, meaning you can raise or lower the suspension by four inches in either direction.
The low height is favourable for tight corners and increased aerodynamics. It can also increase drag and overall efficiency, whilst decreasing the risk of rolling over. Whereas the higher option is ideal when travelling on uneven terrain.
Interior
You can easily seat six people and have extra storage under the second-row seats. Complete with an advanced 17” touchscreen with an all-new customized user interface. This makes it somewhat similar to other Tesla models.
Bulletproof
According to Tesla, the body of the Cybertruck is strong enough to withstand impact from a 9mm handgun round, it will also come equipped with armoured glass. The Cybertruck has been designed to provide both durability and protection.
During a 2019 Cybertruck unveiling, Musk threw a steel ball at the window to demonstrate its durability, but it shattered. However, recent tests have confirmed its success.
More recently, Elon Musk was a guest on the hit podcast The Joe Rogan Experience where Joe fired his cross-bow at the Cybertruck as Elon spectated. The arrows barely made a dent in the truck, showing an advancement from the 2019 demonstration. When asked, "why make a truck bullet proof”, Musk responds “trucks are supposed to be tough - is your truck bulletproof?” You can watch the podcast clip here.
Controversies and challenges surrounding the Cybertruck
The journey to releasing the Cybertruck has not been easy. It was first announced in 2019, yet pilot production began taking place in July 2023 and deliveries are planned to start in November 2023, after being pushed back several times.
A leaked Tesla report earlier this year showed the Cybertruck to have basic design flaws from breaking performance to NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). The Wired article that breaks down each of the issues stated that the “report only details structural design issues that the truck was facing and doesn’t cover other key factors.”
One other issue is the regulations in Europe mean the truck may not make its way over here. Motoring Research mentioned that because the Cybertruck is classified as a light-duty truck in the USA, it gets exemptions from many safety regulations but because the laws differ, this may not be the case for the UK or Europe. Stefan Teller, an automotive expert, outlined concerns about the structure, stating that “strong modifications” would need to be made to comply with up to 60 different regulations.
When will the Cybertruck be available in the UK?
As of October 2023, the Tesla Cybertruck is set to be released in the US on November 30th 2023. It is generating immense anticipation with its innovative design and impressive features. However, its availability in the UK and Europe remains uncertain due to regulatory differences and some challenges in its design and compliance with safety regulations, making it a subject of ongoing scrutiny in the automotive world.
Will the Cybertruck be available using salary sacrifice?
At The Electric Car Scheme, we can help you save money by offering salary sacrifice for most electric cars currently available. While we're not sure if the Cybertruck will be included in our scheme yet, you might want to check out the Tesla Model Y or Tesla Model 3 as alternatives. These models are already available for lease, and you can enjoy significant savings of 30-60% through The Electric Car Scheme.
You can find out more about Tesla Salary Sacrifice by visiting our recent blog post here.
