Tesla Cybertruck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tesla Cybertruck |
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A production Cybertruck in the Tesla Fremont Factory parking lot in November 2023
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Production | November 2023 – present |
| Assembly | United States: Austin, Texas (Gigafactory Texas) |
| Designer | Franz von Holzhausen with Sahm Jafari |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size pickup truck |
| Body style | 4-door crew cab |
| Layout |
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| Powertrain | |
| Transmission | Single-speed fixed (15:1 ratio) |
| Battery |
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| Electric range |
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| Plug-in charging | |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 223.7 in (5,682 mm) |
| Width | 80 in (2,032 mm) |
| Height | 70.5 in (1,791 mm) |
| Weight |
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The Tesla Cybertruck is a unique electric pickup truck made by Tesla, Inc.. It started being built in 2023. This truck was first shown as a special idea car in November 2019. It has a very sharp, triangular shape. Its body panels are flat and made from strong stainless steel.
Tesla first wanted to make the Cybertruck in 2021. But there were some delays. The first Cybertrucks were finally given to customers in late November 2023. Right now, you can only buy the Cybertruck in North America. There are three types: the "Cyberbeast" (which has three motors and all-wheel drive), a two-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) model, and a rear-wheel drive (RWD) model. They can travel between 250 and 340 miles (400–550 km) on a single charge.
Contents
The Cybertruck Story
How the Idea Started
Tesla CEO Elon Musk first talked about making a pickup truck in 2012. He imagined a "Tesla supertruck" that would be very powerful and handle turns easily. In 2014, he said it would be like a Ford F-150, a popular truck.
In 2016, the idea for a consumer pickup truck was part of Tesla's big plan. Musk even suggested that the same base (chassis) could be used for both a van and a pickup. In 2017, he hinted at the Cybertruck when showing off the Tesla Semi truck and a new Roadster car.
In March 2019, Musk shared a picture of a vehicle that looked like something from a cyberpunk movie or Blade Runner. It looked like a futuristic armored vehicle. People thought it might be called the Model B. Tesla later tried to trademark the name "Cybrtrk," but they stopped using it in 2020.
The 2019 Concept Truck
The first idea for the Cybertruck was shown in Los Angeles in November 2019. This was the same month and year that the movie Blade Runner was set. The truck was introduced with a cool "Cybertruck" logo.
During the event, Tesla said the Cybertruck's "Armor Glass" windows were super strong. But then, two windows broke when a metal ball was thrown at them. Elon Musk later said this happened because the door was hit by a hammer earlier, which cracked the glass base. Tesla also showed a video of the Cybertruck pulling a Ford F-150 uphill in a tug-of-war.
Tesla's main goal was to create an electric truck. This would be a cleaner choice instead of the many gasoline-powered trucks sold every day.
At the end of the show, a special Tesla Cyberquad (an all-terrain vehicle or ATV) was driven onto the back of the Cybertruck. It used a built-in ramp. The Cyberquad even charged its batteries using the Cybertruck's power outlet. This ATV might be sold as an extra option for the Cybertruck later.
In 2019, many people online talked about the Cybertruck's sharp edges and unusual look. The first prototype was shown at the Petersen Automotive Museum in June 2020 and again in November 2022. In January 2020, Automobile Magazine called the Cybertruck the "Concept Car of the Year."
How to Reserve a Cybertruck
Starting in November 2019, people could reserve a Cybertruck. They paid a refundable $100 deposit. By November 23, 2019, Tesla had received 146,000 reservations. By November 26, this number grew to 250,000.
In October 2021, Tesla removed the Cybertruck's prices and details from its website. But they still took deposits. A newer version of the truck was seen being tested in December 2021. This new version had a large windshield wiper and no front light bar.
At a meeting in 2022, Elon Musk said the final prices and features would be different from what was shown in 2019. By November 2023, about 2 million people had reserved a Cybertruck. Experts thought that only 30% to 40% of these would become actual sales.
Reservations were paused before the first deliveries on November 30, 2023. After that, the deposit price went up to $250. As of January 2024, new Cybertruck reservations are sold out until 2027.
Starting Production
In July 2023, the very first Cybertruck was built at the Gigafactory Texas factory. Tesla later said this was "pilot production," meaning they were testing how to build them.
First Deliveries
The first Cybertrucks for customers arrived at Tesla showrooms in late November 2023. On November 30, 2023, Tesla gave the first 10 or 12 trucks to customers at an event in Texas.
During the event, they showed how fast the Cybertruck is. It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) in just 2.6 seconds. A video showed the Cybertruck winning a race against a Porsche 911, even while towing another Porsche 911!
At this event, Tesla also announced the final prices and details.
- The single-motor RWD model will cost about $60,990 and be available in 2025. It can go 250 miles (400 km) and has a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).
- The dual-motor AWD model will cost about $79,990 and be available in 2024. It can go 340 miles (550 km) and has a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).
- The three-motor "Cyberbeast" will cost about $99,990 and also be available in 2024. It can go 320 miles (510 km) and has a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).
These prices were higher than what was first announced in 2019.
Cybertruck Design
Inspiration and Style
Elon Musk said the Cybertruck's design was inspired by the movie Blade Runner. It also took ideas from "Wet Nellie", the special Lotus Esprit car that turned into a submarine in the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. Musk even bought the real Wet Nellie car from the movie! Like most cars, the Cybertruck can float for a short time.
Musk's son, Saxon, once asked, "Why doesn't the future look like the future?" This question helped inspire the Cybertruck's unique design. The designer, Franz von Holzhausen, said they wanted to create something dramatic that changed everything about pickup trucks.
Some car designers had different opinions about the Cybertruck's look. Syd Mead, who worked on Blade Runner, called it "stylistically breathtaking." Another designer, Frank Stephenson, thought it was "almost repulsive" but also said it "has the potential to be extremely beautiful" if its sharp lines were softened.
Outside the Truck
The Cybertruck's body panels are made of very strong stainless steel. These panels are not shaped in the usual way car parts are. Instead, they are laser-cut and then bent along straight lines. Tesla even had to invent a new way to bend the steel using high air pressure.
How it Moves: Powertrain
Tesla uses a smart system for the Cybertruck's motors. They use just a few main parts for all three versions of the truck. This helps them make different power levels, from 845 horsepower in the three-motor "Cyberbeast" down to 315 horsepower in the single-motor version. All the motor parts are kept in a special liquid-cooled unit.
- The two-motor AWD version has a front motor with 303 horsepower and a rear motor with 297 horsepower. This gives a total of 600 horsepower.
- The three-motor "Cyberbeast" version has 276 horsepower in the front motor and 284 horsepower in each of the two rear motors. This adds up to a huge 845 horsepower in "Beast Mode."
- The rear-wheel drive version, coming in 2025, will have one motor in the back.
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Model
Spec
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Single-motor Rear-wheel drive | Dual-motor AWD | Tri-motor AWD "Cyberbeast" |
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| Range (EPA est.) | 250 miles (400 km) | 340 miles (550 km) | 320 miles (510 km) |
| Range with extender | Unknown | >470 miles (760 km) | >440 miles (710 km) |
| 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) | 6.5 seconds | 4.1 seconds | 2.6 seconds |
| Top speed | 112 mph (180 km/h) | 112 mph (180 km/h) | 130 mph (210 km/h) |
| Power | 315 horsepower | 600 horsepower | 845 horsepower |
| Payload capacity | Unknown | 2,500 pounds (1,134 kg) | |
| Towing capacity | 7,500 pounds (3,402 kg) | 11,000 pounds (4,990 kg) | |
Strong Glass
The Cybertruck's windows are made of a special type of glass called borosilicate glass. If a small chip forms, the glass is designed to stop the crack from spreading.
Suspension and Steering
The Cybertruck has a special active air suspension system. This means the truck can adjust itself to stay level, even with heavy loads. It can also raise or lower itself, giving it up to 17.4 inches (44 cm) of ground clearance. This helps it drive over rough terrain.
The Cybertruck uses "steer-by-wire" technology. This means there's no direct mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheels. It's all electronic. The steering wheel is shaped like a "squircle" (a mix of a square and a circle). You can make full turns with less than one full spin of the steering wheel. The rear wheels can also turn up to 10 degrees. This makes the truck much easier to turn in tight spaces.
Range, Battery, and Charging
The dual-motor Cybertruck can go about 340 miles (550 km) on a charge. The Cyberbeast model can go about 320 miles (510 km). The RWD model, coming in 2025, will have a range of 250 miles (400 km).
The Cybertruck has a large 123 kWh battery pack. It's built into the truck's structure, making it very strong. The battery can charge very quickly at special charging stations. Tesla says you can add about 128 to 136 miles (206–219 km) of range in just 15 minutes!
Range Extender
For longer trips or when towing heavy things, you can add an optional "range extender" battery. This extra 50 kWh battery fits in about one-third of the truck bed. It adds an extra 120–130 miles (190–210 km) of range.
Power for Your Gear
The Cybertruck can also act like a giant power bank. It has five outlets that can provide power for tools or other devices. There are four 120V outlets (two in the bed, two in the cabin) and one stronger 240V outlet in the bed. It can even power your home in an emergency if you have the right Tesla equipment.
Wade Mode
The Cybertruck has a "Wade mode" that lets it drive through water up to 2.5 feet (0.76 meters) deep. It uses a special system to keep water out of the battery.
Inside the Truck
The Cybertruck has five seats: two in the front and a bench seat for three in the back. Most of the truck's controls are on a large 18.5-inch (47 cm) touchscreen in the front. There's also a smaller 9.4-inch (24 cm) touchscreen for passengers in the back.
Cargo Bed
The truck's cargo bed is 72 inches (180 cm) long and 48 inches (120 cm) wide. It has a special motorized cover that rolls up and down. When the cover is closed, it blocks the rear window. But the truck has cameras that show you what's behind you, which helps with backing up and towing. The bed also has LED lights and power outlets.
Where Cybertrucks Are Made
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Cybertrucks are built at the Gigafactory Texas in Austin, Texas. Production started in July 2023. As of December 2023, Tesla said the Cybertruck will only be sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There are no plans to sell it in other parts of the world like Europe or Australia.
Safety Information
Some safety experts have shared concerns about the Cybertruck's sharp design and very stiff stainless-steel body. They worry it might be harder on pedestrians or other vehicles in a crash. This is because the "exoskeleton" design might reduce the "crumple zones" that usually absorb impact.
Tesla has said that the truck's structure is designed to absorb impacts during a crash. Elon Musk stated that the Cybertruck has passed all U.S. safety checks.
In April 2024, Tesla recalled about 3,878 Cybertrucks. This was to fix an accelerator pedal pad that could come loose and get stuck. Tesla quickly fixed this issue for affected trucks.
See also
In Spanish: Tesla Cybertruck para niños
