Tesla has provided new size specifications for its highly anticipated Cybertruck in its Q2 earnings report. According to the report, the Cybertruck will be less than 19 feet long, making it the first sub-19-foot truck with both four doors and a more than six-foot-long bed.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the company is currently building release candidates of the Cybertruck on its final production line in Austin. He emphasized that there is “a lot of new technology” incorporated into the vehicle, which is expected to “break a lot of boundaries” in terms of both technology and architecture.
The unique size of the Cybertruck is made possible by its unconventional design. Musk aimed to create a vehicle that resembled something from a sci-fi post-apocalyptic film rather than a traditional work truck. This design approach has allowed the Cybertruck to have a larger interior space than its exterior appearance would suggest. Musk even mentioned that the Cybertruck can fit into a 20-foot garage, which is becoming increasingly important as pickup trucks continue to grow in size.
Traditional pickups, such as Ford’s F-150, have evolved over the years to cater to consumer demand for larger cabs and more luxury features. In 2021, the cab-to-bed ratio of the F-150 changed to 63 percent cab and 37 percent bed, reflecting the increasing emphasis on passenger comfort. With the Cybertruck, Tesla aims to create a stark contrast to Ford’s popular vehicle and offer a truly unique option in the pickup truck market.
In addition to the new size specifications, Tesla also announced that it is currently testing Cybertruck vehicles for final certification and validation around the world. The first production Cybertruck recently rolled off the production line at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas, with full-scale production expected to commence in 2024. Although deliveries were initially anticipated to begin earlier, the company now plans to start later this year, with a delivery event scheduled for the third quarter.
The journey to production has not been without challenges for Tesla. Internal documents from early 2022 revealed ongoing issues with the Cybertruck, including problems with braking, body sealing, and suspension. The stainless steel body used in the vehicle has also proven to be costly to produce on a large scale. Despite these hurdles, Tesla remains committed to delivering the Cybertruck and has made several design updates along the way, including a possible smaller version for the European market and a unique steering design.
While some preorder holders may be disappointed with certain aspects of the Cybertruck, such as the size of the windshield wiper, Tesla’s latest size specifications and progress in production show that the highly anticipated electric pickup truck is one step closer to becoming a reality.