Tesla Cybertruck: Everything we know so far
Telsa Cybertruck will be released in 2021 with a starting price of $39,900. Higher-end models include a range of 500 miles on a single charge.
Tesla Cybertruck is the second major Tesla vehicle outside the mainline S, 3, X, Y lineup. The first outsider actually predated the line: the Roadster. This outsider is a very different beast, however. The Tesla Cybertruck is the automaker’s take on an electric pickup truck, and it’s an absolute unit.
Here’s everything we know about the Tesla Cybertruck, its release date, features, range, specs, accessories, and more.
Table of contents
Tesla Cybertruck design: What will it look like?
During his presentation, Elon Musk warned that the design might be too polarizing due to its futuristic Blade Runner-esque look, and no one knew exactly what he meant by that, but now it’s clear that he wasn’t kidding.
Cybertruck is built with an exterior shell made for ultimate durability and passenger protection. Starting with a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton, every component is designed for superior strength and endurance, from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structural skin to Tesla armor glass.
We were able to get a closer look at the Cybertruck in public last year, check it out:
Tesla Cybertruck sits six people and is equipped with a 6.5-foot bed, which they call the Cybertruck vault. The top is covered, but it unrolls if you need to fit in something higher than the roof of the “vault.”
As you can tell below, the design is certainly futuristic — perhaps more so than any concept car that has actually hit the road in recent history. Tesla isn’t likely to change the design drastically before shipping the truck, though, so if this is what you pre-ordered, it’s probably pretty close to the real thing.
Famously, the Cybertruck has Tesla Armor Glass, which is intended to protect the windows from even the fiercest of heavy object enemies.
During the unveiling, the glass failed. But Elon said it was because the glass was broken before the presentation and it wasn’t the glass’ fault.
We now know where a lot of the influence for the Cybertruck came from, thanks to new design patents filed.
Where will Cybertruck be built?
Initially, Tesla CEO Elon Musk Tweeted in March of 2020 that Tesla had started scouting locations for Cybertruck production and plans to build the truck in “central USA.”
Gigafactory Texas
In May 2020, Electrek exclusively reported that Tesla’s next factory would be located in Austin, Texas. The following July, Tesla formally secured a tax break for the new Gigafactory in Austin.
At first, Tesla referred to the factory as the Cybertruck Gigafactory, but we later reported that Tesla first plans to produce the Model Y there. The automaker later renamed it “Gigafactory Texas.”
When it inevitably opens, Tesla will eventually manufacture the Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, and Tesla Semi at Gigafactory Texas.
In a recent drone flyover video, Giga Texas looks well on its way to opening its doors soon.
Other Cybertruck production locations
Wondering about a smaller Cybertruck that will be more fitting for other, non-US markets? Then you should know that Elon has also announced that it’s “highly likely” that it will make a smaller Cybertruck for Europe.
That model, for obvious reasons, would unlikely be manufactured in Texas alongside the full-sized model. If a smaller Cybertruck does surface, it would more than likely be built in Tesla’s other factory under construction, Giga Berlin.
Tesla also opened up reservations for the Cybertruck in China, and with the company’s broader push for localized production, the company could be looking to produce future Cybertruck inventory there, too. It’s yet to be seen if there will be demand, however.
To see where future versions of the Cybertruck could one day be produced, check out our list of current and rumored Tesla Gigafactories.
Price: How much will Tesla Cybertruck cost?
At the event in Los Angeles, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the new Cybertruck will start at $39,900 before incentives, but there will be two more AWD variations that will start at $49,900 and $69,900 respectively.
Furthermore, Tesla has begun introducing a v10 beta version of its Full Self-Driving capabilities. Cybertruck customers can currently add the FSD feature for an additional $10,000.
According to reports, the majority of pre-orders are choosing the dual motor and tri-motor versions. Only an estimated 17% of the pre-orders are for the single motor model, which is the one supposed to be available first.
Recently, Tesla removed all Cybertruck pricing and specs from its website, so those prices listed above could certainly change.
If you’re looking to get into a Tesla sooner than the Cybertruck release date, check out our Tesla price guide.
Would you rather lease your Tesla? We’ve got a guide for that too, outlining everything you need to know.
Release date: When will Tesla Cybertruck be available to buy?
At the original event, Cybertruck was scheduled to be released in late 2021 for the dual-motor AWD version. The single-motor version will be released in late 2022.
CEO Elon Musk originally announced Tesla had 250,000 pre-orders within a week of the unveiling.
Next, it was estimated that a half million Cybertrucks were pre-ordered:
The company hasn’t updated the number in months, but Cybertruck reservation holders at Cybertruckownersclub.com have been keeping a tally of pre-orders, and based on their estimate, Cybertruck reservations have now reached over 500,000.
As of May 2021, reservations had surpassed 1 million and continued to grow as deliveries looked less likely to begin before year’s end.
Elon Musk stated that Tesla would be unveiling an updated version of the Cybertruck in the second quarter of 2021 as the company neared production. Musk also said that the truck will be produced at Gigafactory Texas, which is still under construction as of this writing.
As is often the case, the original quoted dates for the Cybertruck did not come through. Musk had warned that Tesla needs to be ‘lucky’ for the electric pickup to not be delayed.
After much speculation and the assumption from many that the Cybertruck would in fact be delayed, we now have confirmation directly from Tesla. The Tesla Cybertruck has been delayed to 2022. While there is no direct timeline yet, all three variations of the EV are delays to next year.
At the same time, Tesla’s focus remains on delivering the dual and tri motor versions of the Cybertruck to customers first.
Most recently, Alpha prototypes of the Cybertruck have been spotted, and Tesla stated during a Q3 earnings meeting that it plans to deliver the Cybertruck by late 2022.
What will the range be on the Tesla Cybertruck?
Three versions of the Tesla Cybertruck are going to be available with different battery packs and drivetrain configurations:
The single motor RWD version will offer 250+ miles of range. A dual-motor all-wheel-drive version (AWD) will reach 300+ miles of range, and a tri-motor AWD version will have 500+ miles of range.
In a recent patent filing from Tesla for its Cybertruck UI system, all the sample photos show an available range of 610 miles, hinting at potentially larger range on the EV. This has not been confirmed by Tesla, but it is not unreasonable to believe it may be achievable on the tri motor option.
Other specs
In addition to “somewhat” shatterproof glass, Cybertruck is built with a stainless steel exterior exoskeleton.
Cybertruck is built with an exterior shell made for ultimate durability and passenger protection. Starting with a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton, every component is designed for superior strength and endurance, from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structural skin to Tesla armor glass.
| Powertrain | Single Motor RWD | Dual Motor AWD | Tri Motor AWD |
| Est. Range | 250+ miles | 300+ miles | 500+ miles |
| Towing | 7500+ lbs | 10,000+ lbs | 14,000 lbs |
| 0-60 mph | <6.5 seconds | <4.5 seconds | <2.9 seconds |
Additionally, the Cybertruck will offer seating for six people, offer additional storage under the second row seats, and will feature a 17″ touchscreen.
Outside the truck, Cybertruck will offer 100 cubic feet of lockable exterior storage, complimented by onboard power and compressed air for activities like camping. The Tesla and can raise or lower the suspension by four inches and will come with 3,500 pounds of payload capacity.
In July of 2021, we learned how the Cybertruck door handles (or lack there of) will work. When the EV was originally unveiled, Elon Musk mentioned that the exterior would see some redesign, including the removal of the door handles, although it was never clear how that would work.
We no know that the Cybertruck will detect when you are approaching and automatically open the door for you.
Will Cybertruck come with Full-Self Driving Capabilities?
It appears so? In August of 2021, we reported that Tesla plans to launch a Cybertruck with a new Full-Self Driving (FSD) computer next year. This is rumored to be an updated version of the current system called “Hardware 4” or “FSD Computer 2.”
Tesla Cybertruck accessories
While no accessories are officially for sale, there has been a lot of speculation about various ways to make the Cybertruck work in more situations.
Musk has said the the Cyberquad, an electric ATV, is going to be launched as an option when the truck goes on sale. We learned in November of 2020 there will be a camper configuration as well.
This past May, a UI patent showed images of the camping unit similar to the image below, as well as what the Cybertruck interface will look like while towing. Additionally, a third party rendering of a potential pop up camper garnered $50 million in orders… and it doesn’t actually even exist yet.
A custom trailer for the Cybertruck has long been rumored but never shown. With the images in the patent filing, a towing trailer could very well emerge as an early accessory as well, when the Tesla finally makes first deliveries.
Musk has also mentioned an option to add solar panels to the roof that would charge up to 15 miles per day. For many commuters, that would cover a drive to work. This solar option came up again this past May, when a patent filed by Tesla revealed a retractable solar bed cover.
How to buy a Tesla Cybertruck
If you’ve read all of this and you’re still interested in buying a Cybertruck for yourself, well the current process is easy! Although it may take some time.
To (eventually) get yourself behind the wheel of this upcoming Tesla truck, you simply need to visit Tesla’s website, choose a powertrain and out $100 down to confirm your reservation.
Remember though, there are currently over 1 million people in line ahead of you. That being said, a fully-refundable $100 deposit won’t break the bank for most people.
So when their number is eventually called, one can imagine many of them will end up not dishing out the additional $40,000-$70,000 to complete their purchase.
