(IS EVERYONE SOLD ON MUSK’S CYBERTRUCK?)
September 18, 2023
Hello everyone,
The Tesla pick-up truck, Cybertruck, is a one-of-a-kind vehicle. It has an exoskeleton that is nearly impossible to penetrate, a stainless-steel reinforced body, and armor glass. Every component is designed for superior strength and durability. The Tesla internals are made of a paper composite material, making it environmentally friendly and durable. The material is heated and made to look like marble giving it a luxury look. And it can run 500+ miles on a single charge. What’s not to like?
Yes, the Cybertruck runs on electric power, but let’s think about how the car was put together in the first place. Large amounts of energy, aluminum, and mined materials are needed to build the Cybertruck. Doesn’t this go against Musk’s climate-preserving principles? Eliminating tailpipe emissions is all very well, but when you are mining battery materials to achieve this end, the process itself is environmentally damaging. The negative effects include groundwater pollution from mining scraps and chemicals and the fact that underage labour is used at many mines outside Western countries.
While it may produce less carbon pollution, its status as an entirely environmentally friendly vehicle is debatable. The tires and the weight of the car are a problem. Heavy EVs seem to create more harmful tire dust than conventional vehicles and the tiny particles that are shed float in the air and leach into our waterways, which damages human health and wildlife. A hazardous chemical treatment typically used on tires is linked to declining salmon populations in the U.S. and tire dust is arguably seen as an unregulated contributor to lung and heart disease.
The tire wear is much greater because of the added weight of the vehicle, and researchers in this area state that most of this will be created under acceleration, braking, and cornering.
The Cybertruck is a niche, fashion statement vehicle, but will it meet the needs of customers who want it to equal a regular pick-up?
One thing that could put many off is the price. Most customers buy a pick-up truck with a purpose in mind. It should be functional, reliable, and economical. Tesla is known for its pricey cars, so buyers of regular pick-up trucks may not find the Cybertruck an affordable vehicle. Additionally, Tesla has no experience designing and manufacturing pick-up trucks. The company has only designed SUVs and sedans, so early customers may find some shortcomings in the design and performance of the Tesla pick-up truck.
On the plus side, the Tesla pick-up truck is sure to offer advanced features and technology not offered by any other regular pick-up trucks. Tesla is known for incorporating cutting-edge technology into its vehicles. Self-driving features and high-tech infotainment systems spring to mind. This would appeal to the tech-savvy community.
Additionally, Tesla has a reputation for producing high-quality vehicles that need little maintenance in their lifetime. As a reliable and economical vehicle, the Cybertruck could be seen as more attractive in that it would probably require less maintenance and replacement parts than a regular pick-up truck.
So, with the pros and cons put on the table, we will have to wait for the first Tesla Cybertrucks to hit the road before customer reviews and testimonials tell the real story.
Have a wonderful week.
Cheers,
Jacquie
