It appears that Tesla’s Cybertruck, initially expected to begin production in July but now anticipated as early as late September, might be veering away from the environmental ideals championed by Elon Musk 17 years ago. Musk’s 2006 vision of combating carbon pollution with reasonably priced electric family cars, following the launch of the expensive open-top sports car, received widespread acclaim from environmental activists and the public alike.
However, Forbes contributor Allan Onsman pointed out on September 16, 2023, that Musk’s recent promotion of the massive Cybertruck, set to hit the market within a few weeks, appears unrelated to the climate crisis.
Onsman referenced Tesla’s website description of the Cybertruck as evidence of his critique: “Cybertruck is designed 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.”
While Tesla claims that heavy electric vehicles can tow nearly infinite mass, it disputes that even Class 8 semi-trucks can pull an endless load.
The website notably lacks any mention of environmental benefits and provides no detailed information on sales dates, prices, weight, or range per charge.
Although Tesla has not disclosed how many people paid the $100 reservation fee, fan sites estimate that over 1.5 million people have reserved the Cybertruck since its unveiling in November 2019.
Forbes quoted Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Transport Campaign at the Center for Biological Diversity, stating, “The same mistaken thinking that infected the Hummer EV infects the Cybertruck.”
Moreover, the whims of a billionaire appear more related to profitability than environmental conscience. Work vehicles represent the largest and most profitable segment in the U.S. auto market. Americans bought about 2 million pickup trucks last year, averaging $59,000 each.
While Tesla could potentially generate over $6 billion in additional revenue annually by selling a minimum of 100,000 Cybertrucks for over $60,000 each, Onsman considered this an optimistic view that might not hold from a climate perspective.
Argonne National Laboratory researchers, who developed technology to assess a vehicle’s lifetime carbon emissions and energy intensity, suggested that even an electric vehicle weighing over 8,000 pounds with a large battery pack could be less harmful to the planet than a similarly sized truck running on fossil fuels. They argue this is due to conventional pickups typically achieving just around 16-17 miles per gallon.
However, the considerable energy, aluminum, and mining materials required to build the Cybertruck clash with Musk’s long-standing climate preservation principles.
Mined battery materials may eliminate tailpipe emissions, but their extraction incurs environmental costs like mine scrap, groundwater contamination, and human fees such as child labor in Congolese cobalt mines.
Therefore, from a climate perspective, enthusiasm for the Cybertruck appears challenging to sustain.
Onsman contrasted this perspective with analyst Dan Ives, who predicted that Tesla could sell a minimum of 150,000 Cybertrucks, possibly up to 250,000, in 2024. However, Onsman remained skeptical, citing the R1T’s cumulative sales figure of just 2,000 units.
Currently, in the U.S. market, the Ford F-150 Lightning leads in electric pickup trucks, followed by the Dodge Ram EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and Rivian’s pickup. Pickup truck loyalty in the land of trucks remains robust, making it challenging for newcomers to enter the market.
Additionally, while transitioning to electric trucks can reduce lifetime carbon emissions by around 50% compared to gasoline trucks, the Cybertruck’s production emissions and the potential for increased tire particulate matter due to its heavy body pose concerns.
Currently, the Cybertruck appears unlikely to meet European Union safety regulations for pedestrians and cyclists, and it might not be sold in its current form in the EU, Onsman noted. Furthermore, the design poses significant risks to pedestrians and cyclists.
In conclusion, even as the U.S. moves toward electric vehicles, it remains uncertain whether this shift will significantly address environmental issues. Major American manufacturers like GM, Ford, and Chrysler have phased out most sedans in favor of a lineup dominated by large to small SUVs and pickup trucks. Japanese manufacturers like Toyota, Nissan, and Honda also offer a range of pickup trucks and large SUVs for the U.S. market, making the situation far from clear-cut.
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