Key Points
- Tesla Cybertruck sightings continue to reveal new details about the electric truck’s design.
- A recent spy video shows a prototype with new aero wheel covers finished in metallic black. They also have a star-shaped central cutout.
- Aero wheels reduce wind turbulence and resistance, boosting range and reducing energy consumption.
- Tesla could offer aero wheels to maximize efficiency, with street or off-road tires.
- The Cybertruck could debut with a 350-mile variant, while the 500-mile version could arrive later.
- Tesla is reportedly executing several techniques to make the EV efficient, such as using giga casting and a structural battery pack.
- The Cybertruck could weigh less than the Rivian R1T and the Hummer EV thanks to these techniques.
Cybertruck
Tesla has been gradually revealing design details of the Cybertruck through sightings of prototype vehicles with various features. The recent sighting in Palo Alto, California, showcased a camouflaged Cybertruck prototype with new aero wheel covers finished in metallic black.
These wheel covers have a star-shaped central cutout and are simpler in design compared to the rugged ones initially shown by CEO Elon Musk during the truck’s introduction in 2019.
Tesla Cybertruck spotted in Palo Alto, CA! 🇺🇸@tesla_na @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/BWlK5jK2fm
— Dima Zeniuk (@DimaZeniuk) July 31, 2023
Aero Wheels
Aero wheel covers are known for reducing wind turbulence and resistance, which can help increase the vehicle’s driving range and improve energy efficiency. They have been successfully used on the Tesla Model 3, where tests have shown that they can improve range by up to 10 miles.
Standard Option
The driving range of the Cybertruck is likely to be a significant topic of discussion, and Tesla may offer aero wheels as a standard option to maximize efficiency. The truck could also come with options for street or off-road tires. Rumors suggest that the Cybertruck could debut with a 350-mile range variant, with a 500-mile version possibly arriving later.
To make the Cybertruck more efficient, Tesla is reportedly employing several techniques, such as giga casting, which could help reduce weight and production costs. The structural battery pack and giga press could enable the electric truck to use fewer components than rival models, although the stainless steel exoskeleton may still contribute to its overall weight.
Conclusion
The Tesla Cybertruck is still a few years away from production, but we’re starting to get a better idea of what it will look like and how it will perform. The new aero wheel covers are a promising sign for range, and the use of giga casting and a structural battery pack could help Cybertruck achieve its goal of being the most efficient electric truck on the market. We’ll have to wait and see how it all pans out, but the Cybertruck is shaping up to be a very interesting vehicle.
