Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed to have developed an indestructible car, although the first test didn’t go well. Despite this, he boasted about its toughness again during a second attempt, which produced somewhat better results, although some criticized the testing methods. What’s undeniable is that, whether it’s struck by iron balls or bullets of varying calibers, the Tesla Cybertruck remains remarkably resilient in a crash.
This raises concerns for everyone.
A promise. Ever since Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck, Musk has proudly asserted its indestructibility. However, he has faced setbacks, like the incident with the shattered glass during its initial reveal. On launch day, he claimed that the electric SUV was bulletproof, prompting some people to put that claim to the test.
The reality. The truth is, the Tesla Cybertruck is highly durable–exceptionally so, you could say. The initial crash tests demonstrated this, showing that the vehicle hardly flinched when colliding with a wall. During one test, where the car was launched at 35 mph, the front area became deformed, but the rest of the vehicle (starting from where the windshield forms the first triangle) remained intact.
Real-life experiences have also supported Musk’s claims. Carscoop reported an incident where a Tesla Cybertruck collided with a Nissan Sentra. The Japanese car was left in ruins, while the electric vehicle suffered only minimal cosmetic damage.
A problem. There’s a potential danger associated with the Tesla Cybertruck that may not be immediately obvious. According to David Friedman, former director of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “If you’re in a crash with another vehicle that has a crumple zone and your car is more stiff, then their cars are going to crush and yours is resistant.”
This poses a significant risk “for non-occupants,” according to Julia Griswold, director of the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center at the University of California, Berkeley. She emphasized the danger of a 3.1-ton vehicle traveling at high speeds.
Similarly, various pressure groups and representatives from the European Transport Safety Council expressed their concerns in an open letter, stating, “We hope Tesla don’t bring this vehicle to Europe. A vehicle of this size, power and huge weight will be lethal to pedestrians and cyclists in a collision.”
Pedestrians. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in accidents involving the Tesla Cybertruck. Not only do hit-and-run incidents carry the highest fatality risk, but there are also structural concerns with the vehicle design.
This is one reason the Cybertruck can’t be sold in Europe, as opposed to the U.S. The European Union mandates that protruding edges on vehicles must have a rounding of at least 3.2 mm to prevent them from becoming hazardous blades. The Tesla Cybertruck features a rounding of only 1.4 mm.
Passengers. Beyond “non-occupants,” there are concerns for passengers. Samer Hamdar, a professor of automobile safety at George Washington University, told Reuters there are doubts about the consequences of high-speed impacts for those inside the Tesla vehicle.
He pointed out that Cybertrucks have very little deformable space, which is crucial for absorbing impact energy, preventing it from being transmitted to passengers’ bodies. “There might be a possibility of shock-absorbent mechanism that will limit the fact that you have a limited crumple zone,” Hamdar said.
However, the breaking of the rear axle in a widely circulated video of a front-end crash, while the rest of the body remained largely intact, raised questions regarding the amount of energy being absorbed by the chassis. To prevent excessive energy transfer to the driver and passengers, some cars are designed with a series of structures aimed at dissipating impact energy quickly.
Insurance. As some owners of Tesla’s giant SUV have noted, insurance companies seem reluctant to offer coverage for the Cybertruck.
Jalopnik reported that insurers are hesitant to cover the vehicle due to the high costs associated with repairing damage, particularly the expense of replacing steel body panels. Other experts also note that another concern is the increased potential for causing damage to third parties in the event of an accident.
The car should deform. All things considered, it’s essential for a car to deform in the event of an accident. Ideally, it should only deform in designated areas. This concept is referred to as “controlled deformation.”
This ensures that passengers are shielded from the energy released in an accident. Additionally, the trunk of a car mustn’t intrude into the rear seats if the vehicle is struck by another vehicle. Moreover, the fuel tank must remain undamaged to reduce the risk of fire.
Under investigation. Currently, the NHTSA is investigating these issues. The agency is looking into the behavior of the Tesla Cybertruck, which was involved in what’s believed to be the first fatal accident with the electric SUV. In this incident, the Cybertruck collided with a concrete wall after leaving the road, resulting in a fire.
Additionally, the investigation will assess whether the vehicle adequately protected its occupants. The NHTSA review will help determine the effectiveness of the car’s crumple zones and whether its relatively small front structure is sufficient in the event of a frontal collision.
Image | Tesla
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