In late February, a study conducted by AmericanTrucks revealed about six out of 10 truck owners did not consider the Tesla Cybertruck a “real truck.”
This was not surprising, as the Cybertruck is different compared to other pickups on the market, and much of its real-world capabilities are yet to be proven.
While electric sedans and SUVs have become a common sight on American roads, the electric pickup truck market is still in its infancy. Today, only a few electric trucks are available, like the Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning and GMC Hummer EV. The Cybertruck, provided Tesla’s initial production plans are followed, is likely next in line.
Perhaps one of the reasons behind the results of the survey is the fact the Cybertruck has not been released yet. The truck has attracted a lot of attention over the years, but most of it has been online, where Tesla already has a strong presence. On real-world roads and among those who use pickup trucks for their utility, the Cybertruck is still a big question mark.
Paul Knoll, marketing director at Turn5, the operating firm behind AmericanTrucks, told Teslarati the Cybertruck could eventually be accepted by truckers as a legitimate truck. It just needs to prove it can stand toe-to-toe with, or perhaps even exceed, comparable trucks.
“We all have style preferences when looking for a new vehicle, and the Cybertruck has an interesting aesthetic,” Knoll said. “With the unconventional shape and interesting truck bed, some drivers may not feel like it looks like a traditional truck. Truck drivers are used to the traditional truck body, and now that Tesla is making something completely different from what they are used to, it might just take some time to adjust. What will really matter to truck owners is how it performs.
“With truck drivers used to a certain body type for their trucks, Tesla may have to just let the product speak for itself,” Knoll continued. “If the Cybertruck blows away expectations during testing, that will help convince those who are unsure about it. But the Cybertruck isn’t just for truck drivers. It’s also for people who care about the environment and want to help protect it.”
At least on paper, the Cybertruck will have what it takes to make an impact on the U.S.’s pickup truck market. Tesla just has to ensure the vehicle is compelling enough to persuade people to try it.
Tesla has not released the final specs of the Cybertruck, but during its unveiling, it was listed with a number of impressive stats, including a 500-mile range, 14,000 pounds of towing capacity and 3,500 pounds of payload capability. It will reportedly be fitted with notable features like a “vault” storage at the rear and a generous “frunk.” Rear wheel steering will also be standard on the Cybertruck, per reports following the company’s Investor Day event.
Abby Andrews