And if the choice of stainless steel for the body of the Cybertruck explained the huge delay in its production? This is what the New York Times in an investigation.
Initially announced in 2019, Tesla’s futuristic electric vehicle is set, after many delays, to finally go into production this year.
A material little used in the automotive industry
The accumulation of delays in the development of the Cybertruck would be partly caused by the choice of stainless steel to compose what Tesla calls its ” exoskeleton “. If the choice of this material can be explained by the unique design of the vehicle, it represents a real headache for the engineers.
Yes, it resists corrosion and does not need to be painted, but it is also very expensive, because it contains chromium and is heavier than the steel used in most other cars. The only manufacturer to experiment with this material in mass production before Tesla was DeLorean, which went bankrupt after building less than 10,000 vehicles (one of them being particularly famous, it’s true) .
Stainless steel also has a tendency to return to its initial shape and is less flexible than the materials usually used in the automotive industry. It therefore requires special welding methods.
Security challenges
Stainless steel also poses a significant safety challenge for Tesla: The steel used in most cars is designed to crumple in the event of a collision, absorbing energy and protecting passengers. Stainless steel doesn’t crease as easily, exposing passengers to more of the force of impact “, assures the New York Times.
These many hurdles likely delayed the development of the Cybertruck, but this choice seems logical, given Elon Musk’s ambition to entirely redefine the industry standard with this futuristic-looking vehicle with innovative features. While it’s not even on the market yet, the number of orders for the Cybertruck is impressive, but it remains to be seen if customers will be satisfied when it is officially available…
Source : The New York Times
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