Experts say Cybertruck’s design and structure present serious safety concerns

Experts say Cybertruck’s design and structure present serious safety concerns

December 08, 2023 12:46 PM

Safety experts argue that the design and structure of Tesla’s Cybertruck present serious safety concerns.

The vehicle’s angular design and stiff stainless steel exoskeleton could be a serious threat to pedestrians and cyclists sharing the road with the Cybertruck, experts say, according to a report.

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Their concern about the Cybertruck stems from footage of crash tests with the vehicle shown to at least six safety professors and officials.

Crash test data like that streamed on Nov. 30 is essential when determining a vehicle’s safety, the report noted.

“The big problem there is if they really make the skin of the vehicle very stiff by using thick stainless steel, then when people hit their heads on it, it’s going to cause more damage to them,” Adrian Lund, former president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said.

IIHS tests are considered the industry’s standard, according to the report.

Tesla maintains that the cold-rolled, stainless steel structure of the Cybertruck allows it to absorb impact during a crash, and the company is “highly confident” it is safe when it comes to pedestrians and fellow drivers.

“Yes, we are highly confident that Cybertruck will be much safer per mile than other trucks, both for occupants and pedestrians,” CEO Elon Musk posted to X.

Both the Cybertruck’s front and rear structures present energy-absorbing ribs to allow energy to dissipate.

Still, Samer Hamdar of George Washington University argued that the vehicle’s limited “crumple zones” are a point of concern.

“There might be a possibility of shock-absorbent mechanism that will limit the fact that you have a limited crumple zone,” according to Hamdar.

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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acting head David Friedman also raised concerns relating to “crumple zones.”

“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,” he said.

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