The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck is nearing its first delivery event on November 30th, 2023. Finally, after much anticipation, delays, and patience, the Cybertruck is finally appearing to clear multiple federal formalities, including the NHTSA VIN Decoder submission.
With images of the production-ready Cybertruck interior already circulating on the internet and the successful auction of the first ever Cybertruck for $400,000, it's safe to say that there will be no further delays.
Check out the video by the Bearded Tesla Guy to get information on some Cybertruck specs revealed by the VIN Decoder. In the 2023 Q3 earnings call, Musk announced that owing to Cybertruck's unique shape and design, Tesla faces immense challenges in scaling production. Tesla is aiming to produce a quarter of a million Cybertrucks a year by 2025, and that is certainly not an easy target. Musk even stated, "We dug our own grave with the Cybertruck."
Let's Decode the Tesla Cybertruck's VIN
It’s been a long time since Tesla made their Cybertruck, and there is a long list of speculation surrounding this upcoming truck. However, the Tesla Cybertruck's recent appearance on the NHTSA 2024 Model Year VIN Decoder revealed some interesting details. The 17-digit VIN number includes a “C” for digit 4, which denotes the Cybertruck, while "T" represents the Tesla Semi.
Tesla Cybertruck's Powertrain Specs
The number eight, which indicates that Tesla has reserved two powertrain options for the Cybertruck, is another intriguing detail to note in this instance. A dual-motor arrangement is denoted by a "D" on the VIN number, and a tri-motor setup with an all-wheel drivetrain is denoted by an "E." That's not all; the VIN number also provides further details regarding the future electric truck's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Tesla Cybertruck's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
If you look closely at the digit 6, there are two possibilities of the weight category “G” and “H”. Class G denotes that the weight is greater than 8,001 to 9,000 lbs. The Class H depicts the heavier version rated as 9,001 lbs 10,000 lbs. The information also suggests that the lighter version comes with the dual motor setup, and the later trim means a heavier but more powerful, three-motor setup.
Tesla Cybertruck's Curb Weight and Payload Capacity
The Cybertruck is expected to have a payload capacity of up to 3,500 pounds, according to the Tesla website. The Tesla Cyber Truck's curb weight, when deducted from the weight class specified above, will be between 4,501 and 5,500 pounds; the heavier model will weigh between 5,501 and 6,500 pounds. which is much less and has a far larger payload capacity than the Ford-150 Lightning pickup truck.
The lower weight of the Tesla Cybertruck does not mean a fragile construction, as during the 2019 launch it was claimed to be made from stainless steel from the Starship spacecraft. Another claim was made that the Cybertruck would be able to withstand 9mm shots on the body, and recently a Cybertruck was spotted on the highway with some indentation that possibly looks like bullet wounds.
Will the Tesla Cybertruck be Bulletproof?
We cannot comment on the construction now; back in 2019, Tesla claimed that each panel would weigh around 60 pounds with a 3mm-thick 301 stainless steel. However, the manufacturer had thought of increasing the thickness to 4mm for better bullet resistance, but that would have resulted in a weight increase of 20 lbs for each panel.
The Tesla Cyber Truck will also feature a bulletproof windshield. According to Elon Musk, they have tested the laminated flat windshield withstood the dropping of weighted metal spheres from various heights and it didn’t break.
If you look at the expert take on this, conventional car windscreens are some of the hardest things to defeat with a handgun. Therefore, adding another layer of protection in between the glass will arguably allow it to handle regular 9mm shots.
The same recipe will come across all the other windows; thus, we can say the Cybertruck will be built like a tank. In an interview with Joe Rogan, Musk stated that there will be three demonstrations to prove that the Cybertruck is bulletproof (including a Tommy Gun, a 45mm shotgun, and a 9mm gun).
Conclusion
Having said that, Tesla must still pass the armor evaluation to formally receive the bulletproof tag. Generally speaking, a 9-mm bullet can be easily withstood by the 3-mm-thick sheet of 301 stainless steel, according to a variety of civilian and military armor ratings.
The certification requires several impact tests from a specified range at a specific angle; thus, it's unclear if the same material can endure these tests. Having the certification on board will undoubtedly help the truck stand out, but in the event of a crisis, you'll be safer inside a real armored vehicle.
