Cybertruck at Texas EV factory.
An updated prototype of the Tesla Cybertruck, the polarising and highly anticipated electric ute that will finally begin commercial producing in 2023, has been spotted testing in California with new side mirrors.
The sighting in Palo Alto was made by an Instagram user ftronz, which is very close to Tesla’s Californian headquarters.
An image and video from the rear quarter panel of the Cybertruck were uploaded by a user on Instagram, who saw the Cybertruck on Tuesday, he told Teslarati, in Palo Alto, where Tesla headquarters is located.
The side mirrors spotted in the new prototype are more triangular than in previous prototypes. Earlier in the design phases, we have seen anything from rectangular designs to completely side-mirror-less versions.
Recent details also emerged on a removable mirror version of the future-inspired electric truck.
One mirror-less prototype version was spotted over the weekend which was possibly being tested by Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, himself.
This comes only weeks after Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s chief designer, confirmed that new features were being added to the Cybertruck.
Prior to that in December, Tesla’s GigaTexas factory was seen to be taking delivery of the massive 9,000 Tonne Gigapress casting machine. It would be used to produce the Cybertruck body.
Following that, in January 2023, more Cybertruck parts arrived in Texas from IDRA, the Italy-based Gigapress manufacturing company.
The new truck is expected to have horizontal light bars which are very hard to miss on the roads at night.
Cybertruck production seems to be approaching closer with all signs pointing to a mid-2023 production date.
Looking more locally, it’s unlikely that hundreds of Australian order holders will be seeing their Cybertrucks delivered before 2025.
Now it seems with a few options for side mirrors potentially available, the Cybertruck may have fewer hurdles to jump through to be road-compliant in Australia.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
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