In the electric vehicle realm, the Tesla Cybertruck has emerged as an icon of innovation with its bold, stainless-steel body and futuristic design. However, beneath the luster of its avant-garde exterior, an unexpected adversary has surfaced: rust.
Automotive Editor Joel Patel, a seasoned journalist based in the Washington, D.C. area, sheds light on the rust issues that Cybertruck owners are beginning to encounter, challenging the perceived invincibility of stainless steel against corrosion.
Tesla Cybertruck: A Stainless Steel Conundrum
The allure of the Tesla Cybertruck’s stainless steel body is undeniable, offering a distinctive aesthetic that sets it apart from the conventional automotive landscape. Yet, this design choice harbors a vulnerability to rust, contradicting common beliefs about stainless steel’s resilience.
Reports from Cybertruck owners, including an X user known as Beer Muncher, reveal Tesla’s stringent cleaning requirements to combat corrosion. The manual’s directive to promptly remove corrosive substances like road salt and bird droppings underscores the high maintenance the vehicle demands to preserve its integrity.
Rust: Not Just a Cosmetic Issue
While regular vehicles also necessitate routine cleaning, the Tesla Cybertruck’s absence of a clear coat elevates the urgency to remove potentially damaging substances. This protective layer, common in other vehicles, is missing from the Tesla Cybertruck, exposing its body to direct damage from corrosive materials.
The Tesla Cybertruck Owners Club forum has become a testament to this issue, with users like Raxar and OnTheSnap documenting the emergence of rust spots following relatively benign exposures to elements like rain and dish soap.
Does the Cybertruck exterior rust?
A Tesla engineer and a Cybertruck reservation holder discuss misconceptions about the rust issue.https://t.co/uzF8yWncDc by @zacharyvisconti
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 17, 2024
Tesla Cybertruck: Navigating the Rust Dilemma
The predicament of rust on the Tesla Cybertruck’s stainless steel body raises questions about its durability and the practicality of its maintenance. For a vehicle that exudes toughness and is designed to conquer rugged terrains, the susceptibility to rust from everyday encounters with the elements and road debris is a stark contradiction.
Tesla’s solution, albeit costly, involves offering protective films as an additional purchase, suggesting a recognition of the issue and an attempt to mitigate it.
The Path Forward: Protection at a Price
For prospective and current Tesla Cybertruck owners, Tesla’s “Satin Clear Paint Film” and “Color Paint Film” present options to shield the vehicle from scratches and corrosion. While these films come with a hefty price tag, the unfolding narrative of the Cybertruck’s rust issues makes them an almost essential investment for maintaining the vehicle’s condition and aesthetic appeal.
As the Tesla Cybertruck navigates through the challenges of the real world, its journey underscores a crucial lesson in automotive design: innovation must go hand in hand with practicality.
The rust issue not only highlights the importance of material choice but also serves as a reminder that the pursuit of futuristic design should not overlook the fundamentals of vehicle maintenance and durability.
For Tesla and the Cybertruck, the road ahead may involve more than just technological advancements; it will also require addressing the practicalities of everyday use and ownership.
