Due to multiple delays, the Tesla Cybertruck has yet to appear. But when it came, Elon Musk promised that it would also have the ability to act as a ship “for a short period of time” — if the need arises. “Cybertruck will be waterproof enough that it can briefly act as a boat, so it can cross rivers, lakes and even less rough seas,” Elon Musk tweeted.
Elon Musk’s rationale behind the waterproofing feature is that the Cybertruck will need to be able to get from Starbase — SpaceX’s factory in Boca Chica, Texas — to South Padre Island, which requires crossing the channel.
Elon Musk did not elaborate on what “ephemeral” means. But some Tesla owners may scoff at the idea of waterproofing. The Tesla Model Y has been criticized by owners and critics for its leaky front trunk.
In fact, other automakers besides Tesla are also doing this. For example, Rivian recently posted a video on Twitter, which showed a picture showing the R1T pickup driving in a deep pool.
Tesla first announced the Cybertruck in November 2019. Consumer reactions to the Cybertruck have been mixed, with some calling it a victory and others highly critical of its size and design. Even the harshest criticism hasn’t deterred thousands of people from putting down a $100 reservation fee for the car.
At the time, Elon Musk said production would begin by the end of 2021. The three-motor AWD version is expected to enter production by the end of 2022. Neither version is in production yet. While prototypes have been spotted on public roads since 2019, there are few details about the car and production has been repeatedly delayed.
Elon Musk said on Tesla’s second-quarter earnings call in July that the Cybertruck is expected to enter production by mid-2023.
