Skip to main content

Tesla Cybertruck delay means it won’t hit the road until next year

Tesla’s all-electric Cybertruck — yes, the one with the unspeakably wacky design — has suffered a production delay that means it won’t start shipping until 2022.

The original plan had been for large-scale production to begin by the end of this year, but a recent change to the Cybertruck’s listing on Tesla’s website, spotted by Electrek, reveals a new launch schedule.

On the Cybertruck’s pre-order page, a new note says, “You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears in 2022.”

The company led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is yet to make any kind of public announcement about the delay, but it may not come as a big surprise to those closely following developments linked to the all-electric pickup.

During an earnings call at the start of the year, for example, Musk said there would be “a few deliveries” of Tesla’s new vehicle toward the end of 2021, before adding that volume production would likely begin in 2022. But it’s only in the last few days that anything has appeared on the company’s website to confirm the new schedule.

The reason for the delay isn’t clear at this stage, though as it’s a brand new vehicle, it’s feasible that design work is still going on. Production could also be impacted to some extent by the global chip shortage, or perhaps the company is behind schedule with the construction of the Texas production plant that will build the Cybertruck — though a recent tweet from Tesla suggested the site is moving toward completion.

Giga Texas: 6 months ago vs this week pic.twitter.com/CAgmIJ3wKQ

— Tesla (@Tesla) July 29, 2021

Estimates put the total number of Cybertruck reservations — for which each customer dropped a $100 deposit — at more than a million, suggesting Tesla will have its work cut out to meet demand when the production line finally cranks up.

Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck in 2019, with its unique and futuristic design dividing opinion. The electric pickup will be available in three versions costing between $39,900 and $69,900, depending on features such as the number of electric motors, towing capacity, and range.

Musk surprised some folks last month when he said the Cybertruck could end up as a failure. “To be frank, there is always some chance that Cybertruck will flop, because it is so unlike anything else,” the CEO said in a tweet.

He added that while “other trucks look like copies of the same thing … Cybertruck looks like it was made by aliens from the future.” Still, he is of course 100% behind the design, saying, “I love it so much even if others don’t.”

Editors' Recommendations

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Tesla’s Elon Musk can build his unusual Supercharger station
The design of Tesla's proposed Supercharger station that will include a 1950s-themed diner.

Aside from building electric cars, batteries, and solar panels, Tesla is also looking to build a Supercharger station with a difference.

The automaker has reportedly received planning permission to construct an all-night diner and drive-in movie theater in Los Angeles, Teslarati reported recently.

Read more
Elon Musk teases Cybertruck ahead of imminent delivery event
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

Tesla chief Elon Musk has posted a photo of a “production candidate” Cybertruck, with the man himself behind the wheel of the new electric pickup.

“Just drove the production candidate Cybertruck at Tesla Giga Texas!” Musk said in the post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Read more
Tesla launches more affordable Model S and Model X, but there’s a catch
A 2021 Tesla Model S.

Tesla has launched more affordable versions of its Model S sedan and Model X SUV in the U.S. and Canada, though they come with shorter driving ranges. Deliveries of the new vehicles will begin next month.

The new Model S "standard range" vehicles cost $78,490 and offer a range of up to 320 miles (515 kilometers), which is considerably shorter than the pricier regular dual-motor and tri-motor Plaid versions that feature a range of 405 miles and 396 miles, respectively, Reuters reported.

Read more