Tesla’s much-anticipated Cybertruck has officially undergone its first crash test, and the results are impressive! The electric pickup truck has received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), marking a key milestone for the vehicle and Tesla as a whole. This comes more than a year after the Cybertruck’s deliveries began in November 2023, but it’s the first time it’s been tested for safety by the NHTSA. Let’s dive into the details of these crash test results and what they mean for the future of this groundbreaking vehicle.

Tesla’s Consistent Track Record with Safety

It’s no surprise that the Cybertruck passed with flying colors. Tesla has built a reputation for prioritizing safety in its vehicles, and every Tesla model tested by the NHTSA to date has earned a five-star safety rating. The Cybertruck follows in the footsteps of the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, which have all garnered top marks in crash tests.

The NHTSA Crash Test Process

The crash tests are part of the NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), which evaluates the safety performance of vehicles in various crash scenarios. In the case of the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck, several vehicles were tested in a series of rigorous assessments to determine how well the truck would perform in real-world crash situations.

Let’s break down the results from these tests, which simulate common accidents on the road.

Frontal Crash Test: Strong Results for Both Driver and Passenger

One of the most important tests is the frontal crash test. This test simulates a head-on collision between two vehicles traveling at 35 miles per hour. In this test, the Cybertruck earned a five-star safety rating for the driver and a four-star rating for the passenger.

The NHTSA report highlights that both the driver and passenger airbags deployed correctly during the test, which is a crucial part of ensuring occupant safety. However, neither the passenger knee airbag nor the driver knee airbag deployed during the test. Tesla confirmed that this is intentional, as the knee airbags are designed not to deploy in this particular scenario.

Side Crash Test: A Perfect Score

Next up was the side crash test, which evaluates how well a vehicle would fare in a side-impact collision. The Cybertruck performed exceptionally well, earning a five-star safety rating overall in this category.

The side crash test consists of two individual sub-tests: the side barrier test and the side pole test.

Side Barrier Test: This test simulates an intersection collision between two vehicles. A moving, non-rigid barrier hits the driver’s side of the vehicle at 38.5 miles per hour. The Cybertruck passed this test with flying colors, receiving a five-star rating for both the front and rear seats.
Side Pole Test: In this test, the vehicle is angled at 75 degrees and crashes into a fixed pole at 20 miles per hour. The Cybertruck also received a five-star rating in this test for both seats, further solidifying its safety credentials.

Rollover Resistance Test: Some Risk, But Still Safe

The last major test is the rollover resistance test, which evaluates how likely a vehicle is to tip over during a single-vehicle accident or loss of control. The NHTSA gave the Cybertruck a four-star rating in this test, indicating some risk of rollover. Specifically, the Cybertruck has a 12.4% rollover risk, but the NHTSA noted that the vehicle did not tip during the dynamic portion of the test.

While no vehicle is entirely immune to rollover risk, this rating shows that the Cybertruck performs well compared to other vehicles in its class, and the risk of rollover remains relatively low.

What Does This Mean for the Cybertruck?

The Cybertruck’s five-star overall safety rating is a significant achievement, especially considering that this vehicle’s design is quite different from traditional trucks. With its angular, futuristic shape and electric powertrain, the Cybertruck’s performance in crash tests was closely watched by both critics and fans.

These results are likely to boost consumer confidence in the Cybertruck, especially for those concerned about safety. The truck’s strong performance in side-impact and frontal crash tests suggests that it’s a robust and reliable vehicle, capable of handling the types of accidents that are most common on the road.

Conclusion: Tesla’s Commitment to Safety

Tesla has long made safety a top priority, and the Cybertruck’s crash test results only reinforce that commitment. From the moment it debuted, the Cybertruck has promised to revolutionize not only the truck market but also vehicle safety standards. With a five-star rating across most tests and only a small risk of rollover, it’s clear that Tesla’s electric pickup is just as safe—if not safer—than its gas-powered counterparts.

As more and more people opt for electric vehicles, the Cybertruck’s crash test results will likely set a high standard for future EVs in the pickup truck market. It’s clear that Tesla is determined to lead the way in both innovation and safety, ensuring that its vehicles aren’t just futuristic but also built to protect their occupants.