Built in Austin, Texas
Tesla
Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck is a stainless steel electric pickup built at Gigafactory Texas in Austin. This is the full story: its history, specs, range, towing, engineering, awards, and the cultural phenomenon it became. The Tesla Owners Club of Austin is an independent enthusiast community and is not affiliated with Tesla, Inc.
The Basics
The Cybertruck is Tesla's all-electric pickup truck. It pairs a radical, angular stainless steel body with the performance, range, and software that Tesla is known for. Unveiled in 2019 and delivered from late 2023, it is unlike anything else on the road.
Underneath the unmistakable shape sits a genuinely capable truck: it can out-accelerate most sports cars, tow up to 11,000 pounds, power your tools or your home, and update itself over the air. And because it is built at Gigafactory Texas in Austin, it is a hometown vehicle for our community.
Unveiled
Nov 21, 2019
Production began
Nov 2023
Built in
Austin, Texas
0 to 60 mph
2.6 sec
Max towing
11,000 lb
EPA range
320–340 mi
History
From a chaotic 2019 reveal to the best-selling electric pickup in the country, the Cybertruck's road to the road was anything but ordinary.
2019
Unveiled in Los Angeles
Tesla revealed the Cybertruck on November 21, 2019. During the live armor-glass demo, Franz von Holzhausen threw a metal ball at the side windows and they cracked. Elon Musk later said a backstage sledgehammer test had already chipped the glass. The moment instantly went viral, and reservations (a refundable $100 deposit) climbed past 250,000 within about a week.
2020 to 2022
Development and delays
Tesla assigned Cybertruck production to its new Gigafactory Texas near Austin. The original 2021 timeline slipped as the radical stainless-steel design and 48-volt architecture were engineered for mass production.
2021
Past one million reservations
Third-party tallies put Cybertruck reservations above one million, an unprecedented waitlist for a pickup truck and a sign of how much attention the design had captured.
2023
First deliveries
Serial production began at Gigafactory Texas and Tesla handed over the first Cybertrucks at a November 30, 2023 delivery event, launching the dual-motor All-Wheel Drive and the tri-motor Cyberbeast.
2024
Best-selling electric pickup
In its first full year, the Cybertruck became the best-selling electric pickup in the United States, with roughly 39,000 units by third-party estimates (Tesla does not break out the figure in its reports).
2025
Lineup changes
Tesla added a lower-cost single-motor rear-wheel-drive version, then refined the lineup. In May 2025 it cancelled the planned bed-mounted range extender battery that had been offered to push range higher.
2026
Top safety honors
The 2026 Cybertruck earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ award and was reported as the only pickup truck to earn that rating for the 2026 model year.
Performance
Two versions have been sold since launch. Range is EPA-estimated and varies with wheels and configuration, so always confirm the current numbers on tesla.com.
All-Wheel Drive
Dual motor AWD
- Motors
- 2
- EPA range
- 340 mi
- 0 to 60 mph
- 4.1 sec
- Top speed
- 112 mph
Cyberbeast
Tri motor AWD
- Motors
- 3
- EPA range
- 320 mi
- 0 to 60 mph
- 2.6 sec
- Top speed
- 130 mph
A single-motor rear-wheel-drive version was offered in 2025 and later discontinued. For current trims, pricing, and EPA figures, see tesla.com/cybertruck.
Size and Capability
The Cybertruck is a full-size pickup with a roughly 6-foot bed, seating for five, and tow and payload ratings that compete with traditional trucks.
Length
223.7 in
Width (no mirrors)
80.0 in
Width (with mirrors)
95.0 in
Height
70.6 in
Wheelbase
143.1 in
Bed length
71.8 in (about 6 ft)
Seating
5 adults
Curb weight
About 6,600 lb
Max payload
Up to 2,500 lb
Max towing
Up to 11,000 lb
Ground clearance
Adjustable air suspension
Charging
NACS, Tesla Supercharging
Engineering
The Cybertruck introduced several technologies that were new to mass-produced vehicles. These are the ones owners notice most.
Stainless steel exoskeleton
Instead of a body bolted onto a frame, the Cybertruck's structure is built into its ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel panels, the same family of alloy Tesla developed for SpaceX's Starship.
Tesla Armor Glass
Laminated glass engineered to resist impacts and scratches. The famously shattered reveal windows were re-engineered before production.
48-volt architecture
One of the first modern production vehicles built on a 48-volt low-voltage system instead of the industry-standard 12 volts, which cuts wiring weight and current.
Steer-by-wire and rear steering
There is no mechanical column linking the wheel to the front tires. A variable ratio needs only about 340 degrees lock to lock (less than one full turn), and rear-wheel steering tightens low-speed maneuvers.
Powershare bidirectional power
Outlets in the cabin and bed, including 120-volt and a 240-volt (NEMA 14-50) outlet, deliver up to 9.6 kW to run tools or a campsite. With the home gateway, the truck can power a house during an outage.
Adaptive air suspension
Height-adjustable air suspension, locking differentials, and off-road drive modes raise ground clearance for trails, then settle back down for the highway.
NACS and Supercharging
A native North American Charging Standard port plugs straight into the Tesla Supercharger network, and the high-voltage drivetrain supports fast charging on the road.
Full Self Driving capable
Hardware for Tesla's driver-assistance suite, including Full Self Driving (Supervised), with over-the-air updates that add features over time. It requires a fully attentive driver.
Recognition
Beyond the headlines, the Cybertruck has earned real recognition for safety, technology, and sales.
IIHS Top Safety Pick+
The 2026 Cybertruck earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+, and was reported as the only pickup truck to earn the award for the 2026 model year.
MotorTrend Best Tech 2025
MotorTrend named the Cybertruck's steer-by-wire chassis its Best Tech of 2025, recognizing the first such system in a mass-produced vehicle.
Best-selling electric pickup
In 2024, its first full year, the Cybertruck was the best-selling electric pickup in the United States, with roughly 39,000 units by third-party estimates.
A genuine head-turner
Few vehicles generate the attention the Cybertruck does. Its safety credentials, performance, and unmistakable design make it one of the most talked-about trucks on the road.
Why Buy
For all the talk about its looks, owners come back to the same practical reasons.
Supercar acceleration
The Cyberbeast goes from 0 to 60 mph in about 2.6 seconds, putting sports-car pace in a full-size pickup.
Serious capability
Towing up to 11,000 pounds, payload up to about 2,500 pounds, a roughly 6-foot powered bed, a lockable tonneau, and a front trunk for secure storage.
Power anywhere
Powershare turns the truck into a mobile generator for tools and campsites, and into a backup battery that can power your home during an outage.
Built tough and safe
The stainless exoskeleton, Tesla Armor Glass, and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating back up the rugged looks with real protection.
Gets better over time
Over-the-air software updates regularly add features and refinements long after you take delivery, something a traditional truck cannot match.
Built in Austin
Every Cybertruck is assembled at Gigafactory Texas, and the largest Cybertruck community in the world meets up right here in Central Texas.
Cultural Impact
Few vehicles have crossed into pop culture the way the Cybertruck has. Here is the phenomenon, described factually, from the meme that launched it to the community that celebrates it.
The reveal heard around the world
The cracked armor glass became one of the most replayed product-launch moments in tech history and an instant internet meme. Rather than hurt the truck, the clip put it in front of millions of people who had never followed Tesla.
A design that splits the room
The flat, low-poly stainless silhouette draws constant comparisons to science-fiction films and video-game graphics. People tend to love it or hate it, and either way they stop and look, which is exactly why it photographs so well.
Record-setting demand
A refundable $100 deposit drew a waitlist that climbed past one million reservations, a cultural phenomenon in its own right and a rare level of pre-launch interest for any vehicle, let alone a pickup truck.
An Austin icon
Because it is built at Gigafactory Texas, the Cybertruck has become a local symbol. The Tesla Owners Club of Austin hosts the Cybertruck Rodeo, the world's largest Cybertruck gathering, right here in Central Texas.
The Austin Connection
Every Cybertruck is built at Gigafactory Texas, on the eastern edge of Austin. That makes it a hometown truck for our members, and Central Texas has one of the highest concentrations of Cybertrucks anywhere.
The Tesla Owners Club of Austin hosts the Cybertruck Rodeo, the world's largest Cybertruck gathering, along with meet-ups and group drives all year. If you want to see these trucks in person, or talk to people who own one, this is the place.
Questions
Where is the Tesla Cybertruck built?
The Cybertruck is built at Gigafactory Texas in Austin, where serial production began in November 2023.
How much can the Cybertruck tow?
Tesla rates maximum towing at up to 11,000 pounds and payload at up to about 2,500 pounds, depending on the configuration.
How far can a Cybertruck go on a charge?
EPA-estimated range is roughly 320 to 340 miles for the current All-Wheel Drive and Cyberbeast versions. A rear-wheel-drive version offered in 2025 was rated higher but was later discontinued. Check tesla.com for the current configuration.
How fast is the Cybertruck?
The tri-motor Cyberbeast goes from 0 to 60 mph in about 2.6 seconds with a 130 mph top speed. The dual-motor All-Wheel Drive does it in about 4.1 seconds.
Is the Cybertruck body really stainless steel?
Yes. The structure is an ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel exoskeleton, the same family of alloy used on SpaceX's Starship, paired with Tesla Armor Glass.
How much does a Cybertruck cost?
Pricing has changed several times since launch, so we do not list a figure here. See tesla.com/cybertruck for current pricing and configurations.
Is the Tesla Owners Club of Austin part of Tesla?
No. The Tesla Owners Club of Austin is an independent enthusiast organization and is not affiliated with Tesla, Inc. This page is an educational overview for the community.
Can I see Cybertrucks in person near Austin?
Yes. The Tesla Owners Club of Austin hosts the Cybertruck Rodeo, the world's largest Cybertruck gathering, plus meet-ups and drives across Central Texas.
Sources
Every figure on this page is drawn from the public sources below and was last reviewed on June 17, 2026.
- Tesla: Cybertruck
- Tesla: Powershare
- Wikipedia: Tesla Cybertruck
- Edmunds: 2026 Cybertruck features and specs
- MotorTrend: Best Tech 2025 (Cybertruck steer-by-wire)
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+ coverage (CarBuzz)
- Electrek: Cybertruck range extender cancelled
Specifications, pricing, and ratings change over time. Volatile figures such as price and range are framed as launched-at or EPA-estimated, and tesla.com is the source of truth for the current configuration. The Tesla Owners Club of Austin is an independent enthusiast organization and is not affiliated with Tesla, Inc.
The best way to understand the Cybertruck is to stand next to one. Join the Tesla Owners Club of Austin to connect with owners across Central Texas and get to the next Cybertruck Rodeo and meet-up.