[4] Introduced as a concept vehicle in November 2019, its body design is reminiscent of low-polygon modeling, consisting of flat stainless steel sheet panels.

Tesla initially planned to produce the vehicle in late 2021, but after many delays, it entered production in November 2023 and was first delivered to customers later that month.

[8] In March 2019, following the Tesla Model Y launch, Musk distributed a teaser image of a vehicle described as having a cyberpunk or Blade Runner style, with the form resembling a futuristic armored personnel carrier.

[16] A concept Cybertruck was unveiled in Los Angeles, California, in November 21, 2019[17]—the same month, year, and location in which the movie Blade Runner was set.

[19] Musk later claimed that the windows were damaged because, in an earlier demonstration, the door had been hit by a sledgehammer that cracked the base of the glass.

[24] At the end of the presentation, a concept Tesla Cyberquad all-terrain vehicle (ATV) was driven onto the bed of the Cybertruck using a built-in ramp in the tailgate.

[32] At the 2022 annual shareholders meeting, in response to a question, Elon Musk stated that final specifications and pricing would be different from those unveiled on the concept vehicle in 2019.

[50][51] The event featured a 30-minute presentation including a demonstration where the Cybertruck's armored glass withstood a baseball thrown by von Holzhausen.

[52] During the delivery event, the Cybertruck was highlighted as being able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds (0–100km/h in 2.7 seconds), which was demonstrated by a video of the Cybertruck winning a drag race with a Porsche 911 while also towing another Porsche 911,[53] which Musk claimed was over a distance of 1⁄4 mi (0.40 km), but based on pavement markings and grandstand position at Sacramento Raceway Park, where the race was recorded, was more likely to be 1⁄8 mi (0.20 km).

[56] According to Musk, the design of the Cybertruck was inspired by Blade Runner and "Wet Nellie", the Lotus Esprit driven by James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me, which doubled as a submarine.

[51][60] Lars Moravy confirmed Musk's involvement: "Elon threw in that it had to drive like a sports car but have all the utility of a pick-up truck... basically, we were sweating bullets".

Franz von Holzhausen stated the design process "started [by] unpacking existing pick-up trucks and realis[ing] that the market hasn't changed at all. [...]

[61] Automotive designer Adrian Clarke was more unsparing: "The Cybertruck is a low polygon joke that only exists in the fever dreams of Tesla fans that stands high on the smell of Elon Musk's flatulences.

"[62] Giorgetto Giugiaro, credited with originating the "origami" car design trend with the Lotus Esprit, BMW M1, and DMC DeLorean, stated in 2023 that "when you step outside the norms, it's almost always seen as a provocation [...] the Cybertruck will surely be successful [...] I'm convinced it will find its admirers".

[66][67] The Cybertruck's stainless steel finish is prone to rust spots and requires special care such as avoiding washing the vehicle in direct sunlight.

All powertrain components for both motor types are housed in a liquid-cooled integrated subassembly that includes the rotor/stator, inverter and the 15:1-ratio gear set.

[72] A rear-wheel drive version, announced for delayed production not before 2025, will be equipped with the single permanent magnet motor on the rear axle.

[2] Tesla claims that up to 128 or 136 mi (206 or 219 km) (tri-motor or dual-motor versions, respectively) of range can be added in 15 minutes of charging at 400 V DC.

[82] The Cybertruck uses a 48-volt electrical system; this 48 V DC is fed to electric-powered components including steering actuators, oil pumps at the drive units, window regulator motors, wiper motor,[92]: 18:02  accessory power feed to the frunk (400W)[93] and to the roof (400W),[93] three domain controller ECUs, the touchscreen[94][non-primary source needed] and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery.

[79][2] The steering wheel is in the shape of a "squircle" (combination of a square and a circle), with a flat top and bottom, and round sides.

It has a motorized roller shutter style tonneau cover enclosing a storage area of 67 cu ft (1.9 m3).

[98][better source needed] When the tonneau cover is closed, the rear window is blocked, rendering a traditional rear-view mirror, which is not present, useless.

The result is that data travels over the same network, as opposed to traditional CAN bus systems which require individual connections, reducing the amount of wiring in the vehicle.

[102][103] The Cybertruck's stainless steel finish is prone to surface contamination that looks like rust,[104] and requires special care such as avoiding washing the vehicle in direct sunlight and drying after rain.

[111] Motor Trend has shortlisted it for the magazine's 2025 Truck of the Year, praising its steer-by-wire system and other tech, but criticizing "the design’s many compromises".

[112] As of June 2024[update], 11,688 Cybertrucks had been sold,[113] making it the best-selling EV pickup truck in the United States by the first half of 2024.

[127] As of December 2024[update] the vehicle had not been crash tested by the NHTSA or by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

[129][130] The Cybertruck's angular design and stiff stainless-steel exterior raised concerns among safety experts that it could hurt pedestrians and cyclists and damage other vehicles on roads.

[134][135] Tesla defended the design, saying that the structures of the Cybertruck would absorb an impact during a crash,[131] and pointing out that it passed a U.S. regulatory review.