Safety experts are expressing concerns about the angular structure of Tesla's (NASDAQ:TSLA) Cybertruck, fearing that its rigid stainless-steel exterior might pose risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles on the roads.
The crash test videos streamed by Tesla during a November 30 event sparked extensive discussions on social media. However, analysts who viewed the videos emphasized the necessity of crash-test data to form definitive conclusions regarding the vehicle's safety.
"The big problem there is if they really make the skin of the vehicle very stiff by using thick stainless steel, then when people hit their heads on it, it's going to cause more damage to them," said former Insurance Institute for Highway Safety president, Adrian Lund.
Tesla highlighted the truck's structural elements designed to absorb impact during collisions. CEO Elon Musk expressed confidence in the Cybertruck's safety compared to other trucks for both occupants and pedestrians in a social media post on Tuesday.
The CEO stated that he was "highly confident" about the Cybertruck’s safety features.
The vehicle stands out due to its distinctive appearance with flat planes and elongated, linear edges. At the launch event held at the Austin, Texas factory, Tesla emphasized that the cold-rolled stainless body panels were engineered to absorb impact in the event of a crash.
The vehicle features energy-absorbing ribs in its front and rear structures for dissipating energy. In side impacts, Tesla noted that the door's skin bears the majority of the crash load.
Much of the concern is focused on those outside the truck.
David Friedman, ex-active head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, explained the disadvantage other vehicles may have in an accident with the Cybertruck, “"If you're in a crash with another vehicle that has a crumple zone and your car is more stiff, then their cars are going to crush and yours is resistant," he said.
Also expressing concern, analysts at the Safe Transportation Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley, expressed being “alarmed” by Tesla's shared crash test footage. They highlighted the trucks' substantial weight and rapid acceleration, citing potential hazards for individuals outside the vehicle.
U.S. regulators depend on automobile manufacturers to conduct self-testing and confirm their compliance with safety standards. Musk mentioned in a recent interview with auto consultant Sandy Munro that the Cybertruck had successfully completed regulatory review.
The initial batch of approximately twelve trucks was subsequently delivered to buyers last week.
Shares of TSLA are down 0.24% in mid-day trading on Friday.