Connect with us

News

Farmer proves Tesla Cybertruck is an amazing real-world “work truck”

Credit: Cybertruck/X

Published

on

A Tesla owner who owns a farm is debunking the idea that the Cybertruck is not a “real work truck.” As could be seen in the Tesla owner’s videos on social media, the Cybertruck is very much a capable work vehicle, and it can be beaten and battered on a daily basis without breaking a sweat. 

The Smith family, who runs a TikTok channel about their farm in Idaho, has been posting some videos of their work Cybertruck. The family’s Cybertruck is being used as a regular farm vehicle, transporting tools and powering equipment like a 240V welder, plasma cutter, air compressor, and a variety of other tools. As per the Cybertruck owner, the all-electric pickup truck has been taking the daily punishment really well, and its features like its large, flat bed have been great. 

@meetthesmithfamily #cybertruck #tesla #farming #welding #tools #milwuakee #tractors ♬ original sound – The Smiths

The Cybertruck is a tough vehicle, but it has also been subjected to a very successful misinformation campaign from Tesla critics. It would not take too long to find comments on social media claiming that the Cybertruck can’t drive through rain, go through a car wash, or not get stuck when climbing the gentlest of inclines. Dedicated online groups such as the r/Cyberstuck subreddit, which focus on criticizing the vehicle, have all but ensured that the all-electric pickup truck is well criticized on a consistent basis. 

@meetthesmithfamily Replying to @bryannayrb511 #cybertruck #welding #agriculture #farming #tesla #trucks ♬ original sound – The Smiths

Some of this misinformation could be seen in the comments section of The Smiths’ TikTok videos. When the family demonstrated how the vehicle was being used for real farm work, for example, some users quickly claimed that it would only take a few minutes of welding before the Cybertruck’s battery is fully drained. Fortunately, the Tesla owners seem more than willing to address these comments, stating in a follow-up video that the Cybertruck’s battery pack is actually large enough to run power tools for a very long time. 

@meetthesmithfamily #cybertruck #trucks #farming #couplestiktok #tools #milwuakee #tesla #diy ♬ original sound – The Smiths

It might take some time before Tesla can shake off the misinformation that has surrounded the Cybertruck, particularly with regard to the vehicle’s alleged weakness. But thanks to Tesla’s constant improvements to the vehicle in the form of updates such as Off Road Mode, as well as real-world accounts from actual owners of the truck, perhaps a time would come when the Cybertruck could fully discard the negative reputation it’s been given by critics. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

Advertisement
Comments

Elon Musk

Tesla makes last-ditch effort to get CEO Elon Musk $56 billion payday

Published

on

tesla elon musk

Tesla has made a last-ditch effort to secure the $56 billion pay package for CEO Elon Musk, which was approved twice by company shareholders, after a Delaware Chancery Court denied the frontman the payday.

Perhaps one of the biggest issues from a standpoint of being fluent in Tesla-related events has been Musk’s pay package.

It was approved by shareholders once in 2018, and required Musk to oversee various growth tranches that would bring investors value. He completed each of the tranches and was entitled to the pay package.

However, the Delaware Chancery Court decided in January 2024 to rescind the pay package, which Musk had earned, based on a suit filed by a shareholder.

Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick ruled that Tesla’s board lacked independence from Musk when the pay package was approved in 2018, and that it should not be granted.

She called it “an unfathomable sum.”

In response to the pay package’s rejection by Chancellor McCormick, Tesla held a second shareholder vote last year, which once again showed investors were willing to support Musk’s payday. It was approved by shareholders, but it was once again denied by the court.

Today, Tesla attorneys argued to the Delaware Supreme Court that the pay package should be restored because of last year’s vote by shareholders.

Jeffrey Wall, an attorney for Tesla, said (via Reuters):

“This was the most informed stockholder vote in Delaware history. Reaffirming that would resolve this case. Shareholders in 2024 knew exactly what they were voting.”

In a response to the decision by the Delaware courts last year, Tesla proposed a new pay package for Musk in September, which would give him a potentially $1 trillion compensation plan. It would require Musk to help Tesla reach several performance-based growth milestones, including achieving an $8.5 trillion market cap.

Elon Musk’s new pay plan ties trillionaire status to Tesla’s $8.5 trillion valuation

Musk is currently worth $483 billion, making him the richest person in the world. If he were to achieve his pay package tranches, granted the new pay package is passed at the Shareholder Meeting in November, he would easily be the first trillionaire.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla makes big move with its Insurance program

Tesla Insurance launched back in late 2019, and it was massive because it was the first time a company aimed to cover its vehicle owners in-house without the need for third-party companies.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla Insurance is heading to a new state for the first time in years, as the company is aiming to launch its in-house coverage platform in Florida.

Tesla Insurance launched back in late 2019, and it was massive because it was the first time a company aimed to cover its vehicle owners in-house without the need for third-party companies.

Tesla Insurance goes live with claims of lower rates by 20-30%

However, it has struggled to expand and only offers insurance in twelve states currently.

Tesla Insurance is available in:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Minnesota
  • Nevada
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia

In California, Tesla cannot offer real-time insurance or telematics due to regulatory rules.

The company uses a Safety Score to adjust rates based on driving behaviors. The current version, which is called Safety Score Beta v2.2, tracks Hard Braking, Aggressive Turning, Unsafe Following, Excessive Speeding, Late-Night Driving, Forced Autopilot Engagement, and Unbuckled Driving to determine the rate it should charge.

Tesla is working to expand into new markets and has filed applications to launch the program into new U.S. states. Back in 2022, it filed to offer insurance to Florida drivers, but it did not launch.

However, the company just filed to update its Private Passenger Auto program in Florida, according to the insurance site CoverageR.

It would be the first new state to obtain Tesla Insurance since Utah and Maryland launched over three years ago.

Tesla Insurance is now in Utah and Maryland

Tesla has its eyes on other states, including Georgia, New Jersey, Oregon, and Virginia.

It has also tried to expand to Europe, as it opened an office specifically for Insurance. It was also hiring for Legal Counsel specializing in Insurance on the continent, but nothing ever expanded to an actual offering of vehicle coverage.

Tesla Insurance is an advantage for owners specifically because the company is familiar with its vehicles, the parts, and the repair processes that are required to get a car back on the road.

This was a big reason some drivers switched from the previous providers to the in-house Insurance Tesla was able to offer.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla launches new interior option for Model Y

Tesla just launched a new light grey interior option for the Model Y L in China, which will cost $1,120.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla China

Tesla has launched a new interior option for the rare Model Y L trim that is available only in China, marking the first new color for the inside of a vehicle in some time.

Tesla has traditionally stuck with either Black or White interior options with the Model 3 and Model Y, although the Model S and Model X have had additional colors. The Model S and Model X still have a Walnut Cream interior option that costs an additional $2,000.

With the mass market models, however, Tesla has maintained the Black or White selections, until now, at least in China.

Tesla just launched a new light grey interior option for the Model Y L in China, which will cost $1,120.

It differs from the white interior slightly, but it is nice for buyers in China to have this third option:

The new color is only available on the Model Y L in China, so customers who take delivery of other trim levels or in other regions will not have this color available to them, just as the vehicle configuration itself is exclusive to that market.

In terms of whether it will make its way to other markets, CEO Elon Musk has said that the Model Y L could potentially make its way to the United States at the end of 2026, but it is not a certainty.

Musk said:

“This variant of the Model Y doesn’t start production in the U.S. until the end of next year. Might not ever, given the advent of self-driving in America.”

This came as a disappointment to many fans and owners in the U.S. because people here have been pushing Tesla to create and manufacture a new, full-size SUV, or at least something more traditional that competes with vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition.

While the Model Y L is not on par with the size of those vehicles, it is a longer and larger version of the best-selling Model Y.

Tesla China shows off Model Y L’s manufacturing process in new video

Nevertheless, the new interior option is something we could hopefully see added to U.S. vehicles, although it seems Tesla’s focus is truly dialed in on the Cybercab and expanding Robotaxi and autonomy.

Continue Reading

Trending