Tesla Cybertruck to weigh more than four tonnes, powered by three electric motors – report

A Tesla enthusiast forum has unearthed previously-unknown specifications for the Cybertruck, providing extra details about the electric pick-up before US deliveries are due to begin late next month.

As reported by Carbuzz, a user of the Cybertruck Owners Club online forum discovered Tesla’s VIN (vehicle identification number) ‘decoder’ in a document submitted to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The document shows the Tesla Cybertruck will weigh between 4082 and 4546 kilograms (or 9001 to 10,000 pounds) – similar to the circa-4400kg GMC Hummer EV, but about twice as much as the Toyota HiLux SR5 dual-cab ute (2110kg).

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According to the VIN decoder, the Tesla Cybertruck’s flagship grade will also be powered by three electric motors – confirming previous reports which suggested it would use a similar layout to the Tesla Model S Plaid super sedan.

However, CarBuzz reports the tri-motor setup is “going to be very different from other Tesla models” as the Cybertruck has a higher-voltage architecture, possibly exceeding the Model S Plaid’s 760kW/1420Nm outputs.

A less-powerful dual-motor Cybertruck is also expected to go on sale, though no more specific details are available yet.

As reported last week, US deliveries of the Tesla Cybertruck are due to begin on 30 November 2023 – almost four years after the electric pick-up was revealed in concept form.

While production of the Cybertruck began in mid-July, it is not expected to reach its full potential until 2025.

Despite its launch now little more than one month away, pricing and official specifications for the Tesla Cybertruck are yet to be revealed.

The Tesla Cybertruck’s delayed launch means it was beaten to become the first electric pick-up on US roads by the Rivian R1T and the Ford F-150 Lightning, though it will debut before battery-powered versions of the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado.