Cybertruck's Concrete Wall Crash: A Safety Showcase

Tesla's Cybertruck recently underwent a dramatic test. The electric pickup was filmed smashing into a concrete wall at 35 mph. The front of the vehicle crumpled, but the rest seemed to hold its shape well. The test was part of a routine safety check. No one was behind the wheel during the test. The footage, which also includes rollover tests, was recorded in 2023. Tesla released the video after the National Highway Transport Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Cybertruck a perfect 5/5 safety rating. The NHTSA's tests focus on how well the vehicle protects its occupants. The Cybertruck's unusual design has sparked a lot of curiosity. The NHTSA's rating will likely be a relief to the engineers. However, the tests don't show how well a pedestrian would fare in a collision with the pickup. The Cybertruck has yet to be tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS conducts its own set of crash tests, which can be more rigorous than the NHTSA's. For example, the IIHS performs a small overlap protection test, which simulates an impact where the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle, or an object like a tree or a utility pole. The Cybertruck isn't the first electric pickup to get a perfect rating from the NHTSA. Ford's F-150 Lightning also achieved the same accolade. The NHTSA conducts its vehicle safety tests independently. The tests are carried out at the Vehicle Research and Test Center. The facility is operated by NHTSA personnel who carry out research and vehicle testing to support the agency's mission of improving road safety.