Safety experts are concerned about the rigid structure and sharp design of the Tesla Cybertruck.

The unique angular design of Tesla’s Cybertruck, characterized by its rigid stainless-steel exoskeleton, has raised safety concerns among experts. This concern stems from the potential harm it could pose to pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles on the road.

Reuters engaged with six safety experts and officials who reviewed Tesla’s crash test videos, which were showcased during a webcast event last week. These videos, streamed live at a November 30 event, sparked considerable discussion on social media. The experts, however, emphasized the need for detailed crash-test data to form definitive conclusions about the vehicle’s safety.

Adrian Lund, a former president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), noted concerns about the Cybertruck’s stiff exterior. “The big problem,” Lund said, “is if the vehicle’s skin is very stiff, using thick stainless steel, it could cause more harm to people in the event of a collision.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed strong confidence on social media that the Cybertruck would be safer for both occupants and pedestrians compared to other trucks. He highlighted the truck’s structures designed to absorb impact during a crash.

Tesla’s stock, slightly up at $243.64 in Friday afternoon trading, has not responded to requests for comments on these safety concerns. The Cybertruck’s design, featuring flat planes and sharp, linear edges, makes it visually unique and the first vehicle since the DeLorean car (featured in the 1985 movie “Back to the Future”) to have a stainless-steel exterior. Musk boasted about the vehicle’s toughness, even claiming that the material broke the stamping machine used to form the panels.

At the launch event in Austin, Texas, Tesla emphasized that the Cybertruck’s cold-rolled, stainless body panels are engineered to absorb impact during a crash. The vehicle features front and rear structures with energy-absorbing ribs to help dissipate energy, and during a side impact, the door skin bears most of the crash load.

George Washington University auto safety professor Samer Hamdar acknowledged concerns regarding the limited “crumple zones” of the Cybertruck, which are vital for absorbing impact energy in crashes. However, he also noted that other features might compensate for this limitation.

Priced starting at $60,990, the Cybertruck is not expected to be a high-volume vehicle like Tesla’s Model Y. Nevertheless, Musk anticipates a production rate of approximately 250,000 Cybertrucks per year by 2025.

‘RED FLAGS’ IN A CRASH

The safety concerns surrounding Tesla’s Cybertruck largely focus on its potential impact on those outside the vehicle. Elon Musk humorously remarked, “If you have an argument with another car, you will win,” highlighting the truck’s robust build.

David Friedman, a former acting head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, outlined the implications for the less robust vehicle in a collision. He explained that if the Cybertruck, with its stiffer structure, collides with a vehicle having a crumple zone, the latter would bear the brunt of the impact, with its structure likely to be more severely damaged.

Julia Griswold, director of the University of California, Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, expressed alarm over the crash test videos posted by Tesla. She pointed out that the Cybertruck’s significant weight and high acceleration are potential hazards for pedestrians and cyclists.

While Tesla hasn’t confirmed plans to sell Cybertrucks in Europe, the vehicle’s compatibility with EU safety regulations, particularly those protecting pedestrians, seems doubtful. This month, Tesla’s chief engineer indicated to TopGear that EU rules limiting external protrusions on vehicles could pose challenges for the Cybertruck’s sale in Europe.

The European Transport Safety Council, a Brussels-based nonprofit, issued a statement urging Tesla not to introduce the Cybertruck in Europe. They emphasized the vehicle’s large size, power, and weight could be lethal in collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists.

In the U.S., vehicle manufacturers are responsible for self-testing and certifying their compliance with safety standards. Musk mentioned in a recent interview with auto consultant Sandy Munro that the Cybertruck had passed its regulatory review. The first batch of trucks was released to buyers last week, marking the beginning of its presence on roads.