The post-accident Cybertruck

[tinm]

So like most of you I have a Cybertruck reservation . . . but I still have lingering questions:

• We know the truck is built with a super-strong stainless-steel exoskeleton. Let’s say a drunk pickup truck driver runs a stop sign and slams into the CT. What happens to the exoskeleton?
• Let’s say the exoskeleton does a fantastic job: anyone in the Cybertruck emerges without a scratch. What about the truck?
• Will Cybertrucks in accidents wind up being considered “totaled” by insurance at a higher rate than any other Tesla model, because even a mildly damaged exoskeleton might be determined to be a “bent frame”?

 

[israndy]

I read somewhere that the exoskeleton will be simply welded together and repairs would be un-welding and re-welding the damaged section. Plus some of the impacts that would cause a normal Tesla to be totaled will require no body repairs. It's shocking what I have seen Teslas totaled for. My questions are more like:

• What's going to happen to the motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian that hits or gets hit by a cT?
• If the front gets bent in will that leave the side as essentially an arrow or the hood as a guillotine for anyone approaching the vehicle at even a slow speed?
• What if you hit an immovable object like a telephone pole or boulder and the front is bulletproof does that mean the car stops NOW, no crushable front end to take the impact?

 

[tinm]

I read somewhere that the exoskeleton will be simply welded together and repairs would be un-welding and re-welding the damaged section. Plus some of the impacts that would cause a normal Tesla to be totaled will require no body repairs. It's shocking what I have seen Teslas totaled for. My questions are more like:

• What's going to happen to the motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian that hits or gets hit by a cT?
• If the front gets bent in will that leave the side as essentially an arrow or the hood as a guillotine for anyone approaching the vehicle at even a slow speed?
• What if you hit an immovable object like a telephone pole or boulder and the front is bulletproof does that mean the car stops NOW, no crushable front end to take the impact?

All excellent questions, especially re pedestrians.

Oh I can’t wait for the NHTSA crash test vids! Worst case, they’re embarrassing to Tesla. Best case, they show the CT destroying anything that tries to hit the CT, and when the dustcloud settles, there it stands, shiny and unscathed. Would make funny/viral YouTube vid. Until you realize the implications for pedestrians, cyclists, motorbikers, and animals.

 

[CyberGus]

• What's going to happen to the motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian that hits or gets hit by a cT?

Probably the same thing that happens when they are hit by any other 2-ton chunks of steel moving at high speed. Frankly the CT will be much safer than other vehicles, since AP can actively avoid a collision.

Just because the skin is bullet-proof, it does not mean that the front-end cannot be made to crumple upon impact with a larger object. This is not Tesla's first vehicle, they are aware of the NHSTA rules and undoubtedly baked them into the design. Of course, they still make you crash-test new models no matter how well designed, so it should make for some interesting footage.

 

[tinm]

Probably the same thing that happens when they are hit by any other 2-ton chunks of steel moving at high speed. Frankly the CT will be much safer than other vehicles, since AP can actively avoid a collision.

Just because the skin is bullet-proof, it does not mean that the front-end cannot be made to crumple upon impact with a larger object. This is not Tesla's first vehicle, they are aware of the NHSTA rules and undoubtedly baked them into the design. Of course, they still make you crash-test new models no matter how well designed, so it should make for some interesting footage.

4 ton more like, no? Or close to it

 

[Uncle Paul]

The industry has dealt with this before. Early body shops would only replace dented body panels and install new bumpers. If your frame was bent they would total the car.
Later they invented frame beds that could pull a damaged steel frame back to specifications, then bolt on new or repaired fenders & bumpers. Not so many cars were totaled. This technology got better and better. They can currently bolt and weld on fresh front and rear clips, making one good car out of two severly damaged ones.

Then Jaguar, Ford and others began to introduce major components out of aluminum. Body shops needed to invest $$$ into totally different equipment. The aluminum repair areas needed to be totally seperated from the steel repair areas. Even grinding dust from one technology would contaminate the other. They needed specialized tools/ training and equipment to handle the aluminum intensive new frames and body panels. Started out very expensive, with few specialists trained in aluminum welding/grinding/frame straightening and finishing.
Now this is commonplace with most all major shops handling both steel and aluminum.

Delorean led the way with Stainless Steel body panels. Most left them bare, but a few had them painted. Owners would "polish" them with 3M Scotch Bright pads, running with the grain. Damaged body panels could be beaten out/ welded or replaced as needed.

Imagine it will be the same with Cybertruck Exoskeleton. They will be wonderfully crash worthy with great passenger protection. Crumple zones will be engineered in and occupant safety a large priority. Initially only a few shops will be Tesla approved, and expensive. Insuanace companies will not be happy to not be able to steer you into their cheapest places. Pushback will encourage more and more shops to learn how to handle the ineveniable crashes and prices will come down. Probably end up being less expensive to repair those designs than the aluminum intensive offerings (like S & X)

In order to compete, other manufacturers will make their own, inexpensive exoskeleton vehicles. Imagine the military and businesses will want to go this way. Imagine the next fleet of Mail Delivery vehicles will go exoskeleton, along with Taxi and commercial trucks.

It will all work out over time, and this new, inexpensive and safe way to produce sturdy and safe vehicles will gain a signifcant following.

 

[israndy]

Probably the same thing that happens when they are hit by any other 2-ton chunks of steel moving at high speed. Frankly the CT will be much safer than other vehicles, since AP can actively avoid a collision.

Sure, at high speed, no one's going to be happy, but most pedestrian/bike accidents happen at intersections, and most modern cars wrap the steel bumper in bendable plastic than protects the skin and bones of those it hits. I know, Hummer's don't have plastic bumpers and are often wrapped in brush bars to protect the car when one hits a deer, I should be thinking of the cT as that kind of vehicle. Just trying not to, never wanted to own something like that.

 

[CyberGus]

It's my understanding that the worst injuries in a pedestrian collision are from the head impacting the hood. Since the CT hood is not part of the exoskeleton, it doesn't need to be "bulletproof" and could even rest on impact-absorbant material...as much as you can absorb the impact of your skull with a piece of steel.

 

[android04]

It's possible (though I hope not) that Tesla goes in the direction of not having certain safety features in Cybertruck since it will fall in the Medium Duty GVWR category (which includes vehicles in Classes 3 through 6). See here for what I mean Will Cybertruck be a Class 3 vehicle?

 

[TessP100D]

To me, Tesla is all about safety. I hope they pass all the required safety tests with high marks and use them as selling points to the masses

 

[android04]

It's possible (though I hope not) that Tesla goes in the direction of not having certain safety features in Cybertruck since it will fall in the Medium Duty GVWR category (which includes vehicles in Classes 3 through 6). See here for what I mean Will Cybertruck be a Class 3 vehicle?

I did some calculating of individual components and assuming that Tesla will rate the Cybertruck range with energy efficient tires -- all three trims should be in Class 2. So it will hopefully be designed for safety and obtain high crash test ratings.

 

[ThomasD]

I wonder how the glass roof will hold up while offroad with the body flexing

 

[CyberGus]

I wonder how the glass roof will hold up while offroad with the body flexing

Probably as well as the windshield, the back glass, and all the other fixed windows

 

[Battpower]

wrapped in brush bars to protect the car when one hits a deer,

Years ago there was a fad in the UK and probably elsewhere to put huge bull bars (I'm assuming similar to what you refer to as brush bars) on any chunky looking vehicle and there was significant public risk investigation. I believe the outcome was stringent regulation of positioning and design of such addons, almost restricting all but those tested as part of the car's safety profile.

 

[ThomasD]

You mean something like this

 

[Battpower]

Yup!

 

[israndy]

I wonder how the glass roof will hold up while offroad with the body flexing

Why do you think they had to use Armored Glass?

 

[OrbiterTI4]

...Plus some of the impacts that would cause a normal Tesla to be totaled will require no body repairs. It's shocking what I have seen Teslas totaled for...

Can you give some examples? My vehicle had a front collision with multiple airbag deployments and wasn't totaled...I'm curious what "minor" things you've seen clear the total loss bar.

 

[israndy]

Sadly I don't have a link, and I personally don't know these cars, but I had read people here complaining about their car being totaled. Rich Rebuilds brings it up in his videos. It became part of my expectation as a Tesla owner, but if others have not heard that perhaps I simply misunderstood.