Tesla officially launches Cybertruck

Tesla adds a $999 monthly Cybertruck option

The electric pickup that has been sparking conversations since its unveiling is now available for lease directly from Tesla. It's been almost a year since the Cybertruck first hit the market, and the lease option should open up access to a wider range of potential buyers.

Tesla has announced lease options for the Cybertruck, starting at $999 per month for the All-Wheel Drive version and $1,148 per month for the higher-performance Cyberbeast trim. Both lease options require a down payment of $7,500. If you're looking to purchase the Cybertruck outright, prices start at $79,990 for the All-Wheel Drive and $99,990 for the Cyberbeast.

Financing options for purchases are also available, with 72-month terms and monthly payments of $1,280 and $1,609 for the All-Wheel Drive and Cyberbeast, respectively, along with a $3,999 down payment.

The availability of the Cybertruck has steadily increased in recent weeks as Tesla ramps up production. In August, Tesla dropped the reservation requirement for purchasing a Cybertruck, and new orders placed now are expected to ship in November or December. October saw the end of the Foundation Series package, which had added $20,000 to the price of both models.

Despite its unconventional design and polarizing aesthetics, the Cybertruck has become the best-selling electric pickup in the US. Cox Automotive reports that 16,692 Cybertrucks were delivered in the third quarter of this year, bringing the total for the first three quarters to 28,250. Its closest competitor, the Ford F-150 Lightning, trails behind with 22,807 deliveries through September and 24,670 through October. Interestingly, Ford recently announced a pause in F-150 Lightning production from November 16 to January 6, citing low demand.

 
Tesla Cybertruck MIIT filing suggests Chinese market entry

Tesla's Cybertruck has passed a key regulatory hurdle in China, securing an energy consumption homologation from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). This strongly hints at fast approaching launch of the electric pickup truck in the world's largest EV market.

The MIIT's report reveals that the Cybertruck, classified as an M1 passenger vehicle, has received an official range of 618 km. The vehicle's curb weight is a substantial 3,104 kg, and it's powered by three electric motors with peak outputs of 206 kW, 222 kW, and 222 kW. That means we are looking at the Cyberbeast version. Its energy consumption is rated at 22.6 kWh per 100 km. Chinese MIIT performed some interesting math and equated that to an estimated fuel equivalent of 2.6 L per 100 km and an estimated cost of RMB 14.92 (€1.89) per 100 km

Interestingly, the Cybertruck's classification as a passenger vehicle is a departure from the norm in China, where pickup trucks typically fall under the light trucks category. This difference could pave the way for wider adoption of the Cybertruck in the Chinese market.

Tesla still faces challenges in bringing the Cybertruck to China. CEO Elon Musk has previously acknowledged the difficulties in meeting China's and Europe's legal requirements for light trucks, particularly concerning pedestrian collision protection. Local reports suggest that Tesla is actively working on modifications to address these concerns

 
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