Is the Tesla Cybertruck the future of off-roading?

this Tesla Cybertruck Already a striking-looking vehicle, this year’s SEMA aftermarket show showed that the electric ute is ripe for customization.

SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association Exhibition) is the world’s premier event for automotive customization and aftermarket innovation. The 2024 show takes place November 5-8 and once again showcases everything from classic muscle cars to the latest off-road engineering.

But this year, something different is getting a lot of attention: the Tesla Cybertruck.

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This futuristic all-electric truck made a strong debut at SEMA and is generating buzz.

The Cybertruck was noticeably absent from SEMA last year, with only a handful of early prototypes circulating in the automotive world. Supply chain delays, production challenges and Tesla’s efforts to scale up the Cybertruck’s non-traditional stainless steel body have all contributed to the delays.

Now, with deliveries finally rolling out, Cybertrucks are flooding the floors, with many models equipped with off-road and overland hauling capabilities in ways that are almost as controversial as the trucks themselves.

Off-road appeal and limitations

The Cybertruck’s debut at SEMA attracted a diverse crowd.

On the one hand, it has a range of moderate off-road capabilities: an approach angle of 35 degrees, a departure angle of 28 degrees and a ground clearance of up to 406 millimeters are claimed, thanks to the adaptive air suspension.

The truck’s design looks like something out of a science fiction movie and is undeniably bold and eye-catching. For urban adventurers and tech enthusiasts, this futuristic aesthetic is a huge selling point. The stainless steel exoskeleton, while polarizing, offers exceptional durability and an unorthodox approach to vehicle design.

But off-road purists have plenty of reservations. The Cybertruck’s sheer size and weight – likely to exceed 3,000 kilograms – raise questions about its off-road agility.

Electric cars tend to get bogged down in extreme conditions where traditional internal combustion engines come into play, such as long stretches of soft sand or deep mud. Battery performance, especially in remote areas where charging infrastructure does not exist, remains a major limitation.

While the Cybertruck’s projected range of up to 800 kilometers is impressive, how reliable is it when you’re far away from civilization and towing heavy loads?

Range anxiety is a very real issue for adventurers who enjoy exploring Australia’s most remote landscapes.

Love it or hate it

Cybertrucks have an uncanny ability to divide opinions. Some enthusiasts see it as the future of off-roading: a zero-emission vehicle that can apparently cruise backcountry trails while turning heads at every campfire.

Others dismissed it as an unrealistic gimmick, a technology experiment more suited to the streets of Silicon Valley than the rugged Australian outback. There’s no denying the truck’s performance specs are impressive. The Cybertruck uses a three-motor setup and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than three seconds, with excellent speed and torque.

Off-road performance isn’t just about power, however. Mobility, reliability and the ability to cope with harsh conditions play an equally important role.

Inside, the cabin’s minimalist design and massive touchscreen dashboard further divide opinion. The lack of traditional instrumentation, reliance on software updates and Tesla’s typically polarizing user interface are either viewed as game-changing innovations or as features that detract from the rugged simplicity that many off-road enthusiasts value.

While Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems are groundbreaking in urban environments, how much of these technologies will prove useful or even practical when you’re driving on unmarked desert tracks? ?

Tow truck problem

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Cybertruck at SEMA was how well it performed when towing.

With a towing capacity of up to 6350kg, this sounds like a game-changer on paper. However, towing can have a significant impact on range, a challenge that internal combustion engines also face, but to a lesser extent.

In electric vehicles, hauling heavy loads over long distances can deplete battery reserves at an alarming rate. Imagine towing a fully loaded trailer to a remote campsite, only to find that your range is severely reduced and you can’t recharge.

Until EV charging infrastructure becomes more common in rural and remote areas, this will remain a daunting issue for EV adventurers.

Future potential and SEMA surprises

Despite the skepticism, SEMA 2024 is still full of surprises. Seeing multiple Cybertrucks outfitted with serious overland and off-road gear, including rooftop tents, modified bumpers and taller off-road tires, is a sight many weren’t expecting.

The aftermarket quickly jumped on board, creating custom accessories to make the Cybertruck even more off-road capable. The fact that many companies are willing to invest in making it more suitable for rugged adventures is a testament to the vehicle’s appeal.

So, what is the future of the Tesla Cybertruck as an off-road vehicle? It does have potential, and for those willing to invest in the right gear and work around its limitations, it could become a serious player in the world of adventure travel.

However, it’s hard to ignore the significant challenges it faces, as the market is still dominated by tried-and-true four-wheel-drive icons like the Toyota LandCruiser and even the Ford Ranger.

At the SEMA show, Cybertruck made a statement: Electric vehicles are already here, even in the off-road world. But whether it’s the future of risk-taking or just a trend of the past remains to be seen.

Let us know what you think in the comments below!