Tesla Cybertruck hubcap flies off in traffic

Tesla is about to start production of its much talked about Cybertruck. But a recent incident where an aerodynamic wheel cover flew off a test vehicle in traffic has raised concerns. This happened in San Francisco, near Tesla's Fremont factory, and the incident was caught on a dashcam.

What happened?

A test version of Tesla's Cybertruck caused a potentially dangerous situation when its aerodynamic wheel cover came off in traffic. The cover hit another vehicle and flew into the air. This happened even though these wheel covers are planned to be included in the final production model.

Why are wheel covers important?

Aerodynamic wheel covers can increase efficiency by 5-10%, which is particularly important for electric cars where higher efficiency means less need for a battery. This makes the car both cheaper and lighter. Also, electric cars don't need as much airflow to the brakes as gasoline cars, thanks to regenerative braking, making these covers even more beneficial.

Safety aspects

The wheel cover that flew off was a plastic part that attaches to the spokes of the wheel. Although relatively lightweight, an object that flies off on a highway can be dangerous. It can damage other cars, cause drivers to react unpredictably, or, in the worst case, injure pedestrians.

Past Experience and Future Implications

Tesla vehicles drive hundreds of millions of miles per day, and there have been no reported significant incidents of wheel covers falling off. But the fact that this occurred so close to the start of production for the Cybertruck indicates that if there is a design flaw, this could happen more often as more Cybertrucks roll out on the roads.

Conclusion

While this can be seen as an isolated incident, it is worrying given that the Cybertruck will soon go into production. It is important for Tesla to quickly identify and fix any design issues to prevent future incidents.