Elon Musk’s Cybertruck Falls Short of Being Truly Bulletproof

The Cybertruck’s reputation among enthusiasts as a post-apocalyptic survival transport stemmed from its 2019 debut, during which Musk lauded its ability to withstand a “nine-millimeter handgun” assault. Most likely, he was referring to the 9x19mm Parabellum, potentially the most widely used handgun cartridge globally. To showcase its resilience, a slow-motion video on the stage displayed a bullet disintegrating upon striking a metallic surface.

However, that was merely a public relations spectacle, an account Tesla fans argue doesn’t mirror the final product—particularly regarding the windows. The Cybertruck underwent significant redesigning toward production, thus the version showcased on the stage that day may not accurately represent the trucks that will be delivered later this month. Instead, let’s focus on the ballistic examination a pre-production Cybertruck underwent recently.

On October 20, Musk announced on Twitter that Tesla exhibited the Cybertruck’s bulletproof features by subjecting it to “the entire drum magazine from a Tommy gun shot into the driver’s door Mafia style,” reminiscent of Al Capone. He was referring to the Thompson submachine gun, an early automatic weapon renowned for its utilization by the U.S. military and organized crime. However, the Thompson does not employ the 9mm Parabellum round the Cybertruck was claimed to withstand. It chambers the .45 ACP, a distinction that cannot be overlooked when assessing the Cybertruck’s resilience.

.45 ACP, a larger-caliber projectile with performance somewhat akin to the 9mm Parabellum, has one significant distinction, as outlined by Pew Pew Tactical: Penetration capabilities. .45 ACP, being a broader bullet and predominantly subsonic, is a low-velocity round. Conversely, the faster and slimmer 9mm Parabellum is better suited for piercing body armor. In this instance, a three-millimeter stainless steel sheet.

Starting to see the trend? Musk boasted that the Cybertruck’s side could resist a round more likely to pierce armor, then chose a less penetrating ammunition for the test, seemingly in favor of Tesla. While Tesla showcased a slow-motion video of a projectile hitting metal, skepticism arises regarding the accuracy of that footage.

The veracity of whether the bullet and the surface depicted were indeed a 9mm Parabellum round and a Cybertruck side is contentious, given Tesla’s credibility concerns. This is the company that has previously misled the public concerning the Cybertruck’s capabilities, not to mention asserting that its vehicles would autonomously cross the country in 2017, that it planned to construct a hovering supercar by 2020, and has been penalized for overstating its vehicles’ ranges. Musk’s promises on stage must be viewed with skepticism, and the decision to use .45 ACP for a Musk-backed ballistics trial instead of 9mm Parabellum should raise questions for those knowledgeable about firearms.

It’s nitpicking to focus on the variance between two handgun bullet types. Neither comes close to the most potent ammunition widely accessible to the average American shooter. As per Aurum Security, in compliance with European VPAM vehicle armor norms, 9mm Parabellum can be effectively thwarted by some of the least resilient protective grades, like VPAM 2 or 3. Brands following these standards of protection, such as B1 and B2, seldom utilize them to armor a security vehicle.

For instance, the armored limos supplied to VIPs by car manufacturers are rated highly at VPAM 9, showcasing their ability to withstand armor-penetrating high-velocity rifle rounds. By comparison, vehicles like the U.S. Presidential limousine, known as “The Beast,” are likely rated at VPAM 13 or higher due to their armor thickness and composition. This is akin to the ranking of a truly fortified armored personnel carrier.

When you purchase a Cybertruck, you’re not acquiring the tank-like fortress Elon Musk portrays it to be. Many experts wouldn’t even classify it as an armored vehicle. Instead, it’s a vehicle whose added bullet resistance could potentially pose a greater risk to the occupants once penetrated by a projectile.

Upon penetrating a metal surface, such as a vehicle door, a bullet doesn’t simply pass through it cleanly. It tears apart the metal, carrying metal fragments along, or potentially disintegrates upon exit. A 2003 study on pigs revealed that such fragments significantly escalate the severity of wounds.

Metal jackets typically present in intermediate rifle rounds like 223 Remington and 5.56 NATO (common calibers for the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle) can mitigate fragmentation, though the study affirmed that total elimination of fragmentation wasn’t achieved. Moreover, the experiment utilized metal H&K G3 magazines (possibly thin, stamped aluminum) as opposed to 3mm steel. Increased displacement materials tend to carry more fragments with them.

The risk of fragmentation wounds due to rifle ammunition is lessened by a study from the National Institute of Justice, indicating that mass shootings (a form of random violence that concerns Cybertruck buyers seeking protection) involve rifles only around 25% of the time. A more pronounced trend is evident: 70% of mass shooters have a personal connection to their victims. This closely mirrors homicide statistics, where 64% of murderers were acquainted with their victims, as reported by Statista.

In case the Tesla Cybertruck is intended to resist a stray bullet, it may endure. If the aim is to defend against a premeditated assault, then chances are it won’t be sufficient. If an individual specifically targets a Cybertruck driver, the assailant likely won’t launch a sudden attack while they’re driving their famously “bulletproof” pickup. They will wait for a more suitable opportunity. Alternatively, if they are truly desperate, they may upgrade to a higher caliber to compensate.

If you perceive the risk of being shot while in your vehicle significant enough to justify investing in prevention measures, then consider acquiring a genuine armored vehicle instead (one that allows you to lower the windows). Nowadays, these can be customized from almost any vehicle, so you are not limited to driving a Cybertruck. However, if you still admire Tesla’s truck for its alternative features, that’s acceptable. Just be aware that other elements of its construction may also not completely align with the advertisements.

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