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As the launch date for the Tesla Cybertruck draws near on November 30, sightings of prototype vehicles being tested on the roads are offering a better glimpse into what the final form of the pickup truck may look like. The more we see of it, however, the more puzzled we are, and there might be additional perplexity ahead if the brake lights remain unchanged from their current design on these test trucks.
In a video shared on Twitter, a prototype Cybertruck approaches a red light in the turning lane, slowing down with its left signal activated. The driver applies the brakes, triggering the brake light that immediately stood out to me.
Under normal circumstances, the taillights of the Cybertruck feature a singular horizontal element spanning the entire width of the vehicle. However, when the driver activates the brakes, the main taillight on the tailgate turns off, and a shorter light just below it takes its place. The corner lights then light up to create squares, also doubling as amber turn signals.
The concern here is that a smaller portion of the Cybertruck’s rear illumination is specifically dedicated to brake lighting compared to the taillights or turn signals; the former deactivate during braking. While the edge lights become brighter when braking, their limited surface area means that overall, the Cybertruck emits less light when decelerating. This contradicts the common expectations of drivers. This could potentially confuse drivers behind, leading them to assume incorrectly that the Cybertruck is either coasting or accelerating when it’s actually braking, and vice versa. At best, this confusion could disrupt traffic flow, and at worst, could result in a rear-end collision.
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards oversee taillight designs, stipulating minimum area, placement, quantity, and visibility based on vehicle size, dimensions, and weight. However, the FMVSS does not seem to prohibit the deactivation of taillights during braking, so the current design of the Cybertruck’s taillights appears to be compliant—even if it is perplexing and potentially hazardous.
Tesla Cybertruck concept taillights. Tesla
To prevent the risk of rear-end collisions, Tesla could retain the main tailgate light illuminated while braking, similar to Rivian’s approach with the R1T and R1S models. However, the Cybertruck has been conceived under Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s strict directive that the vehicle should possess a futuristic appearance, possibly limiting the flexibility of designers to implement such alterations. According to Yahoo! Finance, it appears that the design team had previously been overruled on an alternative Cybertruck concept, presumably vetoed by Musk.
Currently, the design of the Cybertruck is posing challenges for Tesla, with Musk indicating last week that production has been fraught with difficulties and that his preferred design has “buried” Tesla. Musk had previously taken responsibility for the issues surrounding the overcomplicated and problematic “falcon wing” doors on the Model X, as documented by Car & Driver.
Musk’s vision often serves as both Tesla’s greatest strength and weakness, appealing to enthusiasts while increasingly alienating the general public. It seems that the Cybertruck will be the next chapter in that ongoing story, regardless of whether improvements are made to its taillights by the time it hits the roads.
Do you have a tip or question for the author? They can be reached at: james@thedrive.com
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