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When Tesla announces new vehicles, the EV maker usually introduces prototypes without a side-view mirror.
However, when the time comes to deliver production vehicles, Tesla always adds a side-view mirror. Tesla does this to fulfill government regulations that mandate a vehicle manufacturer needs to deliver a car with side-view mirrors.
At the Cybertruck unveiling event, Tesla once again showed off the vehicle with cameras in lieu of the side-view mirrors. However, this time is different as Elon Musk has confirmed that Cybertruck won’t need side-view mirrors and that it will be shipped with mirrors that are easily removable by owners.
As I stated above, Tesla, at least in the US, is still required to include side-view mirrors when selling a car to a customer. However, Musk says once the vehicle is delivered, owners will be able to remove the side-view mirrors.
Since Musk made this statement, people have been debating whether it will be legal to drive a Cybertruck out on public roads without a side-view mirror.
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And today, Elon Musk has finally answered this question. In a Twitter discussion about side-view mirrors, the Tesla CEO started by saying “side mirrors cause ~5% range reduction at highway speed.”
Side mirrors cause ~5% range reduction at highway speed— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 18, 2022
Tesla enthusiast and investor, Sawyer Merritt then followed up Musk’s tweet by asking “are we still going to legally be able to take off the side mirror of the Cybertruck after delivery?”
In response, Musk confirmed owners will be able to drive the Cybertruck without side-view mirrors out on public roads saying “modifying your car after delivery is legal in America, so yes.”
Modifying your car after delivery is legal in America, so yes — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 18, 2022
Now that Musk has confirmed the Cybertruck can be driven without side-view mirrors, the remaining question is how prospective Cybertruck owners will be able to check their side when operating the vehicle.
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Currently, the speculation is that Tesla will add two small screens on the right and left sides of the interior. These screens will then project a video from the exterior autopilot cameras and will function as side-view mirrors.
This speculation is supported by the previously leaked refreshed interior pictures of the redesigned Cybertruck. On the right and left A-pillars of the new Cybertruck interior, we can see rectangular pieces which appear to be screen mounts.
Besides the two side-view screens, the redesigned Cybertruck also features several changes including rear-wheel steering, handless doors, an opening from the bed to the rear seats, Model S & X style interior with an instrument cluster, and many more changes.
With all these updates, the Cybertruck is shaping up to be even more exciting than the original prototype shown off back in 2019. I for one can’t wait to see the vehicle out on the roads and according to Musk deliveries are expected to start in the middle of 2023.
Currently, Tesla has started tooling the Cybertruck factory and the 9000-t Giga Press, which will build the Cybertruck’s chassis, is completed and is expected to arrive at Giga Texas any day now.
We will be sure to keep you posted as Tesla achieves more milestones in the path to the first Cybertruck delivery. Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.
So what do you think? Excited to learn that the Cybertruck can legally be driven out on public roads without side-view mirrors? Also, will you be removing the side-view mirrors from your Cybertruck? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
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Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.
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Comments
Elon Musk can say whatever he
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Elon Musk can say whatever he wants, but try to tell that to the authorities that pull you over and issue you a citation. Many states have laws that require one or both side mirrors for the vehicle to be road legal. Also, do you honestly think that other manufacturers wouldn’t sell their vehicles without side mirrors or with removable mirrors if that was an option? Please stop automatically believing everything Elon Musk says.
It will have side viewing.
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In reply to Elon Musk can say whatever he by Scott (not verified)
It will have side viewing. Just not mirrors that stick out! Genius.
WARNING: The Answer To Your
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In reply to Elon Musk can say whatever he by Scott (not verified)
WARNING: The Answer To Your Question Maybe Closer Than It Appears. .. You need a device to be able to see the sideview of the vehicle. And it will have that. They will just be inside and not mirrors. Which will allow you to travel 5 miles more for every 100 miles of charge. So you improve the esthetics and the economics with one technological upgrade... Brilliant.
Please look at what Musk said
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Please look at what Musk said. He DID NOT say you could legally drive on public roads without side view mirrors. He said that in the US modifying your vehicle after delivery is legal. That is not the same thing. You can modify a Jeep wrangler with door removal which removes the mirrors. Completely legal…BUT….drive that Jeep on a public road and mirrors have to come back on. If the law books say side view mirrors are required that is what is required. Not side view cameras going to internal screens. Most likely because if there is any electronic failure those screens might not work….
Of course you can ;legally
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Of course you can ;legally modify a vehicle after delivery…you can do that to any vehicle. You can take the doors and mirrors off a jeep legally after delivery….you just cannot legally drive on a public road after legally taking off the mirrors. You have to stay offroad at that point. Devil is in the detail of his reply.