Tesla Planning To Use 90% Recycled Scrap Metal For The Cybertruck’s Exoskeleton

In recent days, Tesla has been hyping the Cybertruck in a big way. First, the EV maker released Cybertruck printed socks closely followed by Cybertruck inspired whistle. Then, Tesla upped the ante with a Cybertruck inspired Cyberquad for kids.

However, Cybertruck’s hype does not end there. After Tesla removed all variants of the Cybertruck from the company’s online configurator, Elon Musk confirmed there will be a new Cybertruck variant with 4 motors and tank turn capability. New rumors suggest the quad-motor Cybertruck will have a 0 to 60mph time in less than 1.99 seconds.

Increasing the anticipation, Elon speaking at the CEO summit hosted by Wall Street Journal has also said he will do a more in-depth Cybertruck update at the end of January at Tesla’s upcoming Q4 earnings call.

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There have also been yet unverified rumors claiming Tesla has canceled the rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck and replaced the entry variant with a dual motor version. In addition, Musk has also hinted at laser windshield wipers for the futuristic truck.

And to put the icing on the cake, last month we got our first look at the redesigned Cybertruck driving around the Fremont track. In the drone footage, we were able to spot several changes including; a charge port on the rear wheel well, side view mirrors, a gate between the vehicle’s cabin and bed, and many more minor tweaks.

However, all the updates we have got so far are either about the truck’s features or performance, but, thanks to Steel Dynamics, Tesla’s steel supplier for the Cybertruck’s exoskeleton, we now have more detail of what the Cybertruck will actually be made of.

The Cybertruck’s design is unlike any truck before it. Rather than the body on frame design of all trucks, the Cybertruck has an exoskeleton meaning the entire body makes part of the chassis. This allows Tesla to increase the vehicle’s stiffness while at the same time reducing the weight.

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And Tesla has chosen to construct the exoskeleton from cold-rolled stainless steel. Cold-rolled steel differs from conventional steel in that instead of heating the steel to make it more malleable, cold-rolled steel is rolled at room temperature.

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This allows to produce thin flat sheets of stainless steel. The rollers also reduce the grain size of the metal, making it stronger and giving it a smooth surface. Tesla in conjunction with Elon Musk’s space venture, SpaceX, has come up with a new stainless steel alloy (300X) to build the Cybertruck.

However, before Tesla adds the final steps to construct the Cybertruck’s exoskeleton, the steel must first come from somewhere. And a new Steel Dynamics plant in Sinton Texas rumored to supply the Cybertruck’s stainless steel has just begun trial runs.

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According to a report by kiiitv.com, the Sinton Texas SDI still mill measures 1.2 million square feet and was built with a cost of $1.9 billion.

Dennis Black, the General Manager at Steel Dynamics in Sinton in an interview with kiiitv.com said he is excited to get the plant up and running.

Black also elaborated on the environmental friendliness of the steel factory saying "we do start with scrap metal, probably 90-percent scrap, there may be some alternative irons that we do use to try and make the purification a little bit better, but overall 90-percent scrap."

If Tesla indeed ends up using steel from Steel Dynamics Sinton Texas plant to build the Cybertruck, then the 90% scrap metal will add to the already high environmental bona fides of the all-electric truck.

As of now we still have conflicting reports about where Tesla is sourcing Cybertruck’s steel but we will be sure to keep you updated if we get more information. Make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla for the latest updates.

So what do you think? Excited the Cybertruck might be using 90% scrap metal? How else would you like the Cybertruck to be more environmentally friendly? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below.

Image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

For more information check out: Tesla Fremont Production at Full Throttle Also, see Tesla Giga Berlin Gets German Federal Government Support To Start Production

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.