A video posted on YouTube by user cars9to5 has stirred up some debate but an obvious lack of discussion. The footage showcases a Tesla Cybertruck pulling a Ford F150 out of a snow mound, an act that, on the surface, highlights the Cybertruck's power and utility. However, the situation and subsequent online reactions have painted a more complex picture of public perception and media coverage of Tesla's vehicles.
The uploader states that they were behind the wheel of the Cybertruck and described the rescue as impromptu, noting the Ford driver's struggle with traction control and a possible lack of a rear locker. Despite the Cybertruck's success in aiding the F150, the simplicity of the recovery was overshadowed by debates on the conditions and execution of the rescue.
A Spectrum of Opinions
The video became a focal point for varied opinions. As commenters pointed out, the Cybertruck was on the pavement during the rescue, suggesting that the outcome would be the same if the roles were reversed. Another user echoed this sentiment and remarked that the situation mirrored a previous incident where a Cybertruck was rescued, indicating a potential bias in public reaction based on the vehicles involved.
Skeptics dismissed the video as staged, questioning the authenticity of the F150's predicament. Others, like expressed doubt about the severity of the situation, noting the snow's appearance and the F150's position.
A Reflection on Bias and Perception
While getting very little play on social media, it is getting none in the mainstream media, underscoring a broader discussion about media coverage and public perception of electric vehicles, particularly those made by Tesla. While some viewers quickly criticize or downplay the significance of the Cybertruck's rescue, others point out the inconsistency in reactions to similar events involving traditional vehicles.
Notably, back in December, a Ford 350 was widely praised across numerous news outlets for a similar feat -- rescuing a non-production model from snowy conditions. The contrast in the visibility of these two events has led to accusations of media bias against Tesla, highlighting a disparity in how the achievements and capabilities of electric vehicles are represented.
Cybertruck prototype gets stuck in the snow hauling a Christmas tree and has to be towed out by an F-150
The discrepancy in media coverage between the two incidents raises important questions about the portrayal of electric vehicles in mainstream media. While the Ford 350's rescue operation received widespread acclaim, the Cybertruck's similar act of vehicular assistance has not been met with the same level of enthusiasm or visibility. This imbalance suggests a broader issue of perception and acceptance of electric vehicles, potentially influencing public opinion and consumer choices.
Despite its significant contributions to pushing the automotive industry toward sustainability, Tesla has long faced scrutiny and skepticism from various quarters. Events like the Cybertruck's snow rescue offer tangible proof of electric vehicles' capabilities, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions. However, they require fair and balanced coverage for such achievements to alter perceptions. That is unlikely, but Tesla is starting to spend on social media advertising, hopefully changing the narrative and educating people while dispelling myths.
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Tesla’s Giga Texas factory usually gives us the first site of Tesla’s upcoming products. We first saw the Cybertruck and Model Y castings here. With Giga Texas being one of Tesla’s largest factories, it’s logical that most products would originate here.
Tesla has also stated that it intends to manufacture the Cybercab, Semi, the next-generation vehicle, and Optimus at Giga Texas over the coming years. The affordable vehicle and Cybercab were originally intended to be manufactured at Giga Mexico, but the plans for that facility were waylaid by changes in economic policy.
Robotaxi Castings
These new castings were spotted by Joe Tegtmeyer, who regularly does drone flights of Giga Texas. Joe pointed out that these castings don’t look like the usual Model Y or Cybertruck castings usually seen outside Giga Texas.
With an eagle eye, @minusYCore on X also spotted some interesting text on the frames holding the castings up. In particular, the castings say “RTTX050” and “W68-RSF AS-CAST”. These could be interpreted as ‘Robotaxi Texas’ and ‘Rear SubFrame.’ The as-cast portion indicates that these particular castings haven’t been trimmed yet, according to the X user.
These castings are much flatter and appear to be a different size than the castings found elsewhere throughout Giga Texas, indicating that they are intended for a different product entirely.
It’s possible that these are the first castings used by Tesla to test their unboxed assembly process, which the Cybercab is expected to rely on. If you take a closer look at the video below, you’ll note that these new castings look very similar to the ones in the unboxed assembly video.
Interestingly, Tesla did say that they don’t intend to have the Cybercab available for customers before late 2026 or early 2027, but we’ll likely hear updated timelines as Tesla’s Q1 2025 Earnings Call tomorrow.
A more vertical look at the castings.
@JoeTegtmeyer
New Giga Presses
To top it all off, new parts for a Giga Press - the machine Tesla uses to make these castings - were also sighted in Texas. These machines are few and far between, and each one is highly specialized for the particular vehicle it produces. Seeing new parts coming in usually indicates that a new assembly line is under construction, or that changes are being made to an existing line to either expand it or update it.
There’s a lot happening and we will hopefully know more tomorrow evening.
Tesla’s first large-scale partner for the Tesla Semi - PepsiCo - is building out another Semi Megacharger site per a recent filing found by MarcoRP. Building out these Semi charging sites is expensive due to their much higher power output when compared to Superchargers.
Name Change
Interestingly enough, Tesla appears to have shifted its terminology recently, now often referring to the Semi’s high-power charging solution as Tesla Semi Chargers instead of the previously common "Megachargers." Regardless of the name, these chargers are crucial for the Semi. They’re designed to deliver 1.2 megawatts of charging power capable of adding hundreds of miles of range in roughly 30 minutes.
Frito-Lay Site
The new site detailed in the recent filing will be located at a Frito-Lay production plant on Hageman Road in Bakersfield, California. Permits were filed just a couple of days ago for the installation of eight Tesla Semi Charger stalls along with their associated electrical equipment.
This facility adds to PepsiCo's existing network of chargers, supporting the Tesla Semis operating out of their Sacramento facility, and highlights Bakersfield as the next expansion of the Semi’s operational area. Notably, this new Frito-Lay charging site is strategically located just five miles (approx. 8 km) away from a massive future public charging complex Tesla is planning on Kelton Way.
Kelton Way Charging Complex
Tesla’s planned charging complex in Bakersfield, which is just down the road, will feature 72 Supercharger stalls, as well as 18 Semi charger stalls. According to pre-permits filed last month, this site will be fairly large and accessible to both the public and Tesla’s partners.
A rendering of the Kelton Way site - with the Semi Chargers on the outside, and the Covered Supercharger site in the center.
@MarcoRPi1 on X
Tesla plans to develop a vacant plot right off the interstate into a large charging hub, which is now the second major public Semi Charger site we’ve heard about. For now, these sites will remain rare, but we expect that Tesla and its partners will be happy to expand them out further as required.
Carson Semi Charger Site
These Bakersfield developments – both the private Frito-Lay site and the large public Kelton Way hub will help lay out the necssary infrastructure for the Tesla Semi, much like the early days of Tesla’s Superchargers. Since Semi cannot be charged at a Supercharger site (the MCS plug is notably different than NACS), these sites are a must-have.
Tesla's first publicly accessible Semi Charger site planned near the Port of Long Beach in Carson, California, was one of the first signs of these types of Semi Charger facilities being established - and like Kelton Way, it also includes amenities for truck drivers. Tesla is also considering what long, medium, and short-haul truckers need for their stays at these sites.
As Tesla works to ramp up production of the Semi itself, the parallel expansion of dedicated, high-power charging infrastructure by both Tesla and its key partners are essential to making electric heavy-duty trucking a reality.
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