Tesla Cybertruck: Why Does It Have Such an Ugly Windshield Wiper?

Like a wart on the nose, the single windshield wiper of the Tesla Cybertruck is the source of many teasing remarks due to its poorly executed integration.

What’s the point of designing a vehicle with such an extreme style if the integration of the windshield wiper is less engineered than that of a 1993 Renault Twingo? How can one claim to be part of a futuristic space and automotive industry with such a childlike solution?

The Tesla Cybertruck‘s windshield wiper is the target of numerous jokes on social media, with the most common meme depicting a semi-trailer pulling a giant wind turbine blade with the caption: “The Tesla Cybertruck being delivered a windshield wiper”.

The windshield of the Cybertruck is the cornerstone, in every sense, of the Tesla pickup. Larger than any seen on a civilian vehicle, it was not altered by a windshield wiper during the design phases. In fact, the concept car presented in 2019 was devoid of it. Moreover, according to internal engineers, its integration caused many heated disagreements with Elon Musk, the CEO.

Anonymous sources reveal that at the beginning of the year, one of the design managers confessed that the most sensible idea would have been a retractable mechanism in line with the futuristic status of the Cybertruck. Unfortunately, the project was already too delayed, and a decision was made to opt for a simple, even simplistic system: a single vertical wiper on the left pillar.

“The wiper is what bothers me the most“, Elon Musk confessed on Twitter (now X), responding to comments describing this feature as “comical”. “There’s no easy solution. A wiper that deploys from the hood would be ideal, but complex“.

The problem, beyond its lack of aesthetic appeal which is central to the project, is the poor sweep area, as the windshield is too large. It also seems that the rigidity of the body, limited to the surface of the windshield and the wiper mechanism housing, weakens the glass. In the photo above, it’s easily seen that it is cracked at the joint area.

And finally, what about aerodynamic noise with such an exposed appendage in the wind, even in good weather?

ALSO READ: Infinite Machine P1: the “Tesla Cybertruck” scooter that’s taking off