Ever the lightning rod for controversy, the Tesla Cybertruck has become the source of yet another grievance, this time from an owner living in a colder part of the world. They recently aired their frustration on X (previously known as Twitter, but you’re likely fully aware of that by now) lamenting that their truck’s headlights became obscured by snow, significantly impairing their nighttime visibility on the road.
The complaint was brought up by @teslainventory, who claimed, “Wondering why I didn’t have any lights when I turned onto my street without streetlights…” They then posted a photo of the front of the truck with a layer of snow on it, covering the lights.
As anyone living in a frigid climate surely knows, most vehicles collect snow on their headlights while they’re parked, and that’s partially why it’s so important to own (and use) a brush.
Read: Tesla Cybertruck’s $3,000 Basecamp Tent Falls Short In Real Life
Photo credits: @teslainventory/X, Tesla
However, the Tesla truck’s flat front fascia appears to make it more vulnerable to collecting snow while it’s on the road. The problem seems to be exacerbated by the location of the headlights. While the bar of light just under the hood may look like the headlights, those are actually its DRLs. The headlights — the part that actually illuminates the road ahead — are farther down, just above the bumper.
While I, the driver of a small car who spends most of his night drives being blinded by the tall pickups behind him, appreciate this decision, and safety advocates may like it, too, @teslainventory’s photo may be a cause for concern. Indeed, the headlights appear to be nestled in a little slot between the bumper and the body work that seems to be collecting snow, thereby creating a thicker layer in front of the lights.
However, the Cybertruck is not the only electric truck to be plagued by this issue. Owners on Rivian Forums have been complaining about a similar issue since at least 2022. While that truck’s headlights are higher up on the front, they can, apparently, become covered in snow and ice, just like the Cybertruck’s.
Whether Tesla can devise a simple solution for this apparent issue that doesn’t impact aesthetics or aerodynamics remains to be seen, but @teslainventory’s suggestion of a heating element sounds reasonable.
Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.
I was wondering why I didn’t have any lights when I turned onto my street without streetlights… I wonder if Tesla can heat the headlights? pic.twitter.com/sTwzWQxqyX
— Erik in DÆrik (@teslainventory) March 14, 2024