Is Tesla test driving its new Cybertruck in the Sacramento area? Here’s what we know

For some, it might look like an adolescent’s drawing of a car brought to life or an alien spaceship disguised as a car. But to others, it’s a stainless steel gem gracing their hometown streets.

One of Tesla’s latest models, the Cybertruck, has been spotted throughout California, including on Sacramento-area streets.

The first-ever Cybertruck rolled off the production line in July, nearly four years after CEO and founder Elon Musk announced the company’s electric truck, according to a CBS report. Since then, the futuristic vehicle has been seen cruising in Fremont, and most recently, Roseville and Rocklin.

Representatives of Tesla could not be immediately reached for comment. The electric car company disbanded its media team in the United States in 2020, according to a Reuters report, with the main channel of communication about products coming directly from Musk’s profile on X, formerly known as Twitter.

What is a Cybertruck?

Known for its sharp-edged shell, the Cybertruck is marketed as a truck with “better utility” and “more performance than a sports car,” according to its website.

The electric pickup truck is made with stainless steel to stamp out dents and corrosion, and armor glass to absorb impact.

Customers can put down a refundable $100 down payment for the truck, but there’s no confirmation yet on when they will be delivered to people. A delivery event was anticipated in the third quarter — around this time — following Musk’s announcement in April, according to The Verge.

The delays aren’t new for the model, as it was previously expected to launch in 2021, The Wall Street Journal reported. There’s no word on pricing yet, either, with Musk saying prices and specs may change due to inflation.

Despite this, more than half a million people have reserved the truck for purchase as of 2020 with the latest estimates near 2 million, according to The Wall Street Journal and The Verge.

An official X account for the Cybertruck was created on Saturday, leading some people to speculate that deliveries may start soon. It currently has more than 58,000 followers.

Kelley Blue Book expects prices for the 2023 Cybertruck to start at $50,000, according to a July 28 report.

The truck is not on display at local dealerships in Arden or Rocklin.

Where was it seen?

The Cybertruck was reported roaming local streets in the last month with “RC_Build Engineering Prototype” and “RC” stamped on the bumpers and driver’s side, according to multiple social media posts.

Fans of the car refer to the letters “RC” as meaning “release candidate,” which is the final model of the product before it gets mass-produced, according to Teslarati, a Tesla-news blog.

The truck was seen in September at the company’s 50,000th Supercharger in Roseville, Inside EVs — an electric vehicle news site — reported, on 1851 Freedom Way.

It went for another charge on Sunday, according to a post on X.

It was also spotted driving on the freeway in Rocklin on Saturday.

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