By: Otaiba Ahsan

One of the most striking features of the Tesla Cybertruck is its bold, futuristic design featuring a stainless steel exoskeleton. While most conventional trucks rely on aluminum or mild steel for their body panels, the Cybertruck takes a radically different approach with its unique stainless steel, carefully chosen by Tesla. So, what stainless steel does the Tesla Cybertruck use? Continue reading for more.

Type of Stainless Steel

Tesla has confirmed that the car’s body is made from high-quality 300 series stainless steel. This has often been referred to as 30X cold-rolled stainless steel, an ultra-hard, corrosion-resistant alloy developed by SpaceX. The material is similar to what they used in the construction of their Starship rocket, which undergoes extreme conditions like high temperatures and atmospheric re-entry forces.

30X stainless steel is not a widely recognized industry standard alloy like the commonly used 304 or 316 series. Instead, it’s a proprietary blend developed by Tesla and SpaceX to optimize strength, durability, and manufacturing efficiency.

NOTE: The “cold-rolled” refers to a manufacturing process that improves the steel’s hardness and resistance to deformation.

Why Did Tesla Choose Stainless Steel?

Tesla likely decided to use this version of stainless steel for several reasons:

1. Superior Strength and Durability: In many scenarios, stainless steel is significantly more resistant to dents and scratches compared to traditional automotive materials.
2. Corrosion Resistance: Unlike carbon steel, which requires paint or coatings to prevent rust, stainless steel is naturally corrosion-resistant. This means that the Cybertruck should be able to withstand harsh environmental conditions.
3. Unique Aesthetic: While the look of the vehicle is quite polarizing, its supporters say that it provides a raw and industrial look. Many would consider the vehicle to have a futuristic appearance.

NOTE: Will your Tesla Cybertruck rust? We’ve created a detailed blog with all the details you need.

The Bottom Line

What stainless steel does the Tesla Cybertruck use? The vehicle’s body is made from high-quality 300 series stainless steel, also referred to as 30X cold-rolled stainless steel. It’s an ultra-hard, corrosion-resistant alloy that has excellent durability. Not having to paint over each car provides cost savings for Tesla as well.