Cybercat concept

Tesla founder Elon Musk has said the firm’s Cybertruck may soon be taking to the water, thanks to a new ‘mod package’ that could convert the vehicle into a vessel capable of traversing short stretches of water.

Despite the fact a Cybertruck was filmed being pulled to safety by a Ford pickup after failing to climb a snowy California hill last week, Musk says the angular electric vehicle could be souped-up into a boat.

Musk unveiled the upcoming function in a reply to a post by X user, Sawyer Merritt.

Merrit posted a clip from a new episode of Jay Leno’s Garage featuring the Cybertruck. In the video, Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy says: “Elon did want to make it a boat. The vehicle almost floats; maybe you have to add a little bit of extra buoyancy just to keep it up.

“If you’re creative, and you want, you could figure out how to put an outboard motor, plugged in to your outlet there, turn it on from your screen, and go boating.”

In his response, Musk says: “We are going to offer a mod package that enables Cybertruck to traverse at least 100m of water as a boat.”

Musk has so far not elaborated on the plans, or returned requests for comment.

The Cybertruck was first announced in 2019, with its unusual, angular design proving divisive.

Cybertruck

Production Cybertruck at Tesla Fremont Factory. Courtesy of Lcaa9/Wikimedia.

It’s not the first time marine modifications to the Cybertruck have been suggested. In 2022, a Seattle-based engineer designed a set of add-ons that would convert the Cybertruck into a catamaran.

The ‘Cybercat’ catamaran project was launched by entrepreneur Anthony Diamond of TSWLM Electric Vehicles Inc, and comprises an accessory kit that allows an owner to outrig the Cybertruck with inflatable pontoons and electric outboard motors.

Main image: Cybercat concept, by TSWLM Electric Vehicles. Image courtesy of Cybercat

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