Cybertruck Surprises Critics with Perfect Safety Rating from NHTSA

Tesla continues to push ahead with all of its programs. Cybertruck has received the highest safety rating from NHTSA, companies are buying Tesla Semis, an entry into the Indian market seems imminent, and more in today's news roundup with Jowua.

Cybertruck Gets 5-Star Safety Rating from NHTSA

After the intense criticism Cybertruck received for its angular design, the news of its perfect safety rating from NHTSA came as a surprise to some. It turns out that those concerns were unfounded, and the electric pickup truck has been recognized as one of the safest vehicles in the world in rigorous NHTSA testing.

According to the NHTSA, Cybertruck excelled in all categories:

• Frontal Crash Tests: Simulating head-on collisions at 35 mph, Cybertruck achieved a 5-star rating for the driver and a 4-star rating for the front passenger.
  
• Side Crash Tests: Evaluating impacts from the side, Cybertruck secured a 5-star rating, indicating robust protection for occupants.
  
• Rollover Resistance: Cybertruck demonstrated a minimal rollover risk of just 12.40%, earning a 5-star rating in this category.

WattEV Buys 40 Tesla Semis

WattEV, a zero-emission heavy-duty transportation company, announced it has entered into an agreement to buy 40 Tesla Semi trucks. The bulk of the order will be delivered in 2026, while two units have already entered service this year.

“The Tesla Semi is the only truck in the market that can deliver 500 miles on a single charge, with superb energy efficiency and fast charging,” said Salim Youssefzadeh, CEO of WattEV.

“We’ve been future-proofing all our charging depots to allow for the transition from CCS charging to megawatt charging with MCS. Our collaboration with Tesla is another major milestone as we expand our network to electrify freight on more routes throughout California and beyond,” said Youssefzadeh.

Giga Shanghai Begins Mass Production of Updated Model Y

Giga Shanghai has officially begun mass production of the new Model Y, accelerating delivery times for the vehicle. Initially scheduled for March, the first deliveries will begin by the end of February, according to Tesla’s China website. This indicates that production is ramping up faster than previously planned. The rapid move to full-scale Model Y production highlights the efficiency of the company’s China factory supply chain and Tesla’s manufacturing capabilities.

Tesla Hires in India

Tesla has officially started hiring in India in preparation for its long-awaited entry into the country. There are currently 13 positions, mostly in the suburbs of Mumbai, Maharashtra. They are in vehicle service, sales and customer support, and business operations. Tesla had previously tried to import its cars to India but was faced with a 100% import duty on cars priced above $40,000. This put the company's plans on hold. However, the Indian government recently reduced duties on luxury electric cars to 70%, opening up new opportunities. According to local media, Tesla sales could start as early as April.