The Tesla Cybertruck will forever be remembered as the truck with the broken windows. During the 2019 launch event, Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, attempted to prove that the truck’s windows were shatterproof. He threw a steel ball at the windows, and to everyone’s surprise, they shattered. Many argued that this was not a failure but a clever PR stunt. It certainly got people talking about the Cybertruck for years to come.
Tesla later released a behind-the-scenes video showing Franz von Holzhausen hitting the windows with a ball without them breaking. This suggests that the pickup truck’s windows are indeed tougher than most car windows, except for armored vehicles. However, when Tesla started delivering the Cybertruck on November 30, 2023, they took a different approach. Instead of a steel ball, Franz von Holzhausen used a soft baseball and threw it clumsily. As expected, the windows remained intact, giving Tesla a nostalgic moment without any sacrifice.
Franz von Holzhausen was probably the happiest person there, considering that the Cybertruck on stage during Delivery Day was actually his personal vehicle. This explains the lackluster throw that was later immortalized in an official press kit picture. Tesla changed their statement slightly, claiming that the Cybertruck’s windows are “rock-proof” instead of shatterproof. While that’s nice, some people still wanted to see what that really meant.
Enter Taras Maksimuk, the man behind the popular YouTube channel TechRax. Taras is known for his videos where he boils, hammers, and blends various items, mostly iPhones. Two years ago, he had an unfortunate encounter with a Tesla, as he used a hammer to effectively destroy the car’s center screen. Now, his 7.6 million subscribers were treated to a recreation of the Cybertruck’s steel-ball moment. And this time, it was an actual steel ball being thrown.
If you’ve ever wondered whether the Cybertruck delivered to real customers has shatterproof windows, watch the TechRax video below. Taras throws a steel ball at the truck’s windows, and they hold up pretty well against the abuse. Some may argue that the ball was smaller than the one Franz used in 2019, making it lighter and less likely to cause damage. Nonetheless, it’s impressive to see someone brave enough to do this in the name of science.
Replacing the Cybertruck’s side windows is not too expensive, as seen from the Tesla parts catalog. The front door windows cost $260, while the rear door windows are slightly cheaper at $225. This is just for the parts and does not include labor and taxes. If you own a Cybertruck and want to test its window durability for yourself, the cost of repair won’t break the bank. However, be aware that it may take some time for Tesla to have the replacement parts available and schedule the repair, so proceed with caution.
