Local News: A bold new ride: A McCook man’s electric pickup (11/8/24)

Tanner Rousselle shows off the angular lines and sleek interior of his Tesla Cybertruck. He says it’s a great work truck, with plenty of room inside, in a “frunk” in front, tough cast aluminum frame, stainless steel body and adjustable suspension, all controlled by a cellphone app.

Bruce Crosby/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — When Tanner Rousselle drives his new Tesla Cybertruck through town, he draws curious looks and eager stares—especially from kids. “It’s popular at the school,” he says with a chuckle. “You go by the schools, and the kids, they instantly recognize it.” The vehicle, with its futuristic, angular design and stainless steel body, has been a staple in video games like Roblox and Fortnite for years, priming younger generations for its arrival. “The kids have been trained and ready for it by the time it hit the market, but the adults weren’t nearly as ready,” he adds with a grin.

For Rousselle, a longtime Tesla enthusiast, purchasing a Cybertruck was a goal he’d waited patiently to achieve. He signed up for the waitlist back in 2019, a full $100 down to secure his place after the truck’s prototype was announced. “I’ve been following Elon Musk and Tesla for longer than people have known who Elon Musk was,” he jokes. After years of anticipation and a few pandemic-related delays, Rousselle got his truck last month, picking it up from Tesla’s store in Aurora, Colorado, to bypass Nebraska’s Tesla dealership restrictions. The drive back was a smooth test run of the Cybertruck’s range capabilities. “I was a little nervous at first,” he admits, but a quick stop for a charge in Goodland, Kansas, allowed them to grab a quick roast beef sandwich and recharge the vehicle enough to make it back to McCook.

Rousselle, an electronics engineer for the Bureau of Reclamation office in McCook, with a knack for all things tech, has been exploring the truck’s extensive digital features. “Everything is basically done from an app,” he explains. The vehicle’s interface and controls are primarily managed through a touchscreen, which he describes as “like learning a new phone.” From security recordings to glovebox controls to adjustable air suspension that raises the vehicle up to a 16-inch clearance, the truck’s dashboard screen offers a vast array of options, all of which Rousselle is enjoying learning and putting to use.

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One of the biggest draws of the Cybertruck for Rousselle was its practicality and rugged design. With a cast-aluminum frame and stainless steel panels, the truck is built to be tough, something he values highly as someone who enjoys hands-on work. “I do a lot of my own construction work,” he says, explaining his attraction to the stainless steel body. “Nothing bugged me more than worrying about bumping the side of my vehicle with a tool or getting a dent from a door ding at Walmart. When I heard it was going to be stainless steel, I thought, ‘That’s perfect.’”

The Cybertruck’s electric performance is another feature that has impressed him. Powered by two motors, it boasts over 600 horsepower and accelerates with a smooth, powerful jolt typical of electric vehicles. “It’s just like endless power,” he says. The regenerative braking system also took some getting used to. “The minute you let off the pedal, it starts to brake,” he explains. He appreciates this efficiency, comparing it to the feel of an electric power tool—“ready when you are, and only using energy when you’re using it.”

Rousselle’s children are just as enthusiastic about the vehicle as he is, if not more so. His youngest son, Trentin, a sixth grader, and his two older children, Lauren, a sophomore in high school and Linden, a college freshman, have been enjoying the attention that comes with such a unique vehicle. “They loved all the attention more than I did,” he laughs, recalling their excitement. “They’ve wanted to take it to all kinds of events!”

With the Cybertruck’s bumper-to-bumper warranty lasting four years and an impressive battery warranty of eight years or 150,000 miles, Rousselle feels secure in his investment. The design is built to endure, with Elon Musk’s team claiming the Cybertruck can last up to a million miles under optimal conditions. And as someone who’s never enjoyed working on cars, the minimal maintenance of the Cybertruck is a big plus. “I hate working on vehicles,” he confesses, “so the electric setup with almost no maintenance needs—that’s ideal for me.”

Looking ahead, Rousselle is excited to keep exploring all the features his new truck has to offer and anticipates it’ll be part of his life for years to come. “There’s a thousand things I love about it,” he says. “The longer I drive it, the more I love it. I can’t imagine going back to a regular pickup now.”