SONORA, California – ‘Tis the season for a friendly reminder from the US Forest Service!
The warning comes after a Tesla Cybertruck was caught on camera struggling to climb a snowy off-road hill in the Stanislaus National Forest – and video of the incident went viral.
In a statement, Forest Service officials offered to work with Tesla on an “educational campaign” about the proper use of off-road vehicles on public lands.
The video shows the Cybertruck, with a Christmas tree in the back, spinning its wheels and getting stuck on a hill as a Ford Tuck slowly pulls the car uphill.
Tesla advertises the new vehicle as ‘durable and rugged enough to go anywhere’ and ‘built for any planet’.
Forest Service employees said all of this could have been prevented if the “Cybertruck driver had a better understanding of the topographical features shown on our maps, practiced ‘Leave No Trace’, and was generally better prepared. ”
The department also reminds visitors that it offers Motor Vehicle Use Maps, which can be found online and at local ranger offices, showing which roads and trails are open to different types of vehicles.
“With one of our MVUM maps, you never have to worry about a software update at an incredibly inconvenient time,” said Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken in the statement. “We would like to invite Tesla Motors executives to sit at the table with us and develop an educational experience for new Cybertruck owners.”
