In an age dominated by high-tech innovation and sleek consumerism, one YouTuber has flipped the narrative on its head—by building his own fully functional Cybertruck entirely out of trash and discarded materials.
Yes, you read that right.
Meet Ethan Kross, better known by his online alias Scrap Genius, a creator with a knack for turning garbage into gold—or in this case, stainless steel-inspired, electric-powered brilliance. The 29-year-old content creator from Oakland, California, has captured the internet’s imagination with a DIY marvel that’s as bizarre as it is brilliant: a Cybertruck replica made from literal junk.
The project, which took just under six months and spanned over 30 detailed episodes on his YouTube channel, has now gone viral—garnering millions of views and earning the awe (and confusion) of engineers, Tesla fans, and environmentalists alike.
A Dream Born in the Dumpster
The idea was born out of frustration. “I saw all these influencers getting Cybertrucks early,” Ethan said in his now-viral reveal video. “I knew I couldn’t afford one anytime soon. But I thought—if Elon can make one from scratch, so can I. Just… more ‘scrappy.’”
Armed with little more than a welder, a shopping cart full of tools, and an encyclopedic knowledge of junkyards around the Bay Area, Ethan set to work. He documented every step—from salvaging an old electric golf cart motor to flattening sheet metal from discarded appliances.
“The base frame is from a wrecked ATV,” he explains. “The outer panels? Those are old washing machines. I stripped them down, sanded them, and boom—instant Cyberpunk vibes.”
Function Over Flash
But make no mistake—this isn’t just a cosplay vehicle. Ethan’s version of the Cybertruck isn’t a static showpiece. It drives. It brakes. It even has regenerative braking, a makeshift touch screen made from a repurposed tablet, and a solar panel roof cobbled together from busted garden lights.
Under the hood—if you can call a sheet of bolted oven doors a “hood”—is a hybrid powertrain that combines two electric wheelchair motors and a repurposed 12V car battery array. Though it’s not going to win any races, the junkyard Cybertruck can hit 28 mph, climb moderate inclines, and cruise for up to 40 miles on a full charge.
“It’s ugly in the most beautiful way possible,” Ethan says proudly, before ducking into the angular, brushed-metal cockpit.
Trash to Tesla: The Design Language
Ethan tried to stay as true to the Tesla Cybertruck’s original dimensions and brutalist design language as his materials would allow. That meant replicating the trapezoidal shape using scrap angles, measuring every corner for that iconic wedge aesthetic, and even rigging up shatterproof windows—well, sort of.
“Mine didn’t shatter when I threw a wrench at them. But that’s because they’re made from old Plexiglass I stole from a broken aquarium,” he laughs.
Every detail—from the oddly smooth corners to the working tailgate ramp—screams Tesla, albeit filtered through a Mad Max lens. The final result looks like something you’d expect to see roving the wastelands of a post-apocalyptic Earth… with Wi-Fi.
Internet Reaction: Shock, Awe, and Elon Musk?
As the reveal video climbed past 10 million views within the first week, reactions poured in from around the world.
“He actually made it work. I don’t know whether to applaud or be terrified,” one user commented.
Others were more philosophical. “This is the future of sustainability. It’s not about buying electric cars—it’s about making them out of what we throw away.”
Even Elon Musk himself weighed in—sort of. The Tesla CEO tweeted a laughing emoji in response to a post showcasing Ethan’s creation, followed by a cryptic “Impressive .”
Bigger Than a Meme
What started as a DIY joke has now blossomed into a conversation starter about recycling, innovation, and accessibility in technology.
Ethan has been approached by multiple eco-focused brands interested in sponsoring future builds, and one documentary crew has already begun filming a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the “Trashtruck,” as fans have affectionately dubbed it.
Schools and STEM programs have also expressed interest. “This is the kind of hands-on learning that inspires kids,” said one science teacher who shared the build with her class. “It shows them you don’t need a million-dollar lab to innovate.”
What’s Next?
Ethan says he’s not done. In a teaser at the end of his last video, he hints at his next build: a fully functioning version of the Tesla Optimus robot made entirely from e-waste.
“I already found a microwave turntable motor that’s perfect for the elbow joint,” he grins.
The Trashtruck now sits proudly in his backyard, occasionally doubling as a beer cooler during barbecues and a test bed for other offbeat inventions.
“I didn’t build it to go viral,” he reflects. “I built it because I wanted to prove that genius doesn’t have to be expensive. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of seeing treasure in someone else’s trash.”
Final Thoughts
In a world obsessed with the latest and the sleekest, Ethan Kross has reminded us of the power of resourcefulness and imagination. Whether his creation is viewed as an artistic statement, a tech marvel, or just a really cool junk car, one thing’s for sure:
The future might be electric—but it’s also DIY.
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