FYI: Tesla’s range-extending battery pack for the Cybertruck will soon enhance driving range, though it comes with several trade-offs.
Tesla Cybertruck Range Extender: Production Starts Next Year
Tesla enthusiasts, brace yourselves. Starting next year, an add-on battery pack for the Cybertruck promises a significant driving range extension, enabling over 470 miles on a full charge. This enhancement has been eagerly anticipated since deliveries for Tesla’s electric pickup began last November, despite the initial lack of details.
Nearly 500 Miles of Range
In 2019, Elon Musk proudly proclaimed that the Cybertruck could achieve over 500 miles on a single charge. However, the current production model falls short of that mark—even with the pricey range extender. According to Tesla, the new drop-in battery can push the range to over 470 miles.
Reservation Details
Eager to secure this add-on? Owners will need to place a non-refundable $500 deposit for priority installation. Once production commences next year, reservation holders will be notified when their range extender is available.
Installation Considerations
Tesla service centers will manage the installation of this 500-pound battery add-on, ensuring safety in case of an accident. As explained by Wes Morill, the Cybertruck’s lead engineer, this setup means you can’t easily remove and re-install the extender at your convenience—a potential headache for some users.
Space and Weight Trade-Offs
The battery extender occupies about one-third of the Cybertruck’s bed space. It adds around 120 miles of range, allowing for a total of over 470 miles for the dual-motor all-wheel drive version and over 440 miles for the tri-motor Cyberbeast version. Our calculations indicate the add-on could weigh between 500 and 600 pounds due to the approximately 575 4680 battery cells, which have a total capacity of around 47 kilowatt-hours.
Is It Worth It?
The range extender is listed at an estimated $16,000 on Tesla’s website—a significant investment. Furthermore, the installation reduces usable bed space and payload capacity, and you’ll face longer charging sessions as both battery packs will need recharging.
Conclusion
The extended range provided by Tesla’s new battery pack is indeed a welcome innovation. However, the substantial cost, reduced bed space, and added weight make it a complex decision for potential buyers. While Elon Musk hints at a future version capable of achieving 500 miles, whether the current add-on is worth the investment remains a personal decision. We invite you to share your thoughts—Is the range extender a game-changer or not quite worth the trade-offs?
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Authored by William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
