When the Tesla Cybertruck prototype debuted with a bang again in 2019, the display screen above the present stage proudly displayed an estimated vary of over 500 miles on a full cost. Quick-forward to 2024, when the production-spec truck made its strategy to the highest of the electrical pickup gross sales chart in the US, and that 500-mile vary determine remains to be nowhere to be seen on the Cybertruck’s spec sheet.
The answer? A novel range-extending battery that enhances the electrical pickup’s vary nearer to that preliminary promise. Very like a smartphone battery case that may add a few hours of screen-on time, Tesla’s add-on extender has the potential to make lengthy street journeys somewhat simpler on the nerves. However similar to the aforementioned battery case, it comes with some drawbacks.
Curiously sufficient, competing EV producer Rivian patented a range-extending battery for an electrical pickup in 2019 (it was granted a 12 months later), however till now, the maker of the R1T has but to launch such a product.
What’s it?
Since final November, when deliveries of the Cybertruck lastly began, we solely have one official picture of the product. By the appears of it, it’s merely a giant battery field that can bolt into the mattress, taking on roughly one-third of the cargo area, as Tesla CEO Elon Musk described in a reply on X.
Can I set up and uninstall it myself?
Nope. The truck’s lead engineer, Wes Morrill, mentioned the set up and potential uninstallation will solely be dealt with by Tesla service facilities to verify it’s protected in a crash. The identical factor seems on the corporate’s on-line order web page, which makes it not fairly as versatile as a smartphone case.
How a lot does it weigh?
The American EV maker didn’t disclose the load of the range-extending battery, however by our calculations, we estimate the bolt-in field to tip the scales at round 500 kilos, which isn’t one thing you’d wish to deal with by yourself at house. Right here’s an excerpt from the article the place we mentioned the potential weight of the pack:
It would want round 47 kWh of usable storage. That is about 575 4680 cells or 450 kilos in simply batteries. The unit may even have added weight for the pack development and different embedded elements.
How a lot vary does it add?
In response to Tesla, the Cybertruck vary extender will enable the pickup to drive over 470 miles with each batteries totally charged. That’s roughly 150 miles additional for the dual-motor all-wheel drive model that may go as much as 318 miles by itself, and we count on the tri-motor Cyberbeast to drive roughly 350 miles with the accent put in and charged.
Tesla
Tesla Cybertruck vary extender reservation choice on Tesla’s web site
How a lot will it price?
Whereas not set in stone, the estimated value for the Tesla Cybertruck’s range-extending battery is $16,000, as proven on the corporate’s web site. Prospects who order a brand-new pickup can go for the vary extender and pay a $500 non-refundable deposit to get precedence set up after manufacturing begins.
When will it’s accessible?
Tesla estimates that it’s going to begin manufacturing of the Cybertruck vary extender within the first a part of 2025, with installations slated to start shortly after that.