Tesla is planning to release a range extender for the Cybertruck later this year, and when it does finally arrive, it won’t be as practical as some had hoped. Over the weekend Tesla confirmed the range extender will need to be installed and removed by Tesla’s Service Centers.
When Tesla unveiled the production version of the Cybertruck last year, the range figures fell short of the initial promises. To address this, Tesla said it planned to introduce a range extender – a extra battery pack that would sit in the truck’s bed, occupying about one-third of the space. This extender is expected to increase the range of the Dual Motor Cybertruck from 340 miles to over 470 miles (756km) and the Cyberbeast from 320 miles to over 440 miles (708km), getting close to the 500 mile (804km) range Elon Musk originally said the truck would be able to achieve on a single charge.
With the range extender not yet officially launched, additional details around the optional accessory have been slim. One of the details that many had been speculating about was how easy it would be to add or remove the range extender. Since the shape and size of it limits the usability of the truck bed quite significantly, it was hoped it could be easily swapped in and out for when the extra range is needed, like on a road trip. However as it turns out, that won’t be the case.
Instead, the Cybertruck Range Extender will require professional installation and removal by Tesla Service Technicians. Wes Morrill, Tesla’s Lead Engineer for the Cybertruck, confirmed on X this is because the range extender has to be structurally mounted to ensure safety in the event of a crash. While disappointing, this makes sense as it will prevent any potential hazards that could arise from a heavy, high-voltage battery pack becoming dislodged in an accident.
No, any range extender offered by Tesla will be structurally mounted so it's safe in a crash
— Wes (@wmorrill3) July 27, 2024
Some of the other details we are still waiting on are the availability and price of the range extender. As for availability, Tesla originally said it would launch in late 2024, but the company has yet to confirm an official date. As for price, the range extender is expected to cost around US$16,000, based on data found in the source code of Tesla’s configurator.
