Tesla Owner Says, “Charging My Cybertruck Is Unfair, There’s No Line, No Pump, Or Wasted Time. Every Morning, My Truck Is Already Full While I Slept

What's It Really Like to Own a Tesla Cybertruck?

Marcus is a top contributor on the Tesla Cybertruck Owners Facebook page. It's where owners share their experiences with their electric trucks. Some are good, and some things are negative. Marcus loves his Cybertruck, and in this report, we'll start by looking at charging issues.  

Marcus, a seasoned Tesla Cybertruck owner, shares his perspective on charging:

"Charging a Cybertruck? It's almost unfair. Let's play a game. You've got two gas stations side by side. One has a 7-minute wait, full price. The other has a 20-minute wait—but it's half price."

Which one stays slammed all day?

Marcus says many customers will choose the cheaper option even if they have to wait an extra 13 minutes to fill their vehicle with gas. I would probably wait for the half-price gas. 

However, There's a Third Option

"The third option has no line, pump, or wasted time. Because every morning, your car's already full—while you slept. That's what owning a Tesla is like. You plug it in at night. You wake up, and it's full. Like a cell phone with wheels."

What About Road Trips Where You Need Public Charging?

Marcus shares his experience with road trips:

"And that's before we even get to road trips. Yes, that's the thing everyone says EVs can't do. Truth is, maybe it just takes an EV owner with a little more sense."

"Or five minutes of experience. Either way, Tesla handles it all for you. The car plans the route, tells you where to stop, how long to charge, and gets you back on the road faster than your kids can finish a bathroom break and a bag of chips."

How long does charging a Cybertruck on a long road trip take?

I wrote a report about Haroon Hyder, who owns a 2024 Tesla Cyber truck. He recently took a long road trip (1,600-mile round trip) from North Carolina to Toronto, Canada, and back.

He says, "I took a road trip from NC to Toronto. I had to stop every two hours to charge my Cybertruck. It took 20 minutes for each stop, and all those stops became tedious."

Here are the Pros and Cons

Pros:

• The Cybertruck with FSD makes driving much easier and more relaxing.
• The ride was noticeably smoother.
• The spacious truck bed easily accommodated all our luggage.

Cons:

• Stopping every 2 hours to charge for 20 minutes became tedious.
• A one-way trip, starting at 100% charge, required five stops to recharge and cost $118 on Superchargers, leaving him with a 10% battery at home. By comparison, the BMW X7 (that he recently sold) needed just two gas stops, costing $140—a marginal difference.
• The trip took 17 hours in the Cybertruck, compared to 14 hours in the BMW X7.
• Leaving the Cybertruck unplugged overnight in cold Canadian winters resulted in a 10% battery loss.
• While the CT offered a smoother and more comfortable ride, the extra travel time and charging logistics were notable drawbacks for long-distance trips.

Can You Charge Off-the-Grid? 

Marcus says, "No one is building a refinery or gas pump at their house. But Tesla owners? Some of them are charging for free—right off their roof. Solar panels. Sunlight. Done. That's not the future. That's already happening."

Is installing solar panels on a house to charge an electric vehicle cost-effective?

A report from EVBox confirms the cost-effectiveness of solar panels for charging your electric Tesla Cybertruck, offering long-term savings and potentially free charging. "However, the initial investment and factors like your energy consumption and local electricity rates need careful consideration," says the report. 

Potential Savings and Benefits:

1. Lower Electricity Costs: Solar panels generate electricity, which is often cheaper than grid electricity, especially in areas with high electricity rates. So you can significantly reduce or even eliminate your electricity bills.
2. Fixed Electricity Costs: Solar panels provide a fixed cost per kWh over their lifespan, shielding you from fluctuating utility rates. 
3. Environmental Benefits: Using solar power to charge your EV contributes to a greener and more sustainable transportation system. Excess solar energy can be fed back into the grid, earning you credits on your utility bill through net metering. 
4. Tax Credits and Incentives: You may be eligible for federal tax credits and state or local incentives when combining solar panels and an EV. 

Factors to Consider:

• Initial Investment: The upfront cost of solar panels and installation can be substantial. The size of your solar system needs to be adequate to meet your EV charging needs and other household electricity demands. 
• Sunlight Hours and Location: Do you live in a sunny climate? The amount of sunlight your location receives, and the orientation of your roof will affect solar panel production. If it's cloudy in the winter, you may not have enough solar energy to charge your vehicle. 
• Battery Storage: If you plan to charge your EV at night, you'll need to consider adding battery storage to your solar system. 

More To Think About

Violence against Cybertruck and Tesla owners continues, a concerning trend that potential buyers should be aware of. Can you handle the criticism and potential risks associated with owning a Tesla? This is a question every potential owner should consider.

For instance, I wrote another report about a school teacher and her husband, who worked construction and had their CT keyed with a knife the entire length. They worked hard to get their CT. Their story sheds light on the potential risks and challenges that come with owning a Tesla, but also the resilience and determination of its owners. 

Gina says, "Not a key, a full-on knife, and this jerk cut through the length of our CT and into the plastic right by the camera. I'm a school teacher and work in retail. My husband is a construction worker, so we've worked incredibly hard to own our CT. We were parked in downtown Seattle when this happened. I wish there were a way to buff it out, but it's cut so deep. All I can pray for is karma." 

Check out Gina and her husband's unbelievable story here.

Marcus concludes," I've owned Teslas for over a decade now. During that time, I watched ranges climb and charge times drop, and the entire experience got smoother with every update. And that's not slowing down." 

There's a plan. 

"The future's already mapped out. And if you think the Cybertruck is good now, wait until the range extender arrives. It won't be checkmate, but the king will definitely be cornered." 

"I'm not saying gas vehicles are going away tomorrow. We haven't lost our love for classic cars and muscle, either. But my Tesla Cybertruck—and EVs as a whole—can no longer be written off as a novelty or a tech fantasy. The holdouts either haven't done the research or are just digging in out of habit. And that's fine. But the numbers will keep climbing. And so will we."

In fact, the innovation found in Tesla's latest models, including the Cybertruck, isn't just limited to charging convenience. It’s evident in every corner of their lineup, from the sleek efficiency of the Model 3 to the groundbreaking upgrades seen in the 2024 version. If you’re a fan of seamless user experience and cutting-edge features, you might be interested to know that the 2024 Model 3 is not only impressively updated, but it also comes with 8 significant upgrades over the 2022 model. In a recent test drive, a Torque News reader Scott was immediately sold by these improvements - everything from handling to in-car tech has been enhanced to perfection, and you can check out the full breakdown of these exciting upgrades in my detailed review here.

Conclusion:

Owning a Tesla Cybertruck or another Tesla vehicle is not for everyone. For some, it's the ideal vehicle, whereas for others, it could be a mistake. This report has some information on owning the controversial truck and can help you make an informed decision. 

How About You?

Do you own a Tesla Cybertruck? Tell us about your experience. If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: “I’ve Seen Tesla Owners Trying To Disguise Their Model 3 and Cybertruck With Another Car Brand’s Logo, Why? They Don’t Want To Be Associated With Tesla”

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Out of Spec Reviews