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One of Tesla's most surprising revelations during the Cybertruck delivery event was the introduction of the range extender battery pack option for the all-electric truck.
This battery pack significantly boosts the Cybertruck’s range from the highest EPA range of 340 miles to an impressive 470 miles, opening up exciting possibilities for long-distance travel.
This is wonderful; however, unlike other longer-range Tesla battery pack options, this one is not integrated into the skateboard design of the battery pack but will reside on the truck bed and get carried like cargo.
This was a major departure for the company, which is known for its clean and integrated design ethos. A chunk of battery that takes up one-third of the truck bed is very anti-Tesla-like.
However, if you are looking for a cheaper and potentially longer-range Cybertruck without having to carry a range extender battery pack, we have our first look at the dry cathode 4680 Tesla Cybertruck validation testing.
Going back to the Cybertruck range extender battery pack, when the EV maker announced the option, Elon Musk, asked by an X user to clarify more about the product, responded by stating that it is an “optional pack that fits in about 1/3 of the truck bed. Still room for plenty of cargo.”
A new video has captured the first view of the validation Tesla Cybertruck powered by the revolutionary dry cathode 4680 cells. This Cybertruck variant will go into production by the end of this year and is expected to cut costs significantly. @Tesla @elonmusk #Tesla
-… pic.twitter.com/k93GwjDGl3
— Torque News (@torquenewsauto) July 27, 2024
Finally, Musk added, “It’s meant for very long trips or towing heavy things up mountains.” This part especially convinced Tesla enthusiasts that the range extender can be removed for day-to-day driving but remounted for long trips.
People even envisioned using the range extender battery pack as a Powrwall to back up their home electricity and load it onto their Cybertruck when they needed to carry heavy loads.
Other options people envisioned using their Cybertruck range extender included renting the battery pack from Tesla for a small price when they needed to go on long trips.
All these options were wonderful to imagine; however, Tesla’s lead Cybertruck engineer, Wes Morrill, has poured cold water on some of the more fantastical hopes.
J Nygren asked on X, “Will the Cybertruck Range Extender be "easily" removable? Or, could it be offered as a rental option from local service centers?”
In response, Wes wrote back, “No, any range extender offered by Tesla will be structurally mounted so it's safe in a crash.”
No, any range extender offered by Tesla will be structurally mounted so it's safe in a crash
— Wes (@wmorrill3) July 27, 2024
This means the Cybertruck range extender would be bolted on in a way that will be very difficult to disassemble.
This might come as a disappointment for a lot of people, but at 50KWh, the range extender is expected to weigh somewhere around 800 lbs; this will undoubtedly make the battery pack too heavy to move for anyone without access to heavy machinery.
As for people who are excited about the range extender battery pack despite its limitations, Steven on X asked, “Any idea when we will be able to order the range extender from the shop? I unfortunately didn’t order it with my truck, and now I really want one.”
In response, the Cybertruck lead engineer states, “I'm not sure. We need to get it into production and start filling orders for folks who put down a deposit before we put it up in the shop.”
Not sure, we need to get it into production and start filling orders for folks that put down a deposit before we put it up on shop.
— Wes (@wmorrill3) July 27, 2024
Wes’s comments suggest that Tesla has not yet started production on the range extender battery pack option. Previously, we received reports from a Cybertruck owner stating that Tesla informed him that his range extender battery pack would be delivered in October.
The range extender battery pack is a bit of an odd decision by Tesla, and a number of commenters online have suggested Tesla decided to make it an optional add-on rather than create a larger skateboard-style battery pack to be able to qualify the Cybertruck for the $7,500 tax break.
Currently, Tesla is expected to price the Cybertruck range extender around $16,000; however, we’ll be sure to keep you posted as more information comes out.
Until then, make sure to visit our site, torquenews.com/Tesla, regularly for the latest updates.
So, what do you think? Are you disappointed to learn the Cybertruck range extender battery pack will not be easily removable? Also, why do you make Tesla’s decision to offer a range extender battery pack in the first place? Let us know your thoughts in the comments by clicking the red “Add new comment” button below.
Image: Courtesy of Tesla, inc.
For more information, check out: I Unfortunately Killed a Deer Going 50 Mph in My Tesla Cybertruck – I’m the 3rd Cybertruck Owner to Run Over a Deer With My Shiny, Silent, Stainless Steel Truck
Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and the evolution of the EV space daily for several years. He covers everything about Tesla, from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.
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