The Tesla Cybertruck Range Extender, once considered a solution to bring the range of the Cybertruck closer to the originally promised 500 miles (804 km), has now completely disappeared from the online configurator. But what is behind this step and what could it mean for the future Cybertruck?
Origin and Concept of the Range Extender
When the Cybertruck was introduced in 2019, Tesla promised an impressive range of 500 miles. However, when the truck was finally released, it only reached about 325 miles (523 km). To close this gap, Tesla planned the Range Extender – an optional, toolbox-sized battery that took up about a third of the cargo space and was supposed to increase the range for the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variant to over 470 miles (756 km). Despite this technically ambitious concept, the high costs estimated at US$16,000 (C$22,000) and an unwieldy design were the focus of criticism.
Delays and Adjustments
Originally intended for a launch at the end of 2024, the market introduction of the Range Extender was postponed multiple times. First, the start was moved to early 2025 and ultimately delayed again to mid-2025. Additionally, Tesla lowered the expected range increase of the Range Extender – from originally over 470 miles to now "445+ miles" (716 km+).
Disappearance from the Configurator
Now, as we approach mid-2025, the Range Extender has completely disappeared from the online configurator in the USA and Canada – although it is still listed on the Cybertruck specifications page with a value of 440+ miles (710+ km). This step raises questions: Will the Range Extender return and possibly be redesigned? Or does this signal a strategic realignment at Tesla?
Possible Reasons and Future Prospects
The Range Extender was never embraced by all fans – a common criticism was the design: The extender took up significant cargo space and thus reduced the practicality of the truck. Many users desired a flatter design that occupies the entire cargo space, thus maintaining the vehicle's functionality.
It is conceivable that Tesla is working on a redesign of the Range Extender to offer more range or optimize the design – perhaps even both. Alternatively, Tesla could completely rethink the concept and instead consider other solutions to increase the Cybertruck's range without sacrificing cargo space.
Conclusion
The disappearance of the range extender from the configurator leaves room for speculation: Either Tesla is planning a revised version that better addresses the criticisms, or the company is questioning the current concept. One thing remains clear: Tesla remains innovative, but sometimes the path to groundbreaking solutions involves several detours. Whether the range extender will return – or whether Tesla will find other, more efficient methods to optimize the range – will be revealed in the coming months.
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