Tesla has officially abandoned plans to release a range extender for the Cybertruck, a move that has disappointed many fans of the electric pickup truck. The company had initially promised a range of over 500 miles for the tri-motor version of the Cybertruck, starting at $70,000. However, the production model now offers only 320 miles of range and starts at $100,000.
To address the discrepancy in range, Tesla had introduced a separate battery pack, known as the “range extender,” which was priced at $16,000 and took up a significant portion of the Cybertruck’s bed. This solution was meant to boost the range of the vehicle closer to its original specifications. However, despite being in production for over a year and a half, the range extender has yet to be released.
Initially scheduled for a launch in early 2025, the range extender was later pushed back to mid-2025, with a reduced range of “445+ miles” instead of the initially promised “470+ miles” for the dual-motor version. In a surprising turn of events, Tesla has now removed the range extender option from the Cybertruck configurator on its website, indicating that the product may have been abandoned altogether.
A Tesla Cybertruck owner shared communication from the company confirming that the range extender has been canceled. Tesla informed customers who had reserved the range extender that they would be receiving full refunds for their deposits. The decision to discontinue the range extender may be attributed to various factors, including the limited demand for the product and the challenges associated with its installation and removal, which required service center assistance.
Ultimately, the demise of the range extender underscores the struggles faced by the Cybertruck, which has not met expectations in terms of sales volume. The decision to streamline the battery pack options for the Cybertruck, including eliminating the removable range extender, reflects Tesla’s focus on efficiency and market demand. While the range extender may no longer be an option for Cybertruck buyers, the electric truck continues to garner interest for its innovative design and performance capabilities.
