Tesla's Cybertruck Battery Range Extender Disappears from Online Configurator
In a surprising turn of events, Tesla's highly anticipated battery range extender accessory for the Cybertruck has been removed from the online configurator, as reported by Electrek over the weekend. This accessory was initially designed to enhance the electric pickup's driving range, promising an impressive 445 miles on a single charge. However, its recent disappearance raises questions about the accessory's future availability.
The Cybertruck Range Extender was first unveiled during the vehicleâs delivery event, promoted as a $16,000 add-on. Tesla described this accessory as a significant enhancement to the truck's capabilities, despite the fact that it occupies nearly half of the usable space in the rear bed of the vehicle. This announcement came on the heels of Tesla's ambitious claims back in 2019, when they stated that the tri-motor variant of the Cybertruck would achieve over 500 miles on a single charge, retailing for around $70,000 without any additional battery options.
As it stands, the highest range variant currently available for order is the dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) model, which offers a range of 325 miles priced at $79,990. The tri-motor version, dubbed the âCyberbeast,â boasts a shorter range of 301 miles and carries a price tag of $99,990. Initially, Tesla had estimated that the battery extender would enhance the Cybertruckâs range to approximately 470 miles; however, this projection was revised downward earlier this year in 2024.
At the time of this writing, the battery range extender remains listed in the specifications section of the Cybertruck page on Tesla's website, leaving room for speculation about its status. There have been no formal announcements indicating that the accessory has been entirely canceled, but the lack of recent updates is concerning. Originally slated for availability in early 2025, the release timeline for the extender has since been pushed back to mid-2025, and its current absence from the configurator has led many to question if it will ever come to fruition.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges Tesla faces in meeting the ambitious promises made to its customers, particularly in the highly competitive electric vehicle market. As more players enter the arena, Tesla must address these concerns to maintain its position as a leader in the industry.
